Global Mobility

November 23, 2025

Spain’s Passive Income Visa (Non-Lucrative Visa) – The Complete Guide

Spain’s Passive Income Visa – The Complete Guide for Living in Spain Without Working

Imagine starting your day with a café con leche on a sunny terrace in Valencia, taking a late-morning stroll through a local market, and spending your afternoons exploring medieval streets, beaches, or mountain trails. For many non-EU citizens, Spain’s Passive Income Visa—officially called the Non-Lucrative Visa—is the legal doorway to that lifestyle.

Since Spain announced the end of its Golden Visa property-investment route, the Spain Passive Income Visa has become one of the primary options for financially independent individuals and retirees who want to live in Spain long-term without working in the local labor market.The Times

This guide walks you through everything you need to know in 2025:

What the Spain Passive Income Visa is (and what it is not)
Income and financial requirements
Health insurance rules
Step-by-step application process
Family members, renewals, tax implications, and common pitfalls
How it compares with Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa

Whether you’re a retiree, an early-FIRE professional, or an investor with reliable passive income, this article will help you understand if the Spain Passive Income Visa is the right path for you.

What Is Spain’s Passive Income Visa (Non-Lucrative Visa)?

The Spain Passive Income Visa, usually referred to as the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), is a residence visa designed for non-EU / non-EEA / non-Swiss nationals who want to live in Spain using their savings and/or passive income, without working in Spain.

Residence-only visa: It allows you to live in Spain but prohibits local employment or business activities.
Financial independence requirement: You must prove stable income and/or assets sufficient to support yourself and your dependents.
Path to long-term residency: With renewals, it can lead to permanent residency and eventually Spanish citizenship, if you meet residency and other legal requirements.
Ideal for retirees & passive income earners: Retirees, landlords, dividend investors, and other financially independent people often use this route.

Important: You cannot legally work for a Spanish employer or run a business that is deemed “active” in Spain on this visa. Some consulates are stricter than others about foreign remote work, so you must get individualized legal advice before relying on remote work income.

Why Spain’s Passive Income Visa Is So Popular in 2025

Spain consistently ranks as one of the top destinations for retirees and expats due to its quality of life, healthcare, culture, climate, and relatively low cost of living.

Lifestyle Advantages

Mild winters and lots of sunshine, especially along the Mediterranean coast.
First-class food culture: tapas, wine, fresh markets, and local produce.
A strong sense of community and local fiestas in towns and cities of all sizes.
Excellent infrastructure: public transport, high-speed trains, and international airports.

Legal & Immigration Advantages

Alternative to the Golden Visa: With the property-based Golden Visa being phased out, the Spain Passive Income Visa is now a key route to residency for wealthy individuals who may or may not want to invest in property.The Times+1
Family-friendly: Spouses and dependent children can be included in your application.
Schengen mobility: Once you receive Spanish residency, you can travel throughout the Schengen Area (subject to general Schengen rules).

Eligibility: Who Is the Spain Passive Income Visa For?

The Spain Passive Income Visa is a great fit if you:

Are a non-EU / non-EEA / non-Swiss national.
Have reliable passive income and/or substantial savings.
Want to live in Spain for most of the year (not just 90-day Schengen visits).
Are comfortable not working in Spain (or only performing legally permitted foreign remote work, depending on your case and consulate).
Can provide comprehensive private health insurance in Spain.

Common applicant profiles:

Retirees with pensions, annuities, or investment income.
Financially independent individuals (FIRE) living off index funds, dividends, or rental portfolios.
Business owners or entrepreneurs who have sold their companies and now live off passive returns.
Families who want to experience life and education in Spain while relying on a primary earner’s passive or foreign income.

Financial Requirements for Spain’s Passive Income Visa

How Much Income Do You Need?

Spn links the non-lucrative residence financial requirement to an indicator called IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples). For the Spain Passive Income Visa, you must show at least 400% of IPREM per year for the main applicant and 100% of IPREM per year for each dependent.

In practice, most recent guidance and expert sources for 2025 show:

Main applicant: About €2,400 per month (≈ €28,800 per year).
Each additional family member (spouse or dependent child): About €600 per month (≈ €7,200 per year).

So, for a family of four (two adults, two children), you’re likely looking at approximately €28,800 + €7,200 + €7,200 = €43,200 per year in provable income or assets.

Note: Different consulates sometimes interpret or round numbers slightly differently. Always verify the exact requirement on the website of the Spanish consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence.

What Counts as “Passive Income”?

The Spain Passive Income Visa is meant for financially independent people. Consulates typically accept:Imigrata+1

Pensions (public or private)
Annuities
Rental income from real estate
Dividends from stocks and funds
Interest from savings and term deposits
Royalties and certain licensing income
Long-term contracts for remote income in some cases (varies by consulate; careful legal structuring is needed)

They may also consider significant savings or investment accounts as part of your financial proof, especially when you can show consistent account balances over time.

Savings vs. Monthly Income

Some consulates are flexible: instead of purely monthly income, they may allow large savings or investment portfolios as proof that you can support yourself for the duration of the visa.

Typical documents include:

Bank statements for the last 6–12 months
Brokerage account statements
Pension award letters
Rental contracts and proof of rental payments
Tax returns verifying recurring income

Health Insurance Requirements for the Spain Passive Income Visa

One of the strictest and most misunderstood requirements of the Spain Passive Income Visa is health insurance.

You must generally provide:

Private health insurance with a company authorized to operate in Spain
Full coverage equivalent to the public system (no major exclusions)
No co-payments / no deductibles (sin copagos) – or extremely minimal co-payments, depending on the consulate
Coverage for at least one full year, aligned with your initial residence period

Many consulates explicitly require policies without waiting periods for pre-existing conditions and unlimited hospitalization coverage.

Common mistakes:

Buying a travel insurance policy instead of comprehensive resident-style coverage.
Choosing a policy with high deductibles or copays that the consulate rejects.
Failing to include every family member in the policy.

Specialized expat insurance providers and Spanish insurers often offer plans labeled as suitable for non-lucrative or residency applicants.

Other Core Eligibility Requirements

Beyond money and health insurance, you’ll need to satisfy several standard immigration criteria:Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores+2Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores+2

Clean criminal record: Police certificates from countries where you’ve lived in the past 5 years, usually apostilled and translated into Spanish.
Medical certificate: A doctor’s letter confirming you have no serious diseases that pose a public-health risk, often with wording similar to WHO standards.
Valid passport: Typically valid for at least one year, with blank pages for the visa.
Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: Utility bills, leases, or IDs.
Proof of accommodation in Spain: Rental contract, property deed (escritura), or an invitation letter—consulate expectations vary.
Comprehensive documentation for dependents: Marriage certificates, birth certificates, custody documents, all properly legalized and translated.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Spain Passive Income Visa

Although every consulate has its own nuances, the general path to the Spain Passive Income Visa looks like this:Orience International+1

Step 1: Research Your Consulate’s Requirements

Find the Spanish consulate or embassy responsible for your region.
Download their Non-Lucrative Visa checklist and instructions.

Each consulate may differ slightly in forms, translations, legalization rules, and appointment systems.

Step 2: Gather Documentation

Core documents typically include:

National visa application form
Non-lucrative residence application form (e.g., form EX-01)
Passport + copies
Passport-size photos
Proof of financial means (bank statements, pension documents, investment statements, etc.)
Private Spanish health insurance certificate
Criminal record certificates (apostilled/legalized + sworn translations)
Medical certificate
Proof of address in consular jurisdiction
Proof of accommodation in Spain (if required)
Marriage certificates and birth certificates for dependents

Step 3: Book and Attend Your Consular Appointment

Many consulates require online booking weeks or months in advance.
You submit your documents, pay the visa fee (around €80–€150, varying by nationality), and may attend a brief interview about your plans in Spain.

Step 4: Wait for the Decision

Processing times can range from a few weeks to a couple of months.
The consulate may request additional documents or clarifications.

Step 5: Collect Your Visa & Travel to Spain

If your Spain Passive Income Visa is approved:

You receive a national visa (type D) in your passport, typically valid for 90 days to enter Spain.
Once you arrive in Spain, you must register your address (empadronamiento) and apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) within a short time window (often 30 days).

Step 6: Residency Card and Renewals

Your initial non-lucrative residence is usually for 1 year.
Renewals are typically granted in 2-year increments, provided you still meet financial, insurance, and stay-in-Spain requirements.
After 5 years of legal residency, you may apply for long-term (permanent) residence in Spain if you meet all conditions.

Living in Spain on a Passive Income Visa: What You Can and Can’t Do

You Can:

Live anywhere in Spain and change regions as you wish.
Travel throughout the Schengen Area for short stays (subject to Schengen rules).
Enroll your children in Spanish public or private schools.
Rent or buy property in Spain.
Open bank accounts, utilities, and integrate into Spanish life.

You Cannot:

Work as an employee in Spain.
Register as self-employed (autónomo) to operate an active business in Spain.
Use the Spain Passive Income Visa as a backdoor to full-time local work.

There is a gray area around remote work for foreign companies. Some consulates reject applications if your income is clearly “earned” from active work, even if it’s online and outside Spain. Others may accept it as long-term, stable income. With Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa now available (which explicitly allows remote work for foreign employers), it is increasingly important to choose the correct visa type from the start.

Taxes, Time in Spain, and Long-Term Planning

Tax Residency

If you live in Spain for more than 183 days in a calendar year, you are generally considered a Spanish tax resident.

That means:

You may need to report your worldwide income in Spain.
You may be subject to wealth tax in some regions, depending on your net worth.
Double taxation treaties (for example, Spain–US tax treaty) can help you avoid paying tax twice on the same income.

Careful planning with an international tax advisor is essential, especially if you have complex portfolios, pensions, or corporate holdings.

Physical Presence Requirements

The Spain Passive Income Visa is meant for real residents, not occasional tourists. Authorities can examine:

How many days per year you actually spend in Spain.
Evidence of living ties (housing, utilities, school enrollment, community involvement).

To maintain and renew your non-lucrative residence, you should plan to spend most of your time in Spain each year.

Spain’s Passive Income Visa vs Digital Nomad Visa vs Golden Visa

With the Golden Visa being phased out and remote work rising, many people compare different Spanish options before choosing the Spain Passive Income Visa.The Times+2Residencia en España+2

Spain’s Passive Income Visa (Non-Lucrative Visa)

Work allowed? No employment or business activities in Spain.
Income type: Passive income and/or savings.
Ideal for: Retirees, FIRE individuals, passive investors, families who do not depend on active work.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa

Work allowed? Yes—but primarily remote work for foreign employers/clients.Globexs+1
Income type: Active remote income, meeting higher minimum requirements (often above non-lucrative thresholds).
Ideal for: Remote employees and freelancers working for non-Spanish companies.

Spain Golden Visa (Property Route)

Property-investment based, historically with €500,000 minimum, but now terminated/phasing out due to political decisions and housing concerns. For many investors who don’t want or can’t rely on property investment, the Spain Passive Income Visa has become the primary alternative route.

Common Mistakes That Cause Rejections (and How to Avoid Them)

Even strong candidates sometimes see their Spain Passive Income Visa denied for avoidable reasons. Common issues include

Underestimating Financial Requirements

Providing barely sufficient income with no safety margin.
Relying entirely on short-term, volatile income, such as trading or crypto, without long-term history.

Tip: Aim to exceed official financial thresholds by at least 10–20%, and provide several months (or years) of account history.

Weak Documentation

Missing apostilles or legalizations.
Translations not done by a sworn translator (traductor jurado).
Inconsistent information across documents (addresses, names, dates).

Tip: Use a detailed checklist and have an immigration professional review the full package before submission.

Incorrect Health Insurance Policy

Submitting cheap travel insurance instead of full-coverage Spanish resident-style insurance.
Policies with co-payments or exclusions that consulates reject.

Tip: Choose an insurer that explicitly markets policies for non-lucrative or residency applicants in Spain.

Weak “Intention to Reside” Evidence

Some consulates are wary of people who appear to be using the Spain Passive Income Visa primarily as a Schengen “entry pass” while living elsewhere.

Tip:

Show genuine ties to Spain: lease agreements, school inquiries for children, or planned relocation steps.
Be clear and consistent in your personal statement about why you want to live in Spain and how you plan to integrate.

Case Study: A Retired Couple Moving using Spain’s Passive Income Visa

To bring this to life, imagine David (67) and Maria (64), a couple from the US:

They receive a combined pension of €3,300 per month.
They also have savings of €250,000 in investments.
Their adult children remain in their home country, but they want to spend their retirement years in a smaller coastal city in Spain with a lower cost of living.

Working with an immigration advisor, they:

Chose the Spain Passive Income Visa, since they don’t plan to work.
Bought a private health insurance policy in Spain with full coverage and no copays.
Provided 12 months of bank and pension statements, translated and apostilled, clearly demonstrating income well above the required IPREM threshold.
Signed a long-term rental contract in Valencia that starts upon their arrival.
Submitted a clear relocation plan in their personal statement—explaining their reasons for choosing Spain, their interest in learning Spanish, and their intention to spend most of the year there.

Their application was approved; after arriving in Spain, they obtained their TIE cards, registered with the ayuntamiento, and integrated into local life. Over the next years, they renew their non-lucrative residence, with the aim of applying for long-term residence after five years.

How 3A Immigration Services Can Help You Secure Spain’s Passive Income Visa

Before we close, here’s where 3A Immigration Services fits into your journey.

Spain’s Passive Income Visa looks simple on paper, but in practice it involves complex financial analysis, consulate-specific rules, tax planning, and precise documentation. Small mistakes—like a poorly structured bank statement, a non-compliant insurance policy, or a mistranslated criminal record—can cause headaches, delays, or outright denials.

3A Immigration Services helps:

Assess eligibility: We review your income, assets, and family situation to confirm whether the Spain Passive Income Visa is the right route—or whether a Digital Nomad Visa, Golden Visa alternative, or another EU program is a better fit.
Structure your financial evidence: We help you present pensions, savings, rental income, and investment portfolios in the way consulates expect.
Prepare and review your file: From checklists to sworn translations, we help ensure your application is complete, consistent, and compliant.
Coordinate with Spanish partners: When needed, we work with tax advisors and local counsel to integrate immigration, tax, and lifestyle planning.

If you’re serious about using the Spain Passive Income Visa to build a new chapter of your life in Spain, partnering with a professional team can dramatically increase your chances of a smooth approval and a stress-free move.

Is Spain’s Passive Income Visa Right for You?

Spain’s Passive Income Visa is one of the most attractive long-term residence options in Europe for people who:

Have sufficient passive income or savings
Want to enjoy Spain’s lifestyle year-round
Are comfortable not working locally
Value healthcare, safety, culture, and community

By understanding the financial thresholds, health insurance requirements, documentation standards, and long-term tax implications, you’ll be in a strong position to design a move that is realistic and sustainable.

If your dream is to trade long commutes and hectic schedules for Mediterranean sunsets, slower days, and a European base for your family, the Spain Passive Income Visa may be the bridge between your current life and the future you’ve been imagining.

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