In short
Most American retirees use the non-lucrative visa (NLV). In 2026 you need income or savings of 400% of IPREM — €2,400 a month or €28,800 a year — plus €600 a month for each dependant. You also need insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain with no co-payments, an apostilled FBI check, a medical certificate and the $140 visa fee, and you apply at the Spanish consulate for your US state. The visa is valid 90 days to enter; the residence permit lasts 1 year, then 2-year renewals, each requiring more than 183 days a year in Spain. No work is allowed, including remote work. As a resident you pay Spanish income tax of about 19% to 45–54% on pensions; US Social Security is taxed in Spain with a credit for US tax. The Beckham regime does not apply. Public healthcare costs €60 a month (€157 from 65) after a year on the padrón. Long-term residence comes after 5 years.
Retiring in Spain: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Non-lucrative visa | Passive income or savings of 400% of IPREM — €2,400 a month or €28,800 a year in 2026 — plus €600 a month (€7,200 a year) per dependant; no work of any kind, including remote work# Source: Consulate General of Spain in New York – Non-Working Residence Visa · Consulate General of Spain in Chicago – Non-Lucrative Residence Visa |
|---|---|
| IPREM | €600 a month (€7,200 a year) in 2026 — the 2023 figure, carried over because no new state budget has passed# Source: El IPREM en 2026: cuánto es y cómo afecta a los trámites de extranjería (ARC Legal) |
| NLV health insurance | Public or private insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain, full cover with no co-payments or deductibles# Source: Consulate General of Spain in New York – Non-Working Residence Visa |
| NLV background check | US consulates accept only an FBI check (with federal apostille), not older than 6 months, plus a medical certificate# Source: Consulate General of Spain in New York – Non-Working Residence Visa · Consulate General of Spain in Chicago – Non-Lucrative Residence Visa |
| NLV permit length | The visa is valid 90 days to enter; the residence permit lasts 1 year, then 2-year renewals, each needing more than 183 days a year in Spain# Source: Consulate General of Spain in New York – Non-Working Residence Visa · Hoja 7 – Renovación de la autorización de residencia temporal no lucrativa (Ministerio de Inclusión) |
| NLV visa fee | $140 for US citizens (2026), plus the TIE card fee in Spain# Source: Consulate General of Spain in Chicago – Non-Lucrative Residence Visa |
| Tax residence | Tax-resident if you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year or have your main economic interests there# Source: Ley 35/2006 del IRPF (BOE) |
| Income tax | Combined state and regional rates from about 19% up to 45% in Madrid, 47% in most regions, 50% in Catalonia and about 54% in Valencia; savings income 19–30%# Source: Tramos IRPF 2026: tabla actualizada (OIE) |
| US Social Security | Under treaty article 20 the US may tax it, and Spain taxes it as your country of residence with a credit for US tax# Source: Convenio US–Spain income tax treaty text (IRS) |
| Wealth tax | Regional wealth tax above €700,000 (plus €300,000 for your home) at 0.2–3.5%; the state solidarity tax of 1.7–3.5% applies above €3 million even where regions give relief# Source: Patrimonio – Comunidad de Madrid 2026 (Guía Fiscal) · 80 claves del impuesto a las grandes fortunas (AEDAF) |
| Modelo 720 | Residents must declare foreign assets when any category (accounts, securities, property) exceeds €50,000, by 31 March# Source: Modelo 720 – Declaración informativa sobre bienes y derechos situados en el extranjero (Agencia Tributaria) |
| Healthcare | Workers and the self-employed are covered by the public SNS; others can buy in through the Convenio Especial after 1 year on the padrón — €60 a month under 65, €157 from 65# Source: Convenio especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria (Ministerio de Sanidad) |
| Long-term residence | After 5 years of continuous legal residence (no absence over 6 months, 10 months in total), with health insurance and sufficient resources; card renewed every 5 years# Source: Hoja 50 – Autorización de residencia de larga duración UE (Ministerio de Inclusión) |
| Citizenship | 10 years of legal, continuous residence for Americans (2 for Ibero-American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines and Equatorial Guinea; 1 if married to a Spaniard), plus the DELE A2 Spanish and CCSE civics exams# Source: Código Civil (BOE) arts. 22–23 · Instituto Cervantes – Nacionalidad española (DELE A2 y CCSE) |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
The non-lucrative visa works the same for all non-EU retirees. A few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| EU citizens | Need no visa; they register as EU residents after 3 months. |
|---|---|
| Pension tax | US Social Security follows the US–Spain treaty; other countries' treaties set their own rules. |
| Background check | US consulates accept only an FBI check; applicants from other countries use their national police certificate. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them. Add an official Spanish translation.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Why Spain
Why Retire in Spain?
Long lives
Life expectancy of 84 years — among the highest in the EU.
Affordable public healthcare
The Convenio Especial gives full public cover for €60 a month, or €157 from age 65.
Cheaper cities
A single person spends about €1,525 a month in Seville and €1,635 in Alicante including central rent.
Free transport in Madrid
Madrid residents ride public transport free from age 65.
Requirements
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa: Complete Requirements
| Requirement | What US consulates expect in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Income or savings | 400% of IPREM — €2,400 a month or €28,800 a year; +€600 a month (€7,200 a year) per dependant |
| Health insurance | Public or private, from an insurer authorised in Spain, full cover, no co-payments or deductibles |
| Criminal record | FBI check with federal apostille, not older than 6 months, plus certificates from countries lived in during the last 5 years |
| Medical certificate | Stating you have no disease with serious public-health implications |
| Passport | Valid at least 1 year, with two blank pages (New York consulate) |
| Visa fee | $140 for US citizens |
IPREM €600 a month in 2026 (carried over from 2023). Source: Consulate General of Spain in New York: non-lucrative residence visa
Consulates state that the non-lucrative visa does not allow any work, including online work for US clients. If you plan to keep working remotely, the digital nomad visa (€34,188 a year) is the right route.
How It Works
The NLV Application Process & Timeline
Gather documents
Bank or pension statements, insurance, FBI check and medical certificate — apostilled and translated into Spanish.
Apply at your consulate
At the Spanish consulate covering your US state; the legal decision period is 3 months.
Enter within 90 days
The visa is valid 90 days. Register on the padrón and apply for your TIE card within 1 month.
Renew after 1 year
Renewals last 2 years and need more than 183 days a year in Spain and the same income.
Long-term residence
After 5 years of continuous residence, with insurance and resources.
Tax
How Retirees Are Taxed in Spain
Tax-resident if you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year or have your main economic interests there. As a resident you are taxed on worldwide income at about 19% up to 45% in Madrid, 47% in most regions and 50–54% in Catalonia and Valencia; savings income pays 19–30%. The Beckham regime is not available to non-lucrative visa holders, because it requires moving for work.
| Income | How it is taxed |
|---|---|
| US Social Security | The US may tax it under treaty article 20; Spain taxes it as your country of residence and credits US tax |
| Private pensions, IRA and 401(k) payouts | Taxed in Spain as your country of residence; the US still taxes you as a citizen, with a foreign tax credit |
| Foreign assets over €50,000 | Declared each year on Modelo 720 (by 31 March) |
| Wealth | Regional wealth tax above €700,000 (+€300,000 home); solidarity tax above €3 million |
US–Spain income tax treaty (1990, protocol in force 2019). Source: IRS: US–Spain income tax treaty
FBAR if your foreign accounts exceed $10,000 in total at any time; Form 8938 above $200,000 at year-end or $300,000 at any time for a single filer abroad. In force since 1 April 1988 — avoids paying into both systems (posted workers up to 5 years) and lets you combine credits; it does not cover health care.
Daily Life
Life in Spain as an NLV Resident
Workers and the self-employed are covered by the public SNS; others can buy in through the Convenio Especial after 1 year on the padrón — €60 a month under 65, €157 from 65. Until then — and for the visa itself — you need private insurance without co-payments. Rents vary widely: a central 1-bedroom costs about €830 in Seville, €900 in Alicante, €1,270–1,315 in Valencia and Málaga, and €1,330 in Madrid (Numbeo, October 2026).
Spain could work for your retirement if
- You have at least €2,400 a month (more for a couple) or the equivalent in savings.
- You will spend more than 183 days a year in Spain.
- You will not work, not even remotely.
- You accept Spanish tax rates on your pensions.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum income for the non-lucrative visa in 2026?
400% of IPREM — €2,400 a month or €28,800 a year for the main applicant — plus €600 a month for each dependant. Savings can count instead of income.
Do non-lucrative visa holders need to spend a minimum time in Spain?
Yes. Since the new regulation of 20 May 2025, renewals require more than 183 days a year actually living in Spain.
Can I work remotely on the non-lucrative visa?
No. It allows no work of any kind. Remote workers should use the digital nomad visa instead.
How is US Social Security taxed if I live in Spain?
Under article 20 of the US–Spain treaty the US may tax it, and Spain taxes it as your country of residence, giving a credit for US tax.
How much is public healthcare for retirees?
Through the Convenio Especial, €60 a month under 65 and €157 from 65, once you have been on the padrón for a year.
Spain
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