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Spain Non-Lucrative Visa for Financially Independent People
A residence permit for people who can live in Spain on savings or passive income: rent, dividends, interest or a pension. You cannot work in Spain on this status.
The Spain non-lucrative visa (residencia no lucrativa) suits people who do not need to earn money in the country. The main requirement is enough funds for a year of living. The amount is tied to the Spanish IPREM index: 400% for the main applicant plus one more IPREM amount for each family member. Based on 2025 figures, that is about €28,800 a year plus €7,200 for each relative. Savings or regular passive income from abroad both count. You apply through the Spanish consulate in your country of residence.
The key limitation: you cannot work on this status, and remote work for a foreign company does not count as passive income either. Remote workers have the digital nomad visa instead. We check your income sources, bank statements and insurance before you book the consulate appointment: most refusals come down to income that is not proven or not stable.
You apply at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence; after arrival you register locally and apply for the TIE card within a month.
Who it is for
- Retirees with a pension or savings
- Property owners with rental income
- Investors with dividends and interest
- Families with enough savings who want to live in Spain without working
Requirements
- Funds for a year of living: 400% of IPREM for the main applicant (about €28,800 based on 2025 figures)
- Plus one IPREM amount for each family member (about €7,200 a year)
- The source must be savings or passive income: rent, dividends, interest, pension
- No work of any kind in Spain, including remote work
- Private health insurance with no co-payments and no waiting periods
- A medical certificate and a criminal record certificate
- Housing in Spain, rented or owned
What we do
- Check your income sources and calculate the amount needed for your family
- Advise you on how to present your income so the consulate has no doubts about its stability
- Collect your documents and arrange apostilles and sworn translations
- Book the consulate appointment and prepare you for filing
- Help after you arrive: local registration, TIE card, bank account and renewals
Key documents
- Passport and the national visa application form
- Bank statements and proof of passive income
- Health insurance valid in Spain
- Medical certificate
- Criminal record certificate with an apostille and translation
- Lease or ownership documents for housing
- Marriage and birth certificates if your family is moving with you
How it works
- Income checksources, amounts, bank statements and family members
- Documentscertificates, apostilles, translations, insurance and housing
- Consulatebooking an appointment and applying for the national visa
- Decisionapproximately 1–3 months, depending on the consulate
- Arrival and cardlocal registration and applying for the TIE card within a month of arrival
Timeline
Document preparation usually takes 1–2 months and the consulate decision approximately 1–3 months; about six months in total up to the residence card.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- Income that looks like a salary or freelance earnings will not count as passive
- If your income is in a currency other than the euro, a drop in the exchange rate can push it below the threshold
- Insurance with co-payments or waiting periods is a common reason for documents being returned
- To renew, you need to actually live in Spain for most of the year
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $5,900. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How much income do I need for the Spain non-lucrative visa?
The amount is tied to the IPREM index: 400% for the main applicant plus one more IPREM amount for each family member. Based on 2025 figures, that is about €28,800 a year plus €7,200 for each relative. You can show savings or regular passive income. We will calculate the amount for your filing date during the consultation.
Can I work remotely on this residence permit?
No. The status rules out any work, including remote work for a foreign company and freelancing. If you work online, the digital nomad visa is a better fit. We will tell you which option suits you and what to do if you have both a salary and passive income.
Can I show savings instead of regular income?
Yes, money in your account can prove financial independence. What matters is that the funds are available and their origin is clear. A combination of savings and regular passive income often works best.
How long does the process take?
Preparing the documents usually takes 1–2 months, and the criminal record certificate is usually the slowest part. The consulate reviews the application in approximately 1 to 3 months. The whole process up to the residence card takes about six months on average.
Do I have to live in Spain full time?
To renew, you need to spend most of the year in the country. That also makes you a Spanish tax resident, taxed on your worldwide income. It is worth doing the math before you move, especially if you have business or rental income back home.
Can I move with my family?
Yes, your spouse, minor children and dependent parents can apply together with you. For each family member, the required funds go up by one more IPREM amount a year. You need proof of family ties with an apostille and translation.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
