Residence permit

Each country issues permits under its own immigration law, with its own conditions, length and renewal rules. Malta's nomad residence permit, for example, is issued for one year and can be renewed three times, for a maximum of four years. Italy's investor permit lasts two years and can be renewed for three-year periods while the investment is kept. Some permits lead to permanent residence after a period set by law.

In the Schengen area a permit issued by one country also allows short trips to the others. Your Europe says non-EU travelers holding a valid residence permit do not need a visa to enter, and short stays in other Schengen countries are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period.

A residence permit is an immigration status, not a tax status. Spain's tax agency says a person can hold a residence permit or administrative residence in a state and still not be tax resident there. Tax residence is decided by each country's tax tests.

Not to be confused with

• Permanent residence. Permanent residence removes the time limit on the right to stay, while most residence permits must be renewed.
• Tax residence. Tax residence comes from tax law tests such as days present or a home, not from the permit itself.
• Schengen 90/180 rule. The 90/180 rule limits short stays in other Schengen countries, while a residence permit covers living in the country that issued it.

Sources

• Nomad Residence Permit: FAQs (Residency Malta Agency)Official guidance
• Visa for Italy Investor Program (Embassy of Italy in Pretoria)Official guidance
• Your Europe: Travel documents for non-EU nationalsOfficial guidance
• Agencia Tributaria: Persona física residente en EspañaOfficial guidance

Related

Countries covered

General

Sources

4 sources

Tax year

Current rules as checked

Review

Not professionally reviewed
Sources checked November 9, 2026