An immigration lawyer in Spain helps you obtain and keep the right to live, work and settle here legally, and defends you if a permit is refused. At FRB Abogados, a Granada firm with more than 40 years’ experience, we handle the whole process in English — and in French — from your first NIE to Spanish nationality.
NIE and TIE
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your foreigner identification number and the first step to work, buy property, open a bank account or inherit in Spain. The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the physical card that proves your residence status. We obtain your NIE whether you are already in Spain or applying from abroad through a Spanish consulate, and we handle the issue and renewal of your TIE so your card always matches your current situation.
Residence permits in Spain
The right permit depends on your situation, your income and whether you intend to work here.
Non-lucrative visa
For people with sufficient income who want to live in Spain without working — often retirees or those with passive income. You must prove financial means and private health insurance.
Digital nomad visa
For those who work remotely for companies outside Spain, introduced by the Startups Law. We prepare the proof of your remote activity, income and qualifications.
Work permits
Residence and work authorisations by employment (cuenta ajena), self-employment (cuenta propia) and for highly qualified professionals, each with its own labour and Social Security requirements.
Student visa
For studies in Spain, with the option to work part-time during your studies and to switch to a work-and-residence permit when you finish.
Long-term and permanent residency
After five years of continuous legal residence you can generally apply for long-term residence — a more stable status that ends the cycle of renewing short-term permits. We check that your periods of residence qualify and prepare the application.
EU family members
If you are the spouse, registered partner or child of an EU or EEA citizen, you can apply for the residence card for family members of a Union citizen, a route with its own advantages and documentation. We handle the whole file.
Arraigo — regularising your situation
Arraigo lets people already living in Spain regularise their status. The reform of the Immigration Regulation set out several routes, among others:
- Social arraigo
- Socio-labour arraigo
- Training arraigo
- Family arraigo
We study which one fits your circumstances and build the strongest possible file [please verify the requirements in force].
Family reunification
If you hold legal residence, you can bring your spouse, children or dependent parents to Spain, provided you meet the housing and income requirements. We prepare the reunification file and the subsequent family visas.
Spanish nationality
We handle nationality by residence — ten years as a rule, but only two for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and Sephardic Jews — as well as nationality by option and by naturalisation. Where required, we help you prepare the CCSE and DELE exams and we deal with the final oath before the Civil Registry.
Appeals and expulsion defence
Many cases start with a refusal. If your visa, permit or nationality application has been refused, we lodge the administrative appeal and, where necessary, take the matter to the contentious-administrative courts, asking for interim measures (medidas cautelares) to protect you in the meantime. If you face an expulsion order, act fast: the deadlines are very short.
The documents you will need
Every procedure has its own list, but you will usually need a valid passport, proof of income or means, private health insurance where applicable, and civil-status documents (birth or marriage certificates) duly legalised or apostilled and, if necessary, officially translated. We give you a tailored checklist so your file is complete from the first submission.
How long does each procedure take?
Timeframes matter, so we set expectations from the start. A NIE can take from a few days to a few weeks; a non-lucrative or digital-nomad visa usually one to three months; nationality by residence takes considerably longer. We give you a realistic estimate for your case and submit a complete file from day one to avoid the delays that come from requirements (requerimientos).
Why a Granada-based firm (and why that helps you)
Most English-language immigration firms are in Barcelona, Madrid or the Costa Blanca. We are a genuine Granada firm, so we know the local Immigration Office and the Sub-delegation of the Government in Andalusia — their practice and their real timeframes. If you live in Granada, Málaga or anywhere on the Costa Tropical, you get a lawyer nearby who deals with you in person, in English or French.
Fees and first consultation
We give you a clear, fixed quote at the first consultation, so you know the cost before you start Our fees follow the guideline criteria of the Granada Bar Association; the first consultation costs €100 + VAT per hour.. Consultations can be in person in Granada or by video call, whichever suits you. Your case is handled by Isabel Romero Contreras (Granada Bar No. 5572), who speaks English and French, together with Mercedes López Cantón (No. 2783).
Contact
Granada, Plaza de los Campos 4. Call +34 958 22 14 30 — we speak English and French.
Frequently asked questions
How long does residency take in Spain?
Can I reunite my family with a temporary permit?
How many years do I need for Spanish nationality?
Can a refusal be appealed?
Do you speak English?
What is the difference between a NIE and a TIE?
Can I work with a non-lucrative visa?
What is arraigo?
Shall we talk about your case?
First consultation with a fixed quote. We assist you in English, French and Spanish.
Book your first consultation +34 958 22 14 30Tell us about your case and we’ll call you
Shall we talk about your case?
Over 40 years of experience · Members of the Granada Bar Association (ICAGR) · We reply within 24 h · Service in English, French and Spanish
The first consultation includes a full study of your case and has a cost; if we take on the matter, it is deducted from the final fee.