England & Wales — Consulate Guide 2026
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa — Spanish Consulate London
The complete guide for England and Wales applicants applying for Spain's NLV through the Consulate-General of Spain in London.
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Consulate Information
Consulate-General of Spain in London
Key information about the London consulate — and what England and Wales applicants need to know before booking their appointment.
Consulate details
- Official name: Consulate-General of Spain in London
- Address: 20 Draycott Place, London SW3 2RZ
- Catchment area: England and Wales
- Appointment booking: Via the official Spanish consulate appointment system (SEPIN) — visit the official consulate website for the current booking link
- Contact: For accurate, current contact details including phone numbers and email addresses, refer to the official Consulate-General of Spain in London website. Do not rely on third-party listings, which may be outdated.
Always verify current contact details, opening hours, and fee information directly via the official Spanish consulate website before your appointment. Consulate procedures can change without notice.
Important notes for London applicants
- Busiest Spanish consulate in the UK — demand from post-Brexit UK applicants is high
- Appointment availability is limited — especially March through August; slots can be weeks or months ahead
- London is stricter on income evidence — historically applies the financial requirement more stringently than some other consulates
- Document presentation matters — the London consulate has specific expectations around how documents are organised and presented
- Book early — begin the appointment-booking process as soon as your documents are underway, not after they are ready
What You Need
NLV requirements for the London consulate
The core NLV requirements are the same across all consulates, but the London consulate has specific expectations and is known to apply standards rigorously. Here is what you need.
Document checklist — London consulate
- Valid UK passport — original plus photocopies of all pages containing personal data, visas, or stamps. Must have at least 1 year of validity beyond your intended entry into Spain.
- Completed Modelo EX01 — the Spanish national long-stay visa application form, completed in full in Spanish. Also the specific consulate national visa form where required.
- DBS certificate — apostilled by the FCDO Legalisation Office and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. Must be no more than 3 months old at the date of your appointment.
- Medical certificate — from your GP, confirming absence of contagious disease. Must be dated within 90 days of your appointment and translated into Spanish.
- NLV-compliant health insurance — certificate of coverage from an authorised Spanish provider. No co-payments, no excess, minimum 1 year coverage. Not NHS, EHIC, GHIC, or travel insurance.
- Financial evidence — 6 months of bank statements plus all income evidence (pension letters, investment statements). Must demonstrate approximately €2,400/month passive income. Translated into Spanish.
- Proof of accommodation in Spain — signed rental agreement or property deed for your Spanish address.
- Two passport-format photographs — recent, white background, consulate-specification.
London-specific notes
The London consulate processes a very high volume of NLV applications and has developed specific document standards as a result. Our specialists have direct experience with London consulate requirements and prepare your dossier to the exact format expected.
Income evidence: The London consulate tends to scrutinise financial evidence more carefully than some other consulates. Ensure all income is clearly evidenced with official documents — informal bank transfers or undocumented savings drawdowns are less likely to be accepted. Your income must be clearly regular, passive, and sufficient.
Document organisation: The London consulate expects documents to be presented in a specific order with clear separation and appropriate copies. Disorganised dossiers can slow processing or result in requests for additional documents.
Translations: All non-English documents must be translated by a sworn translator. All translations are included up to €100 as part of our service fee.
Appointment timing: Do not bring a mobile phone into the consulate waiting area — this is a consulate rule and applies to all visitors. Arrive 15 minutes early. Dress professionally — consulate staff respond positively to applicants who present themselves seriously.
Step by Step
The London consulate appointment process
Here is exactly what happens from start to finish — from document preparation to collecting your visa.
Gather and prepare your documents
Work with your My Spanish NLV specialist to compile your complete dossier. This includes ordering your DBS check, obtaining and apostilling certificates, arranging health insurance, gathering financial evidence, and completing all Spanish government forms. Your specialist prepares everything to the exact London consulate standard and delivers your dossier print-ready.
Book your consulate appointment online
Appointments are booked through the official SEPIN online booking system on the Spanish consulate website. The London consulate is exceptionally busy — we recommend beginning to monitor appointment availability as soon as your documents are in preparation, not after they are complete. Your specialist advises on timing strategy to avoid your DBS certificate expiring before you can be seen.
Attend your appointment at 20 Draycott Place
Attend in person at the consulate with your complete original documents and certified copies of everything. Do not bring a mobile phone — the consulate does not permit phones in the waiting area. Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time. Dress professionally. All family members included in the application must attend together.
Pay the consulate fee and await the decision
Pay the consulate visa fee on the day — your case manager will confirm the exact current figure before your appointment. Processing typically takes 4–12 weeks. Once approved, your passport is returned with the visa stamped inside. You then travel to Spain and collect your TIE residence card within 30 days of arrival.
Expert Advice
London consulate tips from our specialists
Practical guidance from our team's direct experience with the London consulate — helping you arrive prepared and confident.
Book your appointment early
The London consulate is one of the busiest Spanish consulates in the world. Appointment slots fill weeks — sometimes months — in advance, particularly between March and August. Begin monitoring the booking system as soon as your documents are in preparation. Do not wait until your full dossier is ready before checking availability.
Bring originals AND certified copies
Bring the original of every document in your dossier, plus clear certified copies. The consulate will typically retain the copies and return the originals — but you should be prepared to surrender originals if asked. Never attend with copies only. Having everything in order and clearly tabbed saves time at the desk.
Dress professionally
This is a formal government appointment. Smart business or smart casual dress is appropriate. Consulate staff routinely process large numbers of applicants — presenting yourself professionally signals that you are taking the process seriously and helps ensure a smooth interaction.
Arrive 15 minutes early
The London consulate is strict about appointment times. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow for security checks and registration. Being late — even by a few minutes — can result in your appointment being forfeited and require rebooking, which could mean weeks of additional delay.
Leave your phone in your bag
The Spanish Consulate in London does not permit mobile phones in the consulate waiting area. You may be asked to leave your phone at a designated point on entry. Check the consulate's current entry rules on their official website before attending, and plan accordingly — particularly if you rely on your phone for directions or your appointment confirmation.
Confirm the fee payment method
Consulate fees must be paid on the day of your appointment. Check the official consulate website for current accepted payment methods before attending — requirements can change and it is not always cash. Your case manager will confirm the current fee amount before your appointment so there are no surprises.
Common Questions
London consulate FAQ
Who applies at the Spanish Consulate in London for the NLV?
Applicants who are currently resident in England and Wales apply for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa at the Consulate-General of Spain in London. If you live in Scotland, you apply at the Edinburgh consulate. If you live in the North of England, you apply at the Manchester consulate. You must apply at the consulate covering the area where you currently reside — not the geographically closest consulate. If you are unsure which consulate covers your area, confirm directly with the consulate before booking an appointment.
How do I book an NLV appointment at the Spanish Consulate in London?
Appointments are booked through the official SEPIN online booking system, accessed via the consulate's official website. Slots become available periodically and are often taken quickly. The London consulate is one of the busiest in Europe — we strongly recommend beginning to monitor appointment availability as soon as your documents are in preparation, rather than waiting until your dossier is fully ready. Our specialists advise on timing strategy to avoid your criminal record certificate expiring before you are seen.
How long does the London consulate take to process an NLV application?
Processing times at the London consulate vary but applicants typically wait between 4 and 12 weeks from the date of their appointment for a decision. Processing can be slower during peak periods (spring and summer) and faster in quieter months. We strongly advise against making irreversible commitments — ending your UK tenancy, booking one-way flights, selling large assets — until your visa is confirmed and in your passport.
How much is the consulate fee for the NLV at the London consulate?
Consulate fees vary and are updated periodically by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Your case manager will confirm the exact current figure before your appointment. You pay on the day at the consulate — check the official consulate website for current accepted payment methods before attending, as requirements can change.
What happens if the London consulate asks for additional documents after my appointment?
Occasionally, consulates issue a request for additional information or documentation after an appointment — this is not a rejection, but it can cause delays. If this happens, your My Spanish NLV case manager will advise you on what is needed and help you respond promptly and correctly. Thorough preparation before your appointment is the best way to minimise the risk of additional document requests.
Do I need to bring originals or copies to the London consulate NLV appointment?
You must bring both originals and photocopies of all documents to your London consulate appointment. The consulate retains the copies and may inspect the originals. Apostilled and translated documents should be brought as certified originals — do not substitute photocopies of apostilled translations. Your dossier should include clearly labelled sets of all required documents. Our specialists prepare your dossier to the exact London consulate format and specification.
How far in advance should I book my London consulate NLV appointment?
Book your London consulate appointment as early as possible — the London consulate is one of the busiest Spanish consulates in the world. Appointments can be several months out during peak periods (spring and summer). However, balance this with document validity — the DBS certificate and medical certificate both have limited validity windows. Our specialists advise on the optimal timing strategy so your documents don't expire before your appointment date.
What should I expect at the London consulate NLV appointment?
Arrive at your scheduled appointment time with your complete dossier (originals and copies). You will submit your application at the consulate counter, pay the consulate fee, and may be asked basic questions about your situation. The appointment itself is typically brief — around 15–30 minutes. The consulate officer will stamp your form as received and give you a receipt. You then wait for the decision, which typically arrives within 4–12 weeks. See the full UK NLV guide for more detail.
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.