🇳🇿 New Zealand Guide
Non-Lucrative Visa from New Zealand — The Kiwi Guide to Moving to Spain
New Zealand citizens can apply for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa through the Spanish Embassy in Wellington. This complete guide covers your Ministry of Justice criminal record, the DIA apostille, income requirements in NZD, and everything you need to know about applying as a Kiwi.
Health insurance on its own
Already arranging your visa yourself or through another company?
You can arrange your health insurance through us separately. You don’t need to use our visa service.
Whether you’re applying independently, working with another visa company or adviser, already hold your visa and need ongoing cover, or simply want private health insurance without a visa — you’re welcome to request a quote. You don’t need to buy our visa service or create a visa-dashboard account to request an insurance quote.
Already hold your NLV? Get a renewal quote · Living in Spain without a visa? Get a general quote · Not sure? Choose your quote
Eligibility
Can New Zealanders Get Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa?
Yes — absolutely. As New Zealand is not an EU or EEA member state, Kiwi citizens need a visa to reside in Spain beyond the 90-day visa-free tourist allowance. The Non-Lucrative Visa from New Zealand is the primary route for New Zealanders who want to live in Spain without working for a Spanish employer — whether that's for retirement, a lifestyle change, or simply to enjoy everything Spain has to offer.
The NLV allows you to reside in Spain for one year initially, with the option to renew for 2+2 further years. You do not need to be a certain age, and you do not need to be retired — you simply need to demonstrate that you can support yourself financially without working in Spain.
Key Facts for NZ Applicants
Consulate: Spanish Embassy, 56 Victoria Street, Wellington 6011
Criminal record: Ministry of Justice criminal record (full record of convictions)
Apostille authority: Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Authentication Unit
Income threshold: ~€2,400/month (~NZD $4,300/month)
NZ Super eligibility: Qualifying income source, but usually needs topping up
Application service fee: €1,499 total
Financial Requirements
Income Requirements for Kiwi Applicants
The core income threshold for Spain's NLV is approximately €2,400 per month (400% of Spain's IPREM indicator) for a single applicant. In New Zealand dollars, at 2026 exchange rates, this equates to approximately NZD $4,200–4,500 per month — though this figure fluctuates with the NZD/EUR exchange rate, so always check the current ECB rate when calculating.
Qualifying Income Sources for New Zealanders
NZ Superannuation
Government pension from age 65. In 2026, a single person receives approximately NZD $3,000/month (~€1,650/month). This is typically below the €2,400 threshold and needs supplementing with KiwiSaver or investment income.
KiwiSaver Drawdowns
Regular withdrawals from KiwiSaver (once you have reached the qualifying age) are accepted as passive income. Consistent monthly withdrawals documented over 3–6 months work well as evidence.
NZ Property Rental Income
Rental income from New Zealand property qualifies as passive income. Provide tenancy agreements and bank statements showing regular deposits. Overseas (NZ) rental income is a common and well-accepted income source.
NZ Investment Income
Dividends from NZ shares, managed fund distributions, or interest from term deposits all qualify. Provide brokerage statements or bank records showing regular income over the past 3–6 months.
NZ Super shortfall: NZ Superannuation alone is typically around €750/month short of the NLV threshold. The most common solution is combining NZ Super with KiwiSaver drawdowns or investment portfolio income. Our specialists will help you structure your income evidence to meet the threshold.
Criminal Record Certificate
Your New Zealand Criminal Record from the Ministry of Justice
Every NLV applicant must provide a criminal record certificate from their country of residence, apostilled for use in Spain. For New Zealand applicants, this is your own criminal record from the New Zealand Ministry of Justice — not a NZ Police vetting check, which is a separate service used by approved organisations.
Step 1: Request Your Criminal Record from the Ministry of Justice
Apply online through the Ministry of Justice (criminalrecords.govt.nz) with valid ID and a signed Authority to Release Information form, or use the paper form if you can't apply online. Tick the full record of convictions option.
Cost: Free.
Processing time: The Ministry aims to respond within 20 working days; most requests are answered within a week.
Step 2: Apostille from the Department of Internal Affairs
The record must carry an apostille issued by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Authentication Unit. New Zealand is a Hague Apostille Convention signatory, so no further legalisation is needed.
Cost: NZD $37 per apostille. An urgent service costs NZD $120 extra.
How: Send form BDM460 with your record by post or courier to the Authentication Unit in Wellington, or attend by appointment. DIA also issues e-apostilles (a secure PDF) — ask the Spanish Embassy which format it accepts.
Processing time: Within 15 working days (urgent service: about 5 working days).
Important: Spanish consulates generally accept a criminal record issued within the last three months. Confirm the current window with the Embassy when you book, and time your Ministry of Justice request so the record is still within it on your appointment date.
Total estimated timeline for your criminal record and apostille: up to 7 weeks at standard processing times, often faster. Factor this into your overall application schedule. Checked against Ministry of Justice and Department of Internal Affairs guidance, October 2026.
Consulate Appointment
The Spanish Embassy in Wellington
All New Zealand-based NLV applications are processed through the Spanish Embassy in Wellington. Unlike larger countries such as the USA or UK, New Zealand has only one Spanish diplomatic mission handling long-stay visas — so all NZ applicants regardless of location must attend in Wellington.
Embassy Details
Address: 56 Victoria Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Appointments: Book via the Spanish Embassy's official website or the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs appointment portal.
Appointment wait: Approximately 4–10 weeks. Fewer slots than larger consulates — book as early in your process as possible.
Tip: Check for appointment slots several weeks in advance and refresh regularly — cancellations appear without notice.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
- Completed NLV application form (NIE/visa application)
- Valid New Zealand passport + copy
- 2 recent passport photographs
- Apostilled Ministry of Justice criminal record
- Medical certificate + apostille
- Health insurance certificate (Spanish-approved, no co-pay)
- Income evidence (bank statements, pension letters, etc.)
- Proof of accommodation in Spain
- Payment of the consular visa fee
Processing time after appointment: 1–3 months. Your application is forwarded to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid for final assessment. You will not receive the visa at the appointment — it is posted or collected once approved.
Health Insurance
NLV Health Insurance for NZ Applicants
One of the core NLV requirements is private health insurance covering your entire stay in Spain, with no co-payments (sin copago). Standard travel insurance does not qualify. Check your consulate’s current checklist; if you have a medical condition, confirm how the policy treats it before relying on it.
New Zealand domestic insurers — including Southern Cross Health Society and NIB — typically do not offer NLV-compliant Spanish resident health policies. Their products are designed for New Zealand healthcare, not for long-term residence in a foreign country.
What You Need
- Policy valid in Spain for the full visa period
- No co-payments (sin copago)
- No significant exclusions (pre-existing conditions may be restricted)
- Minimum coverage: typically €30,000 or unlimited
- Emergency evacuation / repatriation cover
Recommended Approach
Most Kiwi NLV applicants use an international expat health insurer with Spain-specific resident coverage. Well-known providers operating in this space include Cigna Global, Aetna International, Allianz Care and similar. Our insurance partner can advise on NLV-compliant options and provide a quote for your circumstances.
NZD & Currency
NZD Income and EUR Currency Conversion
Spanish consulates assess income in euros, based on the European Central Bank (ECB) reference rate at the time of application. The NZD/EUR exchange rate has fluctuated considerably in recent years, which creates an important planning consideration for New Zealand applicants.
2026 Approximate Rates
As of 2026, the approximate exchange rate is:
1 NZD ≈ 0.56 EUR
This means the €2,400/month NLV threshold equates to approximately NZD $4,300/month.
Always verify the current ECB rate before calculating — this figure is indicative only.
Build In a Buffer
If your NZD income converts to just above the €2,400 threshold, exchange rate movements could push you below it between your application and your consulate appointment.
Our recommendation: aim for income that converts to at least €2,600–2,800/month to provide a comfortable buffer. If your income falls short, savings can supplement — some consulates accept accessible savings in lieu of monthly income.
How We Help
From Criminal Record to Approval — How We Help New Zealand Applicants
We build your application around the New Zealand documents that take longest, and keep you updated across the time difference with Spain.
Document preparation
We tell you what to request and in what order — your Ministry of Justice criminal record and its DIA apostille, NZ Super, KiwiSaver or investment statements — and review every document before it goes into your dossier.
24-hour portal access
Upload documents, read updates and message your case team in your online portal at any hour — so time-zone differences with Spain never hold your application up.
Progress tracking
See each stage of your application, what is still outstanding and what your case team has already checked, without chasing emails.
Video consultations
Talk your case through with our team by video, arranged from your dashboard — consulate, income evidence, family members and move date, answered face to face.
Health insurance quotes are provided through spanish-healthinsurance.com. You can request one whether or not you use our visa service.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance for New Zealand NLV Applicants
- New Zealand’s public health system and NZ private health insurance don’t provide the Spanish policy and certificate the embassy asks for.
- For the NLV you need health insurance that meets your consulate’s requirements, including no copayments. We’ll help you choose suitable cover and send a personalised quote.
- Have your certificate ready for submission. Agree the policy start date against your intended arrival and your consulate’s current requirements.
- You can buy your health insurance through us whoever handles your visa — no visa-service purchase or dashboard account needed.
Common Questions
NLV from New Zealand — FAQ
Can New Zealand citizens apply for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa?
Yes. New Zealand citizens are eligible for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa. As non-EU nationals, New Zealanders must apply at the Spanish Embassy in Wellington before relocating to Spain. You must meet the income threshold (approximately €2,400/month for a single applicant), hold NLV-compliant health insurance, and provide an apostilled New Zealand criminal record from the Ministry of Justice along with the standard document set.
Which consulate do New Zealand applicants use for the NLV?
All New Zealand applicants apply at the Spanish Embassy in Wellington at 56 Victoria Street, Wellington 6011. There are no other Spanish consulates in New Zealand that handle long-stay visa applications, so applicants from Auckland, Christchurch or any other city must attend in Wellington. Book your appointment early — slots are limited compared to larger countries.
What criminal record certificate do I need as a New Zealander?
You need your own criminal record from the New Zealand Ministry of Justice, requested online at criminalrecords.govt.nz — tick the full record of convictions. It is free, and the Ministry aims to respond within 20 working days. The record must then be apostilled by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Authentication Unit. Spanish consulates generally accept a record issued within the last three months, so confirm the current window with the Embassy and time your request accordingly. Allow up to 7 weeks for the record and apostille at standard processing times.
Does New Zealand Superannuation qualify as NLV income?
Yes, NZ Superannuation is a qualifying passive income source. However, the 2026 single-person NZ Super rate of approximately NZD $3,000/month (around €1,650/month) typically falls below the €2,400/month NLV threshold. Most NZ Super recipients need to supplement with KiwiSaver drawdowns, rental income or investment income to meet the full threshold.
How do I apostille my New Zealand documents for Spain?
New Zealand is a Hague Apostille Convention signatory, so NZ public documents are apostilled by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Authentication Unit. Send your document — for example your Ministry of Justice criminal record or birth certificate — with form BDM460 and the fee of NZD $37 per apostille, by post or courier to the Authentication Unit in Wellington, or attend by appointment. DIA aims to process applications within 15 working days (an urgent service costs extra). E-apostilles are also available; ask the Spanish Embassy which format it accepts.
How long does the NLV process take from New Zealand?
Allow 4–6 months total: approximately 4–8 weeks for document preparation, your criminal record and apostille, 4–10 weeks for a Wellington embassy appointment, and 1–3 months for processing in Madrid after your appointment. Start your application as early as possible to give yourself plenty of runway before your intended move date.
Can I travel to Europe while my NLV application is being processed?
New Zealanders can visit the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. While your NLV is being processed, you may travel to Spain or Europe as a tourist within this 90-day limit, but you cannot establish residency or live there as if the visa were already granted. Wait until your visa sticker is issued before beginning your life in Spain.
Do I need to speak Spanish to apply for the NLV?
No Spanish language ability is required to apply for the Non-Lucrative Visa. The application process and all documentation can be managed in English. Our specialists at Platinum Legal Spain handle correspondence with the Spanish authorities on your behalf. Once you are in Spain, basic Spanish is very helpful for daily life, but it is not a legal requirement for the visa.
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Full NLV Requirements
Income thresholds, health insurance specifications, document checklist and apostille guidance — everything you need to prepare your application.
→Requirements
Income & Savings Requirements
The 2026 income and savings thresholds for the NLV, for a single applicant and for each family member.
→Documents
NLV Document Checklist
Every document the consulate expects, with the apostille and sworn translation rules.
→Our Service
Full Managed Application
Prefer us to handle it? Our specialists prepare your full dossier from €1,499, tracked on your 24/7 dashboard.
→The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Visa rules, consulate requirements, and processing times change frequently — always verify details with the relevant Spanish consulate or a qualified immigration specialist before submitting your application.