Parastoo Legal Group
Moving to Spain from the UAE: The Complete Relocation Guide for 2025
Everything UAE residents and nationals need to know about relocating to Spain legally, financially, and practically.
Moving from the UAE to Spain is a significant life decision, and one that Parastoo Legal Group has helped hundreds of clients navigate successfully. Based in Madrid, we are uniquely positioned to guide you through every stage of the process — from your first consultation in Business Bay to your first morning in Madrid.
Step 1: Choose Your Visa Route
The first decision is which residency route is right for you: Non-Lucrative Visa (if you have savings and do not want to work locally), Digital Nomad Visa (if you work remotely), Golden Visa (if you are investing €500,000+ in real estate), or Self-Employment Visa (if you want to run a business in Spain). We assess your situation and recommend the optimal route in a free initial consultation.
Step 2: Tax Planning Before You Leave
Before leaving the UAE, you should obtain tax advice on: deregistering as UAE tax resident, structuring any investment income to minimise Spanish tax, and applying for the Beckham Law upon arrival. Getting this right before you move can save very significant sums. Our tax team works with clients 3–12 months before their intended move date.
Step 3: Finding Property in Spain
We work with trusted real estate partners in Madrid, Marbella, Barcelona, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands. UAE clients typically have specific requirements — privacy, quality of construction, proximity to international schools — and we help align property choices with both lifestyle and immigration/investment goals.
Step 4: Opening a Spanish Bank Account
A Spanish bank account is essential for paying rent or mortgage, settling utility bills, and meeting various administrative requirements. As a non-resident, opening a Spanish account can be challenging. We work with specific banks and account managers experienced with Middle Eastern clients.
Step 5: Settling In — Schools, Healthcare, Administration
Once in Spain, you will need to register with your local town hall (empadronamiento), register with the Spanish health system if not using private insurance, and enrol children in school. We provide a full settlement support service to ensure every practical aspect of your arrival in Spain is handled smoothly.