Family Relocation
Non-Lucrative Visa for Families — Move to Spain Together
Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa for families lets you include your spouse and dependent children in a single application. One process, one timeline, one new life in Spain — for the whole family. Here is everything you need to know about moving to Spain as a family.
Family NLV Basics
Can the Whole Family Move to Spain on an NLV?
Yes — and it is designed to be straightforward. The Non-Lucrative Visa for families works through a single lead applicant who includes their spouse or partner and dependent children in the same application. There is no need for each family member to file a separate visa. You apply together, your documents are assessed together, and you receive your visas together.
This is how it works: one adult (usually the person with the primary income) is the lead applicant. Their spouse/partner and children under 18 are named as dependants on the same application. Our service includes full document preparation for all family members.
Family NLV at a Glance
Structure: Lead applicant + dependants in one application
Additional income per dependant: ~€600/month (100% IPREM)
Children included: Under 18 (as automatic dependants)
Spouse/partner: Included with marriage certificate or proof of relationship
Our service fee: €1,499 (lead applicant — same price regardless of family size for our service)
Consulate fee: Charged per person by the consulate
Financial Requirements
Income Requirements for Family Applications
The financial threshold for a family NLV application scales with the number of family members. The lead applicant must meet the base threshold, with an additional increment for each dependant.
| Family Composition | Approx. Monthly Income Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | ~€2,400/month | Base threshold (400% IPREM) |
| Couple (2 adults) | ~€3,000/month | Base + 1 × €600 for spouse |
| Family of 3 (2 adults + 1 child) | ~€3,600/month | Base + 2 × €600 |
| Family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children) | ~€4,200/month | Base + 3 × €600 |
| Family of 5 (2 adults + 3 children) | ~€4,800/month | Base + 4 × €600 |
Important: You do not need separate income streams for each family member — the household total is what matters. If one partner has €3,200/month in pension income and the other has zero independent income, the couple qualifies comfortably on the lead applicant's income alone. Combined household income from both partners also counts.
Document Checklist
Documents Required for Each Family Member
Every family member named in the NLV application needs their own set of documents. Here is what is required for each category of family member.
Lead Applicant
- Valid passport (6+ months remaining) + copy
- 2 recent passport photographs
- Apostilled criminal record certificate
- Apostilled medical certificate
- NLV-compliant health insurance certificate
- Income evidence (3–6 months bank statements, pension letters, etc.)
- Proof of accommodation in Spain
- Completed NLV application form
Spouse or Partner
- Valid passport + copy
- 2 recent passport photographs
- Apostilled criminal record certificate
- Apostilled medical certificate
- Apostilled marriage certificate or proof of civil partnership
- Included under lead applicant's health insurance (confirm coverage)
Unmarried partners: some consulates accept a certificate of cohabitation or affidavit of relationship.
Dependent Children (under 18)
- Valid passport + copy
- 2 recent passport photographs
- Apostilled birth certificate
- Apostilled medical certificate
- Included under family health insurance policy
No criminal record certificate required for under-18s.
Adult Children (18+)
- Same document set as lead applicant
- Apostilled criminal record certificate required
- Proof of financial dependency on lead applicant
- Evidence of student status (if applicable)
Adult children are not automatic dependants — additional evidence of dependency is required.
Translation: All non-Spanish and non-English documents must be accompanied by a certified Spanish translation. Our service includes translation review and coordination — we will flag any documents that require translation before your consulate appointment.
Health Insurance
Family Health Insurance for Spain's NLV
Your health insurance must cover every family member named in the application — a policy that covers only the lead applicant will not be accepted. The policy must be with a Spain-approved insurer, cover the full duration of your visa, and have no co-payments (sin copago).
Approximate Family Premium Estimates
These are indicative figures only — your actual premium depends on ages, health history and insurer.
- Couple in their 50s: approximately €200–320/month combined
- Each child added: approximately €30–60/month
- Family of 4 (parents 50s + 2 children): approximately €260–440/month total
What to Look For
- All family members named on a single policy (or linked policies)
- No co-payments for any family member
- No exclusions for pre-existing conditions (or clearly disclosed)
- Spain-approved insurer (major providers include Sanitas, Adeslas, Cigna, DKV)
- Valid from before your intended entry date
Our insurance partner can provide a tailored family quote — contact us for details.
Schooling
Schooling in Spain for Your Children
One of the most important considerations for families moving to Spain is education. The good news: state schooling in Spain is free, compulsory and generally excellent. International schools are also plentiful for families who want an English-language curriculum.
State Schools (Colegios Públicos)
Free for all resident children aged 6–16. Education is compulsory in this age range. Schools teach in Spanish (and the regional language in Catalonia, Valencia, the Basque Country, etc.).
To enrol you need:
- Empadronamiento (local address registration in Spain)
- Child's passport and birth certificate
- Vaccination records (cartilla de vacunación)
- Previous school reports (useful but not always required)
The school year in Spain runs September to June. Registration typically opens in April/May for the following September.
International & British Schools
Available in most major cities and coastal areas popular with expats. Teach in English (or bilingual curricula). Fees typically range from €6,000 to €20,000 per year per child.
Main hubs:
- Madrid — multiple British and American schools
- Barcelona — British, American and French schools
- Valencia — growing international school sector
- Marbella / Costa del Sol — large English-speaking community
- Alicante — British school options available
Document Apostille
Apostilling Your Children's and Spouse's Documents
All official documents from outside Spain — birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical certificates and criminal record certificates — must be apostilled to be accepted by the Spanish consulate. The apostille authority depends on which country issued the document.
UK Documents
Birth certificates: Apostilled by the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office). UK birth certificates are straightforward — submit to FCDO with the apostille fee.
Marriage certificates: Also apostilled by the FCDO.
Allow 2–4 weeks for FCDO apostille processing.
US Documents
Birth certificates: Apostilled at state level by the Secretary of State for the state in which the birth was registered (not federal level). Each state has its own process and fee.
Marriage certificates: Apostilled by the Secretary of State for the state where the marriage was recorded.
Processing times vary by state — 1–6 weeks.
Australian Documents
Birth and marriage certificates are apostilled by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Submit originals to DFAT for apostille.
Other Countries
Most countries in the Hague Apostille Convention have a designated authority (usually the Foreign Ministry or equivalent). Contact us and we will confirm the correct authority for your country.
Certified Spanish Translation: All apostilled documents not already in Spanish must be accompanied by a certified Spanish translation (translated by a sworn/official translator). Our specialists coordinate translation review as part of the service.
Common Questions
Family NLV — FAQ
Can I include my spouse or partner in my NLV application?
Yes. Your spouse or registered partner can be named as a dependant in your NLV application. You will need to provide an apostilled marriage certificate or equivalent proof of your relationship. The income threshold increases by approximately €600/month to cover your partner. Our service manages the full document set for spouse inclusion.
How much income do I need for a family of 4?
For a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children), the approximate income threshold is €4,200/month: €2,400 for the lead applicant plus €600 for each of the three additional family members. This does not need to be spread across separate income sources — one partner's pension or investment income covering the household total is perfectly acceptable.
Can children of any age be included as NLV dependants?
Children under 18 are included as automatic dependants. Children aged 18 and over are not automatic — they must either apply for their own NLV independently, or prove financial dependency on the lead applicant (e.g., full-time students with no independent income). We can advise on the most suitable approach for older children.
Do children need their own criminal record certificate?
No — children under 18 do not need a criminal record certificate. Adult dependants aged 18 and over do require their own apostilled criminal record certificate from every country they have lived in during the past 5 years, just as any adult NLV applicant would.
Can we all use the same NLV application?
Yes. The family NLV is submitted as one application with a lead applicant and named dependants. All family members attend the consulate together and receive their visa stickers simultaneously. Our specialists prepare the full document pack for every family member as part of a single, coordinated application.
What documents does my spouse need for the NLV?
Your spouse needs: their valid passport, an apostilled criminal record certificate from every country they have resided in for 5+ years, an apostilled medical certificate, and an apostilled marriage certificate or proof of civil partnership. All documents not in Spanish or English require a certified Spanish translation. Our specialists will prepare the complete spouse document checklist.
Can I add dependants after my NLV has been approved?
Adding dependants after the initial NLV has been granted requires a separate family reunification (reagrupación familiar) process, which is more administratively complex and slower. We strongly recommend including all family members in the original application to avoid this complication. If your circumstances change after approval, contact us and we will advise on the best path forward.
What happens to my children's schooling when we move to Spain?
State schooling in Spain is free and compulsory for children aged 6–16. To enrol at your local state school (colegio público), you need your empadronamiento (local registration), the child's passport, birth certificate and vaccination records. The school year starts in September, and registration typically opens in April/May. International and British schools are also widely available in major cities, charging €6,000–20,000/year per child.
Related Guides
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Requirements
Income Requirements
Full breakdown of the income threshold, qualifying income sources and how bank statements are assessed by Spanish consulates.
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