Non-Lucrative Visa Spain

What’s on this page?

1. Eligibility criteria for non-lucrative visa Spain and who it is suitable for
2. The main advantages of a non-lucrative visa Spain
3. Step-by-step guide to applying for Spain non-lucrative visa
4. Spain non lucrative visa - income requirements
5. Spain non lucrative visa application form UK
6. Confirmation that you are no longer employed
7. Terms of decision-making
8. What to do in case of denial?
9. Conclusion

Spain is a country of sun, sea, holidays and pure joy. Would you like to live here? Are you wondering which type of visa is right for you? In this case, we are going to tell you about one of the interesting options for expats who have enough savings and want to live legally in the territory of the Kingdom of Spain - this is a non-lucrative visa, or as it is also called a non-profit residence.

A non-lucrative visa Spain, is actually a residence permit, under which you can stay in this country for more than 90 days, and also travel throughout the territory of the Schengen zone. The main advantage of such a visa in Spain is that you will not need to work or do business in Spain, in particular pay taxes here. So, below in our blog we will use the example of residents of Great Britain to talk about the non-profit residence and how it works.

Eligibility criteria for non-lucrative visa Spain and who it is suitable for

Non-lucrative visa Spain, is suitable for individuals who intend to live in Spain without engaging in any work or professional activity. It is suitable for retirees, remote workers and others who have a stable source of income but no employment plans in Spain. This visa allows its holders to reside in Spain for an initial period, which is usually one year, with the possibility of extension. Please note that a non lucrative visa Spain, allows you to change and apply for a work permit after 365 days.

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

• have passive income (pension, dividends, rental income, etc.);
• plan to live in Spain upon retirement;
• have enough savings you will be able to cover all your needs and current expenses;
• plan to spend your first year in Spain without working, but eventually want to return to work;
• do not want to make any investments and conduct commercial activities;
• have a relative who works in Spain, you have a joint budget and you are not going to work in Spain.

The main advantages of a non-lucrative visa Spain

A non-lucrative visa Spain, has many advantages, especially for foreigners from countries outside the European Union. Also, getting this type of visa is beneficial for those people who want to live in Spain and can afford it, and most importantly want to settle in Spain with their family.

Please note that after obtaining this type of visa, it is easy to bring your husband, wife and children to Spain. The only requirement you need to meet is that you will also be able to support them. You can apply for both a long-term residence permit and citizenship.

Initially, a non-lucrative visa Spain, is issued for a period of one year. After this period, you will need to renew it. The next two renewals last two years each. After this first period, the next permit is long-term. At the end of all these renewals, you will have the opportunity to apply for a residence permit in Spain, which normally requires you to have lived in the country for ten years.

Non-EU citizens wishing to stay in Spain for more than 90 days require a visa to enter Spain. A non-profit residence in Spain allows you to live in Spain, but does not allow you to engage in professional activity or employment. If you want to spend more than half a year in Spain a non-lucrative visa is a good option for registering your residence. This type of visa is one of the types of residence permit in Spain.

Step-by-step guide to applying for Spain non-lucrative visa

Obtaining a non-lucrative visa Spain, involves several steps, including filling out the necessary documentation and meeting certain requirements. While specific procedures may vary slightly depending on the applicant's country of origin, the general process remains the same.

Documents required to apply for a non-lucrative visa Spain:

You can download all the necessary forms and application examples from the official website of the Consulate of Spain.

Consulate of Spain - more information about non-lucrative visa and how to get it here.

Spain non lucrative visa - income requirements

One of the key criteria for obtaining a non-lucrative visa Spain, is showing proof of financial stability and ability to support oneself without being employed. Although specific income requirements may vary, applicants are generally required to show proof of stable income or financial assets. This ensures that living expenses, including accommodation, food, medical care and other necessities, are covered during their stay in Spain.

In Spain, the amount of required income is calculated thanks to IPREM*

As an applicant, you must confirm that you receive 400% of IPREM annually into your bank account. In 2024, the IPREM is € 600 per month, meaning you will need a regular monthly income of € 2400 or € 28,800 per year or the foreign currency equivalent.

For each additional family member, a further 100% of IPREM is required, which in 2024 is € 600 per month or the equivalent in foreign currency.

* IPREM is the government indicator of regular income in Spain. It is, so to speak, a reference index used in Spain to distribute and provide economic assistance, subsidies, benefits or unemployment benefits, among other things, based on income. This index was introduced on July 1, 2004 to replace the minimum interprofessional wage (MIP), which allowed a significant increase in the MIP not to affect the entire system of economic assistance and subsidies. IPREM is updated at the beginning of each year in the Spanish Budget Law.

Likewise, to prove that you have the financial means to live in Spain, you can use any legal method. In this case, you can provide a bank statement or any other document that proves that you have sufficient financial means to live in Spain with your family members.

Spain non lucrative visa application form UK

Applying for a non-lucrative visa Spain, UK residents have to undergo the process that is largely the same as for residents of other countries. However, it is important to pay attention to any specific requirements or documentation requested by the Spanish consulate or embassy in the UK. Applicants should also be aware of any changes in visa laws or procedures that may affect their application process.

Below we have prepared for you the documents and their samples that you need in order to obtain a non lucrative visa Spain.

1. Passport. The document must be a valid and unexpired passport. The consulate will need you to present the original and a photocopy of the passport page or pages that contain biometric data.

N.B. The passport must be valid for at least 1 year and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.

2. Application for a national visa. Carefully read and fill out each section of the Spanish visa application form. You can read, print and fill out the Spain non lucrative visa application form, UK, here*

3. Application for non-working residence visa. Each applicant must complete and sign a copy of Form EX-01, completing each section.

4. Photo. A fresh passport-size color photograph.

5. A document proving financial stability.

6. Medical Insurance. The original and a copy of the certificate confirming public or private health insurance concluded with an insurance organization authorized to work in Spain. N.B.The insurance policy must cover all risks insured by the public health system of Spain.

7. Criminal record check. Applicants who are of age must provide both an original and a copy of a criminal record issued by their country or countries of residence within the last 5 years.

8. Payment of fees. The visa fee is equivalent to approximately 80 euros. But the final amount of the fee must be agreed with the consular department.

*This document is provided by the Consulate of Spain in London, UK, so if you are applying for a concessional visa from another country, some details may be slightly different. We recommend checking with the specific consulate in your region

N.B. All foreign documents such as income certificate and criminal record certificate must be legalized or apostilled. If possible, it is desirable to submit them together with an official translation into Spanish.

Here you can learn how to legalize documents issued by the UK authorities with the Hague Apostille.

The official list of translators is here.

The completed visa application form, together with supporting documents, must be submitted to the Spanish consulate or embassy in the applicant's country of residence. It is recommended that you make an appointment in advance, as processing times may vary.

After applying, applicants must wait for their visa to be processed. Processing times can range from several weeks to several months, so applicants should plan their time accordingly.

Confirmation that you are no longer employed

Consulates in the UK now require proof that you are no longer employed. There are no clear guidelines as to what form this evidence should take, and what is considered acceptable may also vary between consulates. Therefore, we offer the following as a guide only:

If you can't provide any of the above documents, an alternative is to make an affidavit in a notary’s presence confirming that you are not working, and then get it translated and apostilled. You will need to confirm your identity with a notary when you visit.

Terms of decision-making

The term for consideration of an application for the assignment of a non-lucrative visa lasts three months. If the visa is granted, the applicant must enter Spain within the validity period of the visa (maximum 3 months). Within one month of entering Spain, a foreigner must register and apply in person for a residence card.

What to do in case of denial?

The reasons for denying the application are different. Before taking any action, we always recommend that you make sure you have the most up-to-date information. If you have not received an affirmative response to your application, we recommend that you contact a lawyer who specializes in immigration law to solve any issues that are in the way of obtaining a visa.

Conclusion:

A non-lucrative visa Spain is a great option to stay and live in Spain legally. So you will be able to fully enjoy the delicious cuisine, beautiful climate, interesting culture and much, much more that Spain gives to its residents. The process of issuing and obtaining this non-lucrative visa Spain is quite fast and not complicated. The main thing is to know for sure that you will be able to fully pay for accommodation according to the requirements. Do not hesitate to let something new and interesting into your life! Sunny Spain is waiting for you!