How to retire in Spain with a non-lucrative visa in 2025

What is the Spanish non-lucrative residence visa?

The non-lucrative residence visa allows non-EU citizens to reside in Spain as long as they can financially support themselves without needing to work. You must apply for it from your home country—typically via your local Spanish consulate—and provide a range of documents to prove you meet the requirements.

💬 “It’s sometimes branded a retirement visa,” explains lawyer Melanie Radford. “One of the key requirements is that you’re no longer working or in any form of paid activity.” 

You must apply at the Spanish consulate in your home country, or your country of main residence, if different.

What documentation do I need for the non-lucrative visa in 2025?

Here’s what you’ll need to submit with your application:

• Proof of sufficient financial means
  In 2025, the requirement is at least €28,800 for a single applicant, or €36,000 for a married couple, even if applying jointly.

💬 “You still apply in your own right,” says Melanie. “But married couples can attend the appointment together and show joint financial resources.”

🎥 Minimum income to retire in Spain: What you need to know
Watch our short video explaining how much income you need to qualify for the Non-Lucrative Visa in 2025 - including how it works for singles, couples, and those with dependents.

• Private medical insurance that mirrors Spain’s public system. It must be fully paid up for the first 12 months and provided by an authorised Spanish insurer.

💬 “That’s really important,” Melanie adds. “If it’s not paid upfront, they worry you’ll cancel it once the visa is approved and become a burden on the state.”

• A GP medical certificate of good health
  This standard form confirms you don’t have any contagious diseases under World Health Organization regulations. It doesn’t require a full medical check-up.
• A clean criminal record certificate from every country you’ve lived in during the past five years.
• Official translations of all documents into Spanish.
• Visa application fee (amounts vary by consulate)

💬 “I always recommend starting this process at least five months in advance,” says Melanie. “It can take up to three months just to get approval—and during that time, they hold on to your passport.”

Check the Spanish consulate website for your region to download the correct forms and confirm the latest document requirements.

What are the benefits of the non-lucrative residence visa?

Legal residency in Spain for one year, renewable for two additional periods of two years each (as long as you continue to meet the financial and insurance criteria).

💬 “If you renew it successfully, you’ll hit the five-year mark and be eligible to apply for permanent residency,” explains Melanie. “And with permanent residency, you’re finally allowed to work if you want to.”

After five years of legal residency, you may apply for permanent residency.

You can enjoy your retirement in Spain without the pressure of employment, while accessing healthcare and building towards longer-term residency or even citizenship.

What about tax?

⚠️ Be careful about your tax residency timing.

💬 “If you move to Spain and spend more than 183 days in a calendar year, you’ll become a Spanish tax resident by default,” says Melanie. “That has serious implications if you’ve just sold your UK home.”

Holding a non-lucrative visa makes you a Spanish tax resident, meaning you must declare and pay taxes on your worldwide income. Here’s what that could look like in 2025:

Income Tax (IRPF):

• Up to €12,450: 19%
• €12,451 – €20,200: 24%
• €20,201 – €35,200: 30%
• €35,201 – €60,000: 37%
• €60,001 – €300,000: 45%
• Over €300,000: 47%

Capital Gains Tax (on profits from the sale of assets):

• Up to €6,000: 19%
• €6,001 – €50,000: 21%
• €50,001 – €200,000: 23%
• €200,001 – €300,000: 27%
• Over €300,000: 30%

Wealth Tax (IP): Ranges from 0.2% to 3.5% on net assets above €700,000, though this can vary by region.

You’ll also need to consider local taxes, including council tax, vehicle tax, and others depending on your circumstances.

For more details on your Spanish tax obligations, visit Spanish tax system explained: a comprehensive guide to how much tax you pay in Spain. 

Are there any alternatives?

Spain’s Golden Visa, previously available via a €500,000 property investment ended in April 2025. For now, the Digital Nomad Visa is a good alternative if you’re still earning remotely and don’t qualify for the non-lucrative visa.

Is the non-lucrative visa right for you?

💬 “This visa is ideal for retirees who are no longer working and can show passive income—like pensions, savings, or rental income from a property held in their name,” says Melanie.

For retirees with stable passive income, the non-lucrative visa remains one of the most straightforward routes to Spanish residency. It provides the freedom to settle into a relaxed Spanish lifestyle, enjoy excellent healthcare, and potentially build towards permanent residency or citizenship.

For the smoothest experience, consider working with a legal advisor familiar with the process, and start planning early.

Special note for UK retirees

While the same visa rules apply to all non-EU applicants, British retirees should pay particular attention to the timing of their move.

💬 “We often work with UK couples who are selling their home before relocating,” says Melanie. “It’s vital to time your visa application so you don't accidentally trigger capital gains tax in Spain on your UK property sale.”

Melanie advises: Wait until later in the calendar year to establish Spanish residency if selling your UK home. Don't start the visa process too early if you're still securing a Spanish address.

Be prepared for a gap between selling your home and receiving visa approval.

💬 “We see a lot of frustration when timing isn’t thought through,” she says. “It can delay the whole process or leave people stuck in temporary housing.”

🎥 Watch the video below: Spanish residency expert Melanie Radford explains what UK retirees need to know about selling property, applying for the Non-Lucrative Visa, and timing their move to Spain for a smooth transition.

Watch the full video interview: Non-lucrative visa tips from a Spanish immigration lawyer

Get detailed advice directly from Melanie Radford of MyLawyerinSpain.com as she walks through real-world scenarios and application pitfalls to avoid.

Further reading

📘 Pros & Cons of Retiring to Spain – Your Pension, Healthcare & More Explained

🧾 Download visa forms and requirements from your local Spanish consulate

💬 Still have questions? Share them in the comments or contact a legal advisor to guide you through the application process.