You do not need a visa to buy property in Spain — but you might need one to enjoy it.

The visado no lucrativo is designed for people who can support themselves financially without taking up employment in Spain — retirees, people with passive income, or those living on savings. You apply at the Spanish consulate in your home country, and requirements typically include proof of sufficient income or savings, private health insurance with full coverage in Spain, a clean criminal record, and no previous immigration issues. Owning property in Spain is not a requirement for this visa, but having a home address in Spain strengthens the application. The initial permit is granted for one year, renewable for two-year periods. During the first year, you are expected to reside in Spain as your primary base.

Key requirements

• Proof of sufficient funds — typically passive income or savings above a set threshold
• Private health insurance with full coverage in Spain, no co-pays
• Clean criminal record certificate, apostilled and translated
• No employment permitted in Spain under this visa type

Spain's Golden Visa programme historically allowed non-EU nationals to obtain residency through qualifying investments, including real estate purchases above a certain threshold. However, Spanish legislation around this programme has been subject to significant changes. The real estate investment route may no longer be available or may have been modified with different conditions. Before making any property purchase decision based on obtaining residency through investment, it is essential to verify the current legal status of this programme with a qualified immigration lawyer. Dream Nest does not provide immigration advice — our role is mortgage financing — but we can help you understand how your financing timeline aligns with whatever residency route your legal advisor recommends.

Important considerations

• Legislative changes may have modified or suspended the real estate investment route — dato pendiente de verificacion
• Always verify current requirements with a qualified immigration lawyer
• Alternative investment routes (business, financial assets) may still exist — subject to current legislation
• Dream Nest handles the mortgage side, not immigration — but timing both processes matters

Spain introduced the visado para nómadas digitales to attract remote workers who earn their income from non-Spanish companies. If you work remotely for a foreign employer or as a freelancer with predominantly non-Spanish clients, this visa allows you to live in Spain legally while continuing your work. Requirements include a qualifying employment or freelance relationship with a non-Spanish company, proof of income above a minimum threshold, private health insurance, and a clean criminal record. The visa is initially granted for one year, extendable up to five years. For property buyers, this visa is particularly relevant because it establishes tax residency in Spain, which affects your mortgage application — Spanish banks view tax residents differently from non-residents when assessing lending risk.

Key requirements

• Employment or contract with a non-Spanish company, or freelance with majority non-Spanish clients
• Minimum income threshold — typically above a set multiple of the Spanish minimum wage
• Private health insurance with full coverage in Spain
• The company you work for must have been operating for at least one year

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland do not need a visa to live or work in Spain. However, if you plan to stay for more than three months, you are legally required to apply for a certificado de registro de ciudadano de la UE — a green card-sized document that confirms your right of residence. You apply at the Oficina de Extranjeros or designated police station in the province where you will live. You will also need to complete the empadronamiento — registering your address at the local town hall (ayuntamiento). Both steps are straightforward but essential: the registration certificate is often requested by banks when opening accounts or applying for a mortgage, and the empadronamiento establishes your official residence for tax purposes.

What you need

• Valid passport or national ID card from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland
• Proof of employment, self-employment, sufficient resources, or enrollment in studies
• Private or public health insurance coverage
• Empadronamiento (municipal registration) at your local ayuntamiento — needed for almost everything