Who Each Visa Is For
The Non-Lucrative Visa is designed for people who want to live in Spain without working — typically retirees, passive income earners, and those with substantial savings. There's no requirement to study or be enrolled in anything.
The Student Visa is for people enrolled in an accredited educational programme in Spain — university degrees, postgraduate courses, or language schools. You must have a genuine study purpose and an acceptance letter from a recognised institution.
Income and Financial Requirements
NLV: requires demonstration of approximately €2,400/month in passive income or equivalent savings. This must be ongoing and sustainable — it's a genuine financial threshold.
Student Visa: requires proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies — typically €600–€700/month. This is a lower bar, and can often be met through savings or a bank statement, sometimes with parental support.
Working Rights
NLV: no working permitted. You cannot have a job, run a business, or engage in any economic activity in Spain. Even remote work for a foreign company is technically a grey area.
Student Visa: up to 30 hours of part-time work per week is permitted with prior authorisation. This gives students some ability to earn while studying.
Duration and Renewal
NLV: issued for one year, then renewable for two-year periods. As long as you meet the requirements, you can renew indefinitely.
Student Visa: issued for the duration of your course. For a one-year language course, you'd get one year. For a four-year degree, you'd typically get one year and renew annually.
Path to Residency
Both visa types contribute to the five-year continuous residence requirement for permanent residency. However, student visa time has historically been counted at half rate. Always check the current rules before making long-term plans based on this assumption.
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