non lucrative visa

There are two different steps in the general application process. 

First of all, you will need to submit all the required documentation to the Spanish consulate located in your country of origin. You will get a positive or negative response from them in 2 to 3 months. 

After a positive response, you will get your visa. That will enable you to travel to Spain in order to register in to any city or town in the country, record your fingerprints and then get your residence permit after 30 days.

oh my word, that's a long time to wait.I would have to rent a property for 3 moths while I wait.

I assume that there would be no obstacle to renting in Alicante city whilst waiting?

Unfortunately I wouldn't have the answer. I would have thought though as you had to apply to the Spanish Embassy/Consulate of your home country you would need to remain there until a decision was made. However, you may want to put this question to the folk at the following link for free advice:

www.balcellsgroup.com

Hi starbreaker,

A Non-lucrative Visa lasts 3 months and 15 days.  Once granted from the Spanish Consulate in the UK, you can move to Spain and will have to apply for your TIE (residency) within 1 month of arriving here.  

Of course, as a Third Country National, you could holiday here for a maximum of 90 days before you would have to return to the UK, but if you move to Spain before the NLV is granted, you risk the Consulate asking for additional information which may require you to return to the UK.  If you want to rent in Spain before being granted a NLV, I would recommend not committing to a rental period of more than 3 months, unless you're prepared to pay cancellation of your rental contract, in the event that you're denied a NLV.

Kind regards, 

Kim

once again great advice,

Thanks Kim.