The no-lucrative visa is the most common type of visa for those people who have enough incomes or savings to live in Spain (according to the current Spanish laws), don’t want to make any business in Spain and don’t have any family member in Spain.

The most frequent type of visa is the family reunification visa, but of course you need to have a family member already living in Spain.

NON-LUCRATIVE VISA FOR SPAIN: THE FRAMEWORK

This visa or initial authorisation comes from Ley Orgánica 4/2000 de 11 de Enero sobre Derechos y Libertades de los Extranjeros en España y su Integración Social (artículos 30 bis y 31) in Spain and, in comparision to other types of visas and residence permits, we must underline:

• Only a Spanish Consulate or Embassy can grant this visa. It is not possible to apply for a non-lucrative residence permit right in Spain, just to renew an existing no-lucrative visa for Spain;
• Compared with the family reunification visa, it is not a right and the Spanish Consulate or Embassy can easily reject the application depending on each individal case;
• It is valid for 1 year and you can renew it every 2 years (in a foreigner’s office in Spain);
• You cannot make any business or work in Spain (please read below);
• You don’t automatically become a tax resident in Spain.

The most important: THE REQUIREMENTS

Basically, to apply for a non-lucrative visa for Spain, there are some requirements:

• Not be an EU citizen;
• Not to be found irregularly in Spanish territory;
• Lack of criminal record in Spain and in their previous countries of residence for existing crimes in the Spanish legal system;
• Not to be prohibited from entering Spain and not to be rejected as a territorial space in countries with which Spain has signed an agreement in that sense;
• Have the financial means necessary to cover the expenses of stay and return and, where appropriate, those of their relatives, in accordance with the following amounts: for its monthly support 400% of the IPREM (2150€ at the moment) and for the support of each of their dependants, 100% of the IPREM (540€ at the moment).
• Have a public or private health insurance contract with an insurer authorized to operate in Spain;
• Do not suffer from any of the diseases that can have serious public health repercussions in accordance with the provisions of the 2005 International Health Regulations;
• Not to be found, as the case may be, within the term of commitment of non-return to Spain that the foreigner has assumed when accepting a voluntary return program.

SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:

• Can I apply for a non-lucrative visa in Spain?

No, you cannot. You need to apply for a non-lucrative visa for Spain at your nearest Spanish Consulate or Embassy, even if you are from a country where you do not need a short-term visa to come to Spain, like US.

• Can I bring with me my husband, wife or children?

Yes, you can, except for family members over 18 years old, unless they depends on you.

• What about a family member over 18 years old?

You need to prove that this family member depends on you (he/she is your dependant), which is quite difficult at the moment.

• Can I work in Spain?

No, you cannot nor making any kind of business in Spain. There are some exceptions like buying a house in Spain and rent it out or sale, but you should not buy and rent out or sale several properties, since it would be considered as a business.

• Will I be able to change it for a different residence permit once I am in Spain?

It is hard to say. For example, it is quite common trying to change this kind of visa for an entrepreneur one (to make a business in Spain). But to do so, you may need to come back to your country and apply for an entrepreneur visa there.

• What kind of assests can I show to get this visa?

Incomes, savings, deeds, rentals, etc. Please check out our previous post about this visa clicking here: NO RELATIVES IN SPAIN? NON-LUCRATIVE VISA IS YOUR OPTION.

• Is it difficult to obtain this visa?

As usual, it depends on the country. We must say that, according to our experience assisting to apply for this visa, there are some countries where it is more difficult to get this visa, like Iran or Morocco. We guarantee the success applying for any visa within the most of countries. For futher info, please click here: VISA FOR SPAIN ASSISTANCE.

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