Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) working remotely from Spain

Whilst not answering your question have you considered whether it's worth you doing a dummy run on this? You can spend 3 months in Spain in every 6 - so could try it out without affecting your tax status if you spend less than 183 days in total a year in Spain.

I'm not certain but isn't the non lucrative visa designed for those not planning to work in Spain? If you did become resident and tax resident in Spain your UK salary would be taxable in Spain potentially throwing up additional challenges and short term cash flow issues if you are also taxed in the UK via PAYE.

Also as the UK opens up is it likely that you might be expected to return to the office, if not full time even having to fly back to the UK a few times a month might soon become a chore especially if travel restrictions/ test to fly remains in place and costs increase.

Hopefully others will post with first hand experience/knowledge.

Hi Lancelot,

Thanks for your post.

I haven't done a dummy-run as such. I was initially thinking to spend 3 months in Spain every 6 months, however am looking to spend more time out in Spain. 

The Non-Lucrative Visa is indeed designed for those planning not to work in Spain, however since my income would be from the UK / remote working, I believe this is still possible (https://remoteworkingexpat.com/how-to-work-remotely-from-spain/) - good point regarding the taxation in Spain.

My company has been very flexible regarding working from home since the start of the pandemic; it seems we may follow suit rather than going back to an office. A few of my colleagues work remotely from Germany so hopefully it shouldn't be an issue for me to relocate to Spain; should the NLV permit.

Thanks for the insight.

Josh

Hi Josh,

I've just read through the article from your link and even that does not give much of a definitive answer about remote working.

ie....."Post-2020, we have seen increasing anecdotal accounts that some Spanish consulates in Non-EU countries have denied non-lucrative visa for remote workers.

Since there is no confirmed information to be found anywhere, we highly recommend that before applying you confirm this with your local Spanish consulate if they are currently approving remote work for this visa"

It does state however that the non lucrative visa is designed for retirees and people who do not want to work.

There are other visas that you could apply for to cover your scenario. 

https://visaguide.world/europe/spain-visa/

Steve

Spanish Non-lucrative Visa/Remote working in Spain for a UK based company

Hi All 

Does anyone have any experience or know if the NLV will permit remote working in Spain for a UK-based company?  There's lot of helpful of advice on this site, and others of course - but also lots of conflicting info.  We have a house in Spain but not quite ready to retire yet, and both our employers would allow us to work remotely in Spain.  Thanks in advance for any help and advice. 

The NLV is for people to come to Spain and not work in any way. The nlv title explains it all. There are other visas that could be applied for to allow various ways to earn a living. Why not apply for the correct visa?

https://visaguide.world/europe/spain-visa/

Steve 

Thanks for the comments and the link Steve.  

Clearly the issue is the 90/180 day rule only allows us limited entry into Spain (and anywhere else in Europe). Like a lot of other Spanish homeowners who are not ready to retire want to be able to come and go as much as possible, before eventually retiring.  Both my wife and I have flexibility in being able to work remotely with a reliable internet connection, but unless I am mistaken it seems as though there is no visa that will permit this as the other visa types e.g. Golden and business are not suitable for us.   

Whilst the NLV is suited to retirees isn't it just a visa which allows you to stay in Spain but not work in Spain. I don't know if you are on PAYE but if you are you are employed by a UK business and not taking a job away from a Spaniard or any other EU member state aka FOM. You would be a Spanish tax resident but there are rules around double taxation meaning you couldn't be taxed twice.

I thought I read something about digital nomad visas but that might have been France, can't remember.

Maybe ask the Manchester consulate for guidance as I've read they are more attentive than the London one.

No it isn't "just a visa that allows you to stay in Spain"

If you are granted the NLV it allows you to move to Spain but you must apply for residency within the first month of arrival otherwise the NLV becomes void.

Steve 

calm down.

My understanding is that a non lucrative visa broadly allows you to stay in Spain but not work in Spain. The working part is of interest to the person I responded to, not the end to end process.