Spain Non-Lucrative Visa 2026: the checklist my clients from the US and UK actually used
I'm Angélica, a Sanitas exclusive agent living in Spain. Many of my clients from the US and the UK moved here on a non-lucrative visa, and they shared with me the checklists they used. I put them together and checked every point against the official information published by the Spanish consulates, so you don't have to start from zero.
Important: I'm not an immigration lawyer. This guide doesn't replace professional advice — if your case is complex, talk to an immigration lawyer. What I do handle is the part every application needs: health insurance that meets the consulate's requirements.
What is the non-lucrative visa?
A residence visa for people who want to live in Spain without working, supported by their own savings or passive income (pensions, investments, rentals). It is not a work permit and does not allow remote work for foreign employers or clients.
Requirements and documents
Spain has several consulates in the US and each one has its own list. This is the common core my clients used; always download your consulate's official checklist before you apply.
| Document | What it needs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| One per applicant, signed. | — | |
| Recent, colour, passport size, white background. | — | |
| At least 1 year of validity, 2 blank pages, issued less than 10 years ago. | Original + copy. | |
| State ID or driver's license. | — | |
| Green card or valid long-term visa. | ⚠️ With a tourist visa (B1/B2) you can't apply from the US. | |
| Signed, with your address in Spain. | — | |
| For the initial residence permit (around $13 in 2026), plus the visa fee (around $140 for US citizens in 2026). | Fees change and aren't refunded. | |
| See section below. | — | |
| If you were employed, a letter from your employer confirming your employment ends; if you're self-employed, a notarized affidavit stating you won't work in Spain. | Many clients also add a personal letter explaining their background, their address in Spain, why they're moving and for how long. | |
| See section below. | — | |
| Issued less than 6 months before applying, with the federal apostille from the US Department of State in Washington D.C. Translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. You also need criminal records from any other country you lived in during the last 5 years. | ⚠️ A state apostille is not valid. | |
| Issued less than 90 days before applying, signed and stamped by your doctor, stating you have no disease with serious public health implications under the 2005 International Health Regulations. | Tip: use the consulate's official bilingual model so you don't need a translation. | |
| Each one presents documents 1–10, plus birth or marriage certificates issued in the last 6 months, apostilled and translated into Spanish. | — |
Financial means: how much you need
The rule is 400% of IPREM for the main applicant and 100% for each family member, for the first year. With the IPREM at €600 a month (unchanged in 2026):
| Who | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | €2,400 | €28,800 |
| Each family member | €600 | €7,200 |
| Couple | €3,000 | €36,000 |
Consulates in the US and UK may show this in dollars or pounds; the figure changes with the exchange rate. Aim above the minimum.
How to prove it
Original, stamped bank documents showing the bank's full name and address, the account details, the balance as of 31 December of the previous year and that year's average balance. US consulates also usually ask for recent statements and your last tax return. Pensions, annuities or investment income also count.
Health insurance for the Spain non-lucrative visa: what qualifies
The consulate asks for:
| Requirement | Travel or US/UK insurance | Sanitas Residents Visado |
|---|---|---|
| Insurer authorised in Spain | ||
| Same coverage as Spain's public health system | ||
| No copayments | — | |
| No waiting periods | — | |
| No coverage limits | — | |
| Valid for the full year, for every applicant | — |
Sanitas Residents Visado — the premium product built for residence visas. If you're not coming to study (or you're coming to study and you're 36 or older), this is the Sanitas product for your visa:
- Complete medical care with no copayments and no waiting periods.
- Repatriation included.
- Annual payment, which is what the consulate expects.
- Children can be included in the same family policy.
- From the second year, as a client, you can switch to monthly or six-monthly payments.
- You can contract it up to 6 months before you arrive, and up to age 75 — with no maximum age to keep renewing it.
- Optional pharmacy reimbursement add-on, because the policy doesn't cover pharmacy medicines.
- Your certificate in under 24 hours once the policy is issued.
What I always tell my clients:
- Sort the insurance first, not last. There's a health questionnaire, and if you have a pre-existing condition, Sanitas assesses it — that can take a few days.
- Policies always start on the 1st of the month. We'll choose the date together.
- Look for the best cover, not the cheapest. A policy with exclusions or limits can get your visa refused.
And you won't be dealing with a call centre: you'll have me, in English or Spanish, before you move and once you're here.
Get your Residents Visado quote →
Coming to study? Read the student visa guide (in Spanish) →
Once you're in Spain
Save my contact (WhatsApp +34 742 060 375) for anything about your insurance, doctors or an emergency.
Apply for your TIE (foreigner identity card) within 1 month of arrival, with an appointment at the foreigners' office or police station where you live.
For immigration questions (renewals, family, changing status), talk to an immigration lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work remotely on a non-lucrative visa?
No. It doesn't allow any work, including remote work for foreign companies.
How much money do I need for the Spain non-lucrative visa in 2026?
400% of IPREM: €28,800 a year for the main applicant, plus €7,200 per family member.
Is US or UK health insurance valid?
No. You need an insurer authorised in Spain, with no copayments, waiting periods or limits.
Does the FBI check need an apostille?
Yes, the federal apostille from the US Department of State. A state apostille isn't valid.
What police certificate do I need from the UK?
An ACRO certificate, less than 6 months old, apostilled and translated into Spanish.
How long does the consulate take?
Up to 3 months in the US and up to 2 months in the UK, from the day after you apply.
How fast can I get the Sanitas certificate?
In under 24 hours once the policy is issued.
What health insurance do I need for the Spain non-lucrative visa?
A private policy from an insurer authorised in Spain, valid for a full year, with no copayments, no waiting periods and no coverage limits, for every applicant. Sanitas Residents Visado was designed for this.
Can I get health insurance for my Spain visa with a pre-existing condition?
Often yes. Sanitas assesses it through a health questionnaire and a short call. That's why I recommend sorting your insurance first: the assessment can take a few days.
Do I need to pay the health insurance annually for the visa?
Yes, for the first year the consulate expects the full year paid. From the second year you can switch to monthly or six-monthly payments.
While you're getting your paperwork ready, request your quote. Look for the best health insurance for your new life in Spain, not the cheapest.
Request your quote
Legal note
This guide is for information only. It's based on the checklists my clients shared with me and what I see every day with them, refined with the official information published by the Spanish consulates as of October 2026. It is not legal or immigration advice. Requirements, fees and procedures change: always check your consulate's official website before applying.
Official sources
- Spanish Consulate in Los Angeles — Non-lucrative residence visa
- Spanish Consulate in London — Non-lucrative residence visa
- Royal Decree 1155/2024, Immigration Regulation
- Registry of insurers authorised in Spain (DGSFP)