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This article forms part of the CostaLuz Lawyers blog and is published for general informational and educational purposes only. It was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools and, before publication, was substantively reviewed and editorially approved by Maria de Castro, a Spanish-qualified lawyer registered with the Cádiz Bar Association under number 2745, founder of CostaLuz Lawyers and the person responsible for the editorial review of the published content.
This article does not constitute legal, tax, immigration, employment, estate-planning or investment advice and does not replace an individual assessment and the professional work of the appropriate CostaLuz Lawyers specialist. No action or omission should be based solely on this information.
In recent months, there has been some confusion in the expat and immigration community regarding upcoming changes to Spain’s immigration regulations — specifically around the non-lucrative visa (NLV) and the length of its renewal period.
Some reports have suggested that, starting May 2025, NLV renewals will automatically be granted for four years. This is not accurate. Let’s clarify what’s actually changing under the new regulation coming into force on 20 May 2025.
What’s Changing? New Regulation: RD 1155/2024
The Spanish government has published Royal Decree 1155/2024, which reforms the Immigration Regulation (Reglamento de Extranjería). The reform is intended to modernize and simplify some procedures, especially for family, training, and employment-related residence permits.
However, for those under the non-lucrative residence permit regime, the changes are more limited — and very specific.
Renewals for the NLV: Still 2 Years
Under the updated Article 64 of the Immigration Regulation (as modified by RD 1155/2024), the renewal of a non-lucrative residence authorization will continue to be granted for a period of 2 years, not 4.
Here’s the relevant line from the new regulation:
“The renewed temporary residence authorization shall have a duration of two years, unless it is time to obtain long-term residence.”
This confirms that the current system remains in place:
- Initial residence: 1 year
- First renewal: 2 years
- Second renewal: 2 years
- After 5 years: eligibility for long-term residence (valid for 5 years)
Key Renewal Requirements (Post-May 2025)
To renew your NLV residence, you must demonstrate:
- That you held a valid NLV residence or are within the 90-day grace period after expiry.
- You’ve resided in Spain for more than 183 days during (6 months) during the validity period of your residence permit, you may lose your residency card.
- You have sufficient financial means (same formula: 400% IPREM for the applicant, 100% per dependent).
- You maintain private health insurance.
- Any school-age children are enrolled in school.
- You’ve paid the applicable renewal fee.
- You do not pose a threat to public safety or public health.
Additionally, if you fail to meet some criteria, you may submit a report of social integration issued by your Autonomous Community.
Important Deadlines
- Renewal applications can be submitted within the 60 days before expiry.
- If you miss that window, you have 90 days after expiry to submit — but this may trigger a minor sanction.
Why the 4-Year Idea Came Up
The “4-year renewal” confusion may come from changes to other types of residence permits, such as family reunification or work permits, which in some cases will now allow for 4-year authorizations after the initial period.
But the non-lucrative visa has its own dedicated articles in the regulation (specifically Articles 61–64), and the two-year renewal term remains clearly stated and unchanged.
Need Help Renewing Your NLV?
At CostaLuz Lawyers, we guide clients step-by-step through initial applications, renewals, and eventually long-term residency and citizenship.
If your renewal window is approaching — or you’re planning to apply for the first time — contact us today for a personalised consultation. We’ll make sure your application is complete, compliant, and aligned with the latest legal requirements.
If you’re interested in applying for a non-lucrative visa in Spain, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us — we’re here to help.
Related Immigration & Residency Guides
- Immigration to Spain — Complete Residency & Visa Guide (2026)
- Non-Lucrative Visa Spain
- Digital Nomad Visa Spain
- Family Reunification Spain
- NIE Spain Guide 2026
- Arraigo Social Spain
- Immigration Lawyers in Spain
Legal Notice: The content on this page is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. No action should be taken based solely on this content without first seeking independent professional legal counsel. Each case requires individual assessment based on its specific circumstances. CostaLuz Lawyers accepts no liability for actions taken or not taken based on this content.
Related Guides
Planning your residency in Spain?
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If you are budgeting for a renewal, see what an immigration lawyer charges.
If you spend long periods outside Spain, read how absences affect a renewal.
This is interesting, ‘You’ve resided in Spain for more than 183 days during the past calendar year’. What happens if I enter Spain on July 15, but I need to renew my residence in May of the next year. By no means I can meet this criteria, even though I stay in Spain for every single day since my entry. Would you please explain this a little bit? Thank you!
183 days can refer to two different things in Spain:
Tax residency: If you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, you’re considered a tax resident and must declare your worldwide income.
Immigration (residency) status: If you’re absent from Spain for more than 183 days (6 months) during the validity period of your residence permit, you may lose your residency card.
So the same number (183 days) applies, but for different purposes: tax vs. immigration.
So, for clarifying: 183 days can refer to two different things in Spain:
Tax residency: If you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, you’re considered a tax resident and must declare your worldwide income.
Immigration (residency) status: If you’re absent from Spain for more than 183 days (6 months) during the validity period of your residence permit, you may lose your residency card.
So the same number (183 days) applies, but for different purposes: tax vs. immigration.
Thanks for the reply! So I guess in order to renew your residency permit, I need to meet the 2nd criteria for the first year. Correct?
Correct!
Is it correct that in Spanish law from year 2 of the NLV it is possible to apply for the NLV to be changed to a different visa if the holder has an employment contract from a Spanish employer involving at least 40 hours per week with an annual salary of Spain’s national minimum wage or higher?
es. After one year on an NLV and with a full-time contract (40 h/week) at or above the SMI, you can file form EX-03 before renewal to switch to a work permit.
Hello, I am a non-EU applicant. If for some reason I fail to be within Spain for 50 out of the 60 months of my NLV I understand that I would be ineligible for permanent residency, but may I continue with a NLV temporary residency for another 5 years and try again? Or is it that at 5 years you must apply for permanent residency or leave? I understand continuing the NLV is more expensive but I’m a little worried about the average 10 months per year requirement (183 days is absolutely no issue). Thank you in advance.
If you don’t meet the absence requirement for permanent residency after 5 years on an NLV, you’re not forced to leave Spain. You can keep renewing the NLV in 2-year periods as long as you meet the requirements, and then apply for long-term residency once you qualify.
Hello, as a non-eu couple with nlv’s which will have completed 5 years residency in Spain in August 2026, please can you confirm the amount of savings required to apply for permanent residency? Many thanks in advance.
For Spain’s national long-term residence there is no fixed savings amount.
What matters is 5 years of legal, continuous residence, clean record, and filing EX-11 while your current card is valid.
Mind the absence limits: generally up to 6 months at a time and 10 months total (12 if for work) across the 5 years.
Different story for EU long-term residence: it requires stable resources and health insurance, but no set euro figure.
Bottom line: aiming for the national route? You won’t be asked for a minimum bank balance like with the NLV.
Want to sanity-check timing and documents? We’ll be happy to help.
Have you successfully acted for clients who after 5 years have chosen not to seek permanent residency but rather kept renewing their NLV in 2 year periods. We find ourselves in the position where this would be our best option. Thanks.
We haven’t directly handled cases where a client chose not to seek long-term/permanent residency after five years and instead kept renewing the NLV in two-year cycles. We can, however, outline the legal framework, flag practical risks (criteria at renewal, financial means, absences, insurance),