A long-term residence permit for non-EU citizens who wish to live in Spain without working.
Popular with retirees and financially independent individuals seeking a new lifestyle in Spain.
Non Lucrative Visa Spain
By Barry Davys
This article is published on: 2nd December 2025
Who could benefit from the Non Lucrative Visa (NLV) in Spain?
- Ideal for retirees, early retirees, or financially independent individuals.
- Proof of sufficient financial means ( income around €30,000/year for the main applicant and €8,000 per dependent).
- Requires a private health insurance contracted in Spain.
- Remote working, self employment or continuing to work for your UK employer are all NOT allowed with the NLV
- How to apply for an NLV. Application is submitted in person at the Spanish Consulate in the applicant’s home country (not available from within Spain).
- Processing time of up to two months; visa valid for one year and renewable for two-year periods.
- Eligibility for permanent residency after five years in Spain and Spanish nationality after ten years.
Your Visa is step 1 of your move to Spain.
Also needed is an understanding of how your finances will be affected when you move to Spain. At The Spectrum IFA Group in Spain, we are familiar with these changes both from our professional knowledge and our own experience of all our advisers having made the same move and who now live in Spain.
The Spectrum IFA Group in Spain assists individuals, employees and families moving to Spain with all financial aspects of their move. It starts with what actions are beneficial to take before you come to Spain and what needs to wait until you are resident in Spain. From the vital planning, how to save when in Spain, how to manage your tax on your savings, pensions in Spain and even, how to best manage currency transfers from the UK to Spain.