Spain · Retirement visa · Open
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa: Requirements and How to Apply
The Spain non-lucrative visa, or NLV, is a residence route for people who can live in Spain on savings or passive income without working there. It is the main Spanish route for retirees. The consulate rule is 400% of the monthly IPREM benchmark for the main applicant, plus 100% for each family member. With the IPREM at €600 (a secondary-source figure for 2026), that is about €2,400 a month for the applicant and €600 for each dependent.
The visa does not authorize work, including remote work. Read the official consulate page for your jurisdiction before you apply, since details differ.
At a glance
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (Residence Without Work) (Visado de residencia no lucrativa)
- Who it’s for
- Non-EU citizens who can live in Spain on savings or passive income without working there, including retirees
- Income requirement
- €2,400 a month
- How it’s calculated
- 400% of the monthly IPREM for the main applicant plus 100% of the IPREM for each family member, per the Spanish consulate page; with the 2026 IPREM of EUR 600 (per secondary sources) this is EUR 2,400 a month (EUR 28,800 a year), plus EUR 600 per dependent
- Initial stay
- 90-day entry visa, then a 1-year residence permit (per secondary sources)
- Renewal
- Yes, in 2-year periods (per secondary sources), with a higher financial test on renewal
- Path to permanent residence
- 5 years of legal residence for long-term residence; citizenship takes 10 years
- Family can join
- Yes
- Can work for local employers
- No
- Health insurance required
- Yes
- Processing time
- Legal decision period is 3 months from the day after submission; interviews or extra documents can extend it
- Fees
- From 1 January 2026 the visa fee is USD 140 for US citizens and USD 106 for most other nationalities, plus a USD 13 residence permit fee (form 790-052), per the Los Angeles consulate. Fees are non-refundable.
- Tax
- After 183 days in Spain you are generally a tax resident taxed on worldwide income. The Beckham Law is aimed at employees and does not usually fit retirees; confirm with a Spanish tax adviser.
Key requirements
- Proof of financial means: 400% of the IPREM (EUR 2,400 a month on current figures) plus 100% per family member, shown through bank statements or a pension
- Private health insurance from an insurer authorized in Spain, valid for one year, with no deductible, co-pay, waiting period or coverage limit
- A medical certificate on the official model issued within 90 days
- FBI background check with a federal apostille issued within six months, translated into Spanish (US applicants)
- A valid passport with at least one year left and two blank pages
- Proof of legal US residence and residence in the consulate's district
- Signed national visa and EX-01 forms, photo and the 790-052 fee payment
- No work or teleworking is permitted on this visa
Official and secondary sources · Last checked Oct 7, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the consulate or a qualified advisor. Not legal advice.
Who qualifies
The NLV suits non-EU citizens who can support themselves from pensions, savings, rental income or investments. You cannot work or telework while on it. If you want to work for a foreign employer from Spain, use the digital nomad visa instead.
You also need private health insurance, a medical certificate, a clean criminal record and, for US-based applicants, no loans or mortgages in the US, according to the Los Angeles consulate.
Income requirement
The consulate states the rule in percentages, not euros: 400% of the IPREM for the first residence year, plus 100% of the IPREM for each family member. The IPREM is a benchmark that Spain has held at €600 a month since 2023 according to secondary sources, so the current figures are about €2,400 a month, or €28,800 a year, for the main applicant, and €600 a month for each dependent.
Income can come from a regular source such as a pension, or from savings. Retirees provide three months of bank statements and a recent tax return. Renewal asks for more, according to secondary sources, so plan for a higher financial test in year two.
Documents you'll need
- The signed national visa form and the EX-01 residence form, photo and a passport valid for at least a year with two blank pages.
- Proof of legal residence in the consulate's district, and for non-citizens proof of legal US residence.
- Proof of financial means.
- Private health insurance from a Spain-authorized insurer, valid for one year, with no deductible, co-pay, waiting period or coverage limit. Travel insurance is not accepted.
- A medical certificate on the official model issued within 90 days.
- An FBI background check for applicants over 18, with a federal apostille, issued within six months and translated into Spanish.
- Form 790-052 and the fee.
Step-by-step application
- Check the financial figure and checklist with your consulate.
- Buy qualifying insurance and get the medical certificate.
- Order your FBI check and apostille, then translate it.
- Book your appointment and submit your file.
- Wait for the decision. The legal period is three months, and it can be extended.
- Collect the visa within one month of approval.
- After arrival, apply for your foreigner card within a month.
Costs and timeline
From 1 January 2026, the Los Angeles consulate lists a visa fee of USD 140 for US citizens and USD 106 for most other nationalities, plus a USD 13 residence permit fee. Fees are non-refundable. The visa is valid for 90 days to enter Spain. Add insurance, translations, apostilles and the medical certificate.
Taxes once you're resident
After more than 183 days in Spain you are generally a tax resident taxed on worldwide income, and Spain's regional income-tax scales vary. The Beckham Law is aimed at workers, not retirees. Americans still file US returns, and the US has a tax treaty with Spain. Ask a cross-border adviser before you move. This is not tax advice. See our Spain guide.
Family members
Spouses or partners, minor children and some dependent relatives can apply, each with their own documents. Adult children and parents must prove financial dependence.
Path to permanent residence and citizenship
Secondary sources describe an initial one-year permit, then renewals of two years each, with long-term residence possible after 5 years. Those sources also say you should spend more than 183 days a year in Spain. Citizenship usually takes 10 years and generally means giving up your previous nationality. Confirm these rules with the authorities.
Alternatives
- Working remotely: digital nomad visa, about €2,442 a month.
- Founder: entrepreneur visa.
- Lower income in Portugal: D7 visa, about €920 a month.
- Investors: Spain's golden visa is closed.
Other retirement visas in Europe
| Route | Country | Type | Status | Headline requirement | Initial stay | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) | France | Retirement visa | Open | €1,478/mo income | Long-stay visa valid up to 12 months, acting as a residence… | Not straightforward: the visitor card a… |
| Italy Elective Residency Visa | Italy | Retirement visa | Open | €2,583/mo income | Visa for 91 to 365 days (multiple entry); then an elective … | 5 years of residence for the EU long-te… |
| Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (Residence Without Work) | Spain | Retirement visa | Open | €2,400/mo income | 90-day entry visa, then a 1-year residence permit (per seco… | 5 years of legal residence for long-ter… |
Thresholds and rules change often. Each route links to its official government page: confirm there before you apply. Not legal advice.
Other ways to live in Spain
- Spain Digital Nomad Visa (Telework Visa) Open
- Spain Entrepreneur Visa Open
- Spain Golden Visa (Closed 2025) Closed
Moving to Spain: the complete guide →
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need for Spain's non-lucrative visa?
The consulate rule is 400% of the monthly IPREM for the applicant plus 100% per family member. With the IPREM at €600, that is about €2,400 a month for one adult and €600 for each dependent. The IPREM amount is a secondary-source figure, so confirm with your consulate.
Can I work on the non-lucrative visa?
No. The visa does not authorize work or professional activity, and the Los Angeles consulate says teleworking is not allowed. If you plan to work for a foreign employer, use the telework visa instead. Changing status later is a separate application with its own requirements.
What health insurance does the Spain NLV require?
You need coverage from an insurer authorized in Spain, valid for a year, with no deductible, co-pay, waiting period or coverage limit, and covering 100% of medical, hospital and outpatient costs. Travel insurance is not accepted. Ask insurers for a letter that matches the consulate's wording.
How long does the Spain non-lucrative visa take?
The legal decision period is three months from the day after submission, and it can be extended if an interview or extra documents are requested. After approval you have a month to collect the visa and 90 days to enter Spain. Plan for several months overall.
Sources and last checked · Oct 7, 2026
Notes: The Los Angeles consulate page was read today and states the percentage rule (400% of IPREM, +100% per family member), insurance terms, fees, 90-day visa validity, 3-month decision period, and that teleworking is not allowed. It does not state the IPREM amount, the permit lengths or the renewal test; EUR 600 IPREM (unchanged since 2023) and the 1-year/2-year permit pattern come from secondary sources (immigrationspain.es, loentiendo.com). Other consulates may handle details differently. Savings or minimum days of presence (about 183 days a year) are from a secondary source.
- exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/losangeles/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/V…
- immigrationspain.es/en/financial-requirements-non-lucrative-visa/
- immigrationspain.es/en/renew-non-lucrative-visa/
- loentiendo.com/iprem/
Figures are our research estimates from the sources above; rules and prices change. Not legal, tax or immigration advice. Spot something out of date? Tell us.