Latest news with #NLV
Local Spain
16-07-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
Is the Student Visa still the easiest visa to get for Spain?
There are several ways to get residency in Spain as a non-EU national. One is via the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) if you have a remote job or are self-employed and earn over a certain threshold, while another is the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), where you aren't allowed to work but must prove you have enough in savings and passive income. The third most popular option is the Student Visa, which has often been said to be easiest visa to gain residency in Spain. With the recent changes to the Student Visa which came into force in May 2025, however, is this still the easiest visa to get? Firstly, there is no simple answer to this question. It entirely depends on what type of course you plan on taking. The rules are now very different if you want to take say a language course or if you want to take a higher education course. Previously, you could sign up to a language course and then exchange your visa later on to a different one whilst you were still living here, but now you can only stay a maximum of two years. This could be an excellent option if that's all you want to stay for. As long as you're accepted onto the course and can afford it, getting the visa should be relatively easy for this type of course. Year-long language courses in Spain can range anywhere from €3,000 to €7,000 depending on what it includes and where it's located. This is significantly cheaper than the €2,762 per month needed for the Digital Nomad Visa, as well as a lot less paperwork. It's also a lot less than the €28,800 per year needed for the Non-lucrative visa and less hassle than proving where all your passive income comes from. One point to keep in mind is that at end of your first year, you can only renew your Student Visa for a second year if you pass a language proficiency test first. So, you'll have to make sure you've actually been studying. It's no longer just a way to get residency. This is still a great and easy option if you only want to stay for two years, but if you want to stay longer, then you'll have to sign up to a higher education course. It could mean a significant amount of study time, not to mention quite a bit more in fees. According to Study in Spain, for a Bachelor's Degree at a private university in Spain, you can expect to pay from €2,400 to €30,000. Keep in mind that public universities are generally cheaper but it's likely the course will be taught in Spanish or other local languages such as Catalan in Catalonia. If you go to a public university, Master's courses can start anywhere from €800 for the year, but if you go a private university, it can range from €7,000 upwards. This could work out cheaper than the DNV or the NLV, but it could work out more expensive too, depending on what type of course you do and where you study. Doing a Bachelor's or a Master's is also a big commitment, so you have to be prepared for it, it's not just simply an easy way to get to live in Spain either. For some courses you may also need to prove previous experience or qualifications. This could be tricky depending on what country you're from and if Spain recognises your previous qualifications. Going through the recognition process to get them recognised here can be very difficult and time consuming. If you don't have to prove previous qualifications it will be a lot easier for you. One thing to keep in mind is that if you eventually want to move back to your home country or another country, you'll have to make sure that your qualification from the Spanish university is valid and you can use it elsewhere. If you are applying for the long-term Student Visa for a course that lasts more than six months, you will also need to provide proof of financial resources to support yourself and have private medical insurance. Both of these can again make the Student Visa slightly more complicated. According to Studying in Spain, it can take between 1-3 months to apply for the Student Visa, which is similar to the length of time needed for the DNV or NLV. Another point to be aware of is that you can only apply for a Student Visa outside of Spain. This is similar to the NLV, however for the DNV you can apply for it once you're already in Spain. This makes the DNV slightly easier in that respect. All in all, the Student Visa is still one of the easiest visas to get to live in Spain provided you're accepted onto a course and can pay for it, it's just a lot harder to apply for than it was before.
Local Spain
24-06-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
The updates to Spain's NLV financial requirement documents in 2025
The NLV allows non-EU citizens to be able to live in Spain if they can financially support themselves, but crucially it does not allow you to work in Spain or to work for a company or clients abroad. You must be able to support yourself through passive income such as pensions, rent from abroad, savings and interest from bank accounts etc. It allows you to live in Spain for one year, but you can renew it for two years and a further two years after that, providing you have enough savings. As part of the new Immigration Spain clarified several parts of this visa, including working rules and renewal rules, but it also made clear what financial evidence and bank information you have to show in order to be approved. You need to show you have 400 times the IPREM, which for 2025 is €600. This means proving you have €2,400 per month in passive income or savings of €28,800 per year. In addition to proving you have these sufficient funds, the Official State Bulletin (BOE) now states that you also need to include the follow along with your NLV application. These are: The business name or full name of the bank or credit institution, as well as its address - This is standard procedure so that the government know where your money will be transferred from The complete identification of the accounts - This includes your bank account number, other details of your account whether it's a current or savings account, how many people are holders of the account etc. The date of opening or cancellation or, where applicable, the dates of granting and revocation of the authorisation - The government want to see how long you've had the account for and that it has a history of income, not just that it was simply set up for visa purposes. Obviously it's unlikely you will have cancelled or closed the account if you're still using it to show sufficient funds. The account balances as of December 31st of the year prior to the year in which the application is submitted - As well as just showing how much you have in your account on one specific day, the government want to see how much had in your account at the end of the previous year to show that it hasn't all only just gone in there. The average balance for the last year - Similar to above, the authorities want to make sure that you've made sufficient money over a period of time, not just ahead of your visa application. They need to know that someone hasn't just leant you the money and that it's actually from passive income or active income that you will stop once you reach Spain. Therefore they will need official bank statements from the past 12 months. You will want to make sure you have all this information readily available when it comes to sending in all your supporting documentation, so be organised in advance. Be aware, that often the authorities will ask for a your bank to issue a statement with the amount calculated in Euros, not just the currency that it's currently in. This can be confusing for foreign banks, but they should be able to comply if it's for a specific date. You may also need these documents translated and apostilled. If you have any doubts or questions about the financial requirements or your bank account, it's important to hire an immigration lawyer to help and advise you
Local Spain
18-06-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
What Non-Lucrative Visa holders should know about Spain's annual tax declaration
Taxes For Members If you live in Spain on the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), then it's important to be aware that you'll still be taxed here and you will have to fill out the annual income tax return. The general rule is that anyone who lives in or stays in Spain for more than 183 days a year is considered to be a tax resident and must fill out the annual income tax form known as la declaración de la renta. The rules of the NLV state that you are that you are not allowed to work while in Spain, either for companies here or abroad, but you will still be taxed on your passive income and savings. Even though it has always been the case that you can't work, there has long been confusion about this, with many believing that it only meant you couldn't work for a Spanish company here, but you could still work remotely for clients abroad or online. To clear up any confusion, the Spanish government has actually made it crystal clear in the legal text of its new Immigration Law that you can't work while on the NLV. This means you can't work full stop – not even remotely. If you want to do this, you need to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) instead. In order to be eligible for the NLV though, you have to be receiving a certain amount of passive income or have a certain amount of savings in order to be able to support yourself to live here. This is €2,400 per month or savings of €28,800 for the year. Passive income could be in the form of receiving rental payments for a property you own abroad, pension payments, returns on investments or capital gains from the sale of assets for example. As you are considered to be a Spanish resident while on the NLV, you must still pay tax on your passive income. Spanish law states that you must pay income tax on your worldwide income and capital gains. You must file la declaración de la renta each year between April and July. This year, campaign for filing your taxes for 2024 opened on April 2nd 2025, and will close on June 30th 2025. You can either complete it online yourself via the Agencia Tributaria website provided you have a Digital Certificate or a Cl@ve pin. It's important to keep in mind, however, that the process is quite complicated, even for native Spanish speakers, so if you're not sure what you're doing, it's worth hiring a gestor to help you out and file it for you. If you make a mistake, it could be very costly as it's likely you will be fined for it. A gestor will ask for information and evidence including: Information on dependents - husband/wife/legal partner/children and NIE/Resident cards Interest received from investments or bank account abroad The total amount you received from renting a property abroad and a copy of the rental agreement. Documentation of any property sold in Spain or abroad Pension payments As well as any income / profit you made passively from anything else. You may also be able to offset certain amounts you paid for private health insurance, dental work etc. but this will depend on your individual circumstances, as well as what region of Spain you live in. Ask your gestor what you're able to claim back where you live. You must also inform Tax Agency of any changes to your circumstances such as change of address, a new member of the family born during that year etc. The tax on savings includes interest and dividend income, capital gains made on the sale or transfer of assets, income derived from life assurance contract and pensions annuity income. In 2025 these tax rates are as follows: Up to €6,000 - 19% €6,000 to €50,000 – 21% €50,000 to €200,000 – 23% €200,000 to €300,000 – 27% € 300,000 upwards – 30% Pensions and rent are taxed the same as general income tax: From €20,200 to €35,200, the tax rate is 30% From €35,200 to €60,000, the tax rate is 37% From €60,000 to €300,000, the tax rate is 45% More than €300,000, the tax rate is 47% Be aware that you may also need to declare and pay wealth or solidarity tax on large fortunes during the same time as your income tax return. Each region has slightly different rules on this, so ask a professional in your area. You are required to pay wealth tax if after applying for regional allowances, the net result is positive or if the total gross value of your assets exceeds €2 million. Spanish Wealth tax is a progressive tax, so the more you have, the higher the tax you have to pay. The general rates range between 0.20 and 3.50 percent, depending on how much your assets are worth. The highest rates are payable for those with a taxable base above €10,695 million. Solidarity tax rates and allowances are the same across the country and only applies to those with net wealth above €3 million.
Local Spain
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Local Spain
EXCLUSIVE: Spain clarifies two key rules of the Non-Lucrative Visa
Spain's new Immigration Law, which seeks to make immigration procedures easier for foreigners wanting to live in the country, entered into force on May 20th. As well as addressing the legal uncertainty facing asylum seekers, and reorganising visa categories, it also aimed to improve resolution times and introduce changes to residency rights and procedures. Along with all these changes, the government has set out to clarify several points regarding the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), which had previously been points of confusion or discussion. The NLV is now the main visa option for many non-EU nationals who want to live in Spain together with the Digital Nomad Visa. NLV Residency Requirement for Renewal The new Royal Decree 1155/2024, effective from May 2025, now clearly says you need to have lived more than 183 days in Spain during the previous year to be able to renew your Non-Lucrative Visa. María del Castro, CEO of Spanish law firm CostaLuz Lawyers told The Local Spain that 'before this wasn't stated so clearly - people just assumed you needed to actually live in Spain'. But now Article 64 point f) of the Official State Gazette (BOE) states that you can only renew your NLV if you 'have actually and effectively resided in Spain for more than 183 days during the calendar year', thus establishing a "minimum physical presence" according to the Andalusia-based lawyer. Del Castro explained that in 2023 the Spanish Supreme Court ruled that since this 183-day rule wasn't in the main Organic Law, the government couldn't officially make it a strict requirement. In other words, judges declared "null the prior regulatory rule that allowed for the automatic cancellation of non-lucrative residence permits for absences longer than six months", Del Castro stated. 'So, there has been a bit of a legal tug-of-war between what the old rules said and what the Court has decided'. Now there's no room for interpretation. If you want to renew your Non-Lucrative Visa after the first year, then after two years and once again after two years, you have to have lived in Spain for more than 183 days a year. In essence, you have to be a tax resident if you want to renew your NLV and continue living in Spain, that's 100 percent clear now. According to Del Castro, the Immigration Law "explicitly establishes the requirement, thus overriding any prior interpretations or case law, including the Supreme Court's judgment, which was based on the previous framework". The 183-day rule exists because the Spanish government want NLV holders to be residents for fiscal purposes and pay their taxes in Spain. Depending on your personal circumstances, if you live here less than 183 days, you aren't considered to be a tax resident. In fact, the new regulation also states that at the time of renewal, compliance with tax and Social Security obligations during the permit's validity will be taken into account. NLV work prohibition clarified The Spanish government has also made it crystal clear in the legal text of its new Immigration Law that you can't work while on the NLV. You have to prove you have sufficient economic means through passive income such as rent from a property abroad, savings or a pension. It's always been the case that you can't work in Spain while on the NLV, but there have been many discussions online about this over the years, with many believing it simply meant that you just couldn't work in Spain. So now, there's no room for confusion. 'It's important to note that the prohibition to work is not just in Spain but worldwide', explains del Castro. This means that you can't work for a company or clients abroad while on the NLV either. If you want to be able to do that, you will need to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa or DNV instead. The NLV will not be applicable to you and you'd be breaking the rules.
Local Spain
03-06-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
What are the rules for unmarried couples applying for Spain's non-lucrative visa?
The non-lucrative visa or NLV is a residency authorisation that allows non-EU foreigners to live in Spain without working or carrying out professional activities, by demonstrating that they have sufficient financial means for themselves and their family members. It's one of the most popular residency options for non-EU citizens to be able to live in Spain, particularly for retirees who can use their pensions as financial proof. The visa is valid for one year but can be renewed for a further two years after that. To be eligible you need private health insurance, a clear criminal record and finances to support yourself from passive income such as rent from abroad, pensions or savings. The visa allows you to bring family members with you providing you have the financial means to support them. This means 400 percent of the IPREM for you, plus 100 percent of the IPREM for each family member. In 2025, this equals a minimum of €2,400 per month, plus an extra €600 per month for each family member you bring with you. If you're thinking about bringing family, it's important to understand exactly what the Spanish authorities define family members as being for the purpose of this visa. For example, do they allow unmarried couples to apply together? The simple answer is yes, you can apply as a couple if you're married or if you're unmarried. The immigration regulations state that they will consider 'a stable partner, who is not registered as married in any public registry'. They do however, have one main requirement, which is that you must "prove cohabitation of at least one year" prior to your application. This means that you will be required to show documents with both of your names registered at the same address dating back at least one year. What proof can I provide? If you're married you can obviously provide your marriage certificate as proof of your relationship, but if not here's what you may need to show: Rental contracts Property deeds A joint bank account Utility bills in both of your names Be aware that you may be need to provide proof of all of these, depending on the consulate you apply from and your situation. If you have children together, however, the regulation states that you only have to prove cohabitation, without a minimum period of time. This could be proven with birth certificates with both you and your partners names on. In practice, it can be slightly trickier than this to apply as an unmarried couple, and it seems to completely depend on which country and even which consulate you're applying from. Members of the Spanish NLV Facebook page seem to suggest that applying from UK consulates is a lot easier than applying from US consulates, for example. One member said 'Myself and my partner successfully applied jointly and aren't married. We went through Manchester. They wanted to see proof of address from both of us, bank statements, utility bills that showed that we already lived together'. Another member applying from the US though said 'Miami rejected a common law marriage document that I had clients try to use, and they were told only registered Spanish unmarried partnerships count'. On the other hand, the Spanish Consulate in New York seems to allow unmarried couples to apply stating on its website - 'Documents constituting proof of family relationship with the applicant accrediting financial means: birth or marriage certificates issued by the civil registry, certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or any other document substantiating an unmarried partnership with the applicant'. Your best option is to contact the consulate in advance and ask them what type of proof they need if you're not married. This way you can be organised and get all the paperwork in advance. You may want to also contact other applicants who applied from the same consulate as you and see what documents they had to show. Those with children together though had an even easier time with less documentation to prove. As mentioned this can usually be proven via birth certificates. What if I'm in a same sex partnership? The good news is that Spain fully recognises same-sex marriages and civil partnerships for residency and visa purposes. Even if you are not married, according to law firm Abogado Extranjería Madrid, you can still prove a relationship through evidence such as shared financial commitments and testimonies. In this way, under Spanish law, you'll be treated the same as any other heterosexual couples. Other family members that count for the NLV are minor sons or daughters who are not married or who have not formed their own family unit, or those of the applicant or their spouse, registered partner, or stable partner. Adult sons or daughters of the applicant or their spouse, registered partner, or stable partner can also be included provided they have a disability that requires support or are proven to be dependent due to their health condition.
