Spanish immigration lawyers in Toronto: visas to live in Spain
Quick answer: if you live in Toronto and want to move to Spain, the right visa depends on how you will live there: remote work, passive income, studies or a job with a Spanish company. You apply at the Consulate General of Spain in Toronto. We prepare your file with you online, from choosing the visa to getting your TIE card in Spain.
Reviewed on 3 November 2026 by Carolina Díaz Calderón, lawyer registered with the Madrid Bar (ICAM no. 97778).
From Toronto we hear from remote professionals, students planning a master's degree in Spain and retirees looking for a milder climate for part or all of the year.
Which visa fits you
| Your situation | Recommended route |
|---|---|
| You work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain | Digital nomad visa |
| You live on savings, investments, rental income or retirement | Non-lucrative residence |
| A Spanish company offers you a qualified role | Highly qualified professional |
| You will study in Spain | Student residence |
| You are relocating and want to plan your taxes | Beckham Law |
Since Canada joined the Apostille Convention (January 2024), preparing documents is faster: consular legalisation is no longer needed. The bottleneck is usually the RCMP criminal record check, so request it early.
Looking for the Golden Visa? It was abolished on 3 April 2025: buying property no longer gives residence. See the alternatives for investors.
Documents usually requested from Canadians
- RCMP fingerprint-based criminal record check.
- Apostille on Canadian documents: Canada has applied the Apostille Convention since January 2024, so consular legalisation is no longer required.
- Sworn translation into Spanish of documents in English or French.
- Private health insurance with full cover in Spain and no co-payments.
Criminal record certificates are usually only valid for a short time (typically 3 months), so we tell you when to request them so they don't expire before your appointment.
Stays, residence and taxes
As a Canadian citizen you can stay in Spain for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. If you are 18 to 35, also look at the Canada–Spain youth mobility programme, which has its own requirements and quotas.
Spain and Canada have a double taxation treaty. We review how your Canadian income will be taxed and whether the Beckham Law suits you before you move.
How we work
- Assessment: we review your profile and tell you which visa fits and what the risks are.
- Document checklist: the exact list for your consulate, including apostilles and translations.
- Application: we prepare the file and support you at the consular appointment, or file in Spain where the law allows it.
- Arrival in Spain: town hall registration, fingerprints and TIE, plus tax planning if you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply if I live in Toronto?
At the Consulate General of Spain in Toronto. The competent consulate depends on where you legally reside, not on your nationality.Can I apply for the digital nomad visa from Spain?
Yes. If you are in Spain legally (for example, within your visa-free stay), you can apply for the international remote work residence permit directly with the Large Companies Unit, without returning to Toronto.Do I need to travel to Madrid?
No. We work online: we review your documents, prepare the file and only flag the steps that need you in person, such as the consular appointment or TIE fingerprints.Talk to a Spanish immigration lawyer
If you live in Toronto and want to move to Spain, tell us about your case and we will tell you which visa suits you and which documents to prepare first.