Spain has long been known as a popular place for people moving abroad. In recent decades, a large number of people have moved abroad in search of a better quality of life due to factors such as favorable climate, low cost of living and a slower pace of life.

In addition, Spanish cuisine is considered among the best in the world, and the country's rich history, with the presence of the fourth largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any country in the world, makes it a perfect place to relax and discover new things. The non-profit visa for Spain can be the key that opens the door to a whole new life. But where to start? This article will tell you everything you need to know.

What is non-profit residency?

The non-profit residence visa is a residence permit issued by the Spanish government in order to stimulate the Spanish economy.

This permit is intended for non-EU citizens who have sufficient assets and who wish to retire or reside in Spain without applying for a work visa or conducting business operations.

Listed below are some of the requirements for obtaining a non-profit residence visa:

• A certain level of income or savings to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself in Spain without actively seeking employment.
• Have private health insurance.
• No criminal record.
• Minimum number of days of stay in the country.
• Applicants who meet the conditions of the non-profit visa may renew their residence authorizations until they are eligible for residence after 5 years, if they have met the minimum number of days of stay in the country.

There are different types of residence visas that can be obtained in Spain, and the application procedure for each of them may be somewhat different.

The procedure for applying for a non-profit visa in Spain is not too complicated, as long as the applicant can demonstrate that he/she qualifies for the visa and has all the necessary supporting documents.

Advantages of non-profit residency in Spain

The non-profit residence has a number of very obvious advantages, including the following:

• This form of obtaining a residence visa does not require the applicant to make any type of financial commitment in Spain.
• It can be used as a means to simplify the process of acquiring Spanish nationality. If you have sufficient means to remain in the country for a period of time that meets the requirements for applying for nationality, you can do so (often 10 years, although there are some exceptions for nationals of Latin American countries and grandchildren of Spaniards).
• It has the advantage of being able to move freely through the signatory countries of the Schengen Agreement. Spain is one of these countries.

By fulfilling the prerequisite of not performing any type of economic action, persons whose main source of livelihood is passive income are excellent candidates for this type of residence permit.

This residency is not suitable for those who wish to work remotely from Spain. For this, you have the Digital Nomad visa, approved in the Startups Law that allows non-EU foreigners to come and stay in Spain for long periods of time while providing services to companies located abroad.

For more information on how the Digital Nomad visa can affect you, see the following posts:

• Spain's Digital Nomads Law: What does it mean to you?
• Spain's Digital Nomad Law: what are the implications for companies?

If after a period of non-profit residency, you wish to have the possibility to work in Spain, you will be able to do so by presenting an employment contract.

Can I include members of my family in my non-profit visa application?

In the context of an application for a non-profit residency visa in Spain, members of the applicant's immediate family, such as a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children, can obtain permission to live there as permanent residents. But, this is subject to the condition that the applicant demonstrates sufficient supplementary income to support each family member.

All you are required to do is to show that your financial resources are sufficient to support them financially.

You may be able to file a Spanish non-profit visa application if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• Not be a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland.
• You intend to make Spain your permanent residence.
• You can prove that you have the financial means to support yourself and your dependents in Spain without having to work there.
• Your criminal record does not include any felonies..
• You have adequate coverage for medical expenses.
• You do not suffer from any of the conditions included in the 2005 International Health Regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO)..
• You must remain in Spanish territory for a certain number of days.

Financial means for accreditation

The figure is determined by the Spanish government and is equivalent to 400% of the monthly IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples). The IPREM is a reference index for the granting of financial aid, which includes, among others, scholarships, subsidies, unemployment benefits and the minimum interprofessional wage.

El IPREM se elevó a 600 € en 2023, lo que significa que el requisito actual de ingresos mínimos para un visado sin ánimo de lucro es de 2.400 € (2.619,12 $) al mes, y los mismos ingresos de 600 € (654,78 $) se exigirán por cada persona a cargo después de esa fecha. También existe la opción de presentar ingresos en forma de renta anual o ahorros, en cuyo caso la cantidad requerida sería de 28.800 euros (31.450 $) para el solicitante principal y de 8.400 euros (9.134,75 $) para cada dependiente.

Non-profit residency and Spanish nationality

For those who aspire to obtain Spanish nationality, non-profit residency is an option. First you get resident status (and depending on your nationality, a certain number of years will be required), and then nationality. Why?

Non-profit residency is a permit to stay temporarily in the country for a period of one year. After that, each subsequent renewal is valid for a period of 2 years. And after 5 years, you can receive a long-term residence permit in Spain.

As each year you reside in the country with this permit counts towards the total number of years required for nationality, this will allow you to eventually obtain Spanish nationality.

If you are from the Philippines or Latin America, to obtain Spanish nationality you will only need a period of non-profit residency of 2 years. You will not be able to work, but you will be able to make investments during this time.

Non-profit residency opportunities

There is the possibility to study as well as to do unpaid internships.

This visa is comparable to a student visa in the sense that it allows you to enroll in an educational institution and continue your studies.

But that's not the end of it, as it is also possible to do an internship in a company when you have this type of non-profit authorization.

Many of our clients are interested in knowing if it is feasible to make investments while holding a non-profit residence. As they are aware that this visa does not allow them to exercise professional activities, they believe that investing is something they cannot do.

On the other hand, with this visa you have the possibility to invest.

That is, you can make any type of investment (such as buying shares of a company, for example), and as a result, you will have an additional source of income.

But it should be clear that it is not necessary to make any investment to obtain this non-profit residence permit.

Like other permits, such as the investor visa, where you have to make an investment to obtain residency, the non-profit resident visa also has its own characteristics. Unlike the former, you do not have to make an investment in the country to qualify for it, but only have to prove that you have funds to cover your monthly living expenses, as mentioned above.

Conclusion

It is not uncommon to encounter situations where a visa application that does not generate economic benefits is rejected. Lack of sufficient financial resources is one of the main factors contributing to this problem. Requirements vary from consulate to consulate and, in some cases, consulates may ask for documents other than those required by law.

Therefore, if you do not meet any of the requirements of the consulate where you will be filing your application, this could be cause for denial of your application.

It is always advisable to consult a legal professional in situations such as this, as doing so will increase your chances of successfully receiving your residence permit.