General program requirements

Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa grants residence permits to individuals who have sufficient savings to maintain themselves without working in Spain. In Year 1, the applicant is issued a one-year residence permit. In Year 2, the applicant is issued a two-year residence permit. In Year 4, the applicant is issued another two-year residence permit. In year five, the applicant becomes eligible for permanent residency.

In the first year, the applicant must prove that they have a balance equal to at least 400% of IPREM, an economic indicator used as a reference for the granting of public benefits. In 2022, 400% of IPREM equates to just under EUR 28,000. An additional annual bank balance of EUR 6,950 is required for each dependent included in the application.

For a renewal in Year 2, the applicant must show proof of funds sufficient to maintain themselves and their families for two years to renew their residence permits for two years, i.e., a balance of at least EUR 56,000 (and an additional EUR 13,900 per family member). Similarly, in Year 4, the applicant must show the same balance as in Year 2 in order to receive another two-year residence permit.

An application fee of EUR 550 applies, though this price may vary between consulates.

Program benefits

• Freedom of movement (but not settlement) within Schengen;
• No investment or donation requirement;
• Path to citizenship;
• Permits dual/multiple citizenship (under certain circumstances);
• Safety and security;
• Warm climate;
• Enhanced education opportunities;
• Enhanced business access to large economies;
• Short processing time

Requirements to qualify for citizenship

The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa is first issued for one year of residency. Applicants who maintain a physical presence of more than 183 in the first year are able to renew the visa for a further two years every second year.

After five years of continuous residency, applicants are eligible for permanent residency, provided they have not spent more than 10 months outside of Spain during the preceding five years.

After ten years of continuous residency, the applicant may apply for citizenship. However, if the applicant is from a country of Ibero-American Community – Latin-American countries as well as Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, and Equatorial Guinea – he may apply for citizenship after just two years of residency.

Additionally, the applicant must pass the DELE test, indicating European Spanish language proficiency, and a cultural and historical knowledge exam called the CCSE (Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España).

Applications for this program may be directed to:

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores 

Legislation upon which this program is based:

Organic Law 8/2000 Chapter 1 Article 30 to 31: Royal Decree 557/2011 of April 20th Articles 45 to 49

No statistics available yet for this program.