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What Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa Really Costs

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3 weeks ago

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Visa approved — Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa remains one of the most sought-after routes for British expats. Credit : GagoDesign, Shutterstock

If you’ve been dreaming of swapping drizzle for sunshine, the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) might look like your golden ticket.

For thousands of Britons, the dream of swapping grey skies for golden ones is alive and well. But since Brexit, that dream comes with a small mountain of paperwork – and a rather specific bank balance.

The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) has become the go-to route for anyone who wants to live in Spain without working. It’s popular among retirees, semi-retired couples, and those with decent savings or passive income. But one question keeps coming up again and again: how much money do you actually need to prove?

Let’s get into it.

What exactly is the Non-Lucrative Visa?

Think of it as Spain’s way of saying: “You’re welcome to stay, as long as you can support yourself.” The NLV allows non-EU citizens to live in Spain for over 90 days without taking up paid work there.

It’s perfect if you’re retired, living off a pension, or earning from investments or rental income outside Spain. What you can’t do is work for a Spanish company, or earn income locally. Even remote work gets a bit complicated (we’ll come back to that).

The visa lasts for a year, and you can renew it for two years at a time. The renewal process is simpler than the first application, but the financial bar rises—because you have to prove you can afford to live in Spain for two more years in one go.

The magic number: 400% of IPREM

Every January, Spain updates something called the IPREM – a benchmark figure used to calculate benefits, subsidies, and, in our case, visa thresholds.

For 2025, IPREM is €600 a month, or €7,200 a year. To qualify for the NLV, you need to show:

  • €28,800 per year for yourself (that’s 400 per cent of IPREM)
  • €7,200 extra for each dependent – so €36,000 for a couple, €43,200 for a family of three, and so on.

And when it’s time to renew? Double those figures. Yes, really. A single applicant will need to show €57,600 for a two-year renewal.

It’s not cheap – but it’s Spain’s way of making sure you won’t need public support once you arrive.

Savings, income, or both?

This is where things get interesting. The rules say you must have ‘sufficient financial means,’ but they don’t tell you exactly what form that money should take.

Most consulates will accept either:

  • Regular income (such as pensions, annuities, or investments), or
  • Savings (lump sums that clearly cover your living costs).

If you’re applying through the Spanish Consulate in London, expect them to look closely at your documents. They usually ask for bank statements covering the previous year, with clear details of the account, balances, and average holdings.

In the US, some consulates only want the last three months – but London tends to be stricter.

Whatever you use, make sure your money is easy to trace, clearly in your name, and not sitting in an account that requires a 90-day notice to access.

Health insurance or S1: what Britons should know

Healthcare is another key part of the visa, and it’s one where British applicants have an advantage – at least some of them.

If you’re a UK State pensioner, you can use your S1 form (available through the NHS) instead of buying private health insurance. The Spanish Consulate in London explicitly accepts the S1 as valid medical cover for the NLV.

For everyone else, private health insurance is mandatory. It has to be from a Spanish company, offer full coverage (no co-payments or exclusions), and last the full length of your visa.

So, if you’re not yet retired, budget an extra €500–€1,000 a year for a suitable policy.

Where do you apply from the UK?

All UK residents apply through BLS International, which has offices in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Your local office depends on your home address.

Each BLS centre forwards applications to the Spanish Consulate for approval, and the paperwork list is long but manageable. You’ll need:

  • An ACRO police certificate (with translation and apostille)
  • A medical certificate
  • Proof of income or savings
  • Health insurance (or your S1)
  • Completed forms, photos, and fees

Most of it has to be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) and apostilled in the UK.

Appointments can take several weeks to get, and summer is usually the busiest period.

Taxes: the 183-day rule you can’t ignore

Here’s a detail many applicants overlook: if you spend more than 183 days a year in Spain, you automatically become a Spanish tax resident.

That means you’ll need to declare your worldwide income to the Spanish tax authorities, even if it’s all earned abroad.

It doesn’t mean you’ll be double-taxed – the UK and Spain have a treaty to prevent that – but you’ll have to file in Spain and show what you earn elsewhere. It’s worth getting a tax adviser early..

Can you work remotely?

Officially, no. The Non-Lucrative Visa doesn’t allow you to work while living in Spain. But there’s nuance here.

If your clients or employer are outside Spain, and your income is paid into a non-Spanish account, many expats do continue to work remotely – quietly. It’s not technically within the visa’s terms, but as long as no Spanish business is involved, most consulates turn a blind eye.

Still, if remote work is part of your plan, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa might be a safer (and more flexible) choice. It allows remote income legally and often comes with tax perks.

Renewal shock: why the second step costs more

Here’s the part that catches people off guard.

When you apply to renew your NLV, the authorities ask for proof of financial means for the next two years, not just one. So, your bank balance or income has to show you can cover 24 months of living costs—€57,600 if you’re alone, or €72,000 for a couple.

If your finances have dropped since your first approval, or if your statements look inconsistent, renewals can get tricky. Planning ahead and maintaining steady balances is the key.

Golden Visas are gone – so what’s left?

Spain officially scrapped its Golden Visa in April 2025, closing the door on the ‘buy property and get residency’ route.

That makes the Non-Lucrative Visa, along with the new Digital Nomad Visa, the two main options left for Britons. If you don’t plan to work and you’ve got the funds, the NLV remains the simplest and most stable way to settle here.

So… is it worth it?

It depends what you’re after.

If your dream is to wake up to the sound of cicadas instead of car alarms, sip coffee in a plaza, and forget what a grey February looks like, then yes – it’s worth every penny. The process isn’t impossible. It just takes patience, organisation, and honesty about your finances.

Once you’re approved, you’ll have a full year to settle in, join the local ayuntamiento, and start living the life that made you apply in the first place.

The Non-Lucrative Visa won’t suit everyone, but for many Britons, it’s still the surest path to a legal, sun-soaked life in Spain – no spreadsheets, no Zoom meetings, and no commute.

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Swinging Sundays At Kukko Events

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8 hours ago

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November 15, 2025

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Andalusian Swingband trusts the old way of performing jazz. Credit: Kukko

The Andalusian Swing Band (ASB) celebrates its 40th anniversary next year. Over the decades, the orchestra has seen many changes in its lineup, yet its signature style has remained intact – elegant, skillful performances of classic jazz and swing.

Today, the band is made up mainly of top jazz musicians from Málaga. The artistic director and piano virtuoso Diego Suárez leads the ensemble, while guitarist Ricky Vivar brings his distinctive Django Reinhardt–inspired gypsy jazz flavour. Finnish trombonist Heikki Viinamäki is also a regular feature, always ready when ASB takes the stage to enchant its audience.

Joining them on selected dates is Antti Sarpila, Finland’s most internationally acclaimed jazz musician. Having played and studied with some of the world’s greatest jazz wind players, Sarpila brings a powerful, authentic energy to the stage – one that transports the audience straight back to the golden era of Glenn Miller and Count Basie.

ASB & Sarpila will perform at Ravintola Kukko Events on three upcoming Sundays, each night featuring a different theme – from gypsy jazz to big band classics.

The Kukko Events concept is Show & Dinner – enjoy a delicious Sunday meal while soaking in world-class live music.
Doors and kitchen open at 4:30 pm, and showtime is at 6:00 pm. You will find Kukko Events in Los Boliches Fuengirola. (avd. Los Boliches 4)

🎟 Tickets only €10
📧 Reservations: kukko.events@gmail.com

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A Swedish Education In Marbella

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8 hours ago

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November 15, 2025

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Every child is supported to grow with confidence, curiosity and respect. Credit: Svenska Skolan Marbella

Nestled in the leafy La Alzambra / Nueva Andalucía area, just minutes from Puerto Banús, Svenska Skolan Marbella offers families a truly unique blend of Scandinavian values and Mediterranean charm. Since opening its doors in 2003, the school has grown from a small, pioneering project with 15 pupils to a thriving international community of around 200 students today – a testament to its outstanding reputation.

This accredited Swedish school provides education from preschool (ages 3–5) through primary, following the Swedish national curriculum. For older students, the school combines Sofia Distans and Hermods Distansgymnasium programmes with on-site support, ensuring a seamless continuation of academic excellence.

One of only 14 Swedish schools abroad approved by the Swedish National Agency for Education, Svenska Skolan Marbella is also fully authorised by the Junta de Andalucía, ensuring both international standards and local recognition. This dual accreditation gives families peace of mind, whether they plan to stay in Spain long-term or eventually return to Sweden or move elsewhere.

The school embraces a trilingual approach from the earliest years. Swedish remains at the heart of daily life, while English and Spanish are integrated naturally into the curriculum. This multilingual foundation equips students to flourish in a global world.

The campus itself is bright, modern and designed to inspire. Classrooms are spacious and filled with natural light, complemented by gardens, a swimming pool, a football pitch, padel courts and generous play areas surrounded by greenery. It’s a setting that encourages both learning and play, within walking distance of parks and the beach.

Above all, Svenska Skolan Marbella stands out for its warm, community-centred atmosphere. Every child is valued as an individual, supported to grow with confidence, curiosity and respect for others — key pillars of the Swedish educational ethos.

Svenska Skolan Marbella

Discover more at www.svenskaskolanmarbella.com 

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Spain’s Government Prepares For Zelenskyy’s Third Visit

Published

17 hours ago

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November 14, 2025

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His tour may help reinforce shared commitments to defence, reconstruction, and humanitarian assistance. Photo credit: OSCAR GONZALEZ FUENTES/Shutterstock

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, is set to visit Spain next week and meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The Spanish Government confirmed that the visit will include a formal meeting and further institutional engagements. This will be Zelenskyy’s third official visit to Madrid since the start of the war, following a previous trip during which he and Sánchez signed a security and defence agreement.

Agenda for the Visit

Key Meetings and Public Engagements Expected

During his time in Spain, Zelenskyy is scheduled to take part in a session at the Spanish Congress of Deputies. He will be received in the “Salón de Pasos Perdidos” by the Chamber’s leadership.

In addition to parliamentary engagements, several sources confirm that Zelenskyy and Sánchez are expected to jointly visit the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía to view Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica”, a work symbolically linked to the horrors of war and oppression. A press conference is planned following their meeting in the afternoon, giving both leaders an opportunity to publicly comment on bilateral issues.

Political and Symbolic Significance

Reinforcing Ties Amid Ongoing Conflict

Zelenskyy’s return to Madrid underlines the continued strategic and diplomatic importance of Spain in Ukraine’s European partnerships. The visit is being framed not only in practical terms of bilateral cooperation, but also as a strong symbolic gesture of solidarity. His tour may help reinforce shared commitments to defence, reconstruction, and humanitarian assistance, building on the foundation laid during his previous trip. Analysts believe the face-to-face meeting with Sánchez will also serve to strengthen Spain’s role in European efforts to support Ukraine politically and militarily.

Challenges and Security Considerations

Why Date and Timing Are Sensitive

While the Spanish Government acknowledges Zelenskyy’s upcoming visit, official sources have cited security concerns as a reason for not publicly confirming all the details. These precautions reflect the high-risk environment in which international travel by Zelenskyy continues, given the ongoing conflict and Russia’s threat to Ukrainian leadership. The secrecy around some logistics underscores the gravity attached to this mission.

Key Points

Summary of the Visit

  • Zelenskyy will travel to Spain next week for a third official visit.

  • The agenda includes a meeting with Pedro Sánchez, a session in the Spanish Congress, and a symbolic visit to the Reina Sofía Museum to view “Guernica”.

  • Security concerns have limited full disclosure of the schedule, a common practice for high-risk diplomatic missions.

  • The trip underscores the strategic and symbolic importance of Spain’s support for Ukraine, particularly in defence and humanitarian cooperation.

Looking Ahead

What This Visit Could Mean for Bilateral Relations

If all goes as planned, Zelenskyy’s visit may provide new momentum for Ukraine-Spain cooperation, particularly in areas such as reconstruction, European integration, and military support. Given the ongoing war, every public act of solidarity carries both strategic and moral weight. For Ukraine, the trip could reinforce its European alliances and help ensure continued backing from key EU countries. For Spain, hosting Zelenskyy represents an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and to play an active role in shaping the European response to the conflict.

As the visit unfolds, observers will be watching for concrete announcements, on aid packages, defence agreements, or reconstruction plans, that could emerge from this high-level diplomatic engagement.

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