Non-Lucrative Residence

Updated: 3 November 2026Checked against official sources: 3 November 2026

Live in Spain without working, on your own passive income or savings. The classic route for retirees, rentiers and financially independent people. Applied for through the Spanish consulate in your country — we prepare the whole file so it isn't sent back.

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Key facts

Requirements: See the requirements table below.
Processing time and validity: The Ministry decides within 1 month of the consulate's communication. The authorisation lasts 1 year from your entry into Spain and then renews for 2-year periods.
Where it is filed: In person at the Spanish consulate that covers your place of residence.
Work: No paid work in Spain. You show enough income or savings without working.
Can you bring family?: Yes. Each family member adds 100% of IPREM: €600 per month, €7,200 per year.
Our price: Our plans: NLV Essential from €1,490, NLV Full from €2,490. Prices exclude IVA.

Two ways to file

Through the consulate

You apply for the visa at the Spanish consulate that covers your place of residence. Each consulate publishes its own document list and appointment process.

Requirements

Requirements as published in the law and by the Spanish consulates. The consulate or office you apply to has the final say.

Requirements
Requirement	What it means
Income or savings	400% of IPREM per month: €2,400 per month, or €28,800 for the first year (IPREM 2026: €600 per month). Add 100% of IPREM for each family member.
Health insurance	Insurance with an insurer authorised in Spain, with no deficiency, copayment or coverage limit, valid for the whole stay. The Washington consulate asks for a 1-year policy.
No paid work	You show that you can live without working in Spain, and you commit not to carry out paid work there.
Criminal record	Certificates from the countries where you lived in the last 5 years. The Washington consulate asks for an apostille and a sworn translation.
Medical certificate	Issued within the 90 days before filing, stating that you have no disease with serious public health consequences.

Government fees

Visa fee at the consulate: €90 for a national long-stay visa (type D). It is paid in euros or in the local currency.
Residence authorisation (Modelo 790, code 052, item 2.1.1, initial non-lucrative residence): €10.94. Renewal (item 2.2.1): €16.40.
TIE (Modelo 790, code 012): €16.08 for the first issue and €19.30 for a renewal.

Amounts as published on 2026-11-03. The law updates them every year with the budget laws, and each consulate may state the visa fee in local currency. Your consultant confirms the exact figures in your quote.

Steps

The process in order.

Check that this route fits you
What you need
Your situation, your current status and your goal.
Why
A wrong route costs time and fees.
Where to get it
The requirements above, or a free consultation with us.
Example
You compare your situation with the requirements table.

How can we help?: Check that this route fits you
Choose how much you want us to handle
What you need
A decision on how much help you want.
Why
It sets the price and who does what.
Where to get it
The packages page, or the plans at the end of this guide.
Example
You collect the documents yourself and we review them: that is CHECK.

How can we help?: Choose how much you want us to handle
Prepare the documents
What you need
The documents from the checklist.
Why
Missing or outdated papers delay a file.
Where to get it
Authorities in your country, your employer, bank or insurer. Sworn translations are made in Spain.
Example
Foreign certificates usually need an apostille and an official or sworn translation. Your consulate or the UGE lists exactly which.

How can we help?: Prepare the documents
Filing
What you need
The complete, reviewed file and your signed authorisation.
Why
An accredited Spanish lawyer files it with a digital signature.
Where to get it
We file online for you, or you file at the consulate when the route requires it.
Example
You get proof that the application was filed.

How can we help?: Filing
Decision and after approval
What you need
Your passport and the approval notice.
Why
A residence authorisation longer than 6 months needs a TIE.
Where to get it
The authority's notification.
Example
After approval you ask for your TIE.

How can we help?: Decision and after approval

Frequently asked questions

How do I renew it?

Request the renewal in the 2 months before expiry, or within 3 months after it (a sanction procedure may follow). Filing in time extends the old authorisation until the decision. The renewed authorisation lasts 2 years, and the decision period is 3 months.

How long do I have to stay in Spain?

To renew, you must have lived in Spain for more than 183 days in the calendar year.

What happens after the visa is issued?

You collect the visa within 1 month and enter Spain within its validity, which is at most 3 months. Within 1 month of entering, you must request the TIE in person.

How we help

We assess your case, build your document checklist, verify your funds and insurance, fill in the forms (EX-01, visa application) and help you book the consulate appointment. On the FULL plan we stay with you all the way to your residence card.

Plans and prices

Services

The Non-Lucrative Visa is filed at the Spanish consulate in your country. We prepare your whole file so it's accepted the first time. Choose how much you want us to handle.

NLV Essential from €1,490

We prepare your full application; you submit it at the consulate. Includes case assessment, a document checklist, funds and insurance review, form completion (EX-01, visa application) and help booking your consulate appointment.

NLV Full from €2,490

Everything in Essential, plus sworn translations up to €700 included, empadronamiento, TIE appointment booking and full support up to your physical residence card in Spain. The maximum hands-off option.

Not sure which fits?

Book a free consultation. We'll confirm you qualify, tell you honestly whether the Non-Lucrative or Digital Nomad route suits you better, and give you an exact quote based on your consulate, family size and translations.

Short glossary

NIE: The identification number Spain gives to foreigners.
TIE: The residence card for foreigners.
UGE: The Ministry unit (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos) that processes several residence permits, such as entrepreneurs and remote workers.
Empadronamiento: Registration of your address at the town hall.
Apostille: A stamp that certifies a foreign document for use abroad.
Sworn translation: A translation by a translator certified in Spain (traducción jurada).

Sources

Official sources used on this page. The consulate or office you apply to has the final say. Checked against official sources: 3 November 2026.

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Last updated: 3 November 2026

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