Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain

What this visa is

The non-lucrative visa lets people from outside the EU, including British citizens since Brexit, live in Spain without working there. It is for people who can support themselves from a pension, other regular income or savings.

• Income: at least €2,400 a month for the main applicant, plus about €600 a month for each family member who comes too.
• Savings instead of income: more than €30,000 in the bank for one person, plus €7,200 for each extra family member.
• The visa first lasts one year, then is renewed every two years. After five years you can ask for permanent residence.

Main conditions

• enough money, as above
• private health insurance, or the S1 form for British pensioners
• no criminal record in your home country or in Spain
• not already living in Spain without the right to do so
• not being banned from entering the Schengen area (the group of European countries without border checks between them)

How it works

• Fill in the national visa form and the EX-01 application form.
• Collect documents such as your passport, a photo, a criminal record certificate, proof of health insurance, a medical certificate and proof of address.
• Hand in the application at a Spanish consulate and pay the €10.83 fee.
• A decision usually takes about three months. The consulate may take longer or ask you to an interview.
• If approved, collect the visa within one month.
• Once in Spain, apply within one month for the TIE, the identity card for foreigners.

What the service covers

An experienced immigration lawyer checks your documents, fills in the application, helps you find suitable health insurance, arranges the fee, goes with you to collect the visa and the TIE card, and can help with later renewals (charged separately).