Spain’s non-lucrative visa in 2026: requirements, income and how to apply

Updated: October 2026

The non-lucrative visa (visado de residencia no lucrativa) lets non-EU citizens live in Spain on their own money, without working. It is popular with retirees, people living on savings or investments and anyone who wants a slower life in Spain. This guide explains who can apply, how much income you need in 2026, which documents the consulate asks for and what happens after you arrive.

Who the non-lucrative visa is for

The visa is for citizens of countries outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. EU citizens do not need it – they simply register as residents, as explained in our residency guide.

The key word is non-lucrative: you may not work in Spain while you hold this permit. That includes remote work for an employer or clients abroad. Spanish consulates state this clearly, and some, such as the consulate in Boston, write that the visa does not allow any type of work, “including remote”. If you want to keep working online, look at the digital nomad visa instead.

Typical applicants are:

• Retirees with a pension from their home country (see our guide to retiring in Spain for pensions, healthcare and tax)
• People living on rental income, dividends or savings
• Families where one partner has enough passive income to support everyone
• People taking a career break or sabbatical in Spain

How much income you need in 2026

The financial requirement is tied to the IPREM, a public reference index. According to the official information sheet from the Ministry of Inclusion, you must show 400% of the IPREM per month for yourself and 100% of the IPREM per month for each family member who comes with you.

The IPREM has not changed since the 2023 state budget was extended, so in 2026 it is still €600 a month. That gives these figures:

Who	Per month	Per year
Main applicant (400% IPREM)	€2,400	€28,800
Each family member (100% IPREM)	€600	€7,200
Example: couple	€3,000	€36,000
Example: couple with one child	€3,600	€43,200

You can usually prove this with regular passive income (pension, rent, dividends) or with savings that cover the full year. Consulates differ in what they accept and how many months of bank statements they want, so always check the list of your own consulate. Some, for example, do not accept retirement accounts for applicants who are not yet retired. Income from a job – even a job abroad – does not count, because you are not allowed to work.

The IPREM can rise when a new state budget is approved. Check the current figure before you apply.

Requirements and documents

Besides the money, the official requirements are:

• Health insurance: public or private cover from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain. Many consulates require full cover with no co-payments and no waiting periods. Travel insurance is not accepted.
• Clean criminal record: a certificate from your home country and from every country where you lived in the last five years.
• Medical certificate: stating that you do not have a disease that could have serious public-health consequences.
• Passport: valid for at least one year.
• Forms: the national visa application and form EX-01, signed.
• Fees: the residence fee (Modelo 790, código 052) and the consular visa fee, which depends on your nationality.

Foreign documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator and legalised or carry an apostille. Many consulates also ask for proof of accommodation in Spain, such as a rental contract or property deeds.

How to apply step by step

The first application is made outside Spain, at the Spanish consulate that covers the place where you live legally.

1. Gather your documents, translations and apostilles. Criminal record and medical certificates are usually only valid for a few months, so time them carefully.
2. Book an appointment or submit the file as your consulate instructs (some use an external service provider).
3. The consulate forwards the file to the immigration authorities in Spain, which decide on the residence permit.
4. If approved, collect the visa within one month. The visa is valid for up to three months, and you must enter Spain within that time.
5. Within one month of arrival, register on the padrón and apply in person for your foreigner identity card (TIE) at the police.

Processing times vary by consulate. Plan for several months between gathering documents and moving.

After you arrive: renewal and long-term residence

The first permit is valid for one year from the date you enter Spain. After that, you renew for two years at a time. To renew you must show:

• Enough money for yourself and your family for the whole renewal period, without working
• Health insurance that is still valid
• That you actually lived in Spain for more than 183 days a year

Apply in the two months before your card expires. You can still apply up to three months after expiry, but you risk a fine. After five years of legal residence you can apply for long-term residence, which gives you much more freedom, including the right to work.

Tax: the part many people forget

Because the renewal requires more than 183 days a year in Spain, non-lucrative visa holders almost always become Spanish tax residents. That means you file a Spanish income tax return on your worldwide income, including foreign pensions, rent and investment returns. Double taxation treaties prevent you paying twice on the same income, but they do not remove the duty to declare. You may also have to report assets held abroad.

Get tax advice before you move, not after. Our guide to the Spanish tax system covers the basics, and a gestor or lawyer can look at your situation.

Common reasons for refusal

• Income just below the threshold, or income that looks like salary or freelance work
• Health insurance with co-payments, waiting periods or exclusions
• Missing apostilles or sworn translations
• Certificates that expired before the appointment
• For renewals: too many days outside Spain

Useful links

• Ministry of Inclusion: initial non-lucrative residence (Hoja 6)
• Ministry of Inclusion: renewal of non-lucrative residence (Hoja 7)
• Example of a consulate checklist (Spanish Consulate in Boston)
• Retiring in Spain: pensions, healthcare and residency
• Spain’s immigration rules in 2026
• Healthcare in Spain for foreign residents

FAQ: non-lucrative visa

Can I work remotely on a non-lucrative visa?

No. The visa does not allow any work in Spain, and consulates say this includes remote work for foreign employers or clients. The digital nomad visa is the route for remote workers.

How much money do I need in 2026?

With the IPREM at €600 a month, the main applicant needs €2,400 a month (€28,800 a year) and each family member another €600 a month (€7,200 a year). Check the current IPREM before you apply.

Can I apply from inside Spain as a tourist?

The initial application is made at the Spanish consulate for the place where you live. Ask a lawyer whether any exception applies to your situation.

Will I pay tax in Spain?

Most likely yes. If you spend more than 183 days a year in Spain you are normally a Spanish tax resident and must declare your worldwide income.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Immigration rules, amounts and consulate requirements change – always check with the official source, and consider a lawyer or gestor before you apply.