Non Lucrative Visa Spain

The Non Lucrative visa (NLV) is intended for individuals who wish to move to Spain but are already financially self-sufficient and so would not need to work whilst there. This applies to both work for a Spanish employer and self-employment.

Under this visa route, you will also be authorised to travel to other countries in the Schengen Area and to be joined by your close family members, such as your spouse, unmarried partner, or children.

Whilst Spain does not offer a specific Retirement visa, this visa is a popular choice for those looking to retire in the country and who have sufficient savings. It is also a good fit for individuals with passive income, such as rental payments from properties outside of Spain.

Note that the Non-Lucrative visa is not a Work visa. If you plan to work whilst in Spain, this is not the right visa route for you. If you plan to complete remote work when in Spain, the Digital Nomad visa is likely to be a better fit. If you plan to start your own business in Spain, you should instead consider the Self-Employed visa or the Entrepreneur visa, depending on the nature of your business idea.

Alternatively, if you wish to obtain a Spanish visa through investment in Spain, the Golden visa is likely to be a better fit. However, note that the Golden visa route is currently set to be discontinued by the Spanish government.

Page Contents

• What is a Non-Lucrative Visa for Spain?
• Spain Non-Lucrative Visa Requirements
• Financial Requirements for a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain?
• Documents Required for Non-Lucrative Visa Application
• Application Process for Non-Lucrative Visa Spain
• Cost and Processing Times for Non-Lucrative Visa
• Renewing My Non Lucrative Visa in Spain
• Non Lucrative Visa to Permanent Residence in Spain
• What is the difference between the Non Lucrative Visa and a Work Visa?
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Non‑Lucrative Visa for Spain

There are a number of eligibility requirements which you will need to satisfy in order to qualify for the Non Lucrative visa. These are generally as follows:

• Satisfy the minimum financial requirements (these will be discussed in the next section of the article)
• Provide evidence of a clean criminal record for at least the last 5 years
• Have never entered Spain illegally, or overstayed your legal duration of stay
• Provide evidence of Spanish accommodation
• Provide evidence of Spanish health insurance

If you are the spouse, unmarried partner, child, or dependant relative of someone with a Non Lucrative visa, you can also apply under this scheme.

Note that, if you are the unmarried partner of someone with a Non Lucrative visa, you will need to prove that your relationship is equivalent to marriage in order to be eligible (e.g. if you live together or have shared finances).

If you are a dependant relative, you will need to provide evidence of that dependency.

Main Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for the Non Lucrative visa route, you need to satisfy strict financial requirements. This is because the visa is intended for individuals who are already financially self-sufficient and so will not need to work once they arrive in Spain.

Spain uses the Public Indicator of Multiple Effects Income index reference (IPREM) in order to calculate whether or not an applicant is financially eligible for this visa route. Using this calculation method, your annual income will generally need to be approximately €28,800. For each additional family member who applies as part of your application, you will need an extra €7,200.

This income can be generated via a variety of means, such as:

• Rental payment from any non-Spanish properties which you own
• Royalties-based income
• Trust fund disbursements
• Interest on savings
• Endowment or annuity-based income
• Dividends from a company for which you own shares
• Dividends from any investments which you have made

You will need to provide sufficient evidence of your financial means, for example through bank statements and additional financial records.

If you do not have sufficient passive income to satisfy the eligibility criteria, you can generally provide evidence of sufficient savings instead, or subsidise your passive income total with your savings.

It is important to note that the Non Lucrative visa is not a Work visa. That means that you will not be authorised to work when in Spain and should not plan to subsidise your financial means using Spanish income.

There are a number of documents which you will be expected to provide as part of your Non Lucrative visa application. These are generally as follows:

• Valid passport
• Completed application form
• Passport photo, to the Spanish specifications
• Medical certificate
• Birth certificate
• Private health insurance
• Criminal record check certificate which shows that you have had a clean criminal record for at least 5 years
• Proof of sufficient economic means to meet the financial threshold for the Non Lucrative visa route (such as bank statements or other financial records)

If your close family members are also applying as part of your application, additional evidence will be necessary, including:

• Valid passport
• Proof of familial relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, family records, etc.) If your unmarried partner is applying alongside you, you will need to provide evidence that your relationship is comparable to marriage, such as proof of cohabitation or a shared bank account
• Proof that you satisfy the additional financial means requirements when applying with family members

Note that all documents which you provide will need to be translated into Spanish. Make sure to use an authorised translation service.

Document Checklist

There are a number of steps involved in applying for a Spanish Non Lucrative visa. In general, these are as follows.

First, you should apply via your local Spanish consulate or embassy. These are available in assorted global locations.

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation receipt. This can also be used to track your application’s progress.

Your application will now be processed. In some cases, you may be asked to provide further evidence. You may also receive a request to attend a personal interview. If either of these happen, make sure to respond promptly in order to avoid delays with your application.

If your application is successful, you will be granted a visa. This must be collected within 1 month of receiving the notification that the visa is ready for collection. You can then use this visa to legally enter Spain.

Once you arrive in Spain, you will need to apply for a Foreigner Identity Card within 1 month of arrival. You can do so at either your local foreign nationals office or police station.

If your application is unsuccessful, you will be notified in writing and given the reasons for the decision. You may then choose to appeal the decision. Note that your appeal must be submitted within 1 month of the decision in order to be considered.

If you have already applied for a visa and have been unsuccessful, contact Total Law today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to learn about our Appeal Package. We can help you understand what went wrong and represent you throughout the entire appeal process.

How to apply for a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain

In general, the application fee for the Non Lucrative visa is €516. However, note that the exact cost varies depending on your country of nationality.

In many cases, applicants also face a number of additional associated costs. This could include the cost of translating your documents into Spanish and of obtaining Spanish private health insurance.

Additionally, some applicants choose to seek legal assistance in order to ensure that their application runs as smoothly as possible. To learn more about Total Law’s own services, including our Advice Package and our Application Package, contact us today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.

Non Lucrative visa applications are generally processed within 5 weeks, although it can sometimes take up to 3 months. If you wish to move to Spain by a certain date, make sure to submit your application in good time.

Additionally, in order to avoid delays once you have submitted your application, make sure to submit all of the required documents and to promptly provide any additional information which is requested.

After one year of living in Spain on a Non Lucrative visa, you can apply for a 2-year extension. Once this 2-year period expires, you can apply for an additional 2 years. After this, you may be eligible to apply for Spanish permanent residence.

It is important to maintain your legal status for the entirety of your time in Spain. Due to the possibility of delays in processing your renewal request, you should make sure to submit your application within the validity period of your existing visa.

When applying for a visa renewal, you will need to demonstrate that you continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements. In the case of the Non Lucrative visa, this generally means sufficient financial means to remain in the country for an additional 2 years. Note that savings can also be used to subsidise your financial means, if your passive income is not sufficient.

Renewal / Long-term Residence Conditions

In general, the Non Lucrative visa allows you to reside in Spain for up to 5 years, providing that you continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria.

After this point, you can apply for Spanish permanent residence. In order to be eligible, you will need to provide a range of information about your life in Spain, including your address, health insurance, and your immigration documents.

After 10 years of living legally and continuously in Spain, you can then apply for Spanish citizenship. However, in order to successfully obtain Spanish nationality, you will need to satisfy a higher level of evidence, including proof of sufficient Spanish language skills and knowledge of Spanish culture and society.

It is important to note that the Non Lucrative residency visa is not a Work visa. This means that it does not authorise work when in Spain. Instead, it is intended for individuals who already have sufficient financial means to ensure that they will not need to work when in Spain.

As such, this route is largely intended for those who have a sufficient passive income, such as rental payments on properties which they own or interest on their savings.

Work visas, on the other hand, authorise the holder to work when in Spain. The exact type and duration of work will depend on the visa in question. If you are a remote worker who wishes to move to Spain in order to continue that remote work, the Digital Nomad visa is likely to be the right fit for you. In this case, however, the majority of your work must be for companies or clients outside of Spain.

Additionally, if you wish to pursue self-employment in Spain in the form of starting your own business, the Non Lucrative visa is also not the right fit for you. Instead, you should consider the Entrepreneur or the Self-Employed visa. If your business idea is novel and innovative, the Entrepreneur visa is likely to be the best route. Alternatively, if your business idea is for a business which already exists in the Spanish market, the Self-Employed visa is likely to be a better fit.