US Citizens — Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa for Americans — Complete 2026 Guide
Thousands of Americans are applying for the Spain non-lucrative visa for Americans each year. Here's everything you need to know — which consulate to use, what income qualifies, the FBI check, and how our immigration specialists make the process straightforward.
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
Why Americans Are Choosing Spain
From retirement income that goes further to a slower, richer quality of life — Spain has become one of the most popular destinations for American expats.
Lifestyle and climate
300+ days of sunshine on the Mediterranean coast, world-class food, culture, and a pace of life that US retirees consistently rank among the best in Europe.
Cost of living
Spain's cost of living remains significantly lower than major US cities. A US Social Security income or modest retirement portfolio goes considerably further in Spain than in Florida or California.
Healthcare
Spain consistently ranks among Europe's top healthcare systems. Private health insurance — required for the NLV — costs €500–€2,000/year, often less than US healthcare premiums.
Gateway to Europe
Living in Spain puts all of Europe within easy reach — weekend flights to France, Italy, Portugal, and beyond at prices that would surprise most Americans.
Strong expat community
Spain has one of Europe's largest American expat communities, particularly in Barcelona, Madrid, the Costa del Sol, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands.
The right visa route
The Non-Lucrative Visa is the correct legal route for Americans who don't need to work in Spain. It provides a clear pathway from residency to permanent residency after 5 years.
Which US Consulate Do You Apply Through?
You must apply at the Spanish consular office with jurisdiction over your state of legal residence. Spain has nine consular offices in the United States.
New York
Consulate General of Spain in New York. Serves Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
View NY Consulate Guide →Boston
Consulate General of Spain in Boston. Serves Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Official Boston Consulate Website →Washington, D.C.
Consular Section of the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C. Serves the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.
Official Washington Consular Section →Miami
Consulate General of Spain in Miami. Serves Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
View Miami Consulate Guide →Chicago
Consulate General of Spain in Chicago. Serves Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
View Chicago Consulate Guide →Houston
Consulate General of Spain in Houston. Serves Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
View Houston Consulate Guide →Los Angeles
Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles. Serves Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Southern California (Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties).
View LA Consulate Guide →San Francisco
Consulate General of Spain in San Francisco. Serves Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, the US Pacific territories and Northern California.
View San Francisco Consulate Guide →Puerto Rico
Consulate General of Spain in San Juan. Serves Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques and the US Virgin Islands.
Official Puerto Rico Consulate Website →You apply at the office covering your state of legal residence — not the nearest office or your preferred location. California is split by county between Los Angeles and San Francisco, so check your county on the consulate's own page. Jurisdictions as published on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular network page, checked October 2026 — confirm on the official website before you book.
What Income Evidence Do US Applicants Need?
The NLV requires approximately €2,400/month for a single applicant (400% IPREM), plus approximately €600/month per additional family member. Here are the most common qualifying income sources for Americans.
Social Security income
US Social Security payments count fully toward the NLV threshold. Required documentation: your official Social Security award letter (benefits verification letter) plus 3–6 months of bank statements showing regular deposits.
401k / IRA distributions
Regular distributions from a 401k, IRA, or similar retirement account qualify. You will need distribution statements, account statements, and bank statements showing the regular payments. Our specialists advise on how to present this most effectively.
Investment portfolio income
Dividends, interest, and regular income from an investment portfolio can qualify. Brokerage statements showing income distributions and bank statements showing deposits are typically required.
Pension income
Private and occupational pension payments qualify. Pension award letters and bank statements showing regular receipt of pension payments are required documentation.
Rental income
Rental income from US properties you own can contribute to meeting the threshold. Evidence includes rental agreements and bank statements showing regular deposits.
Savings (where income is below threshold)
Savings can supplement monthly income. Treatment of savings varies by US consulate. Our specialists have consulate-specific knowledge of how each office assesses savings-heavy applications.
All income must be documented in bank statements and official award/income letters. Income earned from actively working does not qualify.
The FBI Criminal Background Check — Start Early
This is one of the most time-sensitive steps for US applicants — don't leave it until the last minute.
Why the FBI check (not a state check)?
Spanish consulates require a federal criminal record check — specifically the FBI Identity History Summary. State-level background checks are not accepted. The FBI check covers your entire criminal history across all US states, which is what consulates need to see.
The apostille requirement
Your FBI check must be apostilled by the US Department of State after you receive it from the FBI. The apostille certifies the document for international use. This is a separate step — the FBI does not apply the apostille automatically.
How long does it take?
Ordering the FBI check by mail typically takes 2–4 months. The US Department of State apostille adds additional processing time. In total, allow 3–5 months for the complete FBI check and apostille process if using mail-based services. Faster options exist via FBI-approved channellers.
How we help
Our immigration specialists flag the FBI check as the first priority from day one of your application. We provide clear, step-by-step guidance on ordering your FBI check, where to send it for apostille, and how to ensure it is presented correctly to your consulate.
US Tax Obligations — Important for American Expats
Moving to Spain does not end your US tax obligations. This is a critical consideration for all American NLV applicants.
US citizens pay US taxes worldwide
The United States taxes its citizens on their worldwide income, regardless of where they live. This means that as a US citizen living in Spain on an NLV, you will still be required to file US federal tax returns and pay US taxes on your income.
The US-Spain tax treaty
The US and Spain have a double taxation treaty, which combined with the Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) helps prevent your income being taxed twice. However, the interaction of US and Spanish tax law is complex and specialist advice is essential.
FBAR and FATCA reporting
US citizens with Spanish bank accounts may have FBAR (FinCEN 114) and FATCA (Form 8938) reporting obligations. These are separate from your tax return and have significant penalties for non-compliance. A US expat tax specialist will ensure you are compliant.
We handle the visa — get tax advice separately
My Spanish NLV are immigration specialists. We handle your visa application expertly. For US expat tax questions, we strongly recommend engaging a specialist US expat tax advisor before you move. We can point you in the right direction — just ask.
How We Help
From FBI Check to Approval — How We Help US Applicants
We build your application around the documents US applicants find hardest, and keep you updated wherever you are in the States.
Document preparation
We tell you what to request and in what order — the FBI Identity History Summary and its apostille, your Social Security, pension or 401(k)/IRA 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 US NLV Applicants
- Medicare doesn’t cover you once you live in Spain, and most US health plans don’t provide the Spanish policy and certificate the consulate 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.
US Applicants — Frequently Asked Questions
Can US citizens get Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa?
Yes. US citizens are fully eligible for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa. As non-EU citizens, Americans must apply through the Spanish consulate that has jurisdiction over their state of legal residence. You must meet the income threshold (approximately €2,400/month for a single applicant), hold NLV-compliant health insurance, and provide an apostilled FBI criminal background check among other documents.
Which Spanish consulate do I apply through as a US citizen?
You must apply at the Spanish consulate with jurisdiction over your state of legal residence. Spain has nine consular offices in the United States: New York, Boston, Washington D.C. (embassy consular section), Miami, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Juan, Puerto Rico. California is split by county between Los Angeles and San Francisco. You cannot choose based on convenience — see the state-by-state list above and confirm on the official consulate website.
Does my Social Security income qualify for the NLV?
Yes. US Social Security income counts fully toward the NLV income threshold. You will need a current Social Security award letter (benefits verification letter from SSA.gov) and bank statements showing regular deposits. Many US retirees find their Social Security income alone — or combined with pension or investment income — meets the approximately €2,400/month threshold for a single applicant.
What FBI background check do I need and how long does it take?
You need the FBI Identity History Summary — a federal background check, not a state-level check. After receiving it from the FBI, it must be apostilled by the US Department of State. By mail, the combined process typically takes 3–5 months. FBI-approved channellers can expedite the FBI portion. Our specialists prioritise the FBI check from day one of your application and guide you through each step.
Do I still have to pay US taxes if I live in Spain?
Yes. The US taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of residence. Living in Spain does not remove your US tax obligations. You will likely also become a Spanish tax resident (spending 183+ days/year in Spain), creating obligations in both countries. The US-Spain tax treaty and the Foreign Tax Credit help prevent genuine double taxation, but the interaction is complex. Take specialist US expat tax advice before and after your move. This is not our area of expertise — we focus on the visa.
How much does NLV-compliant health insurance cost for Americans?
NLV-compliant private health insurance in Spain typically costs €500–€2,000 per year depending on age, health status, and coverage level. This is often considerably less than US health insurance premiums. The policy must have no co-payments, and must cover all of Spain. Check your consulate’s current checklist; if you have a medical condition, confirm how the policy treats it before relying on it. Our service arranges compliant policies through spanish-healthinsurance.com and 247expatinsurance.com.
Can I keep my US bank account when I move to Spain on the NLV?
Yes. There is no requirement to close your US bank accounts when moving to Spain. Many Americans keep their US accounts for receiving Social Security, pension payments, and managing US-based financial obligations. You will also need to open a Spanish bank account once resident in Spain. Note that US citizens with foreign bank accounts above certain thresholds must comply with FBAR (FinCEN 114) and FATCA (Form 8938) reporting requirements — consult a US expat tax specialist.
How much income do Americans need for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa?
Americans need to demonstrate passive income of approximately €2,400/month for a single applicant. This is based on 400% of Spain's IPREM index and is reviewed annually. Add approximately €600/month for each additional family member. Income must be passive — from pensions, Social Security, investments, rental income, or similar — and not from active employment or self-employment.
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.
US Social Security Income in Spain
Good news for American retirees — Social Security works well for NLV income purposes.
Counts toward the NLV threshold
Social Security income fully counts toward the NLV income threshold of approximately €2,400/month for a single applicant. For many US retirees, Social Security alone — or combined with pension income — meets the threshold.
Continues to be paid abroad
The Social Security Administration pays benefits internationally. Once you are settled in Spain, you can arrange for your Social Security payments to be deposited directly into a Spanish bank account, or maintain your US bank account and transfer funds.
What documentation you need
Your consulate will require an official Social Security award letter (obtainable from SSA.gov or a local Social Security office) plus bank statements showing the regular deposits. The award letter must be current — usually dated within the past year.