All about the Spain residence visa for retirees

It goes without saying that Spain is well known as a firm favorite for those reaching the golden age of retirement. In fact, Spain ranked #3 in the 2025 Global Retirement Index, thanks to a combination of "strong healthcare outcomes, day‑to‑day liveability and comparatively steady finances for retirees". 

Additionally, the mix of good weather, Mediterranean diet, rich culture, and relaxed lifestyle have enticed many of the older generation to come to Spain, not just for longer holidays, but to actually emigrate to make the most of being a retiree all year round.

As with every aspect of life, it’s not as simple as just coming to Spain and finding a place to call home. There are legal implications, such as visas, finances, and insurance, which need to be considered for a more permanent move. In this blog post, we will highlight all of the important aspects you need to be aware of as a retiree seeking residence visa in Spain. 

Who can get a Spain residence visa?

Unless you are an EU citizen, people coming from around the world are not able to stay in Spain for more than 3 months. More specifically, there is a maximum of 90 days every 6 months. Therefore, unless you intend to bounce back and forth every quarter you will need to apply for a Spain residency visa. 

There are different types of Spain residence visas for people of all walks of life and different situations and circumstances. These visas include study visas, working visas, the digital nomad visa, and more. 

However, if you are a retiree who will not be counting on earning income in Spain, you will need a specific type of visa, which we explain in the next section. 

What is the Spain residence visa for retirees?

Spain does not have a “retirement visa” in name — retirees typically apply for the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), which allows residence without working. This is the main route for Spain residence visa for retirees.

The Non-Lucrative Visa gives you the right to live in Spain without working or carrying out any economic activity and is granted for the initial period of one year. After the first annual period, you can renew your permit for 2 years, and again for another 2 years providing you still meet the initial requirements (more on that below). 

Once you have lived in Spain for 5 years (after the 3^rd renewal period) you are eligible to obtain a longer term 5-year permit to live in Spain as a permanent resident. And finally, if you decide to stay here after that, once you have lived in Spain for 10 years, you can then apply for Spanish citizenship.

With the NLV, you are able to come and go between Spain and other countries as you please, all you need to do is present your visa documentation along with your passport when you travel abroad. However, it is important to note that the Spanish residency visa for retirees requires you to live in Spain for at least 50% of the year, or 183 days to be exact, so you also need to bear this in mind if you plan to spend extended periods of time traveling or visiting family back home.

What are the requirements of the Spain residency visa for retirees?

Obviously, as with all visas, you will need to be able to demonstrate fulfilment of certain pre-requisites or requirements to apply.

1. Finances

You need to be able to prove that you are able to be self-sufficient and have enough economic funds to live without benefits or financial assistance from the Spanish Government. If you obtain the NLV Spanish residency visa for retirees, you are not permitted to work in Spain, so this means you have to either have savings, or be receiving money from a pension, rental income, investments, or other income streams.

The amount you need to have available is based on the current IPREM - the “Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples” This is a reference figure set by the Spanish government and used for grants, benefits and immigration procedures. The IPREM is used to calculate the funds you need to prove your economic liquidity and this amount can increase year on year and.  

From 2025, applicants were required to show minimum annual income of €28,800 for a primary applicant — equivalent to 400 % of the Spanish IPREM (Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator), adding €7,200 per dependent family member annually. As an individual you therefore need to be able to show bank statements or documents that prove you have these funds, or more, in the case of couples or entire families. 

Another point is that the funds need to be available in a bank account, so you can use the statements as official documents of proof, and the money needs to be in a currency that is easily convertible to the euro. Upon application, the Spanish Foreign Office may require you to have funds actually in a Spanish bank account (though this does depend on your country of origin) so it is advisable to open a Spanish bank account if possible. To be honest, if you are living here long term this will be the most effective way of managing your money on a day-to-day basis and avoiding currency conversion charges that are made when using foreign debit or credit cards.

2. Health insurance

You need obtain and provide a signed medical certificate from your doctor as part of the application process. This is required to prove that you do not have a disease or illness which is prone to causing severe repercussions to public health (for example smallpox, cholera, etc).

You also need to demonstrate that you have adequate private Spanish health insurance. This must be with a Spanish insurance provider and the contract must offer full coverage within the Spanish territory, and not include co-payments. 

Caser Expat Insurance offers a specific health insurance option for retirees looking for Spanish residency: Adapta for residency permit. It's a Spanish health insurance with no co-payments, specifically for Spain residence visa. It also includes medical assistance, hospitalization and dental cover, plus repatriation coverage to the person's country of origin. For expats looking to retire in Spain, this is the best health insurance option. 

Caser also has health insurance options for people who are 60+ years of age or health insurance with reimbursement. These are good options for after residency is established and you have a long-term visa or even citizenship.

In some cases, you may be eligible for state healthcare if you are a resident in Spain but receive a state pension from your home country. The rules do differ depending on your status and country of origin, so it is vital that you fully explore if accessing the Spanish public healthcare system is an option while you are still in your home country.

For example, despite Brexit, if you are moving to Spain as a retiree and you receive a British pension, you can obtain an S1 form which entitles you to state healthcare in Spain, which is then paid for by the UK. A useful starting point to check your personal situation is to visit the government website in your home country (for example gov.uk) to find advice and links to help you navigate your way through this process.

3. Background check

You will need to provide documents to prove that you do not have a criminal record and have a clean record of conduct for at least the last 5 years. This needs to be obtained from your country of origin, (and/or the country you have been residing in for the last few years). This is managed by each country and the procedure may differ, so it is important to check and investigate the process for your own personal situation so you can apply correctly. 

What documents do I need to apply for the Spain residence visa for retirees?

You will need to provide a variety of legal documentation to complete the application process for the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa. These include:

• Passport – with a minimum of 1 year validity
• Birth certificate
• Proof of funds/income (bank statements, investment income etc)
• Proof of pension status/income (social security details etc)
• Medical certificate (no older than 3 months)
• Healthcare insurance (with Spanish provider) or proof that you are eligible for state healthcare (for example S1 form for British pensioners)
• Criminal record certificate
• Passport photos x 2

It is important to note that some of these official documents from abroad may need to be legally translated and apostilled to be valid in Spain. For more details of which documents need to be translated and for help on how to do this you can check the legalisation and apostille page of the Spanish government website, (which can be changed to English).

You can also find a regularly updated approved list of translators and interpreters in Spain.

How do I start the visa application process?

You need to go to the Spanish government website and go to the Citizen consular services page. Here you need to choose options from 4 drops down menus.

• Country – please note the list of countries is in Spanish so if you can’t find your country name you may need to translate it to Spanish.
• Service Categories – choose “visados” (visas)
• Delegation – choose the city nearest where you currently live.
• Consular Services – “choose visados nacionales” – visado residencia non lucrative.

You will then be directed to a page which gives you all the relevant information and details about the requirements, and links to the national visa application form and EX-01 form.

You will need to contact the nearest local Spanish embassy in your home country in order to book an appointment to officially start the process by submitting all the required documentation.

How long does the visa application take to process?

In general, it is recommended to start the application for the Spain residency visa for retirees at least 6 months before you plan to move there. This may sound like a lengthy process, but you need to organise all the required documentation in advance of your first appointment at your local embassy/consular office, where you will officially start the application.

The first appointment is used not only to check your eligibility but also to review and verify that the documentation you are providing is complete and follows the specified guidelines. The visa processing period can then take a few months to be fully completed, and for you to receive subsequent confirmation of acceptance. Once approved you will then need to visit the consular office/embassy again in order to collect your visa document. Then, you are ready to book your flights, pack your case, and get ready for your new life!

All of this information may sound a bit daunting and lengthy, but it really is important to see it as the final sprint before you cross the finish line. Now that years of hard work behind you, you'll enjoy the relaxed pace of life as a retiree in sunny Spain. And as a popular retirement destination, you will be easily able to make friends with other expats who have made the move, found their feet who can help you settle into Spain for your golden years. For more information on documents for Spanish residency, download the free guide below.