Live in Spain on your savings, pension, or investment income, without working in Spain. The most popular residency route for Americans, Brits, and Australians.
The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is Spain’s residency permit for non-EU nationals who want to live in Spain without earning income from Spanish sources. You do not work for a Spanish employer, you do not serve Spanish clients, and you do not take on freelance work from within Spain. Instead, you support yourself through passive means: savings, a pension, investment returns, dividends, rental income from properties outside Spain, or other income generated abroad.
It is the most widely used route for US, UK, Canadian, and Australian retirees and financially independent individuals. The financial requirements are meaningful but clear, and the path from a first-year visa to permanent residency is straightforward if you meet the requirements at each renewal stage.
The NLV is designed for non-EU nationals who can demonstrate sufficient passive income or savings to support themselves in Spain without working. You are likely a strong candidate if you:
One important boundary to understand: the Non-Lucrative Visa does not permit remote work for foreign employers under current rules. If you work remotely and want to live in Spain legally, the Spain Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers) is the correct route. If you are genuinely retired or financially independent and will not be earning employment income of any kind, the NLV is built for you.
The financial requirement is the most important number on your application. For 2026, you must demonstrate:
At renewal, the financial threshold doubles. When you renew your first two-year extension, Spain requires you to show two years’ worth of funds, approximately €57,600 for a single applicant. This is the number many applicants overlook, and it is the point where advance planning with a lawyer pays off most clearly.
The NLV is applied for at the Spanish consulate in your home country, not from inside Spain. Most of the process happens before you travel.
We review your income and savings to confirm you meet the 2026 financial thresholds, assess which consulate you will apply through, and identify any documentation gaps early. Different consulates have slightly different standards, and understanding yours from the start helps avoid delays later.
We guide you through collecting every required document: the apostilled criminal background check, the translated medical certificate, the correctly structured health insurance policy, and proof of funds prepared to your consulate’s requirements. Poorly presented financial documentation is one of the most common reasons for delays or refusals.
Once your application file is complete, we review every document before you submit it to your consulate. Most applicants apply in person. We prepare you for the appointment and explain the questions you may be asked.
Processing typically takes two to eight weeks, depending on the consulate. Once your visa is approved, you can travel to Spain and have 30 days to complete your initial registration steps.
Within 30 days of arrival, you complete your empadronamiento (registering your address at the local town hall) and apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, your Spanish residence card). We handle the appointment booking and guide you through the process.
We flag your renewal window well in advance and prepare your renewal application with the increased financial evidence required. Staying on top of this timeline is critical, as missing your renewal window can interrupt your legal residency.
The Non-Lucrative Visa is one of Spain’s most documentation-heavy visa categories. While the legal route itself is straightforward, the administrative requirements are strict. A single missing apostille or a health insurance policy that does not meet Spain’s standards can delay your application by months.
Here is what we take off your plate:
Your case is managed by the same lawyer from your first consultation through to your TIE card, so you always know who to contact and where your application stands.
If you are financially independent rather than retired, living on dividends, rental income, or investment returns, the Non-Lucrative Visa is still the legal route. Our Wealth and Passive Income page explains the same permit using language tailored to financially independent applicants.
The Non-Lucrative Visa provides a pathway toward Spanish citizenship. After ten years of continuous legal residence, you may become eligible to apply. We help clients plan for every stage of that journey.
If you prefer to qualify through a financial investment in Spain rather than demonstrating passive income, the Capital Investment Residency route offers a different pathway with its own investment thresholds.
If you have the passive income or savings to support yourself in Spain, the Non-Lucrative Visa is a well-established and reliable route. The 2026 financial requirements are clear, and most of the application process can be completed before you move.
Book a free consultation, and we will assess whether your income meets the 2026 thresholds, identify the correct Spanish consulate for your application, and explain exactly what documents you need.
No. The Non-Lucrative Visa does not permit paid work in Spain or for Spanish-based clients. Under current rules, it also does not permit remote work for a foreign employer. If you work remotely, the Digital Nomad Visa is generally the appropriate route. If you live on savings, a pension, or investment income without working, the NLV is designed for your situation.
The 2026 requirement is €28,800 per year for the main applicant, based on 400% of Spain’s IPREM. A dependent spouse or child increases the required amount by approximately €7,200 per year. Qualifying funds generally come from passive income, savings, pensions, dividends, rental income from abroad, or similar sources.
Yes. The initial visa is valid for one year, followed by two-year renewals. At the first renewal, you must demonstrate approximately two years’ worth of financial resources, around €57,600 for a single applicant under the 2026 thresholds. Planning ahead for this increase is important.
Yes. Your spouse or registered partner and dependent children can be included. Each dependent increases the required financial threshold by approximately €7,200 per year. Eligible family members are included through the family reunification process.
Potentially. Eligibility for Spain’s Beckham Law depends on your individual circumstances and should be reviewed with a qualified tax adviser. We work with specialist tax professionals to help clients understand the implications before and after moving to Spain.
Yes. After five years of continuous legal residence, you may become eligible for long-term permanent residence. After ten years of continuous legal residence, you may become eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship, provided you have maintained uninterrupted legal status.
Your initial Non-Lucrative Visa application must be submitted through the Spanish consulate responsible for your country of residence. Initial applications cannot normally be made from inside Spain. Renewals are completed in Spain before your current permit expires.
