Catalonia is home to a third of the total Russian-speaking population of Spain. There are especially many Russian emigrants in the capital of the autonomous region and the province - Barcelona. Known for its rich history, warm sea and unique architecture, this second largest city in Spain is striking in its beauty and at the same time offers great opportunities for migrants. It is worth considering in more detail how realistic it is to move to Barcelona for permanent residence from Russia, what is required for this and how this city attracts Russians.
Grounds for obtaining permanent residence in Barcelona
The status of permanent residence in Spain implies a permit for permanent residence in the country for 5 years with the right of subsequent extension or acceptance of the Spanish indigenous. Since dual citizenship with the Russian Federation is not recognized in Spain, the status of a permanent resident of Spain is very attractive for those Russians who decided to live and work in a European country, not wanting to part with a Russian passport. At the same time, permanent residence makes it possible to enjoy social rights and benefits on an equal basis with Spanish citizens.
Those Russian citizens who have decided to move to live in Barcelona from Russia need to solve the main problem - to find legal grounds that will allow them to obtain the right to enter and temporary residence in Spain. Such a basis may be:
- conclusion of a work contract. High unemployment and an influx of Hispanic immigrants from Latin America greatly reduce the odds and make this option the least promising. Owners of specialties that are in short supply in the kingdom, highly qualified specialists, world-famous scientists, cultural figures, athletes can count on success;
- legalization by residence. This option also cannot be considered promising, since it assumes that the illegal immigrant managed to live in Spain for at least three years, conclude a work contract with the employer (for which employers are punished with high fines) and apply to the authorities for a residence permit;
- business immigration. The minimum investment amount is 35 thousand euros;
- marriage with a Spanish citizen;
- study in Spain. Student residence for 3 years also gives the right to apply for a residence permit with the right to work;
- "Golden Visa" for investments from 1 million euros or the purchase of real estate in the amount of 500 thousand euros;
- welfare visa - to obtain a residence permit without employment. In this case, the applicant must prove financial solvency (50 thousand euros in a Spanish bank account) or the presence of a monthly income outside Spain of at least 4 living wages (645 euros in 2021) for each adult family member;
- family reunification - if there are close relatives in Spain.
The process of obtaining permanent residence
Registration of permanent residence status in Spain involves the passage of several stages. The first step is to obtain a residence permit; the conditions for obtaining it will depend on the type of residence permit.
Algorithm of actions:
- registration of an initial residence permit for a period of one year by all foreigners who entered Spain on a national visa D and obtaining a resident card. At the end of the year, a residence permit in Barcelona, like in any other city in the country, is extended on the basis of a work contract, enrollment in a university, establishment of a company, etc.;
- obtaining a regular residence permit for three years. You can apply for it only after three years of stay in Spain. The usual residence permit in Spain is extended by three years;
- obtaining permanent residence. After five years of residence in Spain, a foreign resident can apply to the migration authorities for obtaining permanent residence. Permanent residence in Spain has an unlimited status, but subject to renewal every five years;
- the acquisition of the indigenate of Spain. Citizens of the Russian Federation acquire the right to Spanish citizenship after permanent residence in the country for 10 years. In the event of a marriage union with a Spanish citizen, the waiting period is reduced to one year.
From 2021, for all foreign residents of Spain wishing to acquire the citizenship of the country, it is compulsory to pass the Spanish Language Proficiency Test (DELE) at the Instituto Cervantes and the Spanish History, Culture and Social Life Examination (CCSE). The cost of passing the test is 124 euros, the exam - 85 euros, paperwork - 100 euros.
Rent and purchase of housing
Russian citizens have the opportunity to freely buy and rent residential and non-residential real estate in Spain. The price of residential real estate in Barcelona is one of the highest in the country: in 2021 it reached 4400 euros per sq.m. The average price for city apartments is from 300 thousand euros, for houses outside the city - from 800 thousand euros. You can learn more about the prices and the purchase procedure by reading the article "How to buy real estate in Spain for a Russian citizen."
Buying an apartment in Barcelona will be a good investment: the demand for rent is increasing and rental rates are increasing every year. The rental price for decent city apartments starts from 800 euros. During the high season, the price can rise several times.
Benefits of living in Barcelona
Many say that it is good for a Russian immigrant to live in Barcelona only if his family income per year is at least 150 thousand. Indeed, Barcelona is one of the tourist capitals of the world, which affects prices. But there are pluses that make many Russians, including those who are not very wealthy, strive here.
It:
- favorable geographical location on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, picturesque landscape and healthy climate;
- rich historical heritage of the city;
- the friendliness and sociability of the local population;
- the ability to make do with knowledge of the English language;
- higher salaries (15-35% higher) compared to other regions of Spain;
- free medicine and the opportunity to get modern education;
- safety on the streets.
Wealthier representatives of the Russian emigration buy real estate in the central fashionable areas - San Martí and Eixample. The areas are simpler - Sants-Montjuic, Les Corts. The least popular area is Raval, which is home to mostly Asian immigrants.
Necessary expenses in Barcelona
The main expense in Barcelona is housing. The cost of renting a two-room apartment, depending on the location, area, prestige of the area, the presence of a garage, is on average 1000-1200 euros per month plus 200-300 euros for utilities. More information about the system of utility bills in Spain can be found in the article "Utility bills".
Owners of their own homes pay real estate tax - from 0.4 to 1.1% of the cadastral value of the property. Expenses for children in Barcelona include fees for kindergarten (from 300 euros per month), for the preparatory group - from 3 to 6 years (from 300 to several thousand euros), at school - for uniforms, textbooks, meals, excursions.
Public transport travel depends on the transport zones: in zone A1, one trip will cost 2 euros. A used car costs 2-4 thousand euros, and a liter of 95 gasoline costs 1.4 euros. Home internet in Barcelona is expensive - 120 euros per month 50 Mb / s. Food costs range from 150 euros and more. For more information on current cost items and prices in Spain, see the article "How much does it cost to live in Spain".
Russian life in Spain
For those Russian citizens who decided to emigrate to Barcelona, it will be interesting to know that the majority of Russians living here - both representatives of the wealthy strata of the population and those who came here to work or for other reasons, are satisfied with what they found here: a quiet life, a civilized democratic society, a stable economy, a wonderful climate and hospitable Spaniards, but the main thing is the presence of prospects for both yourself and your children. More details about the life of Russian immigrants can be found in the article “How Russians live in Spain”.
Let's sum up
It is not difficult for a citizen of the Russian Federation to leave for Barcelona and obtain permanent residence today: you just need to find a legal basis, prepare papers, and meet the agreed conditions. The process of obtaining a Spanish residence lasts 10 years (except in cases of marriage with a Spanish citizen, when the indigenous person can be obtained in a year) and includes several stages: obtaining an initial residence permit, obtaining a main residence permit, obtaining permanent residence, applying for citizenship.
