Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa
Your pathway to Spanish residency for retirees and financially independent individuals
Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa lets non-EU nationals live in Spain on passive income or savings, without working. To qualify you must show €28,800 per year for the main applicant — as savings or passive income — plus €7,200 per year for each dependent, full private health insurance, and a clean criminal record.
You can't work on this visa, including remotely — if you work remotely, the Digital Nomad Visa is the right route. After five years of legal residence, the Non-Lucrative Visa leads to long-term (permanent) residency.
What counts as your means — and what "non-lucrative" rules out
The financial test is about money you don't have to work for. Savings in the bank count. So does passive income — a pension, dividends, rental income, an annuity. A salary does not, because this visa is granted on the condition that you stop earning one. You show €28,800 a year for yourself and €7,200 for each family member, and you can meet it with savings, with passive income, or with a combination of the two.
"Non-lucrative" is the strict part. No work in Spain, and no remote work for an employer abroad either — a job is still a job when the employer has never heard of Spain. Managing your own investments is not work. If you do plan to keep working, the Digital Nomad Visa is your route: read that page before you file anything here, and message me if you're not sure which side of the line you're on.
Key benefits
One year, then two-year blocks
The first visa runs a year. After that you renew in two-year blocks, and at five years of legal residence you can apply for long-term residency. A slower start than the Digital Nomad Visa — and a straighter line, if you're not going to be working.
Family included, priced per person
Your spouse or partner and your children go on the same application. Each person adds €7,200 a year to what you have to show, so a couple needs €36,000 — but it stays one file, one process, one set of appointments.
Europe on the same card
Ninety days in any 180-day period in the rest of the Schengen Area on your Spanish card, with no extra visa. Portugal, France and Italy stop being trips you plan around a passport stamp.
Where five years and ten years lead
Five years of legal, continuous residence opens long-term residency; ten opens citizenship under the general rule, and two if you hold nationality of origin from one of the countries article 22 lists. Continuity is the fragile part — long absences break it.
Eligibility requirements
✓Financial means
You must show enough savings or passive income to support yourself and any dependents in Spain without working: €28,800 per year (€2,400/month) for the main applicant, plus €7,200 per year for each dependent, so a couple needs €36,000.
✓Health insurance
Comprehensive private health insurance from a company operating in Spain, with no co-payments and full coverage comparable to the Spanish public healthcare system. I'll help you choose the right one for you. Also see the convenio especial option →
✓No criminal record
A clean criminal record certificate from all countries where you've resided in the past five years.
✓No intention to work
You must not engage in any professional or labor activities in Spain during your stay under this visa.
Is the Non-Lucrative Visa right for you?
- ✓Retirees looking to enjoy Spain's climate, culture, and lifestyle while living on pension or investment income
- ✓Financially independent individuals who can support themselves without the need to work
- ✓Digital asset investors managing investments remotely without active work involvement
- ✓Families seeking a high quality of life and educational opportunities for children in Spain
- ✓Those considering a future permanent move to Spain who want to test living in the country before committing long-term
Application process
Initial consultation
I'll discuss your specific situation, confirm your eligibility, and develop a personalized strategy for your application.
Document preparation
I'll guide you through collecting and preparing all required documents, which may include financial statements, your health insurance policy, and criminal background checks.
Visa application
You submit your application at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence, and I'll provide detailed guidance so it's presented correctly.
Relocation & TIE card
Once approved, you'll enter Spain and apply for your TIE (Foreigner Identity Card). I'll guide you through this and help you settle in.
Working with me
You work directly with me, Javier Orquín — a Sevillian visa consultant, not a law firm. I keep a small caseload, so the person who reviews your file is the person who answers your messages.
A consultant, not a law firm
I do this personally — no junior handlers, no ticket queue. You deal with me from the first message to your TIE card.
Native local knowledge
Born and raised in Seville, I know the city you're relocating to first-hand — the neighbourhoods, the local admin like the padrón, and the practical realities of settling into life in Seville, not just the paperwork.
Document perfection
I review every document against the exact standard Spanish authorities require, heading off the small errors that cause most rejections.
End-to-end support
From the first eligibility chat to settling in Spain, I stay with you at every stage of the move.
Check if you qualify for the Non-Lucrative Visa
Start with a free eligibility chat. Tell me your situation and I'll give you an honest read on whether the Non-Lucrative Visa is realistic for you.
Before you pay anything, I'll tell you in the free chat whether you realistically qualify. If you don't, I'll say so — and point you to the option that fits.
The eligibility chat is free. The only paid step is a €100 intro call where we go through your plan and fees — no time limit on the call, and your follow-up questions afterwards are free.
No spam, no obligation — I reply personally.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work remotely on a Non-Lucrative Visa?
+No. This visa is granted on the condition that you don't work — not in Spain, and not remotely for an employer or clients abroad. If you plan to keep working, the Digital Nomad Visa is your route. What does vary by consulate is how you prove you aren't working: some ask for more paperwork than others to evidence that your money is passive. I'll tell you what yours expects before you start gathering anything.
What type of financial documentation is required?
+Bank statements, investment portfolios, pension statements, or other proof of pension, dividends, rent or similar passive income. The documents have to show €2,400 a month (€28,800 a year) for the main applicant, plus €7,200 a year for each dependent.
Does this visa lead to permanent residency or citizenship?
+Yes — time on this visa counts as legal residence. At five years you can apply for long-term residence. Citizenship by residence is applied for at ten years under the general rule, or at two if you are a national of origin of an Ibero-American country, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, or if you are Sephardic (article 22 of the Civil Code). In every case the residence must be legal, continuous and immediately prior to the application. I'll help you work out where your case sits.