Non-lucrative residence in Spain: financial means, requirements and renewal

Non-lucrative temporary residence is the authorisation to live in Spain without working or carrying out professional activities, on your own financial means. It is often requested by retirees or people with income who want to settle in Spain. You apply with a visa at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence, and it is governed by Articles 61 to 64 of the Immigration Regulations (Royal Decree 1155/2024).

In brief

• It does not allow you to work in Spain, either as an employee or self-employed.
• Financial means: 400% of the IPREM per month for the main applicant and 100% for each family member, for the whole period.
• You need health insurance and no criminal record.
• The first authorisation lasts one year; renewals, two years.
• To renew, you must have lived in Spain for more than 183 days a year.

Requirements

Under Article 61, for the initial authorisation you must prove:

• Sufficient financial means to support yourself and your family, and for your accommodation, for the time you wish to live in Spain without working.
• Health insurance.
• Not being within a period of commitment not to return to Spain, if you took part in a voluntary return scheme.
• Not posing a threat to public order, security or public health (no criminal record in Spain).
• Having paid the fee.

Financial means

Under Article 62 , these minimum amounts apply, as at the time of applying for the visa or the renewal:

• Main applicant: a monthly amount equivalent to 400% of the IPREM.
• Each dependent family member: an additional 100% of the IPREM per month.

The total amount must cover the whole period of the authorisation. It can be proven by any means of evidence, such as property deeds, certified cheques or credit cards with a bank certificate. For accounts abroad, you provide the bank’s details, the accounts, the balance at 31 December of the previous year and the average balance over the last year. If the means come from shares in companies, you must prove that you do not work in them.

Family members who can come with you

Your spouse or registered or stable partner (with at least one year of living together, or less if you have children together), unmarried minor children and adult children with a disability requiring support or who cannot support themselves because of their health (Article 61.3).

The process

• You apply for the residence visa at the competent Spanish consulate; the visa application includes the application for the authorisation (Article 63).
• The Immigration Office decides within one month of receiving the consulate’s notice. If it does not reply, the application is deemed refused.
• Within one month of arriving in Spain, you must apply in person for the foreigner’s identity card (TIE).
• The initial authorisation lasts one year (Article 61.4).

Renewal

Under Article 64:

• You apply in the two months before the authorisation expires; also in the three months afterwards, although a penalty may then apply.
• You must still have financial means and health insurance, have children of compulsory school age enrolled at school and have actually lived in Spain for more than 183 days during the calendar year.
• The renewal lasts two years, unless you already qualify for long-term residence.
• The Office must decide within three months. If it does not reply, the application is deemed granted.

How we help you

We review your financial means and insurance before you book the consulate appointment, prepare the file, help you with the TIE and every renewal, and advise you on your tax residence in Spain. We meet by video call from your country, in Spanish, English and French. You can book your first consultation or see our service for non-lucrative visa.

Legislation

• Royal Decree 1155/2024, of 19 November, Immigration Regulations (Articles 61 to 64).
• Organic Law 4/2000, of 11 January, on the rights and freedoms of foreign nationals in Spain.