Is the NLV Right for You?
Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa — Find Your Situation
The NLV is Spain's most popular long-stay visa for non-EU nationals — but it's not one-size-fits-all. Find the guide that matches your situation: retirees, early retirees living on investment income, families moving together, or those taking a career sabbatical.
Who Qualifies
The NLV Is Designed for People Who Will Not Work in Spain
Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa is specifically for non-EU nationals who want to live in Spain long term without working. The core requirement is proving you have enough passive income — approximately €2,400/month for a single applicant — to support yourself without relying on employment in Spain.
The NLV is right for you if you have:
- State pension (UK State Pension, US Social Security, Australian Age Pension, etc.)
- Private or occupational pension income
- Investment dividends or ETF income
- Rental income from property you own
- Savings above ~€28,800 (single applicant) to supplement income
- A combination of the above sources meeting ~€2,400/month total
The NLV is NOT right for you if you:
- Plan to work remotely for a non-Spanish employer or client (→ Digital Nomad Visa)
- Have €500,000+ to invest in Spanish real estate (→ Golden Visa)
- Have passive income below ~€760/month and prefer a lower threshold (→ Portugal D7)
- Need to continue working in any capacity to fund your stay in Spain
Your Situation
Find the Guide That Matches Your Situation
Each guide covers the specific income evidence, common questions, and practical considerations that matter most to each type of applicant.
Retirees Moving to Spain
The most common NLV applicant. Whether you're drawing a UK State Pension, US Social Security, private pension, or a combination — this guide covers what evidence you need, which consulate to apply through, and how to make your pension income work for the application.
Income source: State pension + private pension | Age group: Typically 55+
Guide for Retirees →Early Retirees & FIRE
Living off your investment portfolio, dividends, ETF income, or rental properties? The NLV is an excellent fit for the FIRE lifestyle. This guide explains how to document investment and dividend income for the consulate — and what to do if your income is variable month-to-month.
Income source: Dividends, ETFs, rental income, savings drawdown | Age group: Typically 35–55
Guide for FIRE & Early Retirees →Families Moving Together
Families can apply together with one lead applicant. Each additional family member adds ~€600/month to the income threshold. This guide covers how family applications work, what documents each family member needs, and how schooling works for children in Spain on an NLV.
Income source: Combined household income | Addition per member: ~€600/month
Guide for Families →Career Sabbaticals
Taking a year or two away from work to live in Spain? The NLV permits this — as long as you have sufficient savings or passive income and do not work during your stay. This guide explains how sabbatical-takers document their financial position and what to expect at the consulate.
Income source: Savings, rental income, investment income | Duration: 1 year initially, renewable
Guide for Sabbaticals →Key Facts
What All NLV Applicants Need to Know
Income threshold
Approximately €2,400/month for a single applicant (400% of Spain's IPREM), updated each January. Each additional family member adds approximately €600/month. The threshold applies to your combined household, not each individual.
Health insurance required
You must have comprehensive private health insurance with no co-payments and no excess from a provider authorised to operate in Spain. NHS entitlement and travel insurance are not accepted. Costs range from approximately €500–€2,000/year per person.
Criminal record certificate
All applicants aged 18 and over must provide an apostilled criminal record certificate from every country they have lived in for more than 6 months over the past 5 years. UK applicants need a DBS certificate; US applicants typically need an FBI background check.
Proof of accommodation
You need to show where you plan to live in Spain — either a rental contract or a property ownership certificate. You do not need to have moved yet, but you do need to have accommodation arranged before your consulate appointment.
Processing time
Most consulates process NLV applications within 1–3 months. Some consulates are faster than others — London, New York, and Miami tend to be efficient. Our dashboard lets you track your application status at every stage.
Renewal & path to residency
The initial NLV lasts 1 year and can be renewed inside Spain for 2-year periods. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for long-term EU residency. After 10 years, Spanish nationality may be available depending on your circumstances.
Not Sure?
What If Your Situation Does Not Fit Neatly into a Category?
Many NLV applicants have mixed income sources — part pension, part investment income, part rental income. Others are close to the threshold but not clearly over it. Some are considering applying in one or two years when a pension kicks in. These situations are common and our immigration specialists handle them regularly.
Rather than trying to self-assess a complex financial picture, use our eligibility check. Share your income sources and amounts, and our specialists confirm whether you meet the threshold, which consulate is most appropriate for your nationality and location, and what documents you will need to prepare. There is no commitment — just clarity.
Our managed NLV application service costs €1,499 total (€400 deposit + €400 before submission + €699 on approval) and includes guidance on income evidence, certified translations up to €100, and support through every stage of the process.
Common Questions
Who Can Get Spain's NLV — FAQ
Can retirees get Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa?
Yes — retirees are the most common NLV applicants. If you have a state pension, private pension, or a combination of pension and investment income totalling approximately €2,400/month, you can qualify. Both UK State Pension and US Social Security count as qualifying passive income. Our retirees guide covers the specific documents and evidence you need.
Can families apply for Spain's NLV together?
Yes — families can apply together with one lead applicant. Each additional family member increases the income threshold by approximately €600/month: a couple needs approximately €3,000/month, a couple with one child approximately €3,600/month, and so on. All family members are included in a single managed application. See our families guide and our family application service.
Can I use the NLV to take a sabbatical in Spain?
Yes — if you have sufficient passive income or savings (~€2,400/month or ~€28,800 in accessible savings for a single applicant), and you will not work during your stay. Sabbatical-takers often use a combination of savings, rental income from a UK or US property, and investment income. You must not work in Spain — including remote work for your current employer. Our sabbatical guide covers how to document this situation.
Is the NLV suitable for people following the FIRE movement?
Very much so. The NLV is arguably Spain's best route for FIRE adherents — it allows you to live in Spain full time on investment income, dividends, ETF returns, and savings drawdowns without working. The key is evidencing that your investment income is regular and sustainable over the visa period. Our FIRE guide explains the documentation approach in detail.
Can I apply for the NLV if I am still employed but planning to retire?
Timing is important here. The consulate assesses income you are currently receiving, not income you plan to receive in future. If you are still employed and your pension has not yet started, you cannot count future pension income now. However, if you have savings or investment income that currently meets the threshold, you may be able to apply now and retire to Spain before your pension starts. Our specialists advise on optimal timing for your specific situation.