If you are planning to move to Spain post-Brexit and do not wish to invest 500.000€  in Spanish property in order to gain residency, applying for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa may be your best option. In this article we will cover:

• Who is the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa for?
• How Do You Apply for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa?  
• How Long Does the Application Process Take?
• What Documents are Required to Apply for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa?
• How Do You Apply for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa for Family Members?

Who is the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa for?

The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa can be applied for by any third-country national who wishes to reside in Spain, without engaging in any work or professional activity. This visa does not apply to EU citizens or to nationals of countries to whom EU law applies.

You must hold a valid British passport, and have proof of residence in the United Kingdom. 

This visa is for you if:

• You plan to retire to Spain
• You would like to spend a year in Spain with a view to obtaining a work permit the following year
• You want to ensure you are in the best location before investing in property and applying for the Golden Visa

This visa is valid for one year. After a year, it is renewable for a further two years. The renewal application must be submitted 60 days before, or 90 days after, the expiration of the visa.

PLEASE NOTE this visa must be applied for BEFORE moving to Spain.

How Do You Apply for the Visa? 

Use this link to check which Consulate Office you should contact to start your application process.

Applicants must request their appointment through the following procedure: Sending an email to the relevant office: 

cog.londres.residencia@maec.es 

cog.manchester.vis@maec.es

cog.edimburgo@maec.es

  In the SUBJECT of your email you must specify the type of residence visa you wish to apply for. 

The TEXT of the message should state: 

• PERSONAL DETAILS of the applicant (full name, nationality, passport number and telephone number) 
• TYPE OF RESIDENCE VISA you wish to apply for
• REASONS for the request. 
• DESIRED DATE* for the appointment at the Consulate General 

*Please check the options available at each consulate

The date and time of the appointment will be confirmed via email. 

No appointments are accepted without prior booking.

This visa is requested in person, by the applicant. By exception, if there is a justified reason (check this with each office directly)  the application may be accepted through a representative with a notarised authorisation, or, in the case of minors, through their parents or legal guardians. 

IMPORTANT: One appointment must be requested per applicant i.e. family members accompanying the applicant who wish to apply for a visa need to book an additional appointment.

NOTE: The Consulate General will not accept appointments that have not been requested in accordance with the aforementioned procedure.

How Long Does the Application Process Take?

You will receive a reply generally within two to three months of submitting your application.

In the case of a positive answer, the applicant must collect personally their visa within one month from the date of notification. Failure to do so, it will be understood that they have renounced the visa granted, and the procedure will be closed.**

**Actualizado 28/02/2020 Consulado General de España en Londres. 

The consular office reserves the right to request additional documentation or the personal appearance of the applicant without this implying the approval of the visa. 

If your application is refused, you will not be refunded the fee you paid at the time of your application. 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: The non-lucrative residence visa can be applied for up to 90 days before the desired date of entry into Spain. 

Our essential guide that explains the step-by-step process of How To Apply for a Non-Lucrative Visa for Spain

The guide not only clearly explains the process for applying for your non-lucrative visa for Spain but also:

• all the official forms that need to be completed
• clear explanations of how to complete the forms
• links for official translators
• a medical certificate template that can be used by your own doctor
• links for requesting your criminal background check
• location and contact details for consulate offices
• a map showing which consulate you need to apply to
• templates for requesting your appointment at the consulate
• tips to help you decide when you should start your application process
• a broker that understands the visa requirements to provide you with adequate health insurance quotes

What Documents are Required to Apply for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa?

When applying for a visa, you must submit a photocopy of all the original documents that you want to be returned to you at the end of the procedure. The consulate does not make photocopies. 

1. National visa form completed, dated and signed. It can be downloaded free of charge on the website: HERE
2. Recent passport photograph with white background. Information on the requirements to be met by photographs can be found in the ICAO document. The Consulate does not accept digital retouching on identity photographs. 
3. Valid passport or travel document recognised as valid in Spain. It must have a minimum validity of one year and at least two blank pages. Photocopy of all passport pages. 
4. Valid UK residence permit and photocopy. Visa applications submitted by non-residents who are in the UK on a C-Visit stay visa will not be accepted. 
5. Certificate of criminal record (only in the case of persons over 18 years of age, criminal age in Spain) issued by the country or countries where the applicant has resided within the five years preceding the date of the visa application. It cannot be older than 3 months unless the certificate itself specifies a longer expiration. These certificates must be legalised through the consular representations of the issuing country or, in the case of signatory countries to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, hold the Hague Apostille, except official documents issued by a Member State of the European Union, which will not require to be legalised. Sworn translation into Spanish is also required. 
6. Public or private health insurance taken out by an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain.  Ensure all medical coverage is included. Policies requiring “excess” payments will not be accepted. (Contact us for details of a reputable broker who understands these requirements)
7. Medical certificate, issued no later than 3 months prior to the date of application, it must be drafted in the following terms or similarly:  

• If the medical certificate is issued in the United Kingdom: “This health certificate states that Mr./Mrs. (…) does not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with what is stipulated by the International Health Regulations of 2005” 

NOTE: Certificates issued in the United Kingdom must be accompanied by a sworn translation into Spanish. 

• If the medical certificate is issued in Spain: “Este certificado médico acredita que el Sr./Sra. (…) no padece ninguna de las enfermedades que pueden tener repercusiones para la salud pública graves, de conformidad con lo dispuesto en el reglamento sanitario internacional de 2005” 

The Consulate does not provide information about medical centres that issue this certificate. The applicant may contact any public or private medical centre duly accredited in the territory of the United Kingdom or Spain. Medical certificates issued in countries other than the United Kingdom or Spain will not be accepted. 

8. Financial means required to cover the living expenses and, where appropriate, those of their family members, for one year, in accordance with the following amounts:

– For the support of the main applicant, monthly, 400 % of the IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples), which in €,2021 amounts to 564,90€ being 2.259,60€ or its legal equivalent in foreign currency.

– For the support of each of the family members in charge, monthly, 100% of the IPREM, which in 2021 amounts to 564,90€ or its legal equivalent in foreign currency.

*(based on 2021 figures, this is the minimum amount required. It is always advisable to demonstrate more income when possible)

The availability of sufficient financial means will be evidenced by the submission of original and stamped documents that verify the receipt of a periodic and sufficient income or the holding of an estate that guarantees the receipt of that income. If the financial means come from shares or participations in Spanish companies, mixed or foreign companies, based in Spain, applicants shall prove, by certification thereof, that they don’t carry out any work activity in such companies and will submit an affidavit to that effect. 

9. Fill in the ‘Autorización inicial de residencia temporal’ fee self-assessment form 790-052, to be paid at the Consulate on the day your application is accepted. 
10. Fill in the EX-01 form ‘Autorización de residencia temporal no lucrativa’. 
11. Pay the relevant visa fee at the Consulate on the day your application is accepted. 

IMPORTANT: All official documents (birth certificate/death, marriage certificate/divorce, criminal record) must be legalised through the consular representations of the issuing country or, in the case of signatory countries to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, hold the Hague Apostille, except official documents issued by a Member State of the European Union, which will not require to be legalised. 

How Do You Apply for Family Members?

In the case of spouses or civil partners, it is necessary to submit, additionally, marriage or civil partnership certificate and, in the case of descendants, birth certificate. 

All these documents need to be legalised through the consular representations of the issuing country or, in the case of signatory countries to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, hold the Hague Apostille (except official documents issued by a Member State of the European Union, which will not require to be legalised). 

In the case of minors travelling with only one parent, a notarised authorisation from the other parent or official document proving sole custody is required. These documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. PLEASE NOTE: This information is intended to serve as a guide for visa applicants. Procedures are regularly changing and we advise the use of a reputable lawyer to oversee the correct submission of your Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa application.
Consulate websites:

• http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/MANCHESTER/en/Pages/inicio.aspx
• http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/LONDRES/en/Pages/inicio.aspx
• http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/EDIMBURGO/en/Pages/inicio.aspx

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