Alicante Lawyers

Non-Lucrative Visa Spain

Visa for establishment without economic activity

The non-lucrative visa for Spain is a residence permit for non-EU citizens who wish to live in the country without carrying out paid activities. To obtain it, it is necessary to prove sufficient financial means to support oneself without working or investing. This visa allows you to reside in Spain and move freely within the Schengen area during its validity, and is ideal for those who wish to stay for more than 90 days or settle for more than half a year in the country.

Having professional legal support facilitates a faster application, avoids mistakes and allows the applicant to enjoy the benefits of legal residence in Spain and access to 26 European countries.

We help you to obtain a non-lucrative residence visa in Spain

Our immigration lawyers assist clients from all over the world in preparing and submitting successful non-lucrative visa applications

In which country do you currently reside?

Who should be think on applying for the Spanish Non-lucrative visa?

For retired people who wish to live their retirement in Spain

For foreigners with sufficient financial means to reside without working

For those who plan to live their first year in Spain without working and then apply for a work permit

For people who live on passive income such as pensions, rents or dividends.

How to apply for the Non-lucrative permit?

1.

Make an appointment with the Spanish consulate in your country in advance, by telephone or online.

2.

Prepare the necessary documentation for the visa after confirming your appointment.

3.

Go to the interview, hand in the documents and pay the application fee.

4.

Wait for the decision, which can take between two weeks and three months after the interview.

5.

Collect your approved visa within one month and enter Spain within three months.

6.

Apply for the TIE in Spain within the first month at the Oficina de Extranjería or at a police station.

How to obtain a Non-Lucrative Visa residence to live in Spain

What is the deadline to submit the Non-lucrative residence visa?

The deadline for processing the application is three months. If the visa is granted, the applicant must enter Spain within the validity period of the visa (maximum 3 months). Within one month of entering Spain, the foreign national must register and personally apply for the residence card.

What should I do in case my application is denied?

Applications can be rejected for a variety of reasons, so it is important to always check for up-to-date information from official sources.
If your application is rejected, it is best to consult a lawyer specialised in immigration law to identify and resolve the reasons for the rejection.

What do I have to do to have my permit renewed?

The visa must be renewed after the first year of residence, and the renewal will be valid for two years. The application must be submitted between 60 days before and up to 90 days after the expiry date.

The requirements are similar to the initial ones, although twice as much financial solvency is required for a two-year period. The process for renewing the non-profit visa is detailed below.

1. Non-Lucrative Residence Visa Spain requirements

The non-lucrative residence visa application must be submitted at the Spanish Consulate of the applicant’s home country.

  • Application form (National Visa application form and Non-working residence application form).
  • A recent and passport-size photograph.
  • Valid passport or travel document.
  • Criminal record document or equivalent.
  • Documentation proving medical insurance.
  • Medical certificate.
  • Proof of income (documentation proving sufficient financial means). This financial requirements needs to be clarified
2. Which are the main benefits of this Visa?
  • Allows you to bring your family (spouse and children) if you can prove sufficient financial means.
  • Facilitates long-term residence, with successive renewals until permanent residence is obtained.
  • Possibility of applying for Spanish nationality after ten years of legal residence.
  • Authorisation to study and do internships, including paid internships.
  • Free movement throughout the countries of the Schengen area.
  • No investment required, unlike the investor visa.
  • Ideal for living on passive income such as pensions, rents or dividends.

How Pellicer&Heredia can help you obtain the non-lucrative visa for Spain

Personalized Initial Assessment

Evaluation of your eligibility based on your financial situation, nationality, and long-term goals.

Document Preparation Support

Full assistance in preparing and reviewing all required documents, including income proof, medical certificates, background checks, and private health insurance.

Legal Guidance for Consular Appointment

Legal support for your appointment at the Spanish consulate, with detailed instructions on how to present your case effectively.

Handling Special Cases

Management of specific legal situations, such as applications with family members, renewals, or appeals in case of rejection.

Tax and Residency Advice

Guidance on tax obligations and how to comply with residency requirements once you settle in Spain.

Comprehensive Process Support

Ongoing assistance throughout every stage of the process to ensure a smooth and secure experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Obtaining this permit allows us a period of residence in Spain of 1 year. After this time the visa can be renewed two years for a total of two times. Once this time has elapsed, it is possible to apply for permanent residency.

All procedures must be carried out at the Spanish consulate or embassy that best suits you according to your country and place of residence.

No, it is not allowed to obtain a non-lucrative visa if you have been living in the country on a student visa before. For this, you need to return to your home country and start the visa application process.

There are two requirements of the Spanish government in this regard; firstly, your policy must be fully comprehensive and without deductibles, and it must be taken out and active for one year. In addition, you have to register your policy with an insurer that is authorized by the Spanish administration.

Yes, it can be done. After the first year you can apply for a change from a non-lucrative visa to another residence permit that allows you to work. This requires a pre-employment contract that proves the viability of granting the work permit.

Yes, being on this visa does not stop you from making any type of investments; what you cannot do in any case is work for any Spanish company with this type of visa. Nevertheless, this visa allows you to obtain income from investments but not income from work in Spain.

You have to live in the country for 183 days a year. The main implication of this measure is that you are obliged to declare taxes to the Spanish state.

Of all the options offered by Spanish immigration legislation that do not require long periods of residence or having to account to the tax authorities, we recommend the Golden Visa, also known as residency by investment.

Even though the Consulates will state that you are not allowed to work remotely from Spain, there is already doctrine in Spain (for example, Section 3ª, Sentence of 22nd of march 2012, appeal nº 299/2010) that clarifies that you could still have business from your home country or outside Spain and even work remotely as long as the companies are not Spanish companies.
If you are in this situation, we will highly recommend you to seek professional advice. You will need to pay attention to the forthcoming Nomad Visa which will hopefully come into force by the end of 2022.

Of course, after the entry into force of BREXIT, British citizens are eligible to apply for this permit, not as before. They must comply with the requirements for its issuance. If they were resident before BREXIT and they comply with the requirements, they should make a TIE application for residents before Brexit as any other European citizens.