The Non-Lucrative permit: living in Spain on passive income
11/05/2025 
Reading time: 4 min Passive income in Spain: the Non-Lucrative residence permit
The Non-Lucrative residence permit (residencia no lucrativa, NLV) lets you live in Spain on passive income — without working in the country. It's the classic route for retirees, rentiers and anyone with stable income from outside Spain. The core requirement is financial: you prove roughly €28,800 a year (400% of the IPREM) for the main applicant, plus more per family member. In exchange you get residence, Schengen mobility and a path to permanent residence — but no right to work locally. Here's how it works.
- Income to prove≈ €28,800/year400% IPREM for the applicant, +100% (≈ €7,200) per family member.
- Working in Spainnot allowedPassive income only — pension, rent, dividends, investments.
- Must live in Spain183+ days/yearRequired to keep and renew the permit.
- Term1 year, then 2+2Renewal needs double the funds — ≈ €57,600 for two years.
- After 5 yearspermanent residenceAnd citizenship after 10.
What counts as passive income
The permit is for income you receive without active work in Spain. Accepted sources include:
- pensions;
- rental income from property abroad;
- dividends, interest and investment returns;
- savings sufficient to cover the required period;
- royalties and other recurring passive earnings.
Employment income earned inside Spain doesn't qualify — that's the whole point of "non-lucrative". If you work remotely for foreign clients, the digital nomad permit fits better.
Financial requirements
The threshold is tied to the IPREM (€600/month in 2026, frozen since 2023):
| Applicant | First year (400% IPREM) | Renewal, 2 years |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | ≈ €28,800 | ≈ €57,600 |
| + each family member | + ≈ €7,200 | + ≈ €14,400 |
Proven by bank statements and evidence of income source. At renewal the authorities want funds for the whole renewed period, which is why the figure doubles — plan for it in advance.
Other requirements
- Private health insurance with full cover in Spain, no co-payments or waiting periods.
- Criminal-record certificate and a medical certificate.
- No working in Spain — neither employed nor as autónomo.
- Physical residence of at least 183 days a year, checked at renewal.
Renewal and the path to permanent residence
The NLV is issued for 1 year, then renewed for 2 years twice — five years in total, after which you can apply for permanent residence (residencia de larga duración), and citizenship after ten. Each year must be continuous and legal. The renewal specifics — the doubled funds, documents and timing — are covered in how to renew a Non-Lucrative permit. To compare the NLV with other bases (digital nomad, work, study), see the guide to residence permits in Spain.
Frequently asked questions
Official sources:
• Ministry of Inclusion — non-lucrative residence (Hoja 7)
• RD 1155/2024 — Immigration Regulation
• IPREM 2026 — €600/month, BOE
