Visa options vary by country and include:

• Self-employment / Freelance Visas (e.g. Spain’s Autónomo, Germany’s Freiberufler)

• Digital Nomad Visas (e.g. Portugal, Spain, Estonia, Croatia)

• Work Visas (sponsorship required)

• Student Visas (often a stepping stone to residency)

• Family Reunification Visas

• Retirement Visas (e.g. Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa)

• Entrepreneur or Startup Visas (e.g. France, Italy)

If you're earning income from a non-local employer, a Digital Nomad Visa or a Non-Lucrative Visa (if not working) may be your best fit. Countries have different income thresholds and requirements.

Most visa applications require:

• Valid passport

• Proof of income or savings

• Health insurance

• Criminal background check (apostilled)

• Visa application form

• Business plan (for self-employed visas)

• Proof of accommodation

• Passport photos

• Translations into the local language (often certified)

Yes, for most long term visas, documents issued in your home country must be apostilled (criminal records, birth certificates, diplomas). This ensures legal recognition abroad.

It depends on the visa:

• Spain Non-Lucrative: €2,400+/month

• Portugal D7: ~€820/month minimum

• Spain Autónomo: ~€1,200–1,500/month + client contracts + business plan

• Digital Nomad Visas: usually €2,000–€3,500/month

Thresholds change annually, so it’s important to check official sources or work with a relocation coach like Mingle Abroad.

Some countries allow you to switch from a tourist stay to a long-stay visa, while others require you to apply from your home country or consulate abroad. Spain, for example, requires applying at the consulate in your home country for most national visas.

Processing times vary:

• Digital Nomad: 1–3 months

• Student: 1–2 months

• Self-Employed/Autónomo: 1–3+ months depending on region and completeness

• Family reunification: 2–6 months
  Always build in extra time for gathering documents and consulate appointments.

You can typically:

• Appeal the decision (time-sensitive)

• Reapply with improved documentation

• Switch to another visa type if eligible
  Mingle Abroad offers help with preparing stronger applications to avoid rejections.

Yes. Most consulates require official documents to be translated into the country’s language by a certified translator. For Spain, that means a traductor jurado (sworn translator).

Most long-stay visas require a residency card or registration (e.g. TIE in Spain or residência in Portugal) within 30 days. You'll also likely need:

• Local tax ID number (NIE/NIF)

• Social security registration (if working)

• Health system registration
  Mingle Abroad supports you through the post-arrival steps.

Not all visas allow work. Be careful:

• Digital Nomad Visas: only remote work allowed

• Non-Lucrative: no work allowed

• Self-Employed/Autónomo: local and international freelance work allowed

• Student Visas: limited hours permitted in some countries

Each visa has renewal conditions:

• Continued income proof

• Residency days met (typically 183+ per year)

• Tax registration

• Health insurance
  Some renewals are automatic with continued eligibility; others require starting over with a new appointment.

Yes, most long-stay visas lead to residency, which can then lead to permanent residency or citizenship after 2–10 years depending on your nationality and visa type.