Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (2024)

A Spanish non-lucrative visa allows you to live in Spain as long as you can financially support yourself. If you are financially independent, the NLV is the easiest way to become a resident of Spain since you don’t need to invest.

However, you can’t work on a non-lucrative visa, either in a company or as self-employed.

The Spanish non-lucrative visa is also known as a retirement visa because it is most common among retirees.

Spain Non-Lucrative Visa Requirements

You can apply for a non-lucrative visa for Spain if:

• You are a non-EU citizen.
• You want to live in Spain long-term.
• You have the necessary financial means to live without working.
• You don’t want to work in Spain.
• You have health insurance.
• You don’t have a criminal record.
• You regularly stay in Spain.

Financial Requirements

To apply for a non-lucrative visa for Spain in 2024, you must have a monthly income of €2,400 or an annual income of €28,000. You need an extra €7,200 (annually) for each family member you plan on taking with you.

This amount is based on the Spanish IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples), which is an amount that the Spanish government sets in reference to matters such as granting aid, unemployment benefits, as well as immigration. In this case, to be granted a non-lucrative visa, you must have 4x (or 400%) the amount of the monthly IPREM, which in 2024 is €600.

IPREM stands for “Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples” and is the amount set by the government of Spain for you to be able to stay in Spain on a non-lucrative visa.

Non-Lucrative Visa for Retirees

The Spanish non-lucrative visa is perfect for those who want to retire in Spain because you can easily meet the requirements once you prove that you have enough money to live there. As a retiree, you need to prove that you have more than 27,792.96€ in a bank account, plus 6,948,24€ monthly income for each member you bring with you.

The Spanish non-lucrative visa doesn’t allow you to work, and as a retiree, you probably don’t plan on working there. As a retiree, you can stay in Spain on a non-lucrative visa for one year, but you can renew it for another two years. You can also bring your immediate family members with you after you prove that you can financially support them as well.

How to Apply for a Spain Non-Lucrative Visa?

You have to apply for a Spain non-lucrative visa at a Spanish embassy at least five weeks before you plan to travel. You cannot apply for an NLV in Spain. The application process is as follows:

1. Set an appointment with the Spanish embassy or consulate in your country. The list of Spanish embassies and consulates abroad is available here.
2. Collect the required documents. You must submit the documents during the visa interview with the consular on the date of your appointment.
3. Submit your fingerprints and facial recognition. On the day of your appointment, you will also be required to submit your fingerprints and biometric data.
4. Pay the Spanish visa fee. Each Spanish embassy has its own visa fee payment requirements; you may be required to pay in cash during the visa appointment, via a bank transfer or through a visa application agency.
5. Wait for a response. If you get a positive response, then you can continue by travelling to Spain within three months. If you don’t get notified within one month, it means that your application has been rejected.

Documents Required for a Spain Non-Lucrative Visa

The requirements for a Spain Non-Lucrative Visa are as follows:

• Visa application form. The information on your application form must be correct. Even minor errors can lead to the rejection of your application. You can find the visa application form on the Spanish embassy website or at a visa application centre.
• Passport. Your passport must be valid for at least one year and no older than ten years. It must also have at least two blank pages.
• Two identical photos. You need two passport-size photos that are taken according to the Schengen visa photo requirements.
• Evidence of sufficient financial income. You must submit the original and a copy of documents that prove that you can support yourself financially for at least the first year of living in Spain. The minimum amount is 400% of IPREM. Documents that prove your sufficient financial means are:
  • Bank statements for the last three months.
  • If you will be receiving a salary from an employer outside Spain, attach a letter of employment stating the salary.
  • of investments.
  • Evidence of earnings from rented property.
• Medical certificate. The medical certificate should prove that you don’t have any disease that can cause danger to the population. It should be legalized and must be accompanied by a version in Spanish translation.
• Private health insurance. You need health insurance from a company that is authorized to operate in Spain. The insurance policy must be valid for at least one year. (ChooseSegurCaixa Adeslas, the premier health insurance provider that fulfills prerequisites for Non-lucrative Visa, NIE card (the residence permit), Renewal of NIE card, and more).
• Criminal record document. This document proves that you haven’t committed any illegal activity in the last five years. It should not be older than three months and should be issued in your home country.
• NIE number. A personal unique number is given to every foreigner who plans on staying in Spain for more than six months. You should apply for this number before you apply for a visa at the consulate.
• A marriage or birth certificate. Proof of family relation is required for those applying with a dependent.

Spain Non-Lucrative Visa Fee

The amount of money that you have to pay for a non-lucrative visa to Spain depends on your home country. The non-lucrative visa fees for Spain currently are:

• 123€ for US citizens.
• 507€ for Canadian citizens.
• 80€ for other nationalities.

How Long Does It Take to Process?

The Spanish non-lucrative visa usually takes 2-3 weeks to process from the submission date. However, if they receive many applications, it may take three months. Once you are notified that your visa is ready, you have one month to get it; otherwise, it will be cancelled.

What Is the Duration of a Non-Lucrative Visa?

A Spanish non-lucrative visa is valid for three months and 15 days. During this time, you need to apply for a residence permit. The non-lucrative visa residence permit is initially valid for two years.

If you have stayed in Spain for at least six months in the last two years with a non-lucrative visa, you can apply for a renewal of the permit for another five years. After you have lived in Spain for five years, you qualify for a permanent residence permit.

Can I Work Remotely?

The non-lucrative visa is specifically for individuals not intending to work in Spain. If you plan to work remotely from Spain, you must apply for a Spanish Digital Nomad visa instead.

Can I Bring My Family Members to Spain?

You can bring your family, your partner, or other immediate family members. However, you must prove that you can also support them through dividends, pensions, or rents.

Can I Renew a Non-Lucrative Visa for Spain?

Yes, you can renew it. Since the non-lucrative visa is valid only for one year, you must renew it if you want to stay longer in Spain. This time you should submit the application in Spain, along with the following documents:

• Evidence that you have lived in Spain for a minimum of six months.
• Proof of increased financial means for two years, 800% of IPREM.
• Proof of no criminal record.
• Private health insurance.
• If you have family relatives, you prove that you have an extra 100% of the IPREM.
• No debts.

Tax Implications

A non-lucrative visa requires you to stay more than six months in Spain to be able to renew it. So, you have to pay income tax on your worldwide income. Spain has double tax agreements with many countries that prevent you from paying twice for the same income if it was generated in another country. If you want to invest and then profit from those investments, then you have to pay capital gains tax.