Non-working residence permit in Spain (no lucrativa): step-by-step route card

No lucrativa route card: 10 steps

1. Check that no lucrativa suits you

   The permit is granted to people who live in Spain without any work or professional activity. The real source of the funds is assessed: relabelling a salary as passive income won’t help.

   • I don’t plan to work in Spain, including remotely
   • The money comes from savings, assets or a pension
   • I’m ready to live in Spain for more than 183 days in a calendar year

   Where: Real Decreto 1155/2024, Articles 61 and 64, on the BOE websiteTiming: before you start gathering documentsCost: free

   When you need help: if part of your income is linked to your own work or business, it is hard to assess without a lawyer.

2. Work out your funds against IPREM

   The law requires 400% of IPREM a month for the applicant and 100% for each family member, multiplied by the number of months of the permit. The first permit is valid for a year.

   • For yourself: €2,400 a month, €28,800 for the first year
   • For each family member: €600 a month, €7,200 a year
   • I checked IPREM on the filing date: it is taken as of the application

   Where: Article 62 of the Reglamento, SEPE pageTiming: calculated as of the filing dateCost: free

   When you need help: if your money only just covers the amount or part of it is held in assets that can’t be sold quickly.

3. Prepare proof of funds

   Any admissible proof will do. The requirements are stricter for foreign accounts.

   • For each foreign account: bank name and address, account details, opening date
   • Balances on 31 December of last year and the average balance for the year
   • For shares in a company: a certificate and a statement that you don’t work there

   Where: bank, notary or registry in the issuing countryTiming: order them to fit your consulate appointment dateCost: bank certificates and translations extra

   When you need help: if you have accounts in several countries or the money arrived recently. Article: financial means for no lucrativa.

4. Take out health insurance

   Insurance is a separate requirement: money in your account doesn’t replace it. The insurer must be authorised to operate in Spain.

   • I found the policy criteria on my consulate’s page
   • The policy is valid for the whole period of the permit
   • I checked co-payments and waiting periods before buying

   Where: consulate, your insurerTiming: before applyingCost: the insurer’s rates

   When you need help: if the consulate rejected your policy. We don’t sell insurance or recommend companies; what to check: health insurance for a residence permit.

5. Gather certificates, the medical certificate and translations

   You need criminal record certificates from the countries where you have lived in the last five years. Public documents need an apostille, and the translation is done by a sworn translator.

   • Passport valid for at least a year when you apply for the visa
   • Criminal record certificates for five years, apostilled and translated
   • Medical certificate under the International Health Regulations 2005
   • Proof of relationship for family members

   Where: country that issued the documents, sworn translatorTiming: the consulate sets how recent the certificates must beCost: apostilles and translations extra

   When you need help: if you have lived in several countries or your certificate shows an entry. Article: criminal record certificate for a residence permit.

6. Pay the fees and book a consulate appointment

   The permit fee is paid with modelo 790; the consular visa fee follows the consulate’s rates. You need an appointment to attend in person.

   • I found form 790 code 052 for my procedure and checked the amount on the form
   • I asked the consulate how to pay the consular fee
   • I booked an appointment at the consulate for my district myself, without intermediaries

   Where: sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es, Spanish consulateTiming: the fee is paid within 10 working days of applyingCost: €10.94 initial under Order PJC/617/2025, consular fee at the consulate’s rate

   When you need help: if you’re unsure about the fee code or the consulate requires a different procedure. Article: Spanish consulates: where to apply.

7. Apply for the visa; it includes the permit application

   The visa application is filed at the consulate for your place of residence. Together with it you file the application for the no lucrativa permit.

   • I brought the documents on the consulate’s list, originals and copies
   • I kept the filing receipt and a copy of the whole set
   • My family applies at the same time, or I know the procedure for applying later

   Where: Spanish consulate for your place of residenceTiming: before travelling to Spain, on the consulate’s scheduleCost: see step 6

   When you need help: if your consulate has its own practice on the document list. Step by step: applying through the consulate.

8. Wait for the decision and collect the visa

   The consulate sends the file to the oficina de extranjería. It decides within a month, and silence means refusal.

   • I know how to check the progress of my case at the consulate
   • If documents are requested, I reply in one package
   • If the decision is positive, I collect the visa within a month and check the details

   Where: consulate, oficina de extranjeríaTiming: decision within 1 month, visa up to 1 month after thatCost: free

   When you need help: any refusal; the appeal deadline runs from the date of notification. Article: no lucrativa refusal.

9. Enter Spain, get your TIE and settle in

   Within a month of arrival you apply in person for the TIE card. Fingerprint appointments are booked through cita previa.

   • I booked a cita previa and had my fingerprints taken
   • I paid for the TIE with form 790 code 012
   • I registered on the padrón: it’s free and proves my address

   Where: Oficina de Extranjería or a comisaría in Barcelona, AjuntamentTiming: one month from entryCost: TIE €16.08 for first issue

   When you need help: if your TIE deadline has nearly run out. Article: TIE and huellas.

10. Keep to the rules and apply for renewal

    Renewal is filed two months before expiry; the decision deadline is three months, and silence means approval. The renewed permit is valid for two years.

    • I lived in Spain for more than 183 days in the calendar year
    • Insurance and funds for the new period are confirmed
    • School-age children attend school and the school certificate is ready

    Where: Oficina de Extranjería, sedeTiming: 2 months before expiry; late filing is possible up to 3 months after, but with a risk of a fineCost: €16.40 under Order PJC/617/2025, TIE on renewal €19.30

    When you need help: long absences, insufficient funds, wanting to switch to another route. Article: no lucrativa renewal.