Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa for Families – Bring Your Spouse & Children

👨‍👩‍👧 Can You Bring Your Family on the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa?

Yes — the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) allows non-EU citizens to bring spouses and children as part of the same application. However, there are important financial, documentation, and logistical requirements to meet when applying as a family.

Whether you’re relocating as a retired couple, digital family, or long-term expat, the NLV can be adapted to your household.

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💶 Financial Requirements for Families

The main challenge when applying with dependents is proving sufficient income to support the entire family unit.

🧮 Example:

A couple with two children must prove around €53,000–€56,000 per year in passive income or savings.

➡️ [See full financial guide – Article 2]

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📋 Documents Required for Each Family Member

Each dependent (spouse or child) must submit individual documentation along with the main applicant.

💡 Tip: All family documents (birth/marriage certificates) must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.

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🏥 Health Insurance Requirements for Families

Spanish consulates require comprehensive private health insurance for each applicant — including children.

Your policy must:

• Be valid in all of Spain

• Have no copay and no waiting period

• Offer coverage equal to the Spanish public system

📌 Pro Tip: You can use a single family policy if it names all members and meets the requirements.

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🧾 How to Prove Financial Support for the Whole Family

To be approved, your financial documents must clearly show:

• You have access to sufficient funds

• The funds are under your control (joint accounts are acceptable)

• Income is passive (not tied to work in Spain)

Accepted proof includes:

• Bank savings

• Pension income

• Rental income

• Dividends

• Remote salary (only from non-Spanish company)

➡️ [See Article 2 for examples and mistakes to avoid]

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🛃 Co-Application vs. Family Reunification

👥 Option 1: Co-Application (Most Common)

• All family members apply at the same time

• All receive the same residence card duration

• Requires higher upfront proof of income

🧍‍♂️ Option 2: Regrouping Later (Family Reunification)

• Main applicant applies first

• Spouse/children apply from Spain after arrival

• Slower and more complex

• Used when family joins later or finances are tight

📌 We recommend co-application for most cases — it’s faster and simpler.

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🏫 Schooling & Education for Children

If you’re relocating with school-age children:

• Spain has free public schools and private/international options

• You do not need to register a school to apply for the NLV

• Proof of address is sufficient for school registration once in Spain

💬 Spanish schools require:

• Immunization records

• Birth certificate

• Local “empadronamiento” (address registration)

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🔄 Visa Duration & Renewals for Families

• Initial visa: 1 year

• First renewal: 2 years

• Second renewal: 2 more years

• After 5 years: eligible for permanent residency

📌 All family members renew together and must show continued financial support for the whole household.

➡️ [Link to Article 5 – Renewals & Long-Term Residency]

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❗ Common Family Application Mistakes

🚫 Submitting incomplete birth/marriage certificates
🚫 Forgetting to translate or apostille documents
🚫 Insufficient income for multiple children
🚫 Not including children in the insurance policy
🚫 Submitting one joint application instead of one per person

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👨‍⚖️ Legal Help for Family Visa Applications

Applying for a family NLV can be paperwork-heavy — especially across multiple countries and languages. We can help:

✅ Confirm required documents
✅ Handle translations and apostille checks
✅ Structure financial proof for dependents
✅ Coordinate consulate appointments for your entire family