Spain Residence Permit - Residencia no lucrativa
Wealthy citizens of "third countries" can easily move to live in Spain, having received a regularly renewable residence permit. This will require confirmation of a sufficient level of income and to have no criminal records. You can enjoy the Spanish sun, warm sea and famous wines all year round, but you won't be able to work in the country for hire. Residence permit for financially independent persons is a suitable immigration option for retirees, mothers with children, retired businessmen, rentiers and freelancers earning income in other countries.
Program's details
- Life in Spain on a temporary basis
- €28,800 minimum income per person
- No investment and home purchase obligations
- Freedom of movement within the Schengen area
- 1-3 months terms of consideration of the documents
- For the whole family spouses and children
- Without the right to work you can get passive income
- Citizenship after 10 years
The official website of the program
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About the Program
Since 2011, foreigners who do not have citizenship of the EU, Eurozone or Switzerland, with the appropriate income, can obtain a residence permit in Spain without the right to work. It is called Residencia no lucrativa in Spanish, and is often referred to as the "white residence". This type of residence permit is regulated by Royal Decree No. 557/2011 of April 20, 2011 (Articles 46-49), which enacts the provision to Law 4/2000 “On the Rights and Freedoms of Foreigners in Spain and Their Social Integration”.
Unlike the "golden visa" for the real estate purchase and other investments, which is often requested for travel throughout Europe, the "white residence" is the choice of those who intend to permanently live in Spain, receiving income from abroad. For this reason, Residencia no lucrativa is often preferred by retirees, retired businessmen or families with children. Moreover, the head of the family can stay to earn money at home, and the mother and children can live in Spain.
The holders of this status are not allowed to work for hire in Spanish companies. You can start your own business in the country, but you cannot hold a paid position even in your own company. Working remotely while receiving a salary in another country is not prohibited. It is also allowed to receive passive income, for example, from the renting out real estate. The residence permit is issued first for 1 year, then it is extended twice for 2 years, after which it can be turned into a permanent residence permit. After 5 years of residence on the basis of permanent residence permit, you qualify to apply for Spanish citizenship.
When considering and renewing the first application, special attention will be paid to the size and origin of income. It is necessary to prove the availability of the required amount for the entire period while the residence permit is valid, while the income must be obtained outside Spain. When renewing, they will additionally look at how many days the applicant has lived in Spain. And if the total amount will be less than 183 days per year, then, most likely, they will refuse.
Residencia no lucrativa is a popular way to move to Spain: at the the end of 2019, there were about 56 thousand holders of this status in the country.
Income Requirements
- Amount of income
- The minimum required income is calculated on the basis of Spanish equivalent amount of the minimum wage - IPREM. In 2022, it is €600 per month. The income for the main applicant must be at least 4 IPREM per month, for each family member you will need to add 1 more IPREM.
Thus, the minimum income for one person, the annual amount will be about € 28,800. It is necessary to confirm the availability of the required amount for the entire period for which the status is requested, that is, for 1 year - for the first time, for 2 years or 5 years - for subsequent renewals.
- Source of income
- All funds should come from outside Spain, be legal and documented.
- This can be income from real estate or business, dividends, interest on deposits, salary received in another country. It is important that the required level of income is not one-time, but is maintained constantly, therefore it will be necessary to show income for six months, or better - for a year. Ideally, funds should be regularly credited to a Spanish bank account.
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Requirements to the Applicants
Together with the main applicant for a residence permit card without the right to work can be issued to:
A spouse
In an officially registered marriage.Children
Up to 18 years old, dependent on parents.Common requirements
- To be a citizen of a "third country".
- To have an official address in Spain - buy or rent a home.
- To have no criminal record.
- Not to violate the Spanish visa regime and not to have a ban on entry to Spain and a number of other countries with which Spain has signed agreements.
- To get medical insurance.
- Not to have dangerous diseases.
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Documents
All foreign language documents should be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
Personal documents
- Application
- Motivation letter on the goals of life in Spain and sources of income
- Original and copy of the international passport
- Original and copy of the internal passport
- 2 photographs 3.5x4.5 cm
- Receipt of stamp duty payment
- Rental or purchase agreement
- Health certificate
- Medical insurance
- Proof of income (bank statements, lease agreements, tax returns, etc.)
- Certificate of no criminal record
When moving with family
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificates
- Documents on the education of children in the previous country of residence and on their placement in school in Spain
Expenses
- State fees
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You should pay fees for filing of an application, for issuing the residence permit, for issuing a plastic card: about €100.
- Legal expenses
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Depending on the package of services and the number of people: €1,000–4,000.
- Other expenses
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Medical insurance: €50-100 per month for 1 person.
The additional expenses for buying real estate will be about 10-15% of the value of the property, for renting - one monthly payment.
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Rights and Obligations
Residencia No Lucrativa recipients are entitled to:
- To live permanently in any region of Spain.
- To travel to Schengen countries without a visa.
- To Receive passive income in Spain, for example, from business activities or rental property.
- To work remotely while earning income in another country.
- To send your child to school or kindergarten.
- To apply for permanent residence after 5 years and for citizenship - after 10 years of permanent residence in the country.
They must:
- Stays in Spain for at least 183 days a year.
- Become tax residents of Spain.
- Make underage children attend school.
- Not work for hire in Spain.
- When extending a residence permit, prove the availability of funds for living.
The procedure for obtaining
