🌞 Spanish Non‑Lucrative Visa (NLV) — 

Requirements & 2026 Complete Guide

It’s ideal for:

• Retirees receiving pension income
• Individuals with investment or rental income
• Families taking a sabbatical or lifestyle break
• Anyone wanting to enjoy Spain without employment obligations

Minimum income required for the NLV, the figures quoted are net of tax and is the amount of money that should be shown in your account at the time of the application.

• €2,400 per month / €28,800 per year for the main applicant (400% of IPREM)
• +€600 per month / €7,200 per year for each family member (100% of IPREM)

Accepted income sources include one or more of the following to meet the financial requirement: 

• Savings (liquid funds preferred)
• Pensions 
• Dividends
• Investment income
• Rental income

Renewal Tip: After one year, you can renew the visa twice for two years at a time, when renewing you need to demonstrate you have sufficient funds for two rather than one year.

• Covers at least 12 months (one year)
• Has no deductibles or co‑pays
• Provided by a Spanish‑authorised private insurer

For United Kingdom (UK) Citizens, if you are eligible for a state pension, you can qualify for access to the Spanish Public Health Care System with an S1 form.

If you’re unsure which insurer meets requirements, we can guide you.  We provide introductions to leading private insurance providers so you can find the right cover at the right cost to meet your needs.

Tip:  If you are not eligible for Spanish Health Care, and private health insurance is costly, after one year you may want to consider Convenio Especial, learn more about this in our Planning your Health Care Guide.

Tips:

• Spouses / Partners: If you are not married or in a registered relationship, you can still apply for this visa as a couple.  It is necessary to prove you are in a cohabiting and stable relationship for a minimum of 12 months. 
• Adult children 18+:  You need to provide documents providing financial dependence, civil status, and that they live with you as part of the family unit.  While not written as an absolute legal requirement, Spanish consulates often expect adult dependent children to be studying, because this supports the claim that they are not financially independent.
• Parents in the ascending line: You must prove the family connection, financial dependence and that they will live you with you in Spain.

• EX‑01 
• Visa application
• TASA 790-052

• Issued within last 10 years, 12+ months validity remaining, 2 blank pages 

• Bank statements (3–12 months depending on consulate and personal circumstances)
• Pension letters, investment statements, rental contracts, or savings certificates
• Some consulates require an official bank letter

• Private health insurance certificate (no co‑pays) or Government approved certificate of entitlement to Spanish Public Health Care and pre-registration (if eligible)
• Medical certificate issued within 90 days, stating you don’t suffer from diseases listed under the International Health Regulations.  

• Criminal record certificates for each country you’ve lived in during the last 5 years, translated and apostilled/legalized as required by the issuing country

• Proof of Relationship (marriage, registered partnership or other documents to prove a stable relationship)
• Birth certificates for dependents — translated & apostilled

• Proof of current employment status depending on your circumstances (e.g. government issued document, proof of resignation/acceptance)
• Proof you live in the consulate’s jurisdiction (e.g., utility bill, driver’s licence)
• Motivation letter or Legal Affidavit providing a legal commitment to not work
• Proof of accommodation in Spain at application (rental/ownership) — we’ll advise if your consulate expects this.

• Employment in Spain
• Remote work for foreign companies
• Freelancing or consulting

Tip: If you want to work remotely, you may be eligible for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa

• Initial visa: 1 year
• First renewal: 2 years
• Second renewal: 2 years
• After 5 years → long‑term residency (sometimes referred to as Permanent Residency)
• After 10 years → potential Spanish citizenship, some citizens (i.e. from Ibero-American countries) are eligible to apply for Citizenship after two years.

• The law does not explicitly state that residency starts on the visa issue date. As of today, there is no official published statement from the Policía Nacional (extranjería) or Spanish consulates that directly clarifies when the residency year begins under the post–May 2025 rules.
• Under current interpretations of the law, your official residency year may begin from the visa issue date—not your arrival date—which could jeopardise your ability to meet the 183‑day requirement for renewal.

Renewal tip: Spend at least 183 days in Spain each year to avoid renewal issues.  If you intend to live in Spain long-term and apply for Long-Term Residency after five years, you must not leave Spain for more than 10 months in the first five years of the visa.   A period of up to six months is permitted which is deducted from the 10 month allowance.

Tip: Legally you need to do this within 30 days of your arrival, however there is flexibility to this.  If possible, it is recommended to plan for your appointments before your arrival, however this will be dependent on how quickly you can secure accommodation.

Important:  If you plan to sell property or hold tax‑efficient investments before relocating to Spain, the timing of your move and your Non‑Lucrative Visa application is crucial. 

Proper planning can help you avoid an unexpected capital gains tax in Spain and ensure your existing savings, pensions, or investment structures remain as beneficial as possible.   It is recommended to seek guidance from a qualified Financial Advisor or Planner to assess your personal situation.

📖 For further information, read our guide to: Capital Gains Tax in Spain

Applying for Spain’s Non‑Lucrative Visa comes with several basic costs, the actual costs will depend on your personal circumstances:

• Visa application fee — varies by nationality 
• Visa TASA processing fee — low-cost administrative fee.
• Official Public Documents — e.g. Criminal Records Checks, Marriage/Birth Certificates
• Sworn translations 
• Apostilles/legalisation
• Public Notary  
• Medical certificate — there are multiple options depending on the country from which you are applying
• Private health insurance  — depending on age and coverage

Help at Hand Spain can guide you on each step of the process, requirements and documents needed.  Your security and privacy are our highest priority. During our collaboration, a secure folder will be set up to enable safe, confident sharing of documents with a client specific password protected folder.

We will review and quality-check them with you, guide you on which documents need sworn translation, apostilles or legalisation depending on your personal circumstances.   We offer warm, friendly support through every stage of your move, including:

• Full document preparation and file checks
• Standard templates/guidance for Motivation Letters (we help guide you on a warm, genuine statement), Medical Certificates, Non-Working Affidavits, or Notarised Statements 
• Health coverage/insurance introductions and guidance
• Sworn translations, apostille/legalisation and notary coordination
• Consulate appointment support including pre-appointment check
• Post‑arrival help - TIE residency card, padrón registrations are included as standard.   If you are eligible for Spanish Public Health Care we will assist you with registering your entitlement.
• Our Personal Concierge Service is included for free while we work to complete your residency, during this time we will do our best to answer general questions about your move and getting settled in Spain. We also have a network of trusted partners and can make a personalised introduction.
• We have optional services for Spanish Taxation Overview, Driving Licence Exchange, Rental Facilitation, School Facilitation and more

📖 For further information, we have several free guides published here including our Moving Guide and Checklist: Spain Resources Hub

👉 Book your friendly consultation with Help At Hand Spain today - Complete the New Enquiry Form.