Non-Lucrative Visa Spain: Requirements 2026 | Cotown

More and more people—retirees, people living off investments, and professionals with savings—want to settle in Spain without depending on paid work in the country. For them, there is the non-lucrative visa, a residence permit designed for those who can prove they have sufficient income or assets to live without working, including remotely.

This visa is often confused with the digital nomad visa, but the differences are key: while the latter allows you to work for clients or companies outside Spain, the non-lucrative visa prohibits any form of work activity, whether in person or remotely.

In this article, we explain what the non-lucrative residence visa is, who can apply for it, what financial requirements it involves, and how to apply step by step.

Table of contents

1. What is the non-lucrative residence visa?
2. Who is this visa for?
3. Financial solvency requirements
4. Documents required to apply
5. Non-lucrative visa vs digital nomad visa
6. Step-by-step application process
7. Where to live while your residency is being processed
8. Frequently asked questions about the non-lucrative visa

What is the non-lucrative residence visa?

The non-lucrative residence visa (sometimes called the “retirement” or “passive income” visa) is a permit that authorises non-EU citizens to reside in Spain for one year, renewable, without carrying out any work or professional activity in the country.

It is regulated by Spain’s Immigration Law and its implementing regulations and is managed by Spanish consulates in the applicant’s country of origin. It is one of the alternatives we mention when discussing the Golden Visa in Spain after it stopped being available for new real-estate investment applications.

Unlike other visas, no professional project or specific investment is assessed. Instead, the focus is on the applicant’s financial capacity to support themselves without working throughout their stay.

Who is this visa for?

The typical applicant profile is different from that of a digital nomad or an employee relocated by their company. It usually includes:

1. Retirees or early retirees who receive a pension in their country of origin and want to spend their retirement in Spain.
2. People living off passive income from rental properties, dividends or financial investments.
3. People with sufficient savings who want to live in Spain for a period of time without depending on a salary.
4. Family members joining as beneficiaries of the main applicant, such as a spouse, minor children or dependants.

What all these profiles have in common is that they are not going to work in Spain or remotely for foreign companies. If your intention is to continue invoicing clients outside Spain while living here, the visa you need is the digital nomad visa, not this one.

Financial solvency requirements

The core requirement of the non-lucrative visa is to prove sufficient financial means without the need to work. Consulates usually use the IPREM (Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator) as a reference, which is updated periodically.

How much money do you need to prove?

As a general guideline—although you should always confirm the current figure with the relevant consulate:

1. Main applicant: around 400% of the annual IPREM.
2. Each additional family member (spouse, children): an additional percentage of the IPREM, usually around 100% per person.

How can you prove it?

1. Bank certificates showing balances and transactions over the last few months.
2. Proof of pension payments or regular income.
3. Certificates proving ownership of investments, properties or financial assets.
4. In some cases, a sworn statement confirming that you have sufficient means, supported by the documentation above.

You are not required to invest in property or set up a company: it is enough to prove that the money exists and is stable.

Documents required to apply

In addition to proof of financial solvency, the consulate usually requires:

1. A valid passport with at least one year of validity.
2. A criminal record certificate from the countries where you have lived during the previous five years, legalised and apostilled where applicable.
3. A medical certificate proving that you do not suffer from any disease with serious public health implications.
4. Private health insurance with a company authorised to operate in Spain, with no co-payments or waiting periods and coverage equivalent to that provided by the Spanish public healthcare system.
5. A completed national visa application form.

Each consulate may request additional documentation or apply specific requirements, so it is advisable to check the rules of the consular office where you will submit your application before gathering all the documents.

Non-lucrative visa vs digital nomad visa

This is one of the most common questions among people starting to explore their options, so it is worth making the distinction clear:

1. Non-lucrative visa: does not allow you to work, either in Spain or remotely for foreign clients. It is based on passive income, savings or pensions.
2. Digital nomad visa: does allow you to work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain and requires proof of an active employment or professional-services relationship.

If your situation is better suited to remote work, take a look at our detailed guide to the digital nomad visa in Spain, where we explain the process step by step.

Step-by-step application process

1. Gather all the required documentation: passport, criminal record certificate, medical certificate, health insurance and proof of financial solvency.
2. Book an appointment at the Spanish consulate responsible for your place of habitual residence.
3. Submit the application together with all the documentation, translated and legalised if required by the consulate.
4. Wait for the decision, which usually takes between one and three months depending on the consulate.
5. Collect the visa and travel to Spain within the period indicated, normally 90 days.
6. Apply for the TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) in Spain within the first month after your arrival.

The initial visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for two-year periods, provided that the financial requirements continue to be met.

Where to live while your residency is being processed

While your application is being processed and during your first few months in Spain—when you may not yet have a NIE, Spanish banking history or references as a tenant—the most practical option is usually to choose flexible accommodation before signing a long-term contract.

At Cotown, you can find flexible accommodation while you settle in, with no long-term commitment and everything ready from day one. You can also find out how our coliving in Spain works before making your decision.

Choosing the right city also matters: not every destination offers the same cost of living, climate or international community. If you are still unsure where to settle, this guide to the best cities for expats in Spain compares several options depending on your profile.

Frequently asked questions about the non-lucrative visa

Can I work remotely with the non-lucrative visa?

No. The non-lucrative visa prohibits any form of work activity, including remote work for foreign companies. If you want to continue working remotely, you need the digital nomad visa.

How much money do I need to apply for the non-lucrative visa?

The amount varies because it is calculated on the basis of the applicable IPREM. As a general guideline, it is usually around 400% of the annual IPREM for the main applicant, plus an additional percentage for each dependent family member. You should confirm the exact amount with the relevant consulate when you apply.

Does the non-lucrative visa give access to public healthcare?

Not automatically. That is why private health insurance with no co-payments is mandatory as part of the application requirements, since applicants do not automatically have access to the public healthcare system when they apply.

Can I bring my family with this visa?

Yes. It is possible to include a spouse and minor children, as well as certain other dependants, as beneficiaries, provided that you can prove sufficient additional financial means for each of them.

Does the non-lucrative visa lead to permanent residency?

Yes. After five years of continuous legal residence in Spain, renewing the relevant permits as required, you can apply for long-term residency, which is no longer subject to the initial financial requirements.