Eligibility quiz
Do you plan to live in Spain without working and apply from outside Spain?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Spain
You can live in Spain for more than 90 days and less than five years; the initial permission normally lasts one year.
Renewals normally last two years, and your residence card proves your permission to live in Spain.
Study in Spain
You can study in Spain as a resident.
Some courses, such as certain long programs, may require separate permission.
Travel and return
You can travel within Spain and leave and return while your permission and visa or residence card are valid, following border rules.
You can also make short visits to other Schengen countries under their travel rules.
Vote in local elections
You can vote in local elections if your country of citizenship has a voting agreement with Spain and you meet the election rules.
Use social services
Residents can use social services under the general rules.
This permission does not automatically give you payments, a pension, housing or other assistance.
How to apply
From outside SpainFrom outside Spain
Find your consulate
Find the Spanish consulate that serves the place where you live. If you are applying for your child, use the consulate serving your child’s place of residence.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Spanish consulate serving your city accepts residencia no lucrativa applications?”
Download the visa form
Download the national visa application form from your consulate’s visa page.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Spain residencia no lucrativa national visa form at the Spanish consulate serving your city?”
Download the residence form
Download form EX-01, the application for temporary non-working residence.
Download the residence formFill in the forms
Each applicant must complete and sign the applicable forms. For a child, a parent, guardian or authorised representative signs the visa form.
Get help with formsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Spain residencia no lucrativa visa and EX-01 forms?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book an appointment if your consulate or its designated provider requires one. Follow the consulate’s instructions for booking.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Spain residencia no lucrativa appointment at the Spanish consulate serving your city?”
Prepare the fee form
Complete and sign form 790, code 052, for the initial non-working residence fee. Pay the residence fee when you submit your application or within the stated ten-working-day period, using the available payment service.
Find the fee formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I find and pay form 790 code 052 for Spain residencia no lucrativa?”
Hand in your application
Bring your signed forms, documents, originals and copies to the consulate or its designated provider, and pay the visa fee as the consulate instructs. Apply in person; a legal representative applies for a child, while an adult representative is allowed only exceptionally with the consulate’s acceptance.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Spain residencia no lucrativa application at the Spanish consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Keep your filing receipt and tracking code so you can follow your application. Send any extra information or documents the consulate asks for, and attend an interview if requested.
Track your applicationCollect your visa
If your application is approved, collect your visa within the period given by the consulate. For a child, follow the consulate’s instructions for collection by their representative.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect a Spain residencia no lucrativa visa from the Spanish consulate serving your city?”
Travel to Spain
Enter Spain while your visa is valid. The visa lets you live in Spain without working.
Find entry instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Spain with a residencia no lucrativa visa?”
Once in SpainOnce in Spain
Find your police station
Find the police station designated for residence cards in the province where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I apply for a Spain residencia no lucrativa residence card near your city?”
Download the card form
Get form EX-17 for your foreigner’s identity card, also called the TIE.
Find the card formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download form EX-17 for a Spain residencia no lucrativa residence card?”
Fill in the card form
Complete form EX-17 for your card. If you are applying for your child, complete the form for your child.
Get form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in form EX-17 for a Spain residencia no lucrativa residence card?”
Book your card appointment
Book a fingerprint appointment for your residence card at the designated police station. Request the card within one month of entering Spain, as instructed by the authorities.
Book your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a fingerprint appointment for a Spain residencia no lucrativa residence card?”
Pay the card fee
Pay the residence card fee using the instructions for your police appointment and keep the payment proof.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the residence card fee for Spain residencia no lucrativa?”
Attend your card appointment
Go in person to the police station with your passport, visa, form EX-17, photographs, fee proof and the required supporting documents. If you are applying for your child, follow the police station’s instructions for your child’s appointment.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to a Spain residencia no lucrativa residence card fingerprint appointment?”
Collect your residence card
Collect your card when the police tell you it is ready; it shows your permission to live in Spain without working. If you applied for your child, follow the police station’s instructions for collecting your child’s card.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Spain residencia no lucrativa residence card?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates *
Get the birth certificates needed to show how you or your spouse or partner are related to the family member applying with you. Ask the office that holds the records for copies; if a family member was adopted, include the adoption decision.
* Only if a child or parent is applying with you.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationMarriage certificates *
Get your marriage certificate from the office that holds the record. Include any divorce or name change records needed to explain a change in your family records.
* Only if your spouse is applying with you or you need to show a family relationship through your spouse.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationPartnership records *
Provide records showing your partnership. Get a copy from the office that holds the record, where applicable.
* Only if your partner is applying with you or you need to show a family relationship through your partner.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Renewal and updates
Apply to renew in the two months before expiry or the three months after it.
Applying within that window extends your permission until a decision, but applying after expiry can lead to a penalty.
You must also report changes in your nationality, marital status or address to the authorities.
Residence and support
To renew your permission, live in Spain for more than 183 days in the calendar year and keep sufficient funds and health insurance.
You must also meet the criminal record rules and make sure dependent children attend school when required.
Restrictions on work
You cannot work without permission, whether for an employer or for yourself.
This includes remote work from Spain for paid activity; you need different permission to work.
Residence can be lost
Your permission can end or be withdrawn if it expires without renewal, renewal is refused, or you no longer meet its conditions.
Fraud, false information, unauthorized work, significant absence and other legal grounds can also lead to its loss.
Serious or very serious violations can bring a penalty and, in cases set by law, removal from Spain.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Move to Spain - Just Law Solicitors
English Facebook group for people living in Spain interested in Spanish visas
Request to joinExpats & Foreigners in Spain
Facebook group for people living in Spain interested in Spanish visas (English & Spanish)
Join on FacebookGOSPAIN - Moving to & Living in Spain | Visas, Residency & Expat Life
English Facebook group for people living in Spain interested in Spanish visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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