Non-Lucrative (Non-Working) Residence Visa in Spain

Every year, Spain attracts residents of northern countries with its pleasant Mediterranean climate, beaches with fine sand, azure sea, seafood cuisine, and wines from local wineries, as well as festivals and traditional holidays.

Today, among other EU countries, Spain offers the largest number of residence permit programmes for those who want to invest in the country’s economy and ensure personal financial stability. One such programme is the residence permit for financially independent persons (Residencia Temporal no Lucrativa).

What is a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain?

The Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain was established in 2011 and is regulated by Royal Decree No. 557/ 2011. It applies to all citizens of foreign countries with the exception of citizens of the EU, the Eurozone, and Switzerland. The main requirement for a foreigner applying for this type of residence is a stable passive income from outside the Eurozone, as well as sufficient funds to support themselves, deposited in a personal account. Another important requirement for those considering a move to Spain is the availability of long-term housing, whether purchased or rented.

The main restriction after obtaining a residence permit is a prohibition on working in Spain. However, it is possible to establish your own company in the country and receive passive income in the form of dividends.

The main difference from another alternative programme of residence permit, the Digital Nomad Visa, is that digital nomads need to provide proof of employment in the form of an indefinite contract with the employer, as well as a diploma confirming the availability of qualifications in the workplace. These documents are not required to obtain a Non-Lucrative Visa residence permit in Spain.

Rights and obligations for holders of a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain

Residents on the basis of a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain have the following rights:

• to obtain residency for family members;
• to establish a business in Spain;
• to stay in Spain for an unlimited amount of time;
• to freely move around the EU;
• to open bank accounts in Spain;
• to exchange a valid driver’s licence for a Spanish one;
• to receive medical services equivalent to those available to Spanish residents;
• to enrol a child in a local kindergarten or school;
• to extend the residence permit under the condition of preserving funds and passive income.

The following responsibilities must also be observed:

• refrain from working for a Spanish company and from receiving income in any other way on the territory of Spain, except for passive income;
• stay in Spain for at least 183 days per year, which also implies becoming a tax resident of Spain;
• pay taxes on time;
• ensure that minor children attend a general education institution in Spain;
• for each extension of the residence permit of a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain, it is necessary to confirm the existence of income.

Advantages of a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain

Here are some key benefits of obtaining a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain:

1. Permanent residence in Spain. A residence permit opens up the possibility of legal stay in the Kingdom of Spain for the applicant and his family members.
2. Freedom of movement within the Schengen Area. A resident of Spain can move freely within the Eurozone, even if the borders are closed.
3. Establishment of a business. On the basis of financial independence, you can establish a business in Spain and receive passive income from it.
4. Opening an account in an EU bank. A resident has the right to open accounts in banks in Spain and other EU countries.
5. The possibility of obtaining Spanish citizenship. After residing in Spain for 10 years, the investor is eligible to apply for a passport of the country.
6. Treatment. Cuadro médico sin copago health insurance covers free visits to doctors, ambulance calls, hospitalisation, treatment and operations.
7. EU driver’s licence. The investor will be able to buy and register a car.
8. There is no requirement to take exams on the Spanish language or the country’s history.

Thus, if there are sufficient financial assets, a residence permit of a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain opens up the prospect of legally staying in the country for an extended period and allows for equal access to all rights and services enjoyed by Spanish citizens.

Special requirements for applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain

In order to apply for a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain, applicants must meet the programme’s basic requirements.

Income requirements

The applicant must have passive income from sources outside the Eurozone. The income received from the rental of property and business, dividends on shares and securities will be suitable. It is necessary to provide documentation confirming regular profits from one or more sources, including declarations for the past three years. Additionally, remote employment is acceptable but should not be the primary source of income.

When applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa, the applicant must already have sufficient funds in their account to cover their expenses for the duration of the visa issuance period. This amount is equivalent to one year’s expenses and is calculated based on the IPREM index, which is the minimum salary in Spain. In 2025, the index was 600 euros per month. It is updated annually on the 1st of January. The applicant must have an amount equal to 4 IPREM, which is 2,400 euros per month or 28,800 euros per year.

To obtain a residence permit for each member of the applicant’s family, you will need to provide an IPREM in a one-time amount.

Applicant requirements

1. The applicant must be over 18 years of age.
2. The applicant must not have EU, Eurozone or Swiss citizenship, nor be a relative of someone who does.
3. The applicant must not be on the EU sanctions list.
4. The applicant must not have been deported from any EU countries previously, and should not have any visa violations.
5. The applicant must not have a criminal record in their country of citizenship and residence.
6. The applicant must possess a property in Spain, either owned or rented for a long term.
7. The applicant must provide a certificate from a medical institution confirming the absence of any dangerous infectious diseases.

Health insurance

To obtain a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain, applicants and their family members must have health insurance from an authorised agency in Spain that covers medical services throughout the country, including hospitalisation and repatriation, with no additional charges.

Owning property in Spain gives an advantage to applicants when applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain.

Natalya Emelyanenko Real Estate Expert in Spain

Documents required for obtaining a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain

The dossier for the main applicant includes the following documents:

• valid passport with copies of all pages;
• 2 colour photos (35×45 mm);
• application form for a national visa;
• application form for a residence permit without the right to work;
• cover letter stating the goals of living in Spain and income;
• proof of funds (bank statements, rental agreements, tax returns);
• health insurance from an insurance company accredited in Spain for a coverage amount of at least 30,000 euros;
• certificate of good faith;
• medical certificate stating the absence of dangerous diseases;
• contract of sale or lease agreement for housing in Spain;
• confirmation of payment of state duty on form 790-052.

When applying for family members, the applicant must additionally provide:

• marriage certificate;
• birth certificates;
• documents confirming the children’s education in a previous country of residence’s educational institution;
• documents confirming financial dependence on the main applicant when submitting documents for an adult child or relatives in the ascending line.

All documents must be apostilled and translated by a sworn Spanish translator.

Non-Lucrative Visa application process

1. Preparing documents, signing a lease or purchase contract for a property. At this stage, the investor collects all the necessary documents for a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain, signs a rental contract or selects a property in Spain for purchase. Tranio’s experts can help the client with the selection of an apartment, as well as with the documentation of the transaction. It is possible to complete all steps of the purchase remotely by issuing a power of attorney to a lawyer in Spain, or you can attend in person.
2. Obtaining a Non-Lucrative Visa from the Spanish Consulate. The applicant personally submits their dossier to the Spanish Consulate at their place of residence.
3. Applying for a residence permit in Spain. After receiving a Non-Lucrative Visa from the Spanish consulate, the applicant must enter Spain within 3 months to apply for a residence permit, which must be done within one month of entering the country.
4. Obtaining a residence permit in Spain. A month after the filing of the dossier, the applicant receives a plastic card of a resident of Spain.

Additional costs

Moving to Spain to take up residence involves a number of expenses. Among the main ones are the following:

Legal expenses. Depending on the number of applicants, the total amount may vary from 1,000 to 4,000 euros. This includes professional consultations, legal support, documentation preparation, apostille, and translation of all documents by sworn translators.

Health insurance. The average cost is from 50 to 100 euros per person.

Related expenses when buying property. They account for 10–15% of the property value. This amount includes VAT (10% for new buildings), stamp duty (1.5%), notary and registration fees (up to 1,500 euros in total). When buying a secondary property, the investor is subject to a transfer tax ranging from 6 to 10%, depending on the region.

State fees for applying for a residence permit. They amount to 100 euros per person for issuing a plastic residence permit card.

Tranio’s team offers professional consultations on the possibility of obtaining a non-lucrative visa in Spain. We work with each client individually and assist in selecting the most suitable property.

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