Spain Non-Lucrative visa requirements
Spain's Non-Lucrative visa is the retirement route for non-EU citizens: €2,400 a month (400% of IPREM) or €28,800 for the year, Spanish health insurance and no work.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and how the application runs. Checked against Spain's official sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Minimum income
- €2,400/mo (about $2,680) 400% of IPREM, Spain's public income index (€600 a month in 2026), from a pension or other regular income, plus €600 a month for each family member. Royal Decree 1155/2024; Consulate in Washington. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Savings
- €28,800 (about $32,190) funds available for the one-year permit (12 months at 400% of IPREM), shown with bank certificates; €7,200 more for each family member. Royal Decree 1155/2024; Consulate in Washington. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Residency
- One-year permit, then 2-year renewals Royal Decree 1155/2024; Consulate in Washington. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Lawyer
- Not required Consulate in Washington. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Non-Lucrative visa
Retirees from outside the EU move to Spain on the non-lucrative residence visa: a residence permit for people who live on their own means, from savings or regular income such as a pension, and do not work in Spain, either locally or remotely.
You need €2,400 (about $2,680) a month: 400% of IPREM, Spain's public income index (€600 a month in 2026), from a pension or other regular income, plus €600 a month for each family member.
The visa does not allow any work or professional activity in Spain, including remote work for a foreign employer; that needs the telework (digital nomad) visa.
The means can be money available for the whole permit or a regular income; IPREM changes each year and is €600 a month in 2026.
To renew, you must have lived in Spain for more than 183 days in the calendar year and kept your health insurance.
The investor (golden) visa ended on 3 April 2025; only applications filed before then are processed under the old rules.
Non-Lucrative visa documents
Every residence permit
- Passport valid for at least one more year
- No criminal record, for offences under Spanish law, in the countries where you lived during the last five years
- Medical certificate stating you have no disease with serious public health consequences under the International Health Regulations
Royal Decree 1155/2024. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
This visa
- National visa application form and form EX-01 (non-lucrative residence application), signed
- Proof of means: bank statements for the last 3 months, bank certificates with year-end and 12-month average balances, and letters showing any pension or Social Security income, with a sworn Spanish translation
- Health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain, covering everything the public system covers, with no deductible, copayment or limit, valid for a year; travel insurance is refused
- FBI background check issued within 6 months, with a Hague apostille and a sworn Spanish translation (US applicants)
- Notarised statement that you will not do any paid work in Spain, on site or online, with your reasons for moving and a Spanish address
- Lease or property deed in Spain (advised, not required)
- Residence permit fee form 790-052
Consulate in Washington. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Each consulate publishes its own list; apply to the consulate for the place where you live. Foreign documents need an apostille or legalisation and a sworn Spanish translation. Ask your lawyer whether a document must also be translated.
Non-Lucrative visa fees
| National visa fee for US citizens applying in the US (Canadians $789, UK citizens $691, most other nationalities $106; revised every quarter) | $140 |
| Residence permit fee (form 790-052), paid at the consulate in the US | $13 |
Consulate in Washington. Checked Oct 8, 2026. Lawyer and agency fees are not set by law; ask for a fixed written quote.
How the application runs
- Gather your documentsProof of means, Spanish health insurance, a medical certificate and an apostilled background check.
- Apply at your consulateIn person, by appointment, at the consulate or visa centre for where you live.
- Wait for the decisionThe legal limit is three months; the immigration office checks your record in Spain.
- Get your residence cardEnter Spain while the visa is valid and apply for the TIE card within one month.
- Renew after a yearApply in the two months before expiry; each renewal runs two years.
Spouses and children
A spouse or registered or stable partner, unmarried minor children and adult children who cannot support themselves for health reasons can come too. You add 100% of IPREM for each, €600 a month or €7,200 a year in 2026, and each person files their own application.
Royal Decree 1155/2024; Consulate in Washington. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Other ways to live in Spain
International telework visa (digital nomad)
For people who keep working remotely for companies outside Spain. You need a degree or at least three years of professional experience, an employer or clients active for at least a year, and a work relationship of at least three months. The visa lasts up to a year; the residence permit that follows lasts up to three years and renews for two.
Law 14/2013. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Non-Lucrative visa questions
Can Americans retire in Spain without buying property?
Yes. The non-lucrative visa asks for proof of means and health insurance, not a home purchase. A lease or deed is advised but not required to apply.
How much income do I need to retire in Spain?
400% of IPREM: €2,400 a month in 2026, or €28,800 available for the one-year permit, plus €600 a month for each family member. The consulate in Washington puts it at about $32,000 a year for one applicant.
Can I get the visa with an old criminal record?
The rule is no criminal record, for offences under Spanish law, in the countries where you lived during the last five years. US applicants send an FBI background check issued within six months, with an apostille and a Spanish translation.
Is the Spanish golden visa still available?
No. The investor visa ended on 3 April 2025. Permits already issued stay valid, and applications filed before that date follow the old rules.
