Every Spanish long-stay visa for Canadians requires an apostilled RCMP criminal record check. That's the one constant across all visa types, everything else depends on which visa you're applying for.

Spanish employers in regulated fields, engineering, medicine, education, law, require apostilled credentials before they can process a foreign worker's licensing application. This isn't new, but enforcement has tightened since Spain joined the EU professional qualifications directive

Students enrolling in Spanish universities or long-term programs typically need apostilled diplomas, transcripts, and academic records for admission and credential recognition.

Canadians planning to marry in Spain, pursue family reunification, or navigate international adoption commonly need apostilled birth certificates, marriage and divorce records, and court documents.

Canadians on the Non-Lucrative Visa, the standard retirement and extended-stay route, need an apostilled RCMP check, civil documents, and a medical certificate. Financial records (bank statements, pension letters) are also need to be submitted.

Canadians starting a business, purchasing property, or managing legal affairs in Spain may need apostilled corporate documents, powers of attorney, affidavits, or identity records.