Spain National (Type D) Non-Lucrative Visa: Who Can Apply and How

Key Takeaways

• Applicants must show at least €28,800 yearly income plus €7,200 per dependent to qualify for this visa.
• Private health insurance with €30,000 coverage valid across Schengen is required; work in Spain is not permitted.
• Application must be made from your home country; processing takes two weeks to three months depending on consulate.

The Spain National (Type D) Non-Lucrative Visa is a pathway for people outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland to live in Spain 🇪🇸 long-term without needing to work there. This visa is most often chosen by people who have steady earnings from outside Spain, like pensioners, retirees, or those with independent wealth. It also attracts people who have a remote income but do not need to work for a Spanish company. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the popularity of this visa comes from the ability to stay in Spain 🇪🇸 for a longer period, enjoy its lifestyle, and even bring family members—without the need to find local employment.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

To begin, you must make sure that you are the right fit for the Spain National (Type D) Non-Lucrative Visa. The main eligibility criteria are:

1. Citizenship: You must be from a country outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. People from those regions do not need this visa.
2. Work Restrictions: You cannot do any paid work, freelance, or run a business in Spain 🇪🇸 while under this visa. You also cannot have a professional activity that is linked to Spain.
3. Financial Means: You need to show you have enough money to live in Spain 🇪🇸 without working (see below for the money amounts).
4. Private Health Insurance: It is compulsory to have private health insurance that works throughout the Schengen Area and covers medical emergencies and hospital stays.
5. Clean Police Record: You must present a criminal record certificate that shows you have a clean record from anywhere you have lived in the last five years.
6. Medical Certificate: You have to show a doctor’s statement confirming you do not have any illnesses that could affect public health.

These conditions make sure the visa is for people who will not need public help and who will obey Spain 🇪🇸’s laws and health rules.

Financial Requirements

You must prove you can pay for your life in Spain 🇪🇸 with your own funds. This proof is one of the strongest parts needed for the visa. The Spanish government sets a specific minimum amount of money you need, and it changes a little each year.

• Main Applicant: You must show a yearly income or funds of at least €28,800. This works out to €2,400 per month.
• Each Dependent (such as a spouse or child): Add €7,200 per year, or €600 per month, for each person you bring.

Example: A couple applying together needs at least €36,000 per year (€28,800 for the main person + €7,200 for a spouse).

How to Prove the Money:
You can show this money in several ways:
– Bank statements from the last three months,
– Pension documents if you are retired,
– Reports from investment, rental, or savings accounts,
– Proof of passive income (money you get that does not come from a job),
– Any other documents that prove you have enough money.

All these documents should be current and show the money is already in your account or will come in for at least the next year.

Private Health Insurance: What You Need

You must buy private health insurance to get the Spain National (Type D) Non-Lucrative Visa. The rules are:
– The insurance must cover emergencies and hospital stays,
– The minimum coverage is €30,000 per person,
– It must be valid in all of the Schengen countries (not just Spain 🇪🇸),
– The policy should have no co-payments (meaning you should not need to pay a portion of the costs).

You should buy insurance from a company that is licensed and accepted in Spain 🇪🇸. Always keep a copy of the full policy to show the consulate and make sure it matches the requirements.

Required Documentation Checklist

Before you apply, gather the following documents. It is vital to have both the originals and photocopies. Anything not in Spanish should be translated by a sworn translator, and foreign documents must have an apostille or be legalized, depending on the country.

• Completed national visa application form (official form)
• Valid passport (original and a copy)
• Two recent passport-sized color photographs
• Proof you live in the area served by the Spanish consulate where you are applying (like a utility bill)
• Lease agreement or proof of owning a home in Spain 🇪🇸 (to show where you will live)
• Private health insurance certificate and full policy
• Criminal record certificate from all countries where you have lived for the last five years
• Medical certificate from a doctor saying you do not have diseases dangerous to public health
• Bank statements and papers proving your income or savings (see above)
• If you are retired, also include proof of pension or annuity, and tax statements if you have them
• If you are of working age, a letter (or an official affidavit) promising you will not take a job in Spain

For family joining you, add:
– Birth and marriage certificates (translated and apostilled/legalized)
– Proof of financial dependence if bringing adult children or parents

Having every document ready and correctly translated saves time and helps prevent delays.

Application Fees

The amount you pay depends on your nationality. Below are common fee examples at consulates (amounts may change):

• United States 🇺🇸 citizens: Around €123–140
• Australia 🇦🇺 citizens: Around €299
• Canada 🇨🇦 citizens: Around €761
• UK 🇬🇧 citizens: Around €653

Note: Check the consulate’s website for the exact amount before your appointment. You may also need to pay extra for translation, courier, and optional notification services. Most payments are made by money order addressed to the consulate. Keep all receipts.

Validity and Renewal of the Visa

• First Approval: The visa allows you to stay in Spain 🇪🇸 for one year.
• Renewals: Can be renewed every two years, as long as you still meet the requirements about income and insurance. After living in Spain 🇪🇸 for five years with the visa, you could apply for “long-term residency”. This gives you more rights and makes living in Spain 🇪🇸 simpler.

Important: After arriving in Spain 🇪🇸 on this visa, you must get your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE card) within the first month. This is done at a local police station or immigration office. The TIE is your official ID in Spain 🇪🇸 and lets you stay legally.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

To make things simple, here is the process broken into clear steps:

1. Confirm You Meet the Rules

Double-check the eligibility criteria for the Spain National (Type D) Non-Lucrative Visa. Make sure you can prove your money, have insurance, and all other needs are met.

2. Set Your Consulate Appointment

Book an appointment at the Spanish consulate or embassy that deals with visas for your area. Do this early, because appointment slots can fill up weeks ahead.

3. Prepare Your Application

Collect all the documents on the checklist. Get everything:
– Translated into Spanish (if required);
– Apostilled or legalized (if required);
– Copies made.

This includes documents for any family members you want to bring.

4. In-Person Visit to the Consulate

Go to your appointment on time with all forms, documents, and payment. You will:
– Submit your application and supporting documents,
– Have your fingerprints and photo taken,
– Attend an interview if the consulate asks for one.

5. Wait for Processing

Processing can take from two weeks to three months, but it is usually around one month. During this time, the consulate may ask for more papers or another interview. Watch your emails or check the consulate’s tracking system if possible.

6. Visa Collection

If your visa is approved, you need to return to the consulate to collect it. They will attach a visa sticker to your passport. The visa usually lets you enter Spain 🇪🇸 within a 90-day period.

7. Travel and Register in Spain

Travel to Spain 🇪🇸 during your visa’s entry window. Within your first month in Spain 🇪🇸, register where you live at the town hall (ayuntamiento) and then apply for your TIE card at the police or immigration office.

Note: Missing the deadline for your TIE card application can cause legal problems and put your right to stay at risk.

Application Process Checklist

Below is a quick list to review before your appointment:
– [ ] All documents listed above are in hand
– [ ] Documents are translated and apostilled/legalized
– [ ] Appointment confirmed at the correct consulate
– [ ] Payment made and receipt saved
– [ ] Spanish private health insurance secured

Average Processing Times

Most visa applications take between two weeks to one month. However, office workload or missing documents can stretch this up to three months. Do not book flights or make final plans until your visa has been approved. Applying from within Spain 🇪🇸 is not allowed—you must apply from your home country or place of legal residence.

Tips and Things to Avoid

• Start early: Collecting documents and booking the appointment can take several weeks.
• Double-check requirements: Consulates may have small differences in how they want things done.
• Do not enter Spain 🇪🇸 on a tourist visa and try to switch: Your application will be refused.
• Keep backup copies: Scan all your documents as backup in case originals are lost.
• Stay updated: Rules and amounts may change. Always check the latest requirements directly at the official Spanish Consulate website.

What to Expect After Approval

Once in Spain 🇪🇸 with your visa and TIE card, you can:
– Live freely in Spain 🇪🇸 and enjoy its lifestyle.
– Travel throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days out of every 180.
– Renew your visa every two years, as long as you still meet all requirements.

You still cannot work or apply for work within Spain 🇪🇸, but you can receive income from other countries or investments. After five years, you may qualify for more stable or permanent residence, allowing you to stay even longer.

Summary Table: Spain National (Type D) Non-Lucrative Visa

Further Help and Resources

Questions or problems? Each consulate will have staff to answer your calls or emails. Review their website for the latest checklists and instructions, as rules and required documents may change. Other helpful sites, such as VisaVerge.com, publish clear guides and updates to help you keep up to date.

For full government requirements, visit the official Spanish Consulate visa page, where you can get up-to-date forms and advice.

Final Thoughts

The Spain National (Type D) Non-Lucrative Visa is an attractive way for people without EU, EEA, or Swiss citizenship to enjoy life in Spain 🇪🇸 without work obligations. Careful planning, meeting eligibility criteria, and preparing the right mix of financial documents and private health insurance make the process smoother. Always follow the official rules, keep your papers in order, and seek help if you have any uncertainty. This approach gives you the best chance to begin (and continue) your Spanish adventure with confidence.

Learn Today

Non-Lucrative Visa → A visa for residents without the right to work or run a business in the host country.
Apostille → A form of authentication required for documents used abroad, making them legally recognized in Spain.
TIE Card → Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero; the official foreign resident ID card in Spain, mandatory after arrival.
Dependent → A person, usually a family member, financially supported by the main visa applicant.
Schengen Area → A group of European countries with open borders, allowing free movement for holders of certain visas.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Spain National (Type D) Non-Lucrative Visa allows non-EU citizens to live in Spain without working. Applicants must prove sufficient funds, purchase private health insurance, and provide clean police and medical certificates. This visa is ideal for retirees and remote earners seeking long-term Spanish residence with no local employment.
— By VisaVerge.com

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