Should we start applying for a non lucrativ visa before we travel to Spain to purchase a home?

If you want to live in Spain permanently you have to initially apply for residency and visas through the Spanish embassy while you are still living in the UK. 

You will need to prove that you have enough income to satisfy the local authorities that you won't become a burden on the state and that you have full private healthcare cover. 

The income requirements are around €34,000 per annum for a couple. 

It will be important that you fully understand the requirements needed to apply for residency before you spend any time and money. 

Steve 

Before you travel I would suggest that you have a look at the Citizens Advice Bureau Spain website as you may find answers to many of the bureaucracy items on there.   Also, if you will be driving in Spain, have a look at the N332 website which has an English version of the Spanish equivalent of the Highway Code.   The latter site is run in conjunction with officers of the Guardia Civil for English speaking people - their Trafico section deals with most driving situations in Spain.

Hi many thanks for your response, we understand the paperwork needed and it is daunting.  It’s a bit like the chicken and the egg, what do we do first, start applying for a visa and then find a property? Or vice versa.  

I see they all have similar restrictions now 

It is not just the English, it is anyone who is not a member of the European Union!

That is because they are not members of the EU.

Definitely apply for a visa and also make sure you can meet the residency requirements on income and healthcare first before you spend time looking for property. 

I also recommend that you rent for the first year.

Steve 

Hi Chelseabluegirl,

A lot depends on what type of visa you plan to apply for, e.g. the Non-Lucrative visa (you cannot work and will need to prove independent means) has to be applied for at a Spanish Consulate in the UK.  If granted, it lasts 3 months and 15 days, during which time, you have to visit Spain and apply for the Non-Lucrative residency permit.  Initially, this will be for 1 year; then you have to apply for a renewal that lasts 2 years.  If you want to become permanent residents in Spain, you would then need to apply for a further 2-year permit (twice, at years 2 and 4), and when you have been resident in Spain for 5 years, you attain "residencia permanente" and no further visas are required.

The financial requirements for a Non-Lucrative visa are just less than Eu 28,000 per individual, or Eu 34,800 for a couple, and these amounts also have to be proved at the visa renewals.

It would be worth you looking at the different types of visa available and then asking here if you have further queries.

Kind regards,

Kim

Hi thanks for this, we understand about types of Visa and we need a non Lucrativ visa definitely.  We have sufficient means to support ourselves.  As I said in my question do we start the process in the UK and whilst it’s being processed hopefully travel out and start looking at Villas, Speak with Lawyers and Tax accountants.  We have a Spanish friend in UK that can help with the paperwork.  I guess it may be best to see if we can travel 1 July if Spain allows and see some properties.  The prices are good at the moment