Also known as the temporary non-lucrative residency, the non-lucrative visa for Spain offers the ability for people to claim residency in Spain without completing labour activities. This is to say that the following visa is only available to people with a sufficient monetary situation that will not work or receive income during the validation of their visa period.

The individual must complete a requirement of 400% of the value of the IPREM which currently stands at 538€ (subject to change), meaning it is currently necessary to provide €2,152 per month in order to be considered for this visa. 

In addition, if there are accompanying family members, they all must have a non-lucrative visa and be complimented by a 100% value of the IPREM, €538, in order to give sufficient support to those members of the family.

Verification of the perception of periodic and sufficient income is required, or the indication/evidence of marriage that grants such perception of income.

 Accreditation can be achieved through any means of proof admitted by law, for example; title deeds, certified checks and credit cards – that are accompanied by bank certification authorising the amount of credit on the given card.

While economic means that arise from stocks/shares/participations that are earned through companies whilst domiciled in Spain, should all be achieved through non active roles regardless if the company is Spanish, mixed or foreign. The documentation that proves this must be affidavit, which refers to a sworn written statement of fact that is bound by law.

If one does not match these financial criteria, it may be more appropriate to use a digital nomad visa, in order to work remotely within Spain under new legislation.

On the contrary, if one does meet these criteria, there are a few further steps to take, in order to complete the visa process and be accepted for the non-lucrative visa.

As a means to protect the Spanish nationals, it is necessary for candidates to provide all of the following information: complete medical insurance secured through an authorised entity to the same effect of that of the Spanish national´s medical card, criminal record/background check, medical record to prove that there are no underlying contagious medical illnesses – in accordance with international health requirements 2005.

Following these requirements, one must declare the period, in which they are staying within Spain, have paid the fees for the aforementioned processes in order to be accepted for the non-lucrative visa.

It is prohibited to start an application if the individual is completing a standing period of commitment to not return to Spain, namely the expiration of the 90 day tourist permit is fulfilled without complying with visa applications.

If the application is successful and the visa has been collected from the corresponding office, the individual must enter Spanish territory within the period of validity which currently stands at 3 months.

Meanwhile, within the first month of the visa being in effect, having entered Spanish territory, it is obligatory for this person to present themselves at a police station or foreign office and apply for the foreigners’ identity card (TIE – Tarjeta Identificacion del Extranjero). Issued for the period of stay and withdrawn by the individual.

Considering the renewal of the non-lucrative visa for Spain, it is possible to obtain a renewal both 60 days prior to the expiration of original non-lucrative visa and/or 90 days following the expiration of the original non-lucrative visa, whereby the validity for the latter is extended without prejudice to the actuation of the correlated sanctioning procedure for the transgression incurred

It is necessary to provide the same proof for the renewal as for the initial application; that is to say, proof of funds, proof of medical insurance, proof of schooling for minors/those of legal age and to have paid all associated fees. 

This is to demonstrate that the individual is still valid for this type of Spanish visa.

However there are some extraordinary circumstances that will also be considered in the renewal process.

The first refers to the rehabilitation of convicts who have served time, in a situation of conditional remittance of a sentence, or suspension of the sentence, or has been pardoned.

The second looks at the compliance with foreigners’ tax and social security obligations.

Another extraordinary circumstance to consider for the renewal process is the effort to integrate into society. This is assessed through a positive report from the autonomous community in which the individual has resided.

Said effort to integrate could be used as reinforcing information in the case of not accrediting the fulfilment of any of the requirements aforementioned for the renewal of the authorization.

The non-lucrative visa for Spain has been and continues to be a very popular visa within Spain, due to the many benefits it has, including the contribution to qualify for citizenship among others. 

Yet this visa may not be the most comprehensive if you are looking to complete some form of labour activity when in Spain. As previously mentioned, the Digital Nomad Visa offers Non EU citizens the chance to work remotely in Spain. 

We have already written an article on this subject, why not check it out? Link. 

Thank you for reading this post, if you think we have been able to help you or if you still have any questions, you can always contact me via WhattsApp (+49 1520 8381499) or e-mail (erica@taxandlawspain.com).