Sunk costs, why paying already is not a reason to go

Key rules

• Future value: Judge go or stop only on future costs and benefits; money already spent and not recoverable should not count.
• Official fees: Immigration and visa fees are generally not refunded if an application is refused or withdrawn, so count them as spent.
• Exit penalties: Refundable items and exit penalties you would still have to pay are real future costs and do count.
• Stop rule: Set a stop rule and review date before you go, such as an income level by a set month.

Judge on what is ahead, not what is behind

Decide only on future costs and benefits. Money already spent and not recoverable should not count. Refundable items and exit penalties you would still have to pay do count.

This bias is called the sunk-cost fallacy. It sounds like "You have come this far" or "You have already paid for the visa." Those thoughts feel strong, but they say nothing about whether life in Spain will work for you.

Costs that are already gone

Immigration and visa fees are generally not refunded if an application is refused or withdrawn, so count them as spent. That covers:

• The residence fee paid with form modelo 790.
• The consular fee for a long-stay visa. It is not refunded if the visa is refused.
• The fee for the TIE card, if you have already paid it.

A refund is possible only if the payment was a mistake, a duplicate or an excess payment, or the procedure was not required. You then ask the office that handles the payment, and it decides case by case.

Other money you have probably spent and will not see again: passport photos, fees paid to a lawyer or gestor for work already done, and flights or shipping that cannot be cancelled.

Costs that still count

Some money is not yet gone. Put these on the "future" side of your comparison:

• Refundable deposits and bookings. Check what you would get back if you stop.
• Exit penalties. A signed lease or a shipping contract may charge you to leave, and that charge is a real future cost.
• Paperwork still ahead. This can include a sworn translation (traductor jurado) of documents not in Spanish, apostilles or legalisation of foreign documents, a medical certificate for stays beyond six months where required, and private health insurance without co-payments for non-lucrative or similar routes.
• Rent, living costs and any income you would lose by leaving your current job.

Check current fee amounts with the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration and with your consulate.

A simple test

Ask yourself: if you were starting today with nothing spent, would you choose to go? If yes, go ahead. If no, the money already paid is not a good enough reason to continue.

Then compare only what lies ahead for going against what lies ahead for stopping. Set a stop rule before you leave, for example an income level you must reach by a set month, and a date to review it. It also helps to ask a neutral adviser how they would judge your choice.

The decision, documents, checklist and FAQ below take you through this step by step.

Choosing between options

Should you go ahead with the move or stop?

• Go ahead: Starting today with nothing spent, you would still choose to go, and future benefits outweigh future costs.

• Stop or pause: Starting today you would not choose to go, or your stop rule has been met, such as an income level missed by the review date.

Documents you need

• Sworn translation (traductor jurado) of any document not in Spanish

• Foreign criminal record certificate, apostilled or legalised

• Foreign marriage or birth certificates, apostilled or legalised, where your application includes them

• Medical certificate, for stays beyond six months where required

• Private health insurance without co-payments, for non-lucrative or similar routes

Check which documents apply to your route with the consulate or the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.

Checklist

• Ask yourself: if you were starting today with nothing spent, would you choose to go?

• List only future costs and benefits of going and of stopping.

• Cross out money already spent that you cannot get back, such as paid visa and residence fees.

• Add refundable items and exit penalties you would still have to pay, because they are real future costs.

• Add paperwork costs still ahead: sworn translations, apostilles, medical certificate, health insurance and any lawyer or gestor.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get my visa or residence fee back if I withdraw?

Generally no, immigration fees are not refunded if you withdraw or are refused, because they pay for processing the application. A refund is possible only if you paid by mistake, paid twice or paid too much. In that case you must request it through the refund procedure of the office that collected the fee.

Does a refused visa fee count in my go or stop decision?

No, a refused visa fee does not count, because it is already spent and cannot be recovered. Count it as spent and judge only what you would still pay and gain from here. A new application fee would be a future cost and does count.

Which paperwork costs come on top of the official fees?

Typical extra costs are sworn translations (traductor jurado), apostilles on foreign documents, a medical certificate where required, private health insurance, passport photos and possibly a lawyer or gestor. Costs you have not paid yet are future costs, so count them when you decide.