Income requirement
You must show funds or regular income of at least 400% of the IPREM for the main applicant and 100% of the IPREM for each family member. With the IPREM at €600 a month (€7,200 a year) in 2026, that is roughly:
| Household | Per year |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | €28,800 |
| Applicant plus one dependant | €36,000 |
| Applicant plus two dependants | €43,200 |
Consulates differ on whether they accept savings, pensions or investment income, and some ask for more than the minimum. Check the page of the consulate that covers your area.
Other requirements
- Private health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain, with full cover and no co-payments.
- Criminal record certificate (apostilled and translated).
- Medical certificate saying you have no disease that could pose a serious public health risk.
- Passport, application form (national visa form), photos, fee.
Timeline
You apply at the Spanish consulate where you legally live. Decisions usually take one to three months. The visa is valid for one year; you collect your TIE card in Spain within a month of arrival. The first renewal gives two years, then another two, after which you can apply for long-term residence.
Living on the NLV
- You must spend most of the year in Spain (renewals check that you have not been away for more than six months in a year).
- You become a Spanish tax resident after 183 days, taxed on your worldwide income. Get tax advice before you move.
- Work, including working remotely for a foreign employer, is not permitted. If you plan to keep working, look at the digital nomad visa.
Official sources: Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visas)
