The most popular visa for UK retirees moving to Spain — no work required, full residency rights, and a clear path to permanence
Check My Eligibility View NLV PackagesThe Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) — officially the Visado de Residencia No Lucrativa — is a long-stay residency visa that allows non-EU nationals with sufficient financial means to live in Spain without working. It is by far the most popular route for UK retirees and those living off pensions, savings, rental income, or investments who want to make a permanent home in Spain.
After one year on the initial visa, you apply from within Spain for a residency permit (TIE card) valid for two years, which can be renewed for further two-year periods. After five continuous years of legal residence, you are eligible to apply for long-term permanent residency — and after ten years, you may be eligible for Spanish citizenship.
The NLV does not permit you to work in Spain in any capacity. If you are a remote worker or freelancer, the Spain Digital Nomad Visa is the more appropriate route.
The income threshold is calculated as a multiple of Spain's Public Income Indicator (IPREM). For 2026:
| Applicants | Annual Income Required | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | ~€28,800 | ~€2,400/month |
| Couple | ~€36,000 | ~€3,000/month |
| Family of 3 | ~€43,200 | ~€3,600/month |
| Each additional dependent | +~€7,200 | +~€600/month |
Acceptable income sources include: UK State Pension, private or workplace pensions, rental income from UK property, savings interest, dividends, or any combination of passive income sources. The Spanish consulate will want to see at least three to six months of bank statements demonstrating this income consistently.
See our Spain cost of living guide to understand what this income covers in different regions — the NLV threshold goes much further in Valencia or the Canary Islands than in Barcelona.
Read our full Spain healthcare guide for UK nationals — covering private insurance options, the S1 route for pensioners, and public healthcare access.
We confirm your eligibility, income calculation, and create your personalised document checklist.
Collect originals; Agrin UK arranges certified Spanish translations and FCDO Apostilles.
Agrin UK prepares and reviews your complete application file to ensure every document meets consulate requirements.
Attend an in-person appointment at the Spanish Consulate in London, Edinburgh, or Manchester. We prepare you thoroughly.
Visa stamped into your passport. Enter Spain within 3 months of issue date.
Within 30 days of arrival, apply for your TIE card and complete all post-arrival registrations. Agrin UK supports you throughout.
After the first year, you apply from within Spain to renew your residency permit for two years, then again for a further two years. After five continuous years of legal residence you become eligible for long-term permanent residency, and after ten years you may be eligible for Spanish citizenship.
Our residency renewal service manages every renewal for you — we track your deadlines, prepare your paperwork, and ensure you never risk losing your legal residency status.
Not sure where to settle? Our guide to the best places to live in Spain for UK nationals compares cost, climate and expat community across 7 regions.
| Factor | Non-Lucrative Visa | Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Can you work? | No | Yes (remote) |
| Min. income | ~€28,800/yr passive | ~€34,188/yr earned |
| Income source | Passive (pension, savings) | Active (employment/freelance) |
| Beckham Law eligible? | No | Yes |
| Processing time | 2–3 months | 1–3 months |
| Best for | Retirees, passive investors | Remote workers, freelancers |
Use our DNV vs NLV comparison guide to decide which visa fits your situation — we cover income source, work rights, tax treatment, and the path to permanent residency.
High-net-worth applicants who were considering the investor route should note that the Spain Golden Visa property investment route has been abolished (2025). Alternative investment routes and what they mean for UK nationals are covered in our Golden Visa guide.
Receiving a UK pension? See our UK pension in Spain guide — covering tax treatment, S1 healthcare access, and whether your pension satisfies the NLV income requirement.
Check Your NLV Eligibility
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