🇪🇸 What Is the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)?
🧳 The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) allows non-EU citizens to reside in Spain long-term without working locally. It’s ideal for:
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Retirees
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Remote workers with foreign income
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Individuals with passive income or savings
Unlike work visas, the NLV doesn’t permit you to earn income from Spanish companies — but it does open the door to eventual permanent residency.
📋 Key Requirements
| Requirement | Summary |
|---|---|
| 💶 Financial Means | Must prove income of ~€30,000/year or more (plus ~€8,000 per dependent) |
| 🏥 Health Insurance | Private insurance policy with full Spanish coverage |
| 🚫 No Work in Spain | You cannot work or conduct local business |
| 🧾 Documents Needed | Criminal background check, bank statements, medical certificate, passport |
| 🕐 Application Timing | Apply at least 1–2 months before intended move date |
📝 Note: The income requirement is based on the Spanish IPREM benchmark — and it increases with each dependent.
🛂 Step-by-Step Application Process
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Gather Required Documents
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Passport (valid for at least 1 year)
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Criminal record certificate
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Bank statements (showing sufficient funds)
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Private health insurance
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Medical certificate
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Proof of accommodation in Spain
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Visa application form + fees
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Submit to Your Local Spanish Consulate
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Applications must be submitted from your country of residence, not from within Spain.
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Processing time: 4 to 8 weeks (varies by consulate)
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Receive Approval & Move to Spain
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Once granted, you’ll get a 1-year visa
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Upon arrival, apply for your TIE (Foreigner’s ID card) within 30 days
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🧮 How Much Money Do You Need?
💸 The financial requirement is typically:
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~€30,000 for the main applicant
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~€7,500–€8,000 for each dependent (spouse/children)
Funds can be proven via:
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Bank savings
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Pension income
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Rental income or dividends
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Salary from remote employment (if not Spanish-based)
➡️ [Link to full financial requirement guide]
👨👩👧 Can You Bring Your Family?
Yes — the NLV supports family co-application, but you’ll need to show additional funds. Each dependent adds to your financial threshold and must be covered by the same insurance policy.
➡️ [Link to full family visa guide]
🔄 Renewal & Long-Term Residency
The visa is:
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Initially valid for 1 year
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Renewable for 2 more years, then again for another 2
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After 5 years: eligible for permanent residency
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After 10 years: eligible for Spanish citizenship (or 2 years for Latin Americans)
➡️ [Link to NLV renewal guide]
⚖️ NLV vs Digital Nomad Visa – What’s Better?
| Feature | Non-Lucrative Visa | Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Can work remotely? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Requires local client? | ❌ Forbidden | ✅ Allowed (up to 20%) |
| Income requirement | €30,000+ | €32,000+ |
| Time to process | 6–8 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
➡️ [Link to comparison article]
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
🔻 Submitting outdated financial documents
🔻 Applying with insufficient income
🔻 Missing apostille/legalization on foreign documents
🔻 Booking your flight before visa approval
🔻 Applying from within Spain — it’s not allowed
➡️ [Link to mistakes article]
🏡 Where Should You Live on an NLV?
Popular destinations for NLV holders include:
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Barcelona – Vibrant expat scene, excellent healthcare
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Valencia – Affordable lifestyle, great climate
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Madrid – Capital city comforts, cultural life
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Malaga – Coastal charm, strong digital nomad communities
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Alicante – Family-friendly with lower costs
📞 Need Help With Your NLV Application?
At Borderless Lawyers, we help clients around the world successfully obtain Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa — from document prep to consulate submission and renewals.
✅ Multilingual team
✅ Local presence in Spain
✅ End-to-end application support