Non-lucrative visa

The non-lucrative residence visa 

 This visa is ideal for those individuals who wish to live in Spain but do not plan to undertake any work in Spain. You are still able to work remotely but you cannot undertake any financial activity within Spain.

Who can apply?

Anyone who wishes to reside in Spain for more than three months and can demonstrate the necessary income and/or savings can apply for the non-lucrative visa.

General Requirements

• You must not have a criminal record in Spain, nor in any other country for crimes recognised by Spanish law.
• You must not be living in Spain illegally.
• You must not be prohibited from entering Spain.
• You must have the necessary financial means to cover living expenses.

Financial Requirements

 You will need to prove that you receive 400% of the IPREM into your bank account annually.

The IPREM for 2024 is 600€ per month. So, you would need a regular monthly income of 2,400€ or 28,800€ yearly. If you are using savings, you will need to have 28,800€ in your bank for the first-year non-lucrative visa. You can have a combination of savings and income.

 For each additional family member, you will need 100% of the IPREM – 7,200€ per year.

Visa Renewal

You will initially be given a one-year residency visa. At the end of the first year, you will need to renew your visa for two years. As the renewal is for two years, you may be asked to prove you have double the financial requirements. We suggest you get advice from a lawyer about this.

When you have lived in Spain for three years, you will need to renew your visa again for another two years – taking you up to five years. After five years, you will become a permanent resident and will no longer face work restrictions.

Medical Insurance

You will not be eligible to access the Spanish public health system so you must take out private health insurance. This is a legal requirement, and you will not be granted a non-lucrative visa or visa renewal without proof that you have an accepted health insurance policy in Spain.

How to apply for a non-lucrative visa

• You will need to submit an application form with supporting documents to the Spanish Consular Office in your home country.
• You will have to pay the necessary application fees within 10 working days of submitting your application.
• Once your application is accepted (this should be within three months), you have one month to collect the visa in person and then must enter Spain within three months. 
• Within a month of entering Spain, you will need to apply for a foreigner’s identity card (TIE).

Professional help

It is possible to make the application independently, but mistakes can be costly so it is advisable to consult a specialist lawyer.