Spain | Non-Lucrative Visa
Retire to Spain Without Working a Day
Spain's route for retirees living on a pension or savings.
The draw
Why retirees keep choosing Spain
Spain's got sunshine most of the year, its healthcare is rated among the world's best, and a couple can live well on about 2,900 euros a month.
- 250 sunny days and a mild coast
- Universal, high-quality healthcare
- Direct flights to the U.S. East Coast
The money test, in numbers
28,800 euros
Income to show, single applicant
400% of IPREM, 2026
7,200 euros
Added per spouse or child
100% of IPREM each
5 years
To permanent residency
renew 2+2 first
How it works
The non-lucrative visa in plain English
You prove passive income or savings and buy private Spanish health insurance. Pensions, Social Security, disability income, dividends, and rental income all count.
Here's the catch
You can't work, and this includes remote work for a U.S. employer. Want to keep your job? Use the Digital Nomad Visa. Stay past 183 days in a calendar year, and Spain taxes your worldwide income.
Non-Lucrative Residence Visa
For those who wish to reside in Spain without working, such as retirees or individuals with independent means. Applicants must prove they have sufficient funds to support themselves without employment in Spain.
- Government cost
- $80
- Processing time
- ~90 days
- Timeline
- 1 year (renewable)
- Difficulty
- Easy
Key requirements
- Valid passport
- Completed visa application form
- Proof of sufficient financial means
- Proof of health insurance
- Criminal record certificate (no older than 6 months)
- Proof of residence in consular district
- Medical certificate
The long game
From visa to permanent resident
Your non-lucrative visa residency starts at one year, renews in two-year blocks, and becomes permanent residency after five. Your visa card opens the whole Schengen area for travel.
Scouting Trips
Before you move, see Spain like a future resident.
- We walk neighborhoods
- Meet local experts
- Tour healthcare facilities
- Explore housing options
- Help you understand what daily life actually feels like
Spanish help, vetted by Expatsi
Moving to Spain
Spain Relocation Specialist
Moving to Spain files Non-Lucrative Visa cases from start to finish.
Solena Living
Spain Consultation and Real Estate
Solena Living helps you rent or buy in the right neighborhood.
Christine Job
Move Abroad Coach
Local expat Christine Job coaches Americans through the move and answers questions about what to expect in daily life.
Where retirees land
Four places to start your search
Alicante
Costa Blanca living
Sun almost every day, a walkable beach city, and one of Spain's largest established foreign communities all along the Costa Blanca coast.
Malaga
Costa del Sol hub
The Costa del Sol capital has grown into a stylish tech and culture magnet, with an airport that flies everywhere and winters warm enough to swim in.
Granada
History on a budget
The Alhambra out your window and some of the cheapest living in the country. Free tapas come with every drink, a big student energy keeps it lively, and the Sierra Nevada offers winter skiing.
Nerja
Balcony over the sea
A whitewashed town on a cliff east of Malaga, built around the Balcon de Europa lookout, with caves full of prehistoric paintings up the road and the Sierra Almijara rising right behind. The British retiree crowd here goes back decades. August fills the place past comfortable.
Non-Lucrative Visa questions, answered
Will I pay Spanish taxes?
If you spend more than 183 days a year in Spain, you'll become a tax resident, where Spain taxes your worldwide income. A U.S.-Spain treaty prevents double taxation, but Americans wil still file U.S. returns. Talk to a cross-border tax pro like MyExpatTaxes before you move.
How much income do I need for the Non-Lucrative Visa?
In 2026 the main applicant shows 28,800 euros a year, which is 400% of Spain's IPREM. Add 7,200 euros a year for a spouse or each child. You can prove it with steady passive income, savings, or a mix.
Can I work remotely on this visa?
No. The Non-Lucrative Visa bans all work, including remote work for a U.S. employer, and consulates have gotten more strict about it. Look at Spain's Digital Nomad Visa If you'd prefer to keep working.
How long does approval take?
The listed government processing time is about 30 days. In practice, most applicants will budget two to four months from the consulate appointment to having visa in hand.
How long until I get permanent residency?
The non-lucrative visa is good for one year, then renews for two years at a time. You can apply for long-term residency after five continuous years, and citizenship is on the table at 10. Most Americans choose to keep permanent residency instead.
What counts as passive income?
Pensions, Social Security, dividends, rental income, disability income, annuities, and investment returns all count as passive income. Savings also qualifies if you have enough to cover the years ahead. Salary and freelance income do not.
See if Spain is your match
Thousands of Americans have already done it.
Why not you?