Retirement Visa in Spain
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What is the Spanish Retirement Visa?
There are different visa options to choose to retire in Spain, wether it is the Digital Nomad Visa or the Golden Visa, however, the most popular one is the Non Lucrative Visa. The Non Lucrative Residence visa allows non-EU citizens to reside in Spain if they can support their lifestyle without working. This is called having sufficient economic means.
It allows the main applicant’s spouse and their dependent children to join them. The main ask is that the family has enough wealth to support their lifestyle. Also, the holder can travel in the EU’s Schengen area visa-free. So you can enjoy tourism throughout most of Europe.
It is issued for a year and is renewable for a two-year period. The permit holder only has the right to move to Spain and does not have the right to work in Spain. It is strictly a Spanish residency visa.
After five years of living in Spain, the holder can get a permanent residency. This can set them on the path to Spanish citizenship.
Unlike other visa applications in Spain, there’s no need to make an investment in the country.
The Non Lucrative Visa is not a work permit. However, it can become a Spanish work permit if the visa holder starts their business or a company hires them. This is one way to get a Spanish passport and our immigration attorneys can help.
Family members can join the application too, so it’s the perfect visa if you are from a country that it’s not in the European Union, looking to move to Spain without having to work and with your family.
Requirements for the Spanish Retirement Visa
The RetirementVisa for Spain is the perfect Visa for expacts that want to live in Spain without having to work. However, there’s a few requirements that you must meet in order to get this visa. The requirements are:
- You need to be a non-EU citizen without any EU family member and not to be regularly in Spain. This means that you need to be a citizen from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia or any other country that it’s not in the European Union.
- Applicants must be able to support themselves and their family. This means earning at least 2,400€ ($2,588) /month (28,800€ ($31,050) per main applicant, and 600€ ($647) /month per accompanying member. Also, they will need private health coverage. This cannot be a salary as it could be misunderstood that you need to work during your stay in Spain. Typically, the applicant must show bank statements to prove this.
- You need to have private health insurance with full coverage. Only Spanish and EU citizens can use public healthcare in Spain. Some places, like Madrid, restrict access to their healthcare system for the first year of residency.
- You need to show other paperwork like a clean police record and a medical certificate. You could also need paperwork from the civil registry of your home country if you move with your spouse.
Some documentation may need to be translated into Spanish by a certified translator, such as bank statements or marriage certificates.
This Spanish residency visa doesn’t require the applicant or visa holder to have Spanish parents. Also, they don’t need to be born in Spain.
You won’t be able to work, but you will be able to earn passive income from investing or real estate. However, like a student visa, the non lucrative visa allows you for studying and attending classes.
It is important to know that once you get the Visa, you will need to be in Spain at least 6 out of 12 months every year you have the Visa.
Steps to Get the Retirement Visa
1. Collect the documents
Once you have the paperwork, the application is answered within 20 days. Law firms like Lexidy can help you with all the documents needed.
2. Apply at the Spanish Embassy or Consulate
The applicant must appear in person at their Spanish Consular Authority in their home country or where they legally reside. If there is no response to the visa application, then it has in effect been rejected.
The application must be made in person at the Spanish Consulate or Embassy in your country of origin or residence. It cannot be applied from Spain. After filing with the Spanish consulate, it usually takes up to 90 days to get an answer.
3. Move to Spain
Once the application has been approved, you will be granted a visa that will allow you to travel to Spain. The visa is granted for one year and can be renewed for two-year periods.
4. Apply for a Foreigner’s ID Card
After entering Spain, they must register at the local Spanish Town Hall. Here they can apply for the Foreign ID Card or residence card, known as a TIE. The applicant has 90 days to apply for the TIE. After 10 years in Spain, the holder can apply for Spanish citizenship.
Some clients struggle with the language, so Lexidy’s immigration attorneys can accompany the applicant to the appointment.
What is Proof of Sufficient Income?
The Spanish government asks applicants to supply evidence that they can support their lifestyle. Most Consulates ask for a bank certificate. It must show the account bank and must have a date close to when the application was filed.
The applicant will need:
- Six months of bank statements.
- The funds must be held by the name of the main visa applicant.
The funds don’t need to be in a local bank. However, every person in Spain needs a local bank account when moving to the country.
What Documents do I need?
Most non lucrative visa applicants require the following documentation to obtain residence in Spain:
- Private healthcare insurance from a Spanish provider
- National Visa Form
- Bank certificate showing proof of sufficient income
- A Passport
- A Criminal Record Background check that is legalized
- A medical certificate
- Proof of accommodation for the first three months
- Feees ($140 for the visa, $12 for the residence permit)
The process is much easier and faster with an immigration lawyer. We can help you gatter all the documentation needed and help you in every step of the process. Contact us now to get a free consultation of your case!
The Process of Renewing a Retirement Visa
To renew your permit, you just need to show that:
- You have private healthcare insurance
- Sufficient financial means to support yourself
- You were in Spain for at least 180 days during the year when the permit was issued.
The permit is issued for one year and then renewed for two years. After 10 consecutive years in Spain, the visa holder can apply for Spanish citizenship.
The renewal can be submitted online. Our legal team can also help you with the process of Renewing a Non Lucrative Visa.
In conclusion, the Retirement Visa in Spain is the perfect Visa for those looking to relocate to Spain, either alone or with family, without having to work in the country.
If you’re ready to start your journey in Spain or have any questions about the Retirement Visa in Spain, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team of lawyers is ready to assist you and provide the legal support you need to succeed.
How can a lawyer help me with the Spain Retirement Visa?
A lawyer can help you by providing legal advice and guidance throughout the application process. Some ways a lawyer can assist you include:
Ensuring eligibility: A lawyer can review your personal circumstances to ensure you meet the financial and other requirements for the visa, such as not working in Spain while on the visa.
Document preparation: They can guide you through the necessary paperwork, such as proof of sufficient financial means, health insurance, and other documents that must be submitted to the Spanish consulate or immigration office.
Application submission: A lawyer can help you avoid mistakes in the application process by ensuring that everything is filled out correctly and submitted to the right authorities.
Appealing rejections: If your application is rejected, a lawyer can help you appeal the decision and navigate the legal system to potentially reverse the outcome.
Ongoing legal support: They can provide advice on maintaining your visa status, including how to renew it or transition to another visa type if needed.
If you’d like, we can discuss your specific situation in more detail to help you through this process.
Our team of experienced lawyers is ready to assist you and guide you through the entire application process. Let us help you make your dream of retiring in Spain a reality.
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Non-Lucrative (Retirement) Visa with Max and Piotr
“Getting a Retirement Visa in Spain can be complicated, but Max will help you understand the process.
- What is the Retirement Visa (Non Lucrative Visa)
- Who is the perfect candidate for the Visa?
- What are the requirements?
- Can family members join main applicant?
- Where can I apply from?
Quality Life for You and Your Family
Why Spain?
Obtaining a retirement visa in Spain offers numerous advantages. Firstly, it opens an opportunity to live in one of Europe’s most captivating countries, with its vibrant cities, stunning coastline, and rich cultural heritage. Secondly, the visa enables access to Spain’s thriving digital and tech ecosystem, fostering networking opportunities and professional growth. Lastly, you will immerse in the warmth of Spanish hospitality, savor its delectable cuisine, and explore its diverse regions while maintaining a flexible work-life balance.
Cultural immersion
Experience the rich Spanish culture.
Location
Explore Europe without visa restrictions.
Stable economy
Spain has a stable and growing economy
Delicious cuisine
Taste world-renowned Spanish food and wine.
Affordable living
Cost of living is lower compared to other European countries.
Healthcare access
Access to high-quality healthcare facilities and services.
Skilled workforce
Spain has a highly skilled and multilingual workforce.
Travel Opportunities
Explore diverse regions within Spain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a retirement visa?
The whole process takes three to four months. Though this can be longer for some embassies.
How soon can I apply?
You must apply within three months of your planned travel. You cannot apply earlier.
Can I work remotely for a foreign company in Spain under this permit?
Some consulates and embassies reject the application if you work remotely. If you are planning to work remotely in Spain, you will need the new Digital Nomad Visa for Spain.
What happens if my visa application was denied?
You can reapply after fixing the errors. You can also appeal the decision with the Spanish courts but this process can take several years.
Is it possible to apply for a joint retirement visa together with a partner?
Your family can apply with you. You need to show that they can financially support themselves. You will need to provide extra documentation such as marriage or birth certificates.
Unmarried partners who can prove a long-term relationship can also apply as dependants.
My retirement visa application was denied, why?
The most common reason is for not showing sufficient funds to support themselves. The conditions vary depending on the autonomous community or Consulate.
Our immigration attorneys work with appeals and can position your resubmission for success. Lexidy’s lawyers will even assist with court action to overcome rejections.
We can also prepare you for any visa interviews.
What taxes are due with a non lucrative visa?
This visa is a residence card. The holder is to reside in Spain for at least 183 days a year. However, this also meets the threshold for becoming a Spanish tax resident. So you will pay income tax on your worldwide income.
This includes rental income and profits from investments, which also attract capital gains tax. Our team of tax lawyers can help you understand your tax requirements.
Do I have to live in Spain to get the Visa?
This visa is a residence card. You will need to reside in Spain for at least 183 days a year. The residence permit is initially issued for a period of 1 year and can be renewed for a period of 2 years.
Our Team
For us, Lexidy is a way of life and what excites us the most is to be able to deliver the happiness and satisfaction of a successful immigration process. We want to help you achieve your goals and dreams, whether it’s residence in Spain or simply an investment.
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