Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) for Spain – Legal Guide & Expert Support
Move to Spain without working. Our lawyers make it easy.
Thinking of moving to Spain on passive income?
The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is the go-to residency option for non-EU citizens who want to live in Spain without working — including retirees, remote earners, digital investors, and long-term explorers.
But here’s the catch: Spain’s NLV comes with strict financial, bureaucratic, and legal requirements — and mistakes mean rejection.
That’s where we come in.
At Platinum Legal Spain, our bar-registered immigration solicitors help expats secure the Non-Lucrative Visa with confidence.
What Is the Non-Lucrative Visa?
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The NLV is a Spanish residency visa that allows non-EU citizens to live in Spain without engaging in any professional activity.
It’s perfect if you: - Want to retire in Spain
- Have passive income or savings
- Are taking a career break
- Need a long-term stay without work
- Is valid for 1 year, renewable for 2+2
- Is a path to permanent residency after 5 years
- Can include family members (spouse, children)
2025 NLV Requirements – What You’ll Need
- To apply, you must meet these legal and financial criteria:
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To qualify for the Non-Lucrative Visa in 2025, you must demonstrate sufficient financial means based on 400% of the Spanish IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples):
Main applicant: €2,400/month (€28,800 per year)
Each dependent (spouse, child): €600/month (€7,200 per year) - For example, a married couple would need to prove a combined annual income of €36,000.
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What counts as passive income or financial means?
Pensions (state or private)
Dividends or investment income
Rental property income
Interest-bearing savings accounts or fixed deposits
Proof of significant savings (with steady withdrawals allowed) - Important: You’ll need to provide 6–12 months of official bank statements or pension/investment documentation, translated and legalised where required. Spanish consulates may apply slight variations — we ensure your documentation matches their exact checklist.
- Not sure if your income qualifies? We’ll review everything during your consultation.
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Private Health Insurance
Must be with a Spanish insurer, full coverage, no co-pay
No waiting periods – must be visa-compliant
We work with 247 Expat Insurance to provide NLV compliant policies - Police certificate required from home country + Spanish translation/legalisation
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Full set of legal documents
Medical certificate, visa application form, bank statements, etc.
All documents must be apostilled, translated, and submitted properly
How Our Lawyers Help You Succeed
Visa applications get rejected all the time — and usually for small technical errors.
- With Platinum Legal Spain, you get:
- Our dedicated team of solicitors from start to finish
- Review and preparation of every document
- Apostille/legalisation help
- Help with health insurance and setup
- Pre-checks before submission
- Appeal support (if needed)
Your NLV Application Timeline – Step by Step
Consultation with our legal team
We’ll assess your situation, explain the process in plain English, and confirm whether the NLV is the best route based on your profile.
Document review + income/insurance confirmation
Our lawyers carefully review your financial documents, health insurance policy, and supporting paperwork to ensure they meet current consulate standards.
Full application file prepared
We organise, translate, and legalise all required documents — from your NIE to bank statements — and assemble your NLV file for submission.
Submission at Spanish consulate (we help schedule this)
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Consulate review (4–8 weeks typical)
After submission, the consulate reviews your file. If additional documents are requested, we handle the response. Most decisions are made within 1–2 months.
Upon approval, collect your visa and move to Spain
You’ll receive your NLV stamped in your passport. This gives you 90 days to enter Spain and start the local registration process.
Get your TIE card and register locally (we assist here too)
Once in Spain, we guide you through the local steps: TIE card fingerprinting, town hall registration (empadronamiento), and final setup for legal residency.
Apply From the UK, US, Canada or Beyond
You must apply from your home country, at a Spanish consulate. Each one has slightly different rules — we’ve worked with consulates across:
London, Manchester, Edinburgh
New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston
Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver
And MANY more around the world!
Book Your Consultation Today!
Start your move to Spain the stress-free way.
We’ll guide you through every requirement, every form, and every step.
Need Health Insurance for the NLV?
We partner with 247 Expat Insurance — approved Non Lucrative Visa Health Insurace policies.
FAQs
No. This visa is for residents who do not work in Spain. However, you can transition later to a different visa type.
Yes — as dependents. You’ll need to show more income per person (approx. €600/month per dependent).
You can renew for 2 years, then again for another 2. After 5 years, you may qualify for permanent residency.
Yes — but you still need to show financial means and meet all other requirements.
We’ll give you a fixed-price quote after your initial consultation — no hidden fees.
If you're ready to move forward with your non-lucrative visa application, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process. We offer personalised legal consultations to review your eligibility, financial documentation, and required paperwork in detail. Appointments can be held in person.
Ready to Take the Next Step Toward Residency in Spain?
Thank you for your interest in the Non-Lucrative Visa. Once you submit this form, a member of our immigration legal team will review your details and be in touch to arrange your consultation. All appointments are carried out by our immigration team with experience in visa and residency matters for international clients.