If you live in a non-EU country, such as the UK, then you will need a visa to entitle you to live in Spain. There are different options available, one of which is the Non-Lucrative Visa or NLV. In this article we explain who can obtain this and how to get one.

The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is probably the best option for moving to Spain if you are retired or approaching retirement. It is attractive to those who have sufficient funds to provide for themselves through pensions or investments and will not need to work whilst they are here. The NLV has become perhaps one of the most popular ways of ensuring that the dream of retirement in Spain is still accessible.

What you will need to show

In order to obtain one you will need:

Proof of income – that you will be able to sustain your life in Spain.
Proof of medical insurance – you can demonstrate that you are insured if you become ill or need ongoing medical help.
Proof of identity and that you don’t have a criminal record.

Income

Your income can be either from savings and/ or a regular income from a pension or investment(s). In 2024 this was €28,800 a year for an individual and an additional €7,200 for another dependent family member.

The total amount you need also depends upon the length of time you are applying for, however, when you renew your visa then this total amount will increase to cover you for the years you are planning to continue to live in Spain. You need to keep this in mind when making your initial application.

Insurance

Making sure that you are covered for your medical needs in Spain is also an important feature of the NLV. This can be trickier to obtain if you have an existing health issue as you will need a comprehensive policy from a Spanish insurer.

Identity

Of course, it also makes sense that any country you move to wants to be sure that you are who you say you are and that you have a clean police record. You will need to show your passport, valid for at least another year, and a police clearance certificate.

Terms and conditions

Applying for a NLV is only possible if you are not intending to work in Spain. However, a dependent family member might go to school here or study here.

After your first year you will have to renew your Non Lucrative Visa:

Initially, you apply for a year.
After the year is up you apply for a two-year visa.
After two years you apply for another two years.
After this you can apply to move to permanent residency – which will still need renewing every ten years.

Of course, if your income supply dries up then this could cause problems for future applications and you will need to be sure your income and/ or savings are secure and will cover you for the time you want to live here. Remember, in the initial year your income cannot accrue from employment.

When you apply for the two-year visa you will need to demonstrate that your income will be sufficient for the next two years. However, whereas you must apply for your initial visa in your home country, renewals can be applied for in Spain.

How to apply for your Non Lucrative Visa

As you can gather from this information, there is a significant amount of paperwork, and the application requires careful consideration and planning. We recommend that you seek assistance with the process from someone who is experienced in obtaining visas to live in Spain. Initially you need to apply for the visa at the Spanish Consulate in your own country.

You will need to collect together the following documents:

Application form for long-term visa completed
Your passport (valid for at least another year and with two blank pages).
Proof of your financial means such as bank statements or evidence of your investments and pensions.
Police clearance certificate – this will need to be translated into Spanish using an official translator.
Proof of where you will be living such as a rental agreement or Title Deed of a property you own in Spain.

You may also be required to have a doctor’s note confirming your health status. If you are of working age, proof might be required to show that you do not intend to work in Spain. For example, your pension or letter from an employer stating that you no longer work for them.

Once your forms have been submitted then you will need to attend an interview and answer any questions about your plans. It usually takes between one to three months for approval and following this, your passport will be stamped with your Spanish Non Lucrative Visa.

Once approved you have a three-month window in which to come to live in Spain and once you arrive you must apply for the TIE card within one month and register on the town’s ‘padrón’. The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjeros) is the identity card you will need once living in Spain. You will also need this card if you return for periods of time to your own country, to prevent your passport being stamped at border control on your return.

Once you become a resident, be aware that you will pay taxes in Spain according to your income. However, most countries have a double-tax agreement that means you only have to pay your taxes in one country. Again, this is something you might want to check with a specialist before making your decision.

Renewing your visa

After the first year you will need to provide these documents to renew your visa for a further two years:

Application forms for renewal
Passport – valid for at least a year
Your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjeros)
Your town hall registration (padrón)
Health insurance information
Proof of income for the next two years

Similarly, to your initial application you will need to have some documents translated into Spanish.

A happy retirement

Rules for moving to Spain have tightened up over the years for all applicants, not only those outside the EU. It is now expected that people must be self-sufficient if they want to relocate from another country.

However, once you are here, funding your lifestyle in Spain is generally much easier to do with relatively low prices for most food and drink and the majority of bills being significantly below what you would expect to pay in your own country.

Spain continues to be the choice for many people wishing to spend their retirement days in a warm climate. Its rich culture and heritage, relaxed lifestyle, Mediterranean diet and accessibility make it the country of choice for many people. The Non-Lucrative Visa is one way in which you can make sure that your retirement years are what you’d always dreamed of.

10 steps guide to applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa

Do your research and consider whether this is something that would suit your plans and current situation.
Contact a specialist to assist you with the application process – make sure that this source of help is recommended and trustworthy.
Collect together your documentation and make arrangements. Including:
1. Apply for a police clearance certificate.
1. Collect proof of medical insurance.
1. Collect proof of income and financial stability.
1. Arrange a medical check with your doctor if required.
1. Collect proof of where you will live in Spain.
1. Check that your passport is valid for at least another year.
Submit your application to the Spanish Consulate.
Attend an interview – be clear about why you want to come and live in Spain.
After your application has been accepted – obtain your passport visa stamp.
Move to Spain within the next three months.
Once you arrive in Spain, seek assistance with applying for your residency identification in Spain.
Obtain your TIE at the local police station and your padrón certificate from the town hall.
Congratulate yourself on having organized a move to Spain and look forward to your retirement!

If you are interested in this service or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at +34 966 703 750 or by email at visados@abacoadvisers.com. We’ll be happy to assist you.

Oscar Paoli