Spain Non-Lucrative Visa DIY Application Guide: Checklist and Form Instructions

Why Choose the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa?

Core Advantages:

Extremely Low Application Threshold
The overall difficulty is comparable to applying for a regular tourist visa on your own. You only need to provide stable financial proof to demonstrate that you and your family have the economic means to live in Spain long-term without working.
Relatively Short Approval Period
Typically, you will receive a decision within 1–3 months after submitting all required documents, which is more efficient than other European long-term residency programs.
Extremely Low DIY Cost
The entire process can be handled by yourself, achieving almost “zero agency fees.” You only need to cover necessary costs like translation and notarization, avoiding exorbitant fees from agents.
High-Quality Social Environment
Spain is a developed European country with a comprehensive social security system:
- Universal free healthcare
- Free public education (with extremely low university tuition fees)
- Free public transportation for specific groups in some cities
- Social stability and a pace of life suitable for long-term family residence
Quickly Obtain a Second Identity
Upon arrival in Spain, you can apply for an NIE (Foreigner’s Identity Number), which has a wide range of uses:
- Opening bank accounts
- Booking flights and checking into hotels
- Registering a company and signing contracts
- Its functions are very similar to an EU ID card (with some exceptions for benefits)

Rational Advice on the Investor Visa

It is strongly advised against blindly opting for the former €500,000 Investor Visa (this policy has been canceled).
Many Chinese applicants, unfamiliar with the local market, were misled by agents into buying overpriced properties:

A property quoted at €500,000 by an agent might have a real market value of only €200,000.
In Spain, properties with “tens of thousands of square meters of land + a thousand square meters of building” for under €400,000 are common.

A more prudent path is:

First, land in Spain with a non-lucrative visa → Consider buying property after familiarizing yourself with the market → Switch to an investor-type residency if needed.

To avoid pitfalls when buying property, refer to:
Complete Guide to Buying Resale Property in Spain

Costs and Long-Term Planning

Total costs for translation, notarization, travel, etc.: a few thousand RMB
Maximum time outside Spain within 5 years: 10 months
Must reside in Spain for no less than 183 days in a single year
After 5 years: Eligible to apply for Spanish or EU permanent residency
After obtaining permanent residency: Entering Spain once a year is sufficient
After 10 years + passing a basic Spanish language test: Eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship

Official policy information (Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs):
https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/pekin/zh/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-residencia-no-lucrativa.aspx

Note: The above is a general legal framework. There may be slight differences in the actual review process at different consulates.

Choosing the Right Consulate for Submission

The main applicant must choose the consulate based on their household registration (hukou) location. Those already overseas can apply at the local Spanish consulate:

Consulate in Chengdu (newly established in 2023): Sichuan Province
Consulate General in Shanghai: Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang
Consulate General in Guangzhou: Fujian, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hunan, Yunnan, Guangxi
Consulate General in Beijing: Covers the widest area, including many northern and western provinces and cities.

Experience shows: The Beijing consular district has relatively simpler requirements, while the Shanghai district is the strictest with documents.

For inquiries, please use Spanish or English:

Practical Tips

Driver’s License Issue

The Spanish driver’s license is extremely difficult to obtain, and it cannot be exchanged for a Chinese driver’s license.
An Ecuadorian driver’s license can be exchanged for a Spanish one.
Recommendation: Obtain an exchangeable license first → Then enter Spain.

Translation and Notarization