In this article, you are about to learn, step by step, how to renew your non-lucrative visa in Spain. We will go over the main documents and requirements you will have to meet in order to stay in the country under this non-profit residency type, and even how to move to a work permit.
After the first year with the temporary non-lucrative visa, you have two different options to continue living in Spain.
First, you can renew the non-lucrative residency card and extend your stay in the country for two additional years. We will explore the requirements for this path later on.
But, on the other hand, you can also choose to modify your residency (instead of renewing it), and apply for a residence permit that allows you to work int he country.
These are the two alternative paths that any foreigner who entered Spain with this visa can choose. The requirements in each situation will be different.
However, this will be true for the main applicant and his/her spouse (in the case of a joint application). Minor children will continue to maintain a non-lucrative residence regardless of the path chosen by the parents.
When should I renew this visa?
As you know, the validity of the initial non-lucrative card, the one you get when you first enter Spain, is for one year.
This card is called a temporary non-lucrative visa.
However, once this year comes to an end, you can renew it for two extra years; and once these two years are up, a final renewal for two more years.
This must be done 60 days (2 months) before the end of the year or 90 days (three months) after the expiry date.
It is important to comply with the 60-day advance notice period, as submitting your application within 90 days of the expiry date, although it remains valid and extends your authorisation whilst it is being processed, may result in disciplinary proceedings for a minor offence.
In practice, penalties are not always imposed, but it is advisable to submit your application within the standard timeframe.
After the end of this period (you will already have been in Spain for a total of 5 years), you can apply to get the long-term residency.
Do you have any doubts? Get in touch with our immigration lawyers and receive personalized legal advice and all your doubts solved:
Requirements to renew the non-lucrative residency
Basically, to renew this card you must demonstrate that all the requirements that you had to meet for the initial application are still valid. Nevertheless, there are some differences:
Sufficient economic funds
Demonstrating economic solvency is one of the main requirements for obtaining this visa.
On your initial application, this translated into a 400% of the IPREM for the main applicant, and 100% for each extra family member included in the joint application. In short, an amount greater than 28,800 euros.
Thus, if you want to renew this visa, you must prove that you maintain these same conditions.
However, as the validity of the renewed visa will be 2 years instead of 1, you must prove that you have 400 per cent of the monthly IPREM, multiplied by the 24 months for which the renewal is valid.
Based on the current monthly IPREM, this amounts to approximately €57,600. If you have come with your spouse and/or children, 100 per cent of the monthly IPREM (also multiplied by 24 months) will be added for each family member.
In the case of having come with your spouse and/or children, you will also need to double the amount required for them.
Health insurance
This is common with the initial application. You must be able to demonstrate you still possess a health insurance contract as a foreigner.
Being a resident
This residence permit requires you to be a legal resident. That is, to remain more than 183 days a year in the Spanish territory.
That is why if when you present your non-lucrative visa renewal, you cannot prove that you have been in the country for those 6 months, your application will most likely be rejected.
For this purpose, you can provide bank statements or invoices, either for your telephone line or electricity.
It is important to take into account that the reference year starts from the date of obtaining the residence card until 365 days later.
In other words, it does not coincide with the calendar year.
Habitability certificate
If you have come to Spain with your children, you must provide a certificate of occupancy.
This document proves, once the dimensions and conditions of your home have been indicated, that it meets the minimum requirements for all members of the household to live together adequately (under porper housing conditions).
Your children must go to school
Again, if you have come to Spain with your children and they are of compulsory school age, you must show that they are enrolled in school and attending classes regularly.
This is achieved with a certificate from the school.
Lack of debt with the Tax Agency or Social Security
Another requirement that the administration will review in order to accept your renewal is the one that refers to your tax debts.
In that sense, you will not be able to have any kind of debt with the Spanish Tax Agency or with Social Security for a successful renewal.
This includes, for example, non-payment of fines, fees, or any similar other similar liability with the government.
Please note that the procedure varies depending on how long you have been living in Spain: if you have been here for less than a year, you must meet all the requirements for an initial work permit as an employee (including the job offer described above). If you have been living here for at least a year, the amendment procedure is different and, generally speaking, quicker.
Criminal and police records
Finally, another requirement to renew your non-lucrative visa in Spain that can be also found in the initial application process.
It is important not to have any kind of legal trouble with the Spanish justice system in order to renew this visa.
That is, no criminal or police records in Spain.
Can I renew my non-lucrative residence permit for a second time?
Yes. Two years after your first renewal, you can apply for a second renewal, also for a further two years, provided you continue to meet the same requirements (financial solvency, health insurance, actual residence, etc.).
Upon completing this second renewal, you will have spent a total of 5 years as a legal resident in Spain, at which point you will be able to apply for long-term residence.
Modifying to residence and work authorization
So far we have seen the process for renewing the temporary non-lucrative residence for a two-year period.
However, there is also the possibility that instead of wanting to renew this type of visa, you may prefer to modify it to a permit that also allows you to work (something that by the very nature of the nonprofit residency is not possible).
Let’s look at the two possibilities you have in this regard.
Moving to work permit as an employee
Firstly, you can change your non-lucrative visa to a work permit as an employee (“por cuenta ajena”).
This will allow you to work in any company in the Spanish territory.
The main requirement will be to get a job offer consisting of at least one year and a full-time job of 40 hours per week.
And it can be work inside any activity or sector.
Moving to work permit as a self-employed
On the other hand, you can modify your visa and move to a self-employed work permit (“por cuenta propia”).
This will be the case if you start your own business project or register as a self-employed individual (autónomo in Spanish).
In this case, the requirements consist of presenting a business plan and proving that you have sufficient financial means to be able to finance the project.
In addition, your personal CV and a certificate from the Self-Employed Workers Association in Spain stating that the project is viable will be required.
Legal process to renew step by step
As mentioned above, within 60 days (2 months) before or 90 days (3 months) after the expiration of the temporary non-lucrative residence permit, the foreigner must submit the renewal application.
To do so, he must make an appointment and submit the required documentation to the corresponding immigration office located in his region.
It will be there that he will submit the application form EX-01 and proof of payment of the corresponding fee.
Nevertheless, there is also the option to submit your application online; provided that you have a digital certificate. Our lawyers can help you do that.
Once the renewal has been presented, the administration has 3 months to issue a response, either positive or negative.
If the foreigner does not receive any notification within this period, the NLV renewal will be accepted by administrative silence.
What happens if my renewal application is refused?
If you receive a decision refusing your application, you can lodge an appeal for reconsideration with the Immigration Office itself within one month, or an administrative appeal within two months. Before appealing, it is advisable to review the specific reason for the refusal in detail, as in many cases it is due to incomplete documentation which could be rectified.
Start your non-lucrative renewal now
Would you like to renew your non-lucrative card easily while making sure you meet all the requirements?
Then let us help you.
Our expert team of immigration lawyers will review and prepare all the documentation, as well as submitting it for you.
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