Note
Non-lucrative visa and buying property in Spain
Quick answer
The non-lucrative visa lets you live in Spain without gainful work. The consulate information states means of 400% of the IPREM for the main applicant and 100% of the IPREM for each family member, authorised health insurance, a medical certificate and criminal records. It is valid for one year at first. Buying a home is not a requirement.
Applies toNon-EU buyers who want to live in Spain on their own means without working.
On this page: 9 sections
§ 1What it is
The non-lucrative visa, visado de residencia no lucrativa, is for people who want to live in Spain without working. The applicant supports themselves from means they already have, such as savings or a pension. It is a visa applied for at a consulate before travelling. This page uses the consulate information page cited in the sources and belongs to the chapter in residency and property explained.
§ 2Means
The consulate states the means requirement as 400% of the IPREM for the main applicant, plus 100% of the IPREM for each family member in their care. The page does not give the value of the indicator or the year, so it does not give a euro amount. Check the current value of the indicator in an official source before you plan. The amount is not a permanent figure and it changes.
§ 3Insurance and records
The applicant needs health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain, covering all the risks covered by the public system. The page also lists a medical certificate issued within three months before the application, and criminal record certificates for the last five years, which must be apostilled or legalised and translated by a sworn translator. The consulate page we read gives a UK example for the details. Each consulate publishes its own.
§ 4No work
The visa allows residence without gainful work or professional activity and does not constitute a work permit. Remote work for foreign clients, rental of a property, or any business activity raises questions that you should ask a lawyer before acting. Do not assume that income from abroad is allowed in every form.
§ 5Duration and the card
The visa is valid for one year. After arriving, the holder has one month to apply for the foreigner identity card, the TIE, which is explained in the chapter on registering. Renewal rules are not in the page we read.
§ 6Property and the visa
The visa does not require you to own a home. Many holders rent first. If you plan to buy, the process is the same as for any foreigner. A purchase does not make the application easier, though a home can serve as proof of address. The wider question is in more on a visa from owning property.
§ 7Applying in practice
Applications are made at the consulate that covers your place of residence, in person, with originals and copies. Allow time for the medical certificate, the apostilles and the translations, because each has its own lead time. Ask the consulate for its checklist, since the format varies by office.
§ 8Taxes
Living in Spain for most of the year will probably make you tax resident, with consequences for your income and assets, explained in the tax residency chapter. Plan the tax position before you move. The position of non-EU owners who do not move is covered in non-EU owners explained.
§ 9More on this topic
Residency for owners explained sums up how owners become resident.
FAQRelated questions
Do I need to own a home to apply?
The consulate information we read does not list property as a requirement. You will need to show where you will live, which can be a home you own or rent. Ask the consulate what proof of address it accepts.
Can I work or run a business?
No. The visa is for residence without gainful work or professional activity and is not a work permit. If you want to work, you need a different route. Ask a lawyer before you take any paid activity.
How long does the visa last?
It starts as a one-year visa. After landing you get one month to request the resident card. We have not seen the renewal terms, so confirm them with the foreigners’ office.
Sources
- Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores: Non-working residence visa (consulate information page) (official source, opens in a new window), Requirements, means, insurance, validityLast checked 17 October 2026
Legal note. How the process works in general. It is not legal advice, and it never replaces an independent Spanish lawyer acting for you.