What is a long-stay visa and when do I need one?
A long-stay visa allows stays of more than 90 days. Learn when you need one, what types exist, and what documents are typically required to apply.
Updated
Quick answer: A long-stay visa allows you to remain in a country longer than a tourist visa allows (more than 90 days in the Schengen area). You need one if you plan to study, work, retire, or live abroad for an extended period. Each country has its own types and requirements.
What is a long-stay visa?
A long-stay visa (also called a national visa or Type D visa in the EU) authorizes you to stay in a country for more than 90 days. Schengen short-stay visas are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period, and many tourist visas have similar limits, though some allow more - a UK Standard Visitor can usually stay up to 6 months. If you plan to stay longer - for any reason - you need a long-stay visa before you travel, or you must apply for one in-country in countries that allow this.
When do you need a long-stay visa?
| Reason for stay | Type of long-stay visa |
|---|---|
| Study or academic exchange | Student visa |
| Employment with a local employer | Work visa / work permit |
| Remote work as a self-employed individual | Digital nomad visa (select countries) |
| Retirement on a pension or passive income | Retirement visa / passive income visa |
| Joining a spouse or family member | Family reunification visa |
| Extended tourism (over 90 days) | Long-stay tourist visa (where available) |
Common requirements for a long-stay visa
Most long-stay visa applications require proof of the purpose of stay (enrollment letter, employment contract, retirement income statements), proof of accommodation, valid health insurance for the entire stay, sufficient financial resources to support yourself, a clean criminal record, and a valid passport with enough validity beyond your planned stay.
Long-stay visa vs residence permit
In most countries, a long-stay visa covers your first year (or the initial approved period). After that, if you want to remain legally, you need to convert it to a residence permit - a card or document issued by the destination country's immigration authority. The long-stay visa gets you in; the residence permit keeps you in.
Apply before you travel
In most countries you cannot convert a tourist visa into a long-stay visa from within the country - you must return home and apply at the consulate. Always apply for the correct visa type before you travel if you know your stay will exceed 90 days.
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Long-Stay Visa - FAQ
A long-stay visa lets you stay in a country for more than 90 days for a set purpose, such as study, work, retirement or joining family. In Schengen countries it is a national visa, often called a type D visa, issued by the one country you are moving to under its own rules. You normally apply at that country's consulate before you travel.
Not for a 12-month stay. A short-stay Schengen visa can be valid for a year or longer if it is multiple-entry, but you can still spend only 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area. To live in one Schengen country for a year, you need that country's national long-stay visa, applied for under its own rules.
It depends on the country, but a long-stay visa usually covers your first year or the initial approved period. To stay on after that, you switch to a residence permit issued by the country's immigration authority. A type D visa from one Schengen country also lets you visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
There is no single processing time, because each country sets its own, and work or family visas often need extra checks. Gather your enrolment letter, job contract or income proof first, then book the consulate appointment early. In most countries you cannot switch from a tourist visa to a long-stay visa after arriving, so apply before you travel.
Almost every country issues some form of long-stay visa, but the categories differ. Common types are student, work, family reunification and retirement or passive income visas, and some countries also offer digital nomad visas for remote workers. Each Schengen country runs its own national scheme, so check the consulate of the exact country you plan to live in.
Yes, if the trips are spaced out. UK citizens can stay in Spain without a visa for up to 90 days, but the limit counts every day spent anywhere in the Schengen area over any 180-day period. After 90 days in, you need 90 days outside Schengen before returning. Staying longer in one go needs a Spanish long-stay visa.