
It doesn’t matter where in the world you come from, retiring to Spain is a universal lifelong dream for many people. Sun, sea, sand. A good standard of living and great cultural heritage: It’s no surprise that living in Japan is so popular.
Unfortunately, changing visa rules and legislation in Spain mean that if you’re a non-EU citizen that dream is now a little more tricky.
The good news is that it’s still possible. But if you’re from the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, or any other non-EU nation, there's now only one visa choice available to you that will allow you to live in Spain.
Here’s everything you need to know to make that dream a reality.
Securing A Visa Post-Brexit
Securing a visa to retire in Spain became much more difficult for Brits in the post-Brexit world. This is also true for other third-country nationals such as Americans.
But although this is a doom and gloom headline it’s important to know you can still retire in Spain if you are eligible for the visa requirements. And Spain is still one of the most popular destinations for Brits to retire to.
If you had the money, you could have applied for a golden visa and effectively purchased your right to live in Spain. But the Spanish government has decided to cancel this visa, effective April 2025 (so unless you have a great legal team, it’s probably too late to make this application now!)
Now? The only visa that you can apply for as a non-EU retiree in Spain is the Non-Lucrative Visa (commonly referred to as the NLV).
What Is The Non-Lucrative Visa?
The good news is that the Non-Lucrative visa is a great option for retirees hoping to live in Spain (This is good news now that this is the only option!)
To be eligible for this visa type, you need to be able to prove that you either have sufficient savings or have a good monthly passive income so that you can support yourself. This might sound simple, but it’s actually a significant financial commitment.
You need to prove you have 400 times the IPREM. This figure is changed every year and the 2025 figure hasn’t bee released yet, but for 2024 it was €2,400 per month. You aren’t permitted to work under this visa type, so you will need to have this amount in either savings or passive income (passive income could be pension, investments, or a property portfolio, for example). This is why this visa is best suited to retirees.
Another key benefit of the non lucrative visa is that it allows you to bring direct family members with you too. This means you can travel with your spouse, or anyone who is financially dependent on you. Bare in mind though that this will impact your financial commitments.You will have to prove that you have an extra 100 percent of the IPREM for each family member, which for 2024 is €600 per month.
Can You Become A Spanish Citizen?
One of the questions many people ask about the Non Lucrative visa is does it offer a path to Spanish citizenship. If you are approved for the visa then it will initially be granted for 1 year. You can then apply for two renewals, which are each valid for an additional two years each. When this initial 5 year period is over, if you want to stay in Spain for the long term then you will need to apply for a permanent residency card which is valid for 10 years.
It is only at this point (when you have been living in Spain for 15 years) that you can apply for Spanish citizenship. But there is a route to Spanish citizenship when you apply for a Non Lucrative Visa.
It’s worth noting that the financial ramifications of your NLV renewals will be greater than your initial application. This is because when you apply for a two year visa you'll need prove you have passive income or savings for both those years at once. That means 800 times the IPREM. This can be a financial stumbling block for many retirees.
Will I Have To Pay Spanish Taxes?
Whether you have to pay Spanish taxes depends on whether Spain is your permanent home. It’s likely that if you apply for a NLV then you’ll be living in Spain for more than 183 days a year, and that will make you a Spanish tax resident.
If you’re a Spanish tax resident you’ll be taxed on your worldwide income: that includes your pension even if it’s from a different country. In Spain your passive income and pension will be subject to a progressive tax rate: the amount you pay will depend on how much you earn.
The current rates in 2025 are:
Up to €12,450: 19 percent
€12,451 – €20,200: 24 percent
€20,201 – €35,200: 30 percent
€35,201 – €60,000: 37 percent
€60,001 – €300,000: 45 percent
Over €300,000: 47 percent
Have you always dreamt of retiring to Spain? Whether you’re looking for golden mile properties in Marbella or bargain property in Andalucia, our local property experts are perfectly placed to turn your dreams into a reality. Why not get in touch to find out more about how we can help you.