Spain Non-Lucrative Visa Documents 2026: The Complete Checklist for Americans

Every document for the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa: funds, private health insurance, FBI check with apostille, medical certificate, accommodation and translations. Free consultation.

The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is for non-EU citizens who want to live in Spain without working there. Consulates reject incomplete or inconsistent files far more often than they reject eligible applicants, so the paperwork matters. Here is what to prepare. Always confirm exact figures and formats on your own consulate's page, because requirements vary by consulate and change over time.

Who it is for

Non-EU/EEA citizens who will not work in Spain and can support themselves from passive income or savings: pensions, investments, rental income or savings. You apply from outside Spain, at the consulate that covers your place of residence. If you plan to work remotely, read our guide on remote work and the NLV and compare it with the Digital Nomad Visa.

The documents

  • Passport, valid and with blank pages
  • National visa application form and passport photo
  • Proof of funds: about 400% of the IPREM per month for the main applicant, plus about 100% for each dependant. Check the current IPREM and what your consulate accepts (bank, investment or pension statements)
  • Spanish private health insurance with full coverage, no co-pay and no waiting period
  • Criminal record certificate for each country you have lived in over the last 5 years, apostilled. US applicants need the federal FBI check with an apostille
  • Medical certificate, worded as your consulate requires
  • Proof of accommodation in Spain (lease, property deed or similar)
  • Sworn translations of foreign documents
  • Marriage and birth certificates if you bring dependants, apostilled and translated
  • Authorisation or power of attorney if someone else files on your behalf

The mistakes we see most

  • Funds that come from work income instead of passive income or savings
  • Insurance with a co-pay, a waiting period or plain travel cover
  • An FBI check, apostille or medical certificate that expires before you submit
  • Names and dates that differ across documents, or unexplained deposits in statements
  • Missing sworn translations, or translations by someone not on the official list

See our guides to the apostilled criminal record check, sworn translations and health insurance requirements.

After approval

After you arrive you register your address and book the fingerprint and TIE appointment within 30 days. The NIE vs TIE guide and the first weeks checklist cover the next steps. The first permit is for one year and then renews in two-year steps, so start the renewal early.

Want a second pair of eyes on your file? Segundo Hogar reviews your documents against current requirements and gives you a clear list of what to fix before the consulate sees it. Book your free consultation at segundohogar.es or message us on WhatsApp.

This article reflects general guidance and is not legal advice. Requirements vary by consulate and change over time, so check official sources. Segundo Hogar provides administrative document preparation support, not legal representation.

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