The non-lucrative visa is the main route to live in Spain for someone who does not work there, and it is the one most property owners from outside the EU consider. In 2026 you must show funds of at least 400% of the IPREM, the indicator used for such thresholds, which is €2,400 a month or €28,800 a year, plus 100% of the IPREM (€600 a month) for each family member, according to the Spanish consulate in Kingston. You also need private health insurance from a company authorised in Spain, a criminal record certificate and a medical certificate. Owning a home in Spain is allowed but is not required and does not replace the income, and the visa does not allow you to work. This guide explains the requirements, the process and the points that matter if you own or plan to buy a home. It is general information, not immigration advice, and each consulate has its own checklist.
What is the non-lucrative visa?
It is a residence visa for people who can support themselves without working in Spain. The initial visa is valid for 365 days, and after you arrive you apply for the foreigner identity card within one month. It is aimed at retirees and people with savings or passive income. If you are a remote employee, a freelancer or run a business, the digital nomad route is a different visa. Buying a home does not give you any residence right by itself, as we explain in our guide for foreign buyers and in the article on the end of the golden visa.
How much income or savings do you need?
The Spanish consulate in Kingston states the minimum as 400% of the IPREM, equal to €2,400 in 2026, with 100% of the IPREM for each family member in your care. The IPREM is a public indicator that the government sets, so the figure can change each year.
| Household | Yearly funds (2026) | Approx. in £ / $ |
|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | €28,800 | ≈ £24,300 / $32,300 |
| Couple | €36,000 | ≈ £30,400 / $40,300 |
| Couple and 1 child | €43,200 | ≈ £36,500 / $48,400 |
| Couple and 2 children | €50,400 | ≈ £42,500 / $56,400 |
Conversions are approximate and use the European Central Bank reference rates of 14 October 2026 (€1 = £0.844 = $1.120). Rates move every day.
These figures apply the consulate’s rule of 100% of the IPREM for each family member. Some law firms describe a lower figure for children (50% of the IPREM, or about €300 a month), so check your own consulate’s checklist before you plan. Some consulates ask for a margin above the minimum, particularly when the income is irregular or the money is abroad, and some accept a lump sum in savings equal to twelve months of the requirement.
What documents do you need?
- Application form (EX-01) and passport valid for at least a year, with photographs.
- Proof of funds: bank statements, pension letters or investment statements, usually for the last 12 months.
- Health insurance: a public or private policy from an insurer authorised in Spain that covers all the risks the public system covers. Travel insurance and policies with Spain exclusions are common reasons for refusal.
- Criminal record certificate from your country of residence covering the last five years.
- Medical certificate showing that you do not have a disease that could seriously affect public health under the 2005 International Health Regulations.
- Proof of accommodation: a property deed, a rental contract or a host letter, depending on the consulate.
- Apostilles and translations: foreign documents must be legalised or apostilled and, where needed, translated by a sworn translator. One firm suggests allowing 4 to 8 weeks for this.
Does owning a home help?
You can buy a home before or after you apply, and a property deed is accepted as proof of accommodation. It does not count as income or savings, and it is not a requirement. The practical effect is that you can choose where you live and avoid a rental, but you still have to show the financial means. Our buying guide covers the purchase, and our NIE guide explains the foreigner number you will need for the deed whether or not you hold the visa.
Can you work on this visa?
No. The consulate page states that the visa is not a work permit, and some consulates treat even remote or online work as not allowed. One firm explains that after the first renewal you may apply to change the authorisation to allow self-employment or employment, but that is not automatic. If you plan to work remotely, look at the digital nomad visa instead, which we will compare in a separate article.
How long does it take, and how long does it last?
| Stage | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Preparing apostilles, translations and insurance | Allow several weeks |
| Consulate decision | Legal maximum of 3 months; interviews or extra documents can extend it |
| Enter Spain | Within the time in the visa; one firm says 90 days from issue |
| Foreigner identity card | Apply within one month of arrival |
| First renewal | Typically 2 years |
| Second renewal | Typically 2 more years |
| Long-term residence | Possible after five years of legal continuous residence |
How much time must you spend in Spain?
There is no strict minimum for the first year, but you must show a real intention to live in Spain. At renewal, firms report that long absences can be a ground for refusal, for example more than six months continuously or more than ten months in total, and that you need to spend more than 183 days a year in Spain. Ask your lawyer to confirm the current criteria before you plan a split year between two homes.
What about tax residency?
If you spend enough time in Spain, you may become a Spanish tax resident, which can mean that Spain taxes your worldwide income and that you must report assets abroad. Non-residents who own a home in Spain pay a different tax, as explained in Spain non-resident property tax. Take advice from a tax adviser who knows both your home country and Spain before you move, because the answer depends on your income and your country’s treaty with Spain.
What if you own a home but only stay 90 days?
You do not need this visa to visit your home. Most non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. The non-lucrative visa matters only if you want to live in Spain for longer.
What are the common mistakes?
- Assuming that owning a home replaces the income requirement.
- Buying a travel insurance policy instead of full private health cover.
- Applying with documents that are not apostilled or translated.
- Planning to work remotely on this visa.
- Not checking your own consulate’s checklist, which can differ from a general guide.
- Forgetting that renewals require continued funds, insurance and time in Spain.
What is the step-by-step plan?
- Check the checklist of the consulate that covers your place of residence.
- Prove your funds and gather the bank and pension documents.
- Buy qualifying private health insurance.
- Order the criminal record and medical certificates, then apostille and translate them.
- Prepare proof of accommodation, for example a deed or a rental contract.
- Book the consulate appointment and file the application.
- After you arrive, apply for the foreigner identity card within a month.
- Diary the renewal date and the time you have to spend in Spain.
Is a medical certificate always needed?
The consulate page asks for a certificate showing that you do not have a disease that could seriously affect public health, and requires it to be apostilled and translated. Ask your consulate how recent the certificate must be and whether a particular wording is required, because a certificate with the wrong form is a common reason for delay.
Can your family come with you?
Family members in your care are included in the funds calculation, and each one needs their own documents, such as a criminal record certificate for adults and a medical certificate. Confirm with the consulate how it treats partners, children and dependent parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need for the Spanish non-lucrative visa in 2026?
The consulate page states 400% of the IPREM, which is €2,400 a month or €28,800 a year, plus 100% (€600 a month) for each family member in your care.
Do I need to own a home to get the visa?
No. You need proof of accommodation, which can be a rental contract or a property deed, but owning a home is not a requirement.
Can I work on the non-lucrative visa?
No. It is not a work permit, and some consulates treat remote work as not allowed.
How long does the visa last?
The first visa is valid for 365 days. Renewals are typically for two years, then two more, if you still meet the requirements.
Does buying a house in Spain give me residency?
No. Property ownership does not grant residence by itself, since the golden visa ended in 2025.
Sources
Official sources (check these for the current rule):
- Spanish consulate in Kingston: non-working residence visa
- Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: consular services
- Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE)
Also cross-checked against published guides, because practice varies between notaries, registries and banks:
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and rates change, and your situation may differ. Confirm the figures with the tax authority and a qualified lawyer or tax adviser before you commit.
