Best for: retirees, investors, savings >€100K — NO work allowed in Spain
Compare this visa against 17 other pathways across 6 European countries based on your nationality, income, family situation, and goals.
Take the Visa Wizard → Browse PropTren Map →The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is one of Spain's primary residency routes for retirees and individuals with stable passive income. Best for: retirees, investors, savings >€100K — NO work allowed in Spain
This visa is designed for non-EU citizens, aged 18+. Minimum monthly income requirement: €2,400 from pension, rental_income, investment_dividends, savings.
After 5 years on this visa, you qualify for permanent residency in Spain. Citizenship becomes available after 10 years of continuous residence.
Standard resident (progressive 19-47%).
Standard Spain progressive taxation applies (top rate around 19%).
Important: Tax resident after 183 days — global income taxed.
Capital gains tax: 19%.
Wealth tax: varies by region (Madrid 0%, Catalonia 0.21-2.75%).
Cannot apply from inside Spain
Bank statements showing 12 months of passive income meeting threshold
Valid for entry to Spain
Within 30 days of arrival
Need to maintain financial threshold
Path to citizenship at year 10 (or 2 if Latin American)
The total cost of obtaining the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) ranges from €580 to €1,800, depending on lawyer choice, document translation needs, and country-specific fees.
Yes — the Spain NLV allows family members to be included as dependents.
The Spain NLV is renewable and leads to permanent residency after 5 years of continuous legal residence in Spain.
Citizenship is available after 10 years, subject to language exam (typically A2-B1) and integration interview.
This pathway is therefore valuable not only for relocation but as a long-term route to EU citizenship and freedom of movement across the Schengen area.
Non-EU/EEA citizenship. €28,800+/year passive income (no work in Spain allowed!). Private health insurance. Clean criminal record. Available to non-EU/EEA citizens.
€2,400/month minimum (€28,800/year). Income source must be: pension, rental_income, investment_dividends, savings. Bank statement showing €28,800+/year passive income for 1 person, +€7,200 per dependent
Standard resident (progressive 19-47%). Standard rate around 19%. Tax resident after 183 days — global income taxed.
Typical processing time is 30-60 days from submission. Plus 2-6 weeks for document preparation beforehand. Account for additional time at consulate appointments and post-arrival residency permit processing.
Application fee: €80. Lawyer assistance (recommended): €500 on average. Total: €580-€1,800 including all fees, translations, and apostilles.
Yes — after 5 years of continuous residence under this visa, you qualify for permanent residency. Citizenship is available after 10 years.
Yes. Spouse income requirement is typically +25% of base requirement. Each child adds 25% to the income threshold.
ZERO work allowed in Spain — even remote work for foreign employer is GREY AREA. Tax residency is automatic after 183 days = pay Spanish tax on global income. Wealth tax in some regions is brutal (Catalonia 0.21-2.75% on assets >€500K)
The Visa Wizard matches your profile against all 18 pathways across 6 European countries. Free quiz, results in 2 minutes.
Take the Visa Wizard →