🇪🇸 Spain · Residence / Long-stay visa
Spain Residence / Long-stay visa approval odds
Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) lets non-EU nationals live in Spain on savings or passive income without working — including without working remotely. In 2026 you must show about €2,400/month (€28,800/year), which is 400% of Spain's IPREM income index, plus €600/month for each dependent. Approval is driven by proving sufficient, stable funds and full private health insurance, so complete, well-documented files usually succeed; the biggest catch is that any work — even remote — is not allowed on this visa.
Last reviewed July 2026 per our editorial standards. Source: Spain MFA — Non-lucrative residence visa (exteriores.gob.es) .
Spain assesses a residence visa on whether you have stable, sufficient income or savings to support yourself without working. As an approximate starting point, this route runs near a 85% base approval — your finances, ties and history then push your personal odds up or down.
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Your trip
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Key requirements
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss national who will not work in Spain (including no remote work)
- Proof of about €2,400/month (400% of IPREM) in savings or passive income, +€600/month per dependent
- Full private health insurance with a Spain-authorised insurer (no co-pays, full coverage)
- Apostilled criminal-record certificate covering the last 5 years
- A medical certificate and a valid passport
- Proof the funds are genuinely available (bank, investment or pension statements)
Money & funds
About €2,400/month — €28,800/year (400% of Spain's IPREM, which is €600/month in 2026) — plus €600/month (€7,200/year) for each additional family member. Because IPREM is unchanged for 2026, these figures are stable.
Typical timeline
Consular processing is typically ~1–3 months. The visa lets you enter Spain; you then register for your TIE residence card. Initial authorisation is 1 year, renewable in 2-year periods.
Common refusal reasons
- Insufficient or unstable funds below the 400% IPREM threshold
- Intending to work — including remotely (that requires the Digital Nomad Visa instead)
- Health insurance that is not full-coverage, or not from an authorised insurer
- Missing apostille/legalisation on the criminal-record certificate
- Incomplete or inconsistent financial documentation
What actually moves the needle
Passive income or savings clearly above the threshold
This is the heart of residence decisions for Spain. Make it concrete and documented rather than assumed.
A stable, well-documented source of funds
Officers weigh this alongside everything else — gather clear evidence before you apply.
Full health insurance and a clean criminal record
Officers weigh this alongside everything else — gather clear evidence before you apply.
Avoid the common pitfall
The most frequent reason this route fails is income that is too low, irregular, or actually active employment rather than passive. Address it directly and you remove the biggest doubt.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa in 2026?
About €2,400/month (€28,800/year) — 400% of IPREM — plus €600/month for each dependent. IPREM is unchanged for 2026, so the requirement is stable.
Can I work remotely on Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa?
No. The NLV forbids all work, including remote work for a foreign employer. If you work remotely, you need Spain's Digital Nomad Visa instead.
Does the NLV let me travel in the Schengen Area?
Yes. Once you hold Spanish residence you can travel visa-free across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Can I use savings instead of income?
Yes. You can meet the requirement with a lump sum of savings covering the annual amount, with passive income, or a combination — you just have to show the funds are genuinely available.
Does the Non-Lucrative Visa lead to permanent residence?
It can — after five years of continuous legal residence you can apply for long-term residence, provided you keep meeting the conditions.
