How to Start Your Migration Process from Latin America to Europe

Migrating is one of the most important —and exciting— decisions a person can make. If you're in Latin America and have been dreaming of a new life in Europe for a while, this article is for you. At MIGROPA we want to help you take those first steps in an informed, safe and purposeful way.

Below, we share a practical step-by-step guide to start your migration process from scratch, along with key tips and mistakes you should avoid.

1. Define your migration goal

Before looking for flights or documents, it's essential that you ask yourself this question: Why do I want to migrate and what do I hope to achieve?
The reasons can be many: studying, working, having a better quality of life, escaping insecurity or reuniting with family. Being clear about your purpose will help you choose the best country, visa and strategy.

Ask yourself:
✔ Am I willing to learn another language?
✔ What skills or studies do I have?
✔ Am I looking for long-term stability or a temporary experience?

1. Choose the right (and realistic) country for you

Europe offers many opportunities for those who want to start a new life, but each country has its own immigration rules, advantages and challenges. At MIGROPA, we specialize in supporting processes to the DACH region (Germany, Switzerland and Austria), but if you're interested in comparing these three countries, we invite you to read our exclusive blog about them [👉 Germany, Switzerland or Austria: Which is the best country to migrate to from Latin America?].

Now, many Latin Americans also migrate to other European destinations due to language, community or accessibility. Here's a summary of the most common countries:

• 🇪🇸 Spain: It's one of the favorite destinations due to cultural and linguistic proximity. There are multiple visa options (studies, work, residence by settlement), but also a lot of job competition and high costs in cities like Madrid or Barcelona.
• 🇵🇹 Portugal: Increasingly popular for its accessible immigration policies, especially for digital nomads and entrepreneurs. It has good quality of life, lower cost than other countries and a growing Latin community.
• 🇮🇹 Italy: Attractive for its cultural heritage and citizenship options by descent. Although the labor market is more limited, there are possibilities for those looking to study or have family ties.
• 🇫🇷 France: Offers quality educational opportunities and integration programs for foreigners. Language can be a barrier, but there are good options if you're willing to learn French.
• 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇨🇭 Switzerland and 🇦🇹 Austria: As we mentioned before, these countries have high demand for qualified labor, especially in technical sectors, health and technology. Although language and bureaucracy can be a challenge, they offer stability and good standard of living.
• Scandinavian countries (Sweden 🇸🇪, Norway 🇳🇴 , 🇩🇰 Denmark): They are known for their high standard of living, excellent public services and stability. Although immigration processes are demanding and language can be a barrier, some countries offer integration programs for foreigners and good job demand in sectors like health, technology and social services.

💡MIGROPA Tip:  Don't choose just based on trends or third-party recommendations. Study your options according to your profile (language, profession, budget, support networks) before deciding.

1. Research what type of visa you need

A great advantage of migrating to Europe is that many countries are part of the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area, which allows for relative harmonization of immigration rules, especially for highly qualified people. This means that if you obtain a visa or residence permit in a member country, in some cases you can move, work or study in other bloc countries with fewer restrictions.

A very important example is the EU Blue Card, a residence authorization for highly qualified non-European professionals that allows them to live and work in an EU country, with the possibility of moving to another member country after a certain time. Germany, for example, has one of the most accessible and widely used versions of this card.

However, each country has its own legislation, requirements and immigration processes, so it's always essential to thoroughly inform yourself about local regulations, since even within the EU there are notable differences in response times, required documents and visa types.

Below, we share some of the most common visa types for Latin American people who want to migrate to Europe:

• Work visa: For people with a job offer in Europe. Usually requires a signed contract, proof of academic training and validation of degrees in some cases.
• Job search visa: Some countries (like Germany) offer this modality for professionals who want to look for work from Europe for a specific period (generally 6 months).
• Student visa: If you plan to pursue a degree, master's or even a language course. Many countries allow you to study and work part-time, and then give you the option to change to a work visa.
• Family reunification visa: For people who have spouses, children or parents who are already legal residents or citizens in a European country.
• Visa for freelancers or entrepreneurs: Some countries allow independent professionals to apply for residence permits if they can demonstrate stable income and a solid business plan.

💡MIGROPA Tip:
Start by checking the official immigration pages of the country you're interested in. Avoid falling for misinformation from social media or WhatsApp groups. A poorly made decision from the start can cost you time, money and opportunities.

1. Organize your documents in advance

One of the most tedious parts of the immigration process is documentation. The key is to prepare before they ask for it. Migrating is not something that happens overnight. Depending on the visa type and country, the process can take between 3 and 12 months or more.

Typical stages:

1. Gather documents and apply to a university/job offer
2. Gather documents and apply for an appropriate visa
3. Wait for approval, and provide additional documents if required
4. Search for accommodation and organize your trip
5. Arrive and integrate (registration, insurance, language, etc.)

 A common mistake is to underestimate the time and energy required to gather all the documentation, considering the times and processes of external organizations (ministries, universities, embassies, etc.) The minimum you'll need is:

• Valid passport (with a sufficiently long expiration date).
• Apostilled diplomas and certificates
• Official translations (often to German or English) – for some professions credential recognition is necessary.
• CV updated to European style (in some cases with the official European Union format)
• Job offer or confirmation of admission to a study program
• Financial proof (to demonstrate solvency)

1. Have a plan B (and C)

Migration is a process with many external factors: government decisions, changing requirements, unexpected timelines. It's key to have realistic alternatives.

For example:
🔁 If you don't get a work visa, consider studying first.
🔁 If the country you chose has many barriers, look at another with more flexible requirements.
🔁 If your process is delayed, take advantage of the time to improve your profile.

1. Prepare your support network

Migrating is also an emotional challenge. Changing countries means being away from family, adapting to new social rules, and facing difficult moments. Even before migrating, you can start to prepare psychologically and emotionally for your migration process by learning about the culture of the country you're going to, and connecting with the migration experiences of other people.

💡MIGROPA Tip:

• Connect with Latin communities in the destination country
• Talk to people who have already migrated
• Don't be afraid to ask for help
• Keep your goals clear, but with your feet on the ground

1. Seek advice (you're not alone)

• One of the most common mistakes is trying to do everything on your own and falling for misinformation or even scams. Remember that not everything you see on social media is true.
• At MIGROPA we offer you:
  ✅ Clear and updated information
  ✅ Referrals to reliable professionals (lawyers, accountants, advisors)
  ✅ Migration coaching to help you make decisions
  ✅ Workshops and specific content to prepare you

1. Take the first step

We know it's scary. That the paperwork seems endless. That nothing is guaranteed.
But we also know that every migration story begins with a brave step.

Research, ask, prepare. MIGROPA is here to help you build that bridge between your dreams and your new destination.

If you're ready to begin your migration journey or are still deciding, here are some concrete ideas for today:

• Subscribe to our newsletter to receive guides and exclusive content
• Schedule an initial consultation with our team
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Migrating with purpose is possible. And you can be the next to achieve it.