What is the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)?
The Spain Non-Lucrative Visa is a long-stay visa that allows non-EU citizens to reside in Spain for more than 90 days without engaging in any work or professional activities. It’s the perfect fit for individuals who have already secured their financial freedom through passive income.
Who is it for?
Retirees: Individuals living off pensions or retirement funds.
Investors: Those earning from dividends, stocks, or other investments.
Entrepreneurs with Passive Income: Business owners who have systems in place that generate income without their active, daily involvement (e.g., rental income from properties, royalties).
Crucial Distinction: Non-Lucrative vs. Digital Nomad Visa
This is where many location-independent professionals get confused. The key difference lies in the nature of your income and work activity.
Non-Lucrative Visa: Strictly for passive income. You cannot actively work, even for a foreign company remotely. The source of your funds must not require your active participation while you reside in Spain.
Digital Nomad Visa: Specifically designed for active remote workers. This visa allows you to work for companies or clients located outside of Spain while legally residing within the country.
While the lines can seem blurry, attempting to work remotely on an NLV is a risky strategy that could jeopardize your residency status. For active digital nomads and freelancers, the Digital Nomad Visa is the appropriate and legally sound choice.
Eligibility Requirements for the Non-Lucrative Visa
To qualify, you must prove your financial self-sufficiency and meet several key criteria. The Spanish government wants to ensure you can support yourself and any dependents without needing to enter the local job market.
Sufficient Passive Income: You must demonstrate a minimum monthly passive income. For 2025, the thresholds are based on Spain's IPREM (Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator):
Main Applicant: At least 400% of the IPREM, which equates to approximately €2,450 per month.
Each Additional Dependent: An extra 100% of the IPREM, which is around €600 per month per person.
Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least one year from your application date.
International Health Insurance: You need a comprehensive private health insurance policy from a company authorized to operate in Spain, with no co-payments.
Clean Criminal Record: You must provide a criminal background check from your country of residence for the past five years. This document typically needs to be apostilled and translated.
Medical Certificate: A doctor's note confirming you are free from any diseases that could pose a public health risk, as specified by International Health Regulations.
The Step-by-Step Application Process
The application process is detailed and must be initiated from your home country or country of legal residence. You cannot apply while in Spain as a tourist.
Step 1: Schedule Your Embassy/Consulate Appointment
This should be your first move. Wait times for appointments at Spanish consulates can be long, often several weeks or even months. Book this as early as possible to set your timeline.
Step 2: Obtain Your NIE Number
The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is your foreign identification number in Spain. You must apply for this at the Spanish consulate _before_ your visa appointment. It involves filling out form EX-15 and paying a small fee.
Step 3: Gather and Prepare Your Documents
This is the most time-consuming step. Meticulously collect all required paperwork:
Completed National Visa Application Form.
Passport and passport-sized photos.
Proof of financial means (bank statements, investment portfolios, rental income contracts, etc.).
Proof of international health insurance.
Apostilled and translated criminal background check (no older than 3 months).
Translated medical certificate (no older than 3 months).
NIE application forms (EX-15) and fee payment form (790 code 12).
Visa application fee.
Note: Most non-Spanish documents will require a certified or sworn translation (traducción jurada) into Spanish. Documents like the criminal record check will likely need an Apostille stamp for authentication.
Step 4: Attend Your Visa Interview
On your appointment day, you will submit your complete document package, provide biometric data (fingerprints), and may be asked a few questions about your intentions for moving to Spain. Pay the visa fee as instructed by the consulate.
Step 5: Await Approval and Travel to Spain
The official processing time can be up to three months, although many applicants report receiving a decision within 3-5 weeks. Once approved, your passport will be stamped with the visa. You then have 90 days to enter Spain.
After arriving, you must apply for your physical residence card (TIE - Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) within 30 days.
Tax Implications: The 183-Day Rule
This is a critical point for anyone in the Taxhackers community. Holding a Non-Lucrative Visa almost guarantees you will become a Spanish tax resident.
If you spend more than 183 days in Spain during a calendar year, you are considered a tax resident. This means you are liable to pay Spanish income tax (IRPF) on your worldwide income, not just the passive income you used to qualify for the visa. You will also be subject to wealth tax and other reporting obligations, such as the Modelo 720 for foreign assets.
Proper tax planning with a qualified advisor is essential before committing to this visa to understand your full tax liability and explore any potential optimization strategies under Spanish law and relevant double taxation treaties.
