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Non-working residence visa

For further details on the procedure for this visa thro​ugh the G.C. Edinburgh, please refer to the following document: Non-lucrative visa checklist.pdfIt opens in new window

Visa to reside in Spain without carrying out any gainful (work or professional) activity, provided that the applicant has sufficient and guaranteed means to live on. This visa does not constitute a work permit. 

The following family members may also obtain the visa: 

  • The spouse or unmarried partner.
  • Dependent children and dependent relatives in the ascending line who form part of the family unit. 


Required documents​​ 

1. National visa application form.pdfIt opens in new window. Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application, filling in each of its sections. 

2. Non-working residence visa application form.pdfIt opens in new window. ​Each applicant must complete and sign a copy of the EX-01 form, filling in each of its sections. 

3. Photograph. A recent, passport-size, colour photograph, taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face.​ 

4.Valid, unexpired passport. The original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data must be submitted. The passport must have a minimum validity period of 1 year and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted. 

5. Proof of financial means. The applicant must submit the originals and a copy of the documents proving that they have sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of residing in Spain for the initial year of the residence permit, or accrediting that they have a regular source of income, for themselves and, where applicable, for the family members accompanying them. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 400% of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM). To this amount must be added 100% of the IPREM for each family member in the applicant's care. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

This can be demonstrated by providing proof of having a periodic source of income equivalent to the minimum amount listed above or presenting proof of possessing a bank balance with a sum of the monthly amount stated above for the period of 1 year.

If bank statements are provided, 12 months’ worth of statements are required.


6.Proof of eligibility of Non-Lucrative visa.

- For those who were recently employed and have recently finished work: An updated HMRC P45 form.
- For those who have recently finished self-employed work: Notification of the cease of activity from the HMRC or a letter from accountant as well as a certificate from the Companies House stating that the business has ceased activity.
- For those who are retired: Pension certificate and an updated employment history from HMRC.
- For those who wish to keep their job in the UK whilst living in Spain: Evidence that, due to the nature of your job, you can effectively reside in Spain and, at the same time, carry out your job in UK*.
* *Working remotely is contrary to the nature of this visa and does not qualify for the Non-Lucrative visa (see Digital Nomad visa).

7. Health insurance. Original and a copy of the certificate accrediting the public or private health insurance contracted with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain. The insurance policy must cover all the risks insured by Spain's public health system.

S1 form is accepted but must be registered with the Spanish National Security through the following link: https://tramites.seg-social.es/acceso/registro-s-1-cobertura-asistencia-sanitaria-espa%C3%B1a.html

In this instance, a receipt of registration must be provided containing your details.

 8.Criminal record check certificate. Applicants of legal age must submit both the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 5 years. This certificate must be legalized or apostilled and submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

Only the ACRO police certificate is valid for visa purposes. The disclosure Scotland certificate is not accepted.

This certificate should be issued within six months prior to submitting the application, unless the certificate
itself specifies a different expiration date.

9.Medical certificate signed and stamped by a registered doctor. Original and a copy of a medical certificate accrediting that the applicant does not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations. This certificate must be legalized or apostilled and submitted together with an official translation into Spanish, unless it is issued in Spain. In the latter case, the legalisation and translation are not required.

This Certificate must literally state that you, the Applicant, “does not suffer from any illness which represents a risk or a danger to the public according to the International Health Regulations of 2005”.

This certificate should be issued within three months prior to submitting the application.

10. Proof of residence in the consular district. Document where the applicant´s name and address appear, for example, bills, bank statements, etc. To verify your consular district, please visit the relevant web section of this Consulate.

11.Payment of fees The visa fee must be paid at the same time as the visa application is submitted. Please note that the fee must be paid in the local currency and that it is subject to regular changes due to currency fluctuations. Please refer to our list of consular fees: Consular feesIt opens in new windowIt opens in new window

Fees must be paid at the moment of submission, in cash or by card.​


For original documents, the ORIGINAL and a COPY must be provided. Original documents without a photocopy won´t be accepted.

Required documents for family members.​ For each family member it will be necessary to submit:​

  • All the required documents specified in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. For minors, the visa application and the residence permit application must be signed by one of their parents. 
  • 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. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
     
  • In the case of adult children, documents proving financial dependence, the adult child's civil status and that they continue to form part of the family unit. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
     
  • In the case of relatives in the ascending line, documents proving financial dependence and that they form part of the family unit. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

When necessary to assess the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or data and may also ask the applicant to come in for a personal interview.

Procedure​ 

All non-working residence visas require the obtainment of an initial residence permit, which is processed at the same time as the visa application. 

  • Who can apply for a visa: Visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant, or by one of their parents if the applicant is a minor.                                                                                                                                                                                                     
  • Place of submission: All visa appointments of the Consulate General of Spain in Edinburgh will be booked only via BLS International Edinburgh web: BLS-EdimburgoIt opens in new window 
  • Your non lucrative visa application must be submitted in person at BLS centre in Edinburgh on the day of the appointment, along with the rest of the required documents detailed in this checklist. 
  • BLS centre address: 6 Dock Place, Suite 1A, Edinburgh, EH6 6LU.
  • Proof of receipt: The Consular Office will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application with a code that enables them to check the status of the dossier through the following link: https://sutramite​consular.maec.e​s/Home.aspxIt opens in new window. The Consular Office will also provide a copy of the application form (form EX-01) and, where applicable, of the receipt of payment of the fee (form 790-52). 
  • Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit any missing documents, or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview. 
  • Decision period: The legal period for reaching a decision is of 3 months from the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested. 
  • Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their legal representative (if the applicant is a minor) within a maximum period of 1 month, counted as of the day after the date on which the favourable decision is notified. The Consular Office will inform the applicant regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation.   
  • ​Refusal of the residence permit or visa: Refusals of the residence permit or visa will always be notified in writing, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based. 
  • Appeals: If a residence permit or visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is received.
  • An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the refusal of the visa or residence permit or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal. 
  • Validity period of the visa: The visa will be valid for 90 days. Once in Spain, a Foreigner Identity Card must be applied for within a period of 1 month from the applicant's entry into Spain, at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding Police Station.


Sworn traslations and legalisations: 

All documents requiring translations must be completed by a registered sworn translator. A list of sworn translators in our jurisdiction can be found on our website.

The legalisations and Hague Apostilles must legalise the signat​ures of the signatories of the certificates: registered medical practitioners, police officers, etc. and not the signature of notaries or solicitors who did not issue those certificates.​​​