Spain Non-lucrative Visa: A Guide for Expats

Spain has long been established as a hotspot for expats. An optimal climate, a cheap cost of living, and a relaxed pace of life have been enough to draw hoards of expats over the last few decades. Additionally, Spanish gastronomy is world-renowned, and the nation’s profound history – being home to the world’s fourth most UNESCO World Heritage Sites – makes it the ideal place to live a life of relaxation and exploration. 

The Spain Non-lucrative Visa may be your golden ticket to starting a new life in Spain. But where do you begin? This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about applying for this visa, including the Spanish Non-lucrative Visa income requirements and how to apply for a Non-lucrative Visa in Spain.

What is a Spanish Non-lucrative Visa?

The non-lucrative residence visa requirements include the following: 

• A minimum income or savings proving you have enough money to live in Spain without looking to work 
• Private medical insurance
• Criminal record certificate 
• Medical certificate
• Minimum number of days spent in the country

Applicants who fulfill the Non-lucrative Visa requirements can renew the visa until they are eligible for permanent residency after five years.

How to Apply for a Spanish Non-lucrative Visa

There are a few different types of Spanish residence visas, and the application process for each can vary slightly. The Spanish Non-lucrative Visa application process is relatively straightforward, provided the applicant meets the visa requirements and can provide all the documents required.

Spain’s Non-lucrative Visa Requirements

You’re eligible to submit a Spanish Non-lucrative Visa application if:

• You are a third-country national (non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss)
• You want to live in Spain long-term
• You have the necessary financial resources to support yourself and any dependents to live in Spain without working
• You have a clean criminal record
• You have adequate health insurance
• You’re free of any illnesses listed under the World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations 2005
• You spend a minimum number of days in Spanish territory

Include family members in a Non-lucrative Visa application

Immediate family members, including a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children, are eligible to receive a residency visa in Spain under a main applicant’s non-lucrative residence visa application. This is on the condition that the applicant can present proof of additional income to support each family member.

Non-lucrative Visa income requirements

As of 2023, the IPREM increased to €600, meaning the current minimum income requirement for a Non-lucrative Visa stands at €2,400 ($2,619.12) per month and the same income of €600 ($654.78) for each dependent. The income can also be presented in annual income or savings, which would be €28,800 ($31,450) for the main applicant, and €7,200 ($7,864) for each dependent.

Applicants need to show bank statements as proof that they have sufficient funds from various sources, such as foreign employment and businesses, or non-working monthly income like pensions and rental income.

Required documents

• National visa form: Ensure that the application form is a Spanish application form and not one related to the EU, such as a Schengen visa application
• Valid passport with at least one year of validity and one blank page
• A recent passport photograph with a white background
• Criminal record certificates issued from all countries of residence within the five years prior to applying. 
• Public or private health insurance policy
• Valid medical certificate to prove health
• Documents to prove sufficient financial means
  i. Bank account statements for the last three months
  ii. An employee contract stating the salary
  iii. Proof of investments
  iv. Proof of other types of income; i.e., from a rented property

• Non-lucrative Visa application form (EX-01)
• A marriage certificate or document proving a common-law partnership if applying for a spouse or common-law partner

A sworn translation into Spanish by a sworn translator or interpreter registered in Spain is required for all non-Spanish documents. Family members in the application must also provide documents, such as a medical certificate, health insurance, and a criminal record certificate (if over 18).

Photo requirements for a Spanish Visa

The specific photo requirements for a Spanish visa may vary slightly depending on the type of visa and the consulate or embassy where you are applying. However, the following guidelines are commonly observed for Spanish visa photo requirements:

1. Size: The photo should be 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm (1.38 inches x 1.77 inches) in dimension.
2. Color and quality: The photo should be in color, clear, and high-quality. There should be no visible pixels, blurring, or distortion. It should be printed on photo-quality paper.
3. Background: The background should be white without any patterns or distractions.
4. Facial Expression: The applicant should have a neutral facial expression with both eyes open and looking directly at the camera. The mouth should be closed.
5. Head Position: The head should be centered in the photo and positioned in such a way that the face covers around 70 to 80 percent of the photo.
6. Lighting: The photo should have even lighting, without shadows on the face or background.
7. Attire: The applicant should wear everyday clothing for the photo. Headwear is generally not allowed unless it is worn for religious or medical reasons. Uniforms must also not be worn.
8. Headgear and Accessories: Except for religious or medical reasons, the applicant should not wear any headgear or accessories that may obscure their facial features. If the applicant has to wear glasses for medical reasons, the eyes should be clearly visible with no reflections or glare from the lenses. The frames should not cover any part of the eyes.
9. Recent Photo: The photo should be recent, typically taken within the last six months, to accurately represent the applicant’s current appearance.

It is important to note that these guidelines are general, and it is recommended to check the specific requirements provided by the consulate or embassy where you will be applying for your Spanish visa.

Spanish Non-lucrative Visa Application Fees

How to apply for a Spain Non-lucrative Visa?

When and where can you apply for the Non-lucrative Visa?

The first step in applying for a Non-lucrative Visa is gathering all the documents required. You can apply for this residency permit up to 90 days before the intended travel date to Spain.

A Spanish Non-lucrative Visa can be applied for through the Spanish Embassy, Spanish Consulate, or a third-party organization that provides visa services on behalf of Spain in your country of residence.

The visa application process

The application process is as follows:

• The qualified applicant: Spain’s Non-lucrative Visa applications must be submitted by the main applicant. 
• Make an appointment and submit the application and all the required documents: non-lucrative residency applications must be submitted in person by appointment only at a Spanish Embassy or Consular Office.
• Proof of receipt: The Spanish Embassy will provide the main applicant with confirmation of the submitted Non-lucrative Visa application with a code that enables them to check the application status through a web portal.
• Rectifying the visa application: The embassy may ask applicants to present any missing documents or provide additional documentation they deem necessary to proceed with the reviewal. They may also request applicants to make another visa appointment to attend a second interview.
• Await a decision: The decision stage for a Non-lucrative Visa generally takes 90 days; however, this may be extended if further due diligence or documents are required. 
• Collecting the non-lucrative residence permit: The residence card must be collected in person by the main applicant within one month of its availability.  
• Denial of the residence visa: If a Spanish Non-lucrative Visa is denied, applicants will be notified in writing with the grounds on which the decision was made. 
• Appeals of refusal: If a non-lucrative residence card is denied, applicants may appeal for reconsideration to the same Spanish Consular Office within one month of the refusal notification. Applicants may also file an appeal with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within two months of receiving the notification of the refusal or dismissal of the reconsideration appeal. 

What to do after arriving in Spain with a non-lucrative residence permit

All foreign nationals, including each family member over 18, holding a Spanish Non-lucrative Visa or any other residence card must apply for their NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) within one month of the date of their arrival in Spain.

What is an NIE number?

An NIE number is Spanish identification and tax number given to Spanish foreign residents as a form of national ID and to conduct legal or official activities in Spain. The NIE number is required for things such as opening a Spanish bank account, registering as an international student, paying taxes, or any other legal or professional activity.

The validity period of a Spanish Non-lucrative Visa

The initial Non-lucrative Visa is valid for one year. And it is renewable twice for two additional years, totaling five years of residency. You must spend at least 183 days of the year in Spain and continue to prove that you have sufficient economic means to support yourself to renew the visa. After the fifth year of residency, you’ll be entitled to apply for permanent residence in Spain.

Can the Non-lucrative Visa lead to Spanish citizenship?

If your country of origin is one of Spain’s former colonies, based on Spanish citizenship law, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalization after two years of residency.

How Global Citizen Solutions Can Help

Expats and foreign investors can encounter many difficulties when applying for a Canada Non-lucrative Visa, which is why it is worthwhile to have an expert on hand to provide personalized Spanish visa throughout the application process.

Our specialists can help you with the following:

• Minimize the visits you have to make to the designated country
• Have someone who works solely on your behalf
• Reduce the hassle associated with putting your application together
• Acquire insider knowledge from someone with years of experience in the market

Let’s get you moving forward in your quest to obtain a Spain Non-lucrative Visa. Get in touch with us to book a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Spanish Non-lucrative Visa

Do you have to pay taxes in Spain with a Non-lucrative Visa?

A foreigner living in Spain under a non-lucrative residency visa automatically becomes a Spanish tax resident and would be required to pay income tax to Spanish authorities on their worldwide income. This includes annual income from overseas, such as rental income and earnings from foreign businesses.

In addition to tax on worldwide income, non-EU citizens with Spanish residence permits, whether a temporary residence permit or permanent residence permit, are also required to pay capital gains tax as well as wealth and inheritance tax to the Spanish government. Spain does have several double tax treaties with other nations, so depending on your country of origin, you may have access to tax relief schemes as a Spanish tax resident.

Is the Spanish Non-lucrative Visa good for UK nationals?

The Spanish Non-lucrative Visa – also known as a Non-profit Visa in Spain – is the ideal residence permit for a UK national. The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union due to Brexit in January 2020 created a dilemma for many British expats living in Spain without permanent residency. The introduction of the Non-lucrative Visa created a straightforward way for UK nationals to continue legally residing in Spain and those who had plans to relocate there.

The current Spanish Non-lucrative Visa cost for UK nationals is €80 (£70). The applicant and their family members can apply for a Non-lucrative Visa at the Spanish Consulate in Manchester, the Embassy of Spain in London, or any other Spanish Immigration Office in the UK.

Can digital nomads apply for a Spanish Non-lucrative Visa?

No restrictions exist on who can apply for a Non-lucrative Visa for Spain. Provided that you can present the required documents and proof that you have sufficient economic means to live in Spain without looking for work, you’ll be eligible for a non-lucrative residency visa as a digital nomad and a Spanish bank account.

A Non-lucrative Visa requires applicants to prove financial means from bank statements of at least €2,400 ($2,619.12) in income per month or savings of €28,000 ($31,450), have private health insurance, and stay in Spanish territory for at least 183 days per year to maintain the visa.

Does a Non-lucrative Visa for Spain come with the right to work?

A Spain Non-lucrative Visa a non-working visa that does not come with a work permit or permission to conduct any professional activity in Spain. The Non-lucrative Visa for Spain is explicitly designed for non-EU citizens who earn enough money to support themselves without working while living in Spain.

To obtain a work permit in Spain or conduct professional activity in Spanish territory, foreigners must apply for Spanish visas such as a Work Visa (Visa de Trabajo) or Self-Employed Visa (Visado de Trabajo por Cuenta Propia).