How much income do I need for Spain's non-lucrative visa?

The threshold is tied to a public income reference index (IPREM) and is reviewed periodically, generally requiring several times the base monthly amount in regular income or savings. Check the current figure with your consulate before applying, since it changes.

Relocation Guides

Moving to Spain for retirement

The key financial, visa and healthcare considerations for retiring in Spain.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-15Non-Lucrative Visa processing commonly takes a few months from application; EU citizen registration is generally faster once in Spain.

This guide is not yet verified by Tuchati's editorial review — treat it as a helpful starting point, not a final legal answer.

Overview

Spain is a popular retirement destination, but non-EU retirees face a genuinely different process than EU citizens, particularly around visas and healthcare access. This guide walks through what matters most for retirees specifically.

Requirements

Relevant to retirees or those planning retirement in Spain, both EU and non-EU citizens

Step-by-step process

If you're an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, follow the standard EU citizen registration process — see our guide to moving to Spain as an EU citizen — and check whether you're entitled to Spanish public healthcare via an S1 form if you already receive a state pension from your home country
If you're a non-EU citizen, look into the Non-Lucrative Visa route, designed for people with sufficient passive income who don't intend to work in Spain — see our detailed guide to the Non-Lucrative Visa for the exact income thresholds and application steps
Arrange healthcare coverage before applying — EU citizens with an S1 access Spanish public healthcare on the same basis as Spanish nationals; most non-EU applicants need private health insurance meeting the specific visa requirement (see our guide to health insurance for visa applications)
Understand the residency requirement tied to most long-stay routes — typically needing to spend more than half the year in Spain to maintain your status
Research the tax implications of becoming a Spanish tax resident, since this generally applies once you spend more than 183 days a year in the country

Required documents

Proof of pension income or savings, meeting your route's specific financial threshold
Private health insurance policy meeting the required coverage standards, for most non-EU applicants
S1 form, for eligible EU citizens seeking public healthcare access

Common mistakes

Assuming EU citizen retirees automatically get public healthcare without checking S1 eligibility first
Underestimating the private health insurance standard required for the Non-Lucrative Visa — policies with co-payments or waiting periods are generally not accepted

Practical tips

Spending more than half the year in Spain isn't just a visa requirement for some routes — it also generally makes you a Spanish tax resident, which has its own implications worth researching in advance
If your home country has a double taxation agreement with Spain, understanding how your pension will be taxed is worth doing before, not after, you move

How Tuchati can help

Retirement relocation involves genuine financial and healthcare decisions specific to your situation — Tuchati can help you understand what applies to you before you commit.