NON LUCRATIVE VISA - NON EU CITIZEN

Published: 15 December 2025
Updated: 15 December 2025
Author: Citrine PR Department

The Non Lucrative Residence Visa for Spain is a popular option for people from non EU countries including the UK who want to live in Spain without working, either remotely or in any other capacity within the country. Here's a step-by-step guide to the process for a British citizen:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Before starting the application process, ensure you meet the following criteria:

• Financial Requirements: You must have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and any dependents without relying on Spanish employment. This means showing a stable income or significant savings.

  • For the main applicant, this usually means having an income that is at least 400% of Spain’s IPREM Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples, which is a reference amount used to determine eligibility for various benefits in Spain.

  • For a single person, the required income is roughly €2,400 per month or about €28,800 annually.

  • For each additional dependent spouse, children, the income requirement increases by around 100% of the IPREM, for example €600 per month or €7,200 annually for a spouse.

• Health Insurance: You must have private health insurance in Spain with full coverage, as the Spanish public healthcare system is not available to non residents unless they contribute to the social security system.

• No Criminal Record: You will need to provide a certificate showing that you don’t have a criminal record in the UK or in Spain for the last five years.

• No Previous Immigration Violations: You cannot have overstayed your visa or violated immigration laws in Spain or any other Schengen area country.

Step 2: Required Documents

The documents required for the application typically include:

1. Valid Passport: Your passport should be valid for at least one year from the date of your application.

2. Completed Application Form: The official visa application form, EX-01 is available at the Spanish consulate or embassy’s website.

3. Passport Size Photos: Two recent passport-sized colour photographs.

4. Proof of Sufficient Financial Means: Bank statements, income statements, or investment documentation showing you have the necessary financial means to live in Spain without working.

5. Private Health Insurance: A certificate from a Spanish health insurance provider that proves you have comprehensive medical coverage.

6. Proof of Accommodation in Spain: A rental agreement or proof of property ownership or purchase process.

7. Criminal Record Certificate: An official certificate of no criminal record from the UK and any other country where you have lived for the past five years.

8. Medical Certificate: A medical certificate confirming that you do not have any contagious diseases, typically signed by a licensed doctor.

9. Visa Fee: Payment of the visa application fee, which can vary depending on the consulate.

Step 3: Submit Application

• You must submit your application at the Spanish Consulate or Embassy in the UK or your country of residence if you're living outside the UK.

• Applications cannot be submitted online, so you'll need to schedule an appointment and present all the required documents in person or by post depending on the consulate's requirements.

Step 4: Attend an Interview (if required)

Some consulates might request an interview as part of the visa application process. Be prepared to answer questions about your financial situation, your reasons for living in Spain, and your plans while living there.

Step 5: Wait for the Decision

The processing time for the Non Lucrative Visa is usually around 1-3 months. During this time, the consulate will verify your documents, and they may request additional information if needed. Once your visa is approved, you will be notified.

Step 6: Collect Your Visa

Once your visa is approved, you will need to go to the consulate to collect your visa. It will be in the form of a sticker placed in your passport.

Step 7: Enter Spain

After receiving your visa, you can enter Spain within the validity period usually within 90 days of issuance. You will be granted residency for one year once you arrive in Spain.

Step 8: Register with Local Authorities

Once in Spain, you must:

1. Register with the local town hall (empadronamiento) to prove your residence in Spain.

2. Apply for a Foreigner’s Identity Card (TIE) at an approved police station, which is your official identification card as a foreign resident.

Step 9: Renewal

The Non Lucrative Visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for two more years. After this initial period, you may apply for permanent residency if you meet the requirements.

Additional Tips:

• Financial Proof: The most common reason for rejection is insufficient financial means, so make sure your financial documents are thorough and cover all the necessary periods.

• Health Insurance: Private health insurance should cover you for all eventualities, including emergency care, surgeries, and repatriation. Some insurers offer special plans tailored for expats and many offer special policies ofr people on the Non Lucrative visa program.

• Language Barrier: Most consulates and immigration offices operate in Spanish, so it might be helpful to have someone who speaks Spanish or seek professional assistance if needed.

Through Citrine Real Estate Client Services we offer introductions to specialist Immigration Lawyers who can process your application. Whilst it is possible to process the application yourself, unless you are completely familiar with the process and very competent in Spanish language, we would recommand using a Law Firm. We can also help with medical insurance, property and car insurances through our affiliate programs.

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the content of this article is up to date and correct, it is possible that some information has been updated or changed. The information within this article has been compiled from many different sources and should therefore be verified before reliance on the content. This article may also contain opinions of the author, which are exactly that, they are opinions. The information in this article is provided by Citrine Real Estate for “interest only” and to provide some useful information for interested readers. In all cases you should consult a reputable and experienced immigration Law Firm before taking any action or making decisions.

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