What is the Non-lucrative visa?
The non-lucrative residency visa is a residency permit for non-European Union citizens who wish to reside in Spain without carrying out professional activity, that is, without the need to work.
It is a permit that is granted for an initial period of one year, without prejudice to its subsequent renewals if the requirements that we will explain to you below are met.
Therefore, if you are planning to come to Spain to enjoy your retirement or if you can simply live off your passive income and do not need to work, keep reading because you will be interested in knowing more about this residency permit.
Who can apply for the Non-lucrative Visa?
The non-lucrative visa is mainly aimed at those who want to retire in our country, as well as those who have sufficient economic means to live in Spain without working, even if they are not yet of retirement age.
However, it is also an excellent option for those who want to experience the Spanish lifestyle for a year and then apply for a work permit at the end of the first year.
You can also apply for yourself and for your family members, so the application can include your spouse or stable partner and children.
If in your case you already have a Non-lucrative Visa and you want to know how to renew it, in this other article we explain you how to apply for Non-lucrative visa Spain renewal.
Requirements for the application
Financial means
The main requirement to apply for the non-lucrative residency is to have sufficient financial means to live in Spain without carrying out professional activity, which translates into proving a sufficient amount to cover the initial year of residency authorisation for the main applicant and accompanying family members.
The minimum amount required is equivalent to 400% of the IPREM for the main applicant and 100% for each dependent family member. Therefore, as of 2023, with the IPREM set at 600 euros, an amount of 28,800 euros is required for the main applicant and 7,200 euros for each of the accompanying members.
We recommend increasing this amount to ensure a successful application, as some consulates may require additional requirements regarding the proof of financial means, so you may need more funds in your bank account to obtain your residency.
However, you can prove sufficient means not only with funds in your bank account but also by proving that you have a source of regular income not derived from work, for yourself and, if applicable, for the accompanying family members.
If you are of working age, you must provide evidence of receiving a pension or provide a letter of termination from your employer indicating that you will no longer work for that company or, if self-employed, you must provide a sworn statement before a Notary stating that you undertake not to work while residing in Spain. In the case of retirees, the applicant must be a beneficiary of a state pension or a non-capitalizable life annuity payable by a public or private institution and/or investment accounts.
Other requirements
Along with the proof of financial means, the following information must also be provided to obtain the non-lucrative residency visa in Spain:
- Health insurance contracted with an authorised insurance company operating in Spain, covering all the risks covered by the public health system in Spain, that is, without co-payment, and including repatriation. This policy must cover the applicant and all accompanying family members.
- Medical certificate attesting that the applicant does not suffer from diseases that may have serious repercussions for public health in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.
- Certificate of criminal record. Applicants of legal age shall submit a criminal record certificate issued by the country or countries of residency in the last 5 years.
Finally, you will also have to provide and complete the following documentation:
- National visa application form
- Application form for non-lucrative residency authorisation (Form EX-01).
- A recent color passport-size photograph with a clear background, taken from the front, without dark glasses, reflections, or garments that hide the oval of the face.
- Valid and current passport.
- Proof of residency in the consular district.
- Payment of fees.
For including family members, documents proving the relationship to the main applicant must be provided: birth or marriage certificates or proof of financial dependence for adult children or dependent ascendants.
Advantages of the non-lucrative residency
The main advantage of the non-lucrative residency visa is that it does not require a minimum investment for its acquisition, unlike other permits such as the Golden Visa, so you can easily apply for it simply by having sufficient financial means.
It is important to remember that this visa is not intended for those who want to work remotely from Spain, as the recent residency for digital nomads has been designed for this purpose.
Where to submit the application
The application must be submitted by the interested party at the Spanish consulate in their country of origin or residency. In fact, many consulates require proof of residency in the consular district for the submission of the application.
It is important to know that this residency permit cannot be requested from Spain as with other permits such as the Golden Visa, so you will have to do it compulsorily from your own country.
The legal period for deciding on your application is three months from the date of submission, without prejudice to the possibility of requesting additional documents throughout the process.
Once you have obtained your visa, you must enter Spain within a maximum period of 3 months, register your residency, and request an appointment at the police station to have your fingerprints taken and apply for the foreigner’s identity card within one month.
Renewal regime
After the first year of initial residency and having met the requirement of staying for a minimum of 183 days in Spain, you can apply for the renewal of the non-lucrative residency for a further period of two years.
Keep in mind that as it is a renewal for two years, the proof of financial means must be sufficient to cover this period, that is, double the amounts stipulated for the initial application as mentioned above.
Tax obligations
Finally, it is important to know that this residency permit requires your presence in Spain for a minimum period of six months per year (183 days) and therefore the obligation to become a tax resident in our country and declare all income worldwide in order to renew your permit.
Therefore, we recommend that you contact a lawyer or tax expert to analyze the consequences of establishing your tax residency in our country.
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