Non-Lucrative Visa — Requirements [2026]
Last updated: June 2026
Spain's Non-Lucrative visa (NLV) is designed for individuals with passive income who wish to live in Spain without working. Pensions, rental income, dividends, or significant savings are considered the primary financial sources for this visa. The visa is initially granted for 1 year, can be renewed, and after 5 consecutive years of residence opens the path to permanent residency.
Financial requirements
The financial requirement is calculated based on Spain's Public Income Indicator (IPREM). For 2026, the main applicant's monthly income must equal 400% of the IPREM.
Accepted income sources: pensions, property rental, investment dividends, royalties, bank deposit interest, or sufficient savings.
For each additional family member, the required amount increases by 100% of the IPREM (~600 EUR/month).
Eligibility criteria
- You must be a citizen of a country outside the European Union
- You must have sufficient passive income or savings
- You must agree not to work in Spain during the visa period
- You can bring family members (spouse and children) with you
- You must provide a criminal record clearance certificate
- You must have valid health insurance in Spain
No-work rule — what does it mean?
Non-Lucrative visa holders cannot engage in any employment activity in Spain — neither as an employee nor as a self-employed person (freelancer).
This is a fundamental condition of the visa.
If you work remotely or plan to work, the Digital Nomad visa is a more suitable option.
Required documents
- Passport (valid for at least 12 months) and copy
- Income verification documents (pension, bank statements, investment reports)
- Bank account statement (last 6-12 months)
- Criminal record clearance certificate
- Health insurance policy (comprehensive, no co-payment)
- Proof of accommodation in Spain (rental agreement or property deed)
- Medical certificate (confirming no communicable diseases)
- Passport-size photographs
- Visa application form (EX-01)
All documents must be translated into Spanish and apostilled.
Application process and timeline
Document preparation
Gathering financial documents, obtaining health insurance, and translations — approximately 2-4 weeks.
Consulate application
For Azerbaijani citizens, the application is made through the Spanish Embassy in Ankara (Turkey) or the Istanbul Consulate General.
Waiting for a decision
Application review typically takes 1-3 months. Additional documents may be requested.
Arrival in Spain and registration
After receiving the visa, you must enter Spain within 90 days and complete local registration (empadronamiento).
TIE card application
Within 30 days of entering Spain, you must apply for your residence card (TIE).
Renewal and permanent residency
The visa can be renewed. Since May 2025, Spain's new immigration regulation (RD 1155/2024) has been in force: the initial authorization is granted for 1 year, and each renewal for 2 years. At renewal you must prove the financial requirements again. After 5 consecutive years of legal residence in Spain, you can apply for permanent residency.
Important: to renew, you must actually live in Spain for more than 183 days per calendar year. This is now a formal requirement of the new regulation (RD 1155/2024, art. 64.2.f), so the permit cannot be kept while living mostly in another country. Keep in mind: spending more than 183 days a year in Spain generally makes you a Spanish tax resident. This is worth planning for before you move.
Official sources
- Spanish Consulate (Istanbul) — Non-Lucrative visa requirements
- Boletin Oficial del Estado (BOE) — Official IPREM values
- Spanish Embassy (Ankara) — For Azerbaijani citizens
- Spanish Consulate General — Istanbul
- Real Decreto 1155/2024 (BOE) — official text of the new immigration regulation
How we help
We guide the whole process step by step, from the initial assessment to receiving your TIE card in Spain: we evaluate your financial eligibility and support you in preparing the documents and submitting the consulate application.
Our service includes:
- Financial eligibility assessment and a written application plan
- Preparation of passive-income and savings documents to consulate standards, with coordination of translation and apostille
- Selecting and arranging health insurance accepted in Spain
- Consulate and BLS appointment scheduling, with regular updates while the decision is pending
- Support with obtaining your TIE card after arrival in Spain
We start with a free consultation: we listen to your situation and provide a written assessment. How we continue is up to you: support with document preparation only, or full end-to-end guidance. The service fee is discussed individually during the consultation.
If your application is rejected, we refund the service fee. The decision rests with the relevant consulate and state authorities: Ispanviza does not guarantee the outcome and provides information and consulting support throughout the application process.
Start with a free consultation
Let's review your situation together: we assess your financial eligibility and propose a clear plan for your application. The consultation is free and carries no obligation.