Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) lets Britons citizens live in Spain as long as they can financially support themselves without working there. This visa is ideal for retirees or those with passive income, allowing them to enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle for far longer than the 90-day post-Brexit rule allows.
It’s a change from the Golden Visa, which required buying property with a minimum real estate investment of €500,000 – until it officially ended in 2024. To be eligible, you need sufficient funds, private health insurance and clean criminal records. If you have income from a pension, savings or dividends from investments, this visa gives you the opportunity to live in Spain long term.
You must prove that you have a stable passive income. It requires proof of around €28,800/year for the applicant.
The family-friendly, allowing you to apply together with your spouse and children. But if you’re bringing family, you need an extra €7,200 for each dependent. This translates to €2,400 per month plus €600 per dependent.
Salaries or business incomes are not generally accepted unless they are clearly passive – for example, royalties or profit shares without active involvement.
The initial permit is granted for one year, but it can be renewed and extended as long as you continue to meet the requirements. It’s more than just a short-term stay, it offers a path to residency after five years, and citizenship after 10.
Since June 2025, the NLV has become more flexible. Previously, you had to arrive in Spain within three months of successfully being issued the visa.
Now, it’s classified as a multi-entry visa, so you can arrive within 365 days, and go back and forth between the UK and Spain. This offers more flexibility as you no longer have to rush your move.
While the Golden Visa allowed holders to maintain residency with minimal time spent in Spain, the NLV requires applicants to actually reside in the country for at least 183 days per year.
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