Spain: Spain non-lucrative residence visa preparation guide
Spain's non-lucrative residence route allows financially self-sufficient applicants to live in Spain without employment or professional activity. Remote work is not permitted under this route. The ministry's means requirement increases for accompanying relatives.
Guide checked 2026-10-29 · review due 2026-11-04
Documents by person · 3 items
Primary applicant: Passport, application and record checks
The ministry lists the application and full passport copy with at least one year’s validity, criminal-record evidence and a medical certificate; confirm the exact consulate’s validity and legalisation rules.
- Spain Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration ↗Sheet 6: ministry page lines 329-404; requirements, IPREM formula, documents and procedure. Re-read 28 October 2026; scoped source review only.
Primary applicant: Household resources
Document sufficient means for the initial year using 400% of IPREM for the principal and 100% per accompanying family member. Confirm the current monetary amount.
- Spain Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration ↗Sheet 6: ministry page lines 329-404; requirements, IPREM formula, documents and procedure. Re-read 28 October 2026; scoped source review only.
Primary applicant: Authorised health insurance
Obtain the policy and certificate required from an insurer authorised in Spain. This is separate from the application fee.
- Spain Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration ↗Sheet 6: ministry page lines 329-404; requirements, IPREM formula, documents and procedure. Re-read 28 October 2026; scoped source review only.
Before choosing · 1 steps
Confirm you will not work under this route
Non-lucrative residence does not authorise employment or professional activity, including remote work. If you plan to keep a job, investigate telework permission instead.
- Spain Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration ↗Sheet 6: ministry page lines 329-404; requirements, IPREM formula, documents and procedure. Re-read 28 October 2026; scoped source review only.
- Spain Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration - UGE ↗Spanish UGE FAQ, pages 1-6: questions 4-6, 11-20, returned lines 22-170. Adult third-country scope, remote activity, social security, insurance/criminal history, work limits, visa/family, income formula and initial in-country fee. Re-read 28 October 2026.
Application · 1 steps
Apply at the consulate for your residence
Assemble the official form, resources, passport, insurance, medical and criminal-record file. Confirm translations/legalisation and each dependant’s evidence.
- Spain Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration ↗Sheet 6: ministry page lines 329-404; requirements, IPREM formula, documents and procedure. Re-read 28 October 2026; scoped source review only.
Before moving · 1 steps
Collect the granted visa and check entry instructions
The ministry gives one month from notification to collect a granted visa. Follow the issued visa’s actual entry deadline; do not confuse visa and residence duration.
Timing: Collection within one month from notification, subject to the current authority instructions.
- Spain Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration ↗Sheet 6: ministry page lines 329-404; requirements, IPREM formula, documents and procedure. Re-read 28 October 2026; scoped source review only.
After arrival · 1 steps
Request the foreigner identity card
The ministry’s procedure gives one month after entry to request the TIE. Keep entry evidence and follow the police/office appointment and document instructions.
Timing: Request TIE within one month after entry.
- Spain Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration ↗Sheet 6: ministry page lines 329-404; requirements, IPREM formula, documents and procedure. Re-read 28 October 2026; scoped source review only.
Renewals · 1 steps
Prepare for the next residence application
Record the initial one-year residence authorisation from entry. Check the then-current extension, means, insurance and permitted-activity conditions well before expiry.
- Spain Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration ↗Sheet 6: ministry page lines 329-404; requirements, IPREM formula, documents and procedure. Re-read 28 October 2026; scoped source review only.
Confirm before acting
- Confirm the competent consulate or residence office, current application charges, document validity and each household member’s permission before submitting.
- Your planned move date is not an appointment, approval or legal deadline. This guide includes no individual application preparation or tax assessment.