Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa: The 2025 Guide for Those Seeking to Live in Spain Without Performing Professional Activities

For individuals who have sufficient financial means to support themselves (and their families) without needing to work, Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is one of the most popular pathways to residency.

This authorisation allows you to reside in Spain based on your own passive income or savings. It is the ideal route for retirees, investors, or anyone wishing to take a sabbatical in Spain.

Crucial Distinction: This visa is not for remote work. If you plan to continue working remotely for foreign clients, you should explore the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV). The NLV is specifically for residing without engaging in any professional or labor activities.

Disclaimer: This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case requires a specific professional assessment.

1. Definition and Key Requirements

What is it?

The Non-Lucrative Visa is a temporary residence authorisation that allows a non-EU/EEA national to reside in Spain for an initial period of one year based on proof of sufficient economic means, without performing any work or professional activity.

Who is it for?

This visa is mainly designed for:

• Retirees with a stable pension.

• Investors with returns from investments (dividends, interest, etc.).

• Individuals with significant savings who wish to live in Spain temporarily.

2. Core Requirements & Necessary Documentation

To be eligible for the NLV, you must meet several key conditions and provide the corresponding documentation.

A. Non-EU/EEA Nationality

• Requirement: You must be a citizen of a country outside the European Union, European Economic Area, or Switzerland.

• Proof: A complete, legible copy of your current, valid passport (must be valid for at least 15 months by the moment of submission).

B. Sufficient Financial Means (The Core Requirement)

• Requirement: You must prove you have sufficient, ongoing financial resources to support yourself and any accompanying family members for the duration of your stay without working, evidencing that the source of funds is not coming from professional activities.

  
  

• The Amount: The legal minimum is 400% of Spain's IPREM (a public income indicator that, for 2025, it's been 600€) per month for the main applicant, and an additional 100% of the IPREM per month for each family member.

  • (Note: The IPREM is updated annually, but this translates to approximately €2,400 per month for the applicant and €600 per month for each dependent, or a total of €28,800 and €7,200 in savings, respectively, to cover the first year of initial validity).

  
  

• Proof: This is the most critical part of the application. Proof can include:

  • Bank certificates showing a stable balance over the last 6-12 months. If providing information on foreign accounts, documentation must include:

    
    

    a) The full legal name and address of the financial institution.

    b) Complete identification of the account(s).

    c) Account balances as of December 31st of the previous year, and the average balance over the last year.

  
  

  • Certified checks or credit cards with a bank certificate stating the credit limit.

  
  

  • Official documents proving a steady, passive income (pension statements, investment portfolio statements, rental contracts from properties you own, etc.).

    
    

    If financial means come from shares or holdings in Spanish, mixed, or foreign companies based in Spain, you must provide a certification from the company confirming you do not perform any labor activity, accompanied by a sworn declaration from yourself to that effect.

    
    

    If you own shares in companies, you must provide a certificate proving you do not perform any work for them, alongside a sworn declaration to that effect.

    
    

    If your purpose is to reside in Spain due to a sabbatical and you’re ceasing your professional activities, a proof of that circumstance should be provided (a commitment letter, proof from the current / past employer, etc).

C. Full-Coverage Health Insurance

• Requirement: You must have a comprehensive public or private health insurance policy with an entity authorised to operate in Spain. It must cover all risks normally covered by the Spanish National Health System, with no co-payments or waiting periods.

• Proof: The official certificate and policy document from your insurance provider. At Navian Law, we collaborate with a health insurance broker that would be able to provide a suitable policy for immigration purposes.

D. Clean Criminal Record

• Requirement: You must not have a criminal record in Spain or in any country where you have resided for the past five years.

• Proof: Police Clearance Certificate(s) from the relevant federal/national authorities, duly apostilled/legalized and with a sworn translation.

E. Medical Certificate

• Requirement: You must not suffer from any diseases that could have serious public health repercussions, as defined by the International Health Regulations of 2005.

• Proof: A specific medical certificate, issued recently, confirming this. This document must also be apostilled/legalized and include a sworn translation.

F. No Grounds for Refusal

• Requirement: You must not be in Spain illegally, not be subject to a ban on entry, and not have a "no return" commitment to Spain.

• Proof: This is verified by the Consulate during the application process.

G. Accompanying Direct Relatives

• Requirement: You can apply simultaneously for your direct family members (spouse/partner, minor children, dependent adult children).

• Proof: Official certificates proving the family relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate), recently issued, apostilled/legalized, and with a sworn translation. Proof of financial dependency is required for adult children.

H. Supporting Documents

• Completed and signed National Visa Application Form and the Residence Permit Application Form.

• Proof of payment of the government application fee and consular fees (specific payment methods vary from consulate to consulate).

Important Notes:

• Translations: All official documents not originally in Spanish must be accompanied by a sworn translation into Spanish.

• Legalizations/Apostilles: All public documents issued by foreign authorities must be properly legalized or carry the Hague Apostille.

3. The Application Process Overview

A critical difference from other visas (like the DNV) is that the Non-Lucrative Visa application must always be initiated from your home country or country of legal residence. You cannot apply for it while in Spain as a tourist.

1. Application at the Spanish Consulate

• Where: The application must be submitted in person (or via an authorised representative, if permitted) at the Spanish Consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.

2. Resolution Timeframe

• The legal resolution timeframe is one month.

• Crucially: Unlike many other Spanish visas, if you do not receive a response within three months, the application is considered denied by administrative silence. This makes a perfectly prepared application essential from the start.

3. Visa Collection and Entry to Spain

• If your application is approved, you will be notified to collect your visa in person within one month.

• Once collected, the visa is valid for entry into Spain, which must happen during the validity period of the visa received.

4. Final Step: The TIE Card in Spain

• Your initial residency authorisation begins on the date you enter Spain.

• Within one month of your arrival, you must apply in person for your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) at the designated Police Station in your province of residence.

• This initial TIE card will be valid for one year.

This guide provides a general framework. The Non-Lucrative Visa is heavily scrutinised, and success depends on a perfectly documented and strategically presented financial and personal profile. Personalised legal advice is essential.