Latest news with #Non-LucrativeVisa
Local Spain
19-06-2025
- Local Spain
The key changes to Spain's Student Visa in 2025
If you're looking to move to Spain, you may have primarily been looking into two options – the Non-Lucrative Visa and the Digital Nomad Visa, but there is one visa you may not have considered, which is the Student Visa. This could be a great option to initially move to Spain or even if you just want to move here temporarily because it's relatively easy to get and doesn't have the high financial requirements of the other visas – providing you can afford to pay for the course. It's not just for young people either, you can apply for it any age. You could opt for higher education courses or language courses, which are very popular. Spain's new immigration law, which recently came into force on May 20th made several changes to the Student Visa, however, so it's worth being aware of those if this is an option you're considering. The main changes are to do with the type of course you're studying. Basically now there are different rules for those on higher education courses, such as Master's or PhD, and those on a regular course like a one at a Spanish language academy. Previously you were allowed to come to Spain as a tourist and apply for a student visa, but now you must apply in your home country before you arrive. This must be done through your local consulate. You must be 18 or older to apply There is now a lower age limit to be able to apply for the student visa – you must be at least 18 years old. Keep in mind, there is no upper age limit, so you can come and be a mature student too. If you're not doing a higher education course, your time is limited Before you could renew your student visa multiple times to stay longer in Spain, but now you can only stay for a maximum of two years if doing a language course for example, or a course that is not Master's or PhD. This could be a one-year course and then you can renew it for a second year for a different course, or continue with the same one if it's longer. Students doing language courses must pass a test to renew their visa In order to renew your visa you must show a certificate of completion and you must now pass a language proficiency test in order to renew this includes: DELE Certificate (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language). Registration for the DELE exam SIELE Certificate - an official Spanish test with digital certification Changes to renewals for vocational training If you choose to do a vocation training course, like learning to be a plumber or an electrician in Spain for example, there are now a few changes if you want to renew. You must: Present a certified diploma or school certificate. You can apply for renewal in Spain two months before your visa expires and two months before the start of the next academic year. Once you complete the vocational training course, you can change your visa to a work residency visa. You cannot modify your visa if are not doing a higher education course Previously you were able to do any type of course, not just a higher degree and then modify your visa to a different type such as a working visa and get a job here. Unfortunately, this is no longer possible if you're just doing a language course or similar, you have to be in higher education if you want to have this option. Changes to working permission Up until last month, anyone on a student visa could work up to 30 hours per week to help support themselves during their studies, but now it's only for those on higher education courses. If you're on a lower-level course like studying Spanish culture or language, you are not automatically allowed to work, you must instead apply for special authorisation to be able to do so. New rules about bringing family members Again there is another change for those doing not doing a higher education course in that they cannot bring dependent family members with them. Before, you could bring your partner or your child with you, whatever you were studying, but now this is only for those on high level degrees.
Local Spain
19-06-2025
- Local Spain
How to apply for Spain's Student Visa
You can get a student visa to come and live in Spain at any age over 18 years old and it's typically one of the easiest residency permissions to get. The financial requirements are also not as high, so this maybe a good option if you don't earn enough for the Digital Nomad Visa or don't have enough passive income for the Non-Lucrative Visa. If you're from a non-EU country you'll need to apply for a student visa if you want to do a course, training programme, internship or volunteer work in Spain that lasts longer than three months. This visa may also be applicable for au pairs and teaching assistants, depending on the country you're from and what type of programmes they have in place with Spain. In order for a course to be applicable for the visa it must be one of the following: A higher education course. A post-compulsory secondary education A mobility programme for compulsory or post-compulsory secondary school students Training activities: language assistants; Spanish language studies or co-official languages like Catalan; Preparatory courses for selective tests access to specialised health training; Qualification certifications or professional qualification; and professional certificates. It's worth noting that your course can't be 100 percent online, some of it must at least be in person in a school or language academy for example. How to apply? As of May 20th 2025 when the new Immigration Law came into force, you can no longer apply for a student visa while you're here as a tourist. You must apply through the consulate back in your home country. This means that firstly you will need to contact your nearest Spanish consulate and follow their procedure. It will involve completing an application form similar to this one. Be aware, it may change slightly depending on which country and consulate you apply from. If you are doing a higher education course and are bringing a family member, they will also need to complete their own application form. Or you can do it for a child. Along with your application you will need to send: A recent, passport-size, colour photograph – under the same conditions as a passport photo would be eg. No hats or sunglasses. Original and photocopy of the biometric data page of your passport. It must be valid for at least one year and have two blank pages. Proof of acceptance for the course, training, volunteer activity or internship. This could include acceptance letter, but for higher education, studies of post-compulsory secondary education and training activities it must be proof of enrolment and having paid the fees too. Financial proof In addition to all of the above you must also prove that you can financially support yourself, as well as any family members moving with you. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100 percent of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM). For 2025, this equals €600 per month or €7,200 per year. For the second family member you must have an extra 75 percent of the IPREM - €450. Be aware, because of the new changes to the student visa, you can now only bring family members if you are doing a higher education course, not just if you're doing a language course for example. For children you will also need to prove their relationship to you such as birth certificates or legal guardianship. You can show letters from universities or schools if they include the cost of your accommodation and meals or if they're sponsoring you. Private health insurance You will need to show that you have private health insurance with an institution authorised to operate in Spain. It must be as comprehensive as public health cover meaning co-payments etc. Travel insurance will not be accepted. For Brits, it's worth keeping in mind that the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is accepted as medical insurance for student visas. Criminal record certificate You must be able to provide a clear criminal record check for your country or countries of residence for the past five years. They must be legalised or apostilled and officially translated into Spanish to be valid. Medical certificate You need an original and a photocopy of a medical certificate accrediting that you do not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health. Again this must be officially translated into Spanish and apostilled. If you are applying to be a language or teach assistant, you will need to provide the appointment letter issued by the department of the Ministry of Education of Spain. And for Au-Pairs you will need to send a letter or agreement signed by you and the host family. When to send your application and how long does it take? Your application must be submitted at least two months before the start of your course and you will receive a decision within one month.
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
13-03-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
How Spain's new temporary contract rules make it hard for foreigners to rent
We recently wrote an article on why so many Americans are moving to Spain recently and some of the issues they face when they arrive here, and one of the most common challenges was finding a place to rent. Many other foreign nationals are also taking to Facebook groups to complain about the issue and ask for help finding somewhere to live. The problem has come about not only because of Spain's current housing crisis, in which many locals are also finding it near impossible to find access to affordable housing, but also because of one of the government's solutions to this issue. According to a recent report called 'Living in rented accommodation: insecurity guaranteed by law', published by the Barcelona Urban Research Institute (IDRA), nine out of 10 rentals in Madrid and Barcelona have temporary contracts. These are seasonal or short-term rentals, not as short as tourist rentals, but just under the amount of time to be classed as a permanent rental – typically between 32 days and 11 months. Rental contracts of over a year however are deemed long-term and by law can be extended up to five years. But if landlords don't want tenants to have the option of staying for five years and want to restrict other tenancy rights, they choose to make their rental a temporary one instead. This means that caseros (landlords) can sidestep the tenancy rights enshrined by Spain's Urban Leasing Law, and they can charge more money without being subject to rent caps and price controls, as temporary contracts are not covered by these recent reforms that apply to long-term contracts. In order to put more permanent homes back on the market, in late 2024 the Spanish government gave the green light to a law to regulate temporary and room rentals. This meant modifying the law to force landlords and tenants to 'justify the need for temporary rentals'. As a result, tenants and landlords now need to give a reason as to why they have a temporary let, and usually it falls on the tenant to do so. For example, this entails providing proof of enrolment letter from a university if you're doing a course, or showing you have a temporary job contract, or evidence that you're receiving temporary medical treatment in Spain. As a result, more and more estate agencies, particularly in bigger cities like Barcelona where there are so many temporary rentals, are asking for proof of why you need to rent for under a year. Foreigners arriving in Spain on residency authorisations such as the Non-Lucrative Visa or the Digital Nomad Visa are typically here for one year or more, so this doesn't qualify as a temporary reason. Therefore, they are being asked to provide proof for their need to rent temporarily but their situation - whether as retirees on the NLV or digital nomads on the DNV - does not qualify as an official justification to need a temporary contract. To be clear, the vast majority of these foreigners want to rent long-term. The only reason that they're looking at temporary rentals is because there are simply not enough permanent rentals being advertised. This is a huge stumbling block for many foreign residents who have recently moved to Spain and one that authorities appear to not be aware of. This catch-22, combined with the fact that many landlords refuse to take on tenants without a Spanish job contract, makes it extremely difficult to find a place to rent, particularly in big cities. Valencia newcomer Dayna Rubalcava told The Local Spain that 'Finding an apartment was a bit challenging—prices have gone up significantly in the past two years, and there isn't a lot of availability outside of holiday rentals'. American Eric Kenney, who also agreed moved to Valencia, agreed. "Finding a place to rent was our biggest challenge. A lot of places won't rent to people with foreign or investment incomes,' he said. Brett Formosa, who moved to Madrid from New York, also found a similar issue. 'Finding a place to live was challenging as real estate agents really didn't respond to us. We ended renting from a short-term rental company which had pros and cons'. Many other readers as well as users of foreigner Facebook groups have complained of the same problem. One user wrote on the Non-Lucrative Visa Facebook page: 'My partner and I moved to Barcelona under NLV, 2 weeks ago and since then we have been looking for a flat to rent day and night…. Around 99 percent of ads on Idealista are between 32 day - 11 months only. Because of this, they are legally obliged to justify that tenants are in Spain for a temporary reason (school or health treatment etc). As we are here with NLV, and cannot give any document proof, agencies do not even bother to arrange a viewing'. In order to solve the issue of the skyrocketing number of temporary rentals, the Spanish government has come up with another plan to force landlords to register all short-term lets and rooms. The new rule means that for a home to be able to be marketed on digital platforms, it must appear in a new registry – the Ventanilla Única Digital de Arrendamientos first and meet all the legal requirements to function as a seasonal rental. The regulation came into force on January 2nd 2025, but its effective application will not be until July 1st 2025, giving a transition period for companies and administrations to adapt appropriately to the new requirements. The Catalan government and left-wing regional party ERC are also in the process of negotiating an agreement which will regulate temporary rental contracts and room rentals in the northeastern region. This may mean that for the next few months, at least until these new measures are passed, the high number of temporary rentals will remain and it will still be difficult to find a place to rent for foreign newcomers in Spain.
