How Much Money Do You Need for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) in 2026?

To qualify for Spain’s non-lucrative visa (NLV) in 2026 you generally need to show around €2,400 per month — about €28,800 for the year — from savings, pensions or other passive income, plus roughly €600 more per month for each family member. The exact figure follows Spain’s IPREM and is assessed by the consulate.

How much income do you need for the NLV in 2026?

The non-lucrative visa is for people who can support themselves in Spain without working here. To prove that, the main applicant must show sufficient regular funds. As of 2026 that means roughly €2,400 per month, or about €28,800 for the year, for a single applicant. For each additional family member you add approximately €600 per month (around €7,200 more per year, per person). These are 2026 figures and are assessed by the consulate handling your application.

How the figure is calculated (the IPREM)

The NLV income requirement is not a fixed euro number — it is tied to a Spanish reference index called the IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples). The rule is:

• Main applicant: 400% of the monthly IPREM.
• Each additional family member: 100% of the monthly IPREM.

For 2026 the IPREM is €600 per month (it has been frozen at this level since 2023). So 400% works out to €2,400 per month for the main applicant, and each dependant adds €600 per month. Because the requirement is a percentage of the IPREM, it moves whenever the IPREM is updated — see our Spanish-language explainer on the IPREM 2026 for the non-lucrative visa.

Adding a spouse and children

If you are applying with family, add 100% of the IPREM (about €600/month) for each person. As a rough guide for 2026: a couple would need in the region of €3,000 per month (€2,400 + €600), and a couple with one child around €3,600 per month. The consulate looks at the household as a whole, so the funds you show should comfortably cover everyone named on the application.

What counts as income or funds?

The NLV is designed for people living on their own means, so a wide range of resources can count, provided they are stable and available to you:

• Savings and cash held in the bank
• Pensions (state or private)
• Rental income from property
• Dividends, interest and investment income
• Other regular passive income

The key limit: you cannot rely on income from work carried out in Spain, because the non-lucrative visa does not allow you to work in Spain. If you intend to work remotely, the digital nomad visa may suit you better. And if you already hold an NLV and are wondering about letting a property, see whether you can rent out your Spanish property on an NLV.

How do you prove you have the funds?

Consulates want to see that the money is genuinely yours and reliably available — not a one-off balance borrowed for the application. In practice that usually means bank statements, pension or investment statements and income certificates, commonly covering the last 6 to 12 months, sometimes with an official translation and legalisation. Presenting this clearly is often what makes or breaks an NLV file, which is why most applicants have it reviewed before submitting. For the full document list and steps, see our complete NLV application checklist.

Does the amount change every year?

Yes — potentially. Because the requirement is a percentage of the IPREM, it changes whenever the IPREM is revised in the national budget. The IPREM has been frozen at €600/month since 2023, so the NLV figure has held steady, but a future increase would raise it. Treat the 2026 numbers here as current and subject to annual revision, and always confirm the live figure before you apply.

How long does it take, and is the NLV right for you?

The income test is only one part of the picture. Processing times vary by consulate — see how long the Spanish NLV takes in 2026 — and the NLV is best suited to retirees and financially independent people who do not need to work in Spain. If that is you, the next questions are usually about settling in.

Planning your move — beyond the visa

Most NLV holders are planning a genuine move to Spain, and the visa is just the first step. Many go on to buy a home: if that is your plan, our guides on buying property in Spain, the conveyancing process and timeline, and what happens at the Spanish notary walk through what comes next. And if you take a Spanish mortgage, it is worth knowing which charges have been challenged as unfair — see our guide to abusive mortgage clauses in Spain. Getting the visa, the purchase and your Spanish will handled by one team keeps the whole move coherent.

Conclusion

For 2026, budget on showing around €2,400 per month (about €28,800 a year) for the main applicant and roughly €600 per month for each additional family member, from savings or passive income rather than Spanish employment. The figure follows the IPREM and is assessed case by case, so confirm the current threshold and have your evidence reviewed before you apply.

American buyers usually arrive at these two questions together: what income the visa requires, and how a purchase sits alongside it. buying luxury property while on a non-lucrative visa

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need for the Spanish non-lucrative visa in 2026?

As of 2026 the main applicant must show around EUR 2,400 per month, roughly EUR 28,800 for the year — 400% of Spain’s IPREM (currently EUR 600/month). Each additional family member adds 100% of the IPREM, about EUR 600/month. These figures move with the IPREM and are assessed by the consulate.

Can I use savings instead of income?

Yes. The NLV is designed for people living on their own means, so savings, pensions, rental income, dividends and other passive income can all count. You cannot rely on income from work carried out in Spain, because the non-lucrative visa does not permit working in Spain.

Does the required amount change every year?

It is tied to the IPREM, which is set in the national budget and can be revised. The IPREM has been frozen at EUR 600/month since 2023, but if it rises the NLV threshold rises with it. Always check the current figure before you apply.

How do I prove I have the funds?

Typically with bank statements, pension or investment statements and income certificates, usually covering the last 6 to 12 months, sometimes translated and legalised. A consulate wants the funds to be genuinely available to you, not just a one-off balance.

Is the non-lucrative visa the right option for me?

It suits people with stable passive income or savings who do not need to work in Spain — often retirees and the financially independent. If you plan to work remotely, the digital nomad visa may fit better. Compare them before deciding.

The income figures in this guide are based on the 2026 IPREM (EUR 600/month) and are subject to annual revision; each consulate assesses sufficiency case by case. This is general information and does not constitute legal advice — every case requires individual analysis. Reviewed by María Luisa de Castro, CEO at CostaLuz Lawyers (ICA Cádiz 2745), advising international clients on Spanish residency since 2006.

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