Spain Non-Lucrative Visa -

What is Non-Lucrative Visa

The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa offers an entrance route for individuals seeking residence permit in Spain without engaging in any work or professional activities. This visa especially and primarily for non-EU nationals, this visa is ideal for those who have the financial means to support themselves and wish to enjoy an extended stay in Spain. It is an attractive option for retirees or anyone with enough passive income who can meet the Spanish government’s financial requirements without needing to obtain employment.

Benefits of Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa(NLV)

Residency in Spain: Allows non-EU citizens to reside in Spain without needing to work, making it ideal for retirees and financially independent individuals.
Family Reunification: Enables the main applicant to bring their spouse and dependent children, allowing the entire family to live together in Spain.
Pathway to Permanent Residency: After five years of continuous residence, visa holders can apply for long-term or permanent residency, providing stability and security.
High Quality of Life: Access to Spain’s excellent healthcare system, education, culture, and lifestyle.
Travel within the Schengen Area: Holders can travel freely within the 26 countries of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Comprehensive Health Insurance: Ensures access to private healthcare services, offering peace of mind and security.
Tax Benefits: Depending on individual circumstances, some applicants might benefit from Spain’s favorable tax treaties and residency benefits.
Renewable Permit: The visa can be renewed every two years, provided the financial and other requirements continue to be met.

Key Features

The Non-Lucrative Visa allows you to live in Spain without working.
Enough income and comprehensive health insurance are mandatory.
The visa can be renewed according to specific residency requirements.
One year resident permit (Renewable)
Allow to apply permanent residency after years stay
Access to public health care and education system

Criteria of Eligibility

To be eligible for a Non-Lucrative Visa, you must meet specific criteria:

No Work or Business Activity: You must not take part in any form of employment or engage in any business activity in Spain.
Sufficient Economic Means: You need to demonstrate that you possess sufficient funds to live in Spain without working. This is calculated based on the IPREM(Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples), which is an index used for grants and subsidies. Your income should generally exceed 400% of the IPREM monthly, which for 2024 is approximately €2,400 per month for a single applicant. Any additional family members may require an extra 100% of the IPREM each, which is approximately €600
Passive Income: Your financial resources can come from pensions, rental income, investments, annuities, or other sources of passive income.

Application Process

The application process for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa involves several steps, from gathering the necessary documentation to successfully submitting your application. It is important to follow these steps accurately to enhance your chances of obtaining the visa.

Your initial step is to ensure your eligibility for the Non-Lucrative Visa. Once it is ensured, you need to start your application at the nearest Spanish consulate or embassy. It is essential to book an appointment well in advance as slots can fill up quickly. During this initial phase, you will also need to fill out the official application form for the Non-Lucrative Visa.

List of Documents

Below is list of documents you need gathered before proceeding to application submission.

A passport with at least one year of validity.
Proof of enough financial means(Bank statement) to support your stay in Spain as stated above .
Medical insurance plan with full coverage in Spain.
A clean criminal record from your home country or country of of residence for the past five years.
A medical certificate proving you don’t have any infectious diseases.

Submit your application in person at your scheduled appointment. At this time, you will also need to provide your biometric data, which includes fingerprints. Along with the application form, ensure you submit all your collected documentation. Each document should follow the specifications given by the Spanish consulate or embassy.

Note: after submission your application you may asked to appear for personnel interview, which is not in all cases, however you must be ready for that.

After Successful application

Once your application is accepted, the consulate or embassy issues a visa that allows you to enter Spain. Upon arrival in Spain, you must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card within 30 days, which will serve as your residence permit. The Non-Lucrative Visa is granted for an initial period of one year and can be renewed for two-year periods proving all the requirements necessary to maintain your living standard in Spain.

Tax Implication on passive income

Holders of a Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence Visa must reside in the country for at least 183 days per year to qualify for renewal. As a result, you’ll be considered a tax resident and must pay income tax on your global income. Furthermore, if you intend to invest or purchase property in Spain, be prepared for potential taxes related to such transactions.