Spain Non-Lucrative Visa — Miami Consulate Guide 2026
Florida is home to millions of retirees who are ideal candidates for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa. If you live in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, the Deep South, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands, the Miami consulate is your starting point. Here's exactly how the process works.
The Spanish Consulate in Miami
Miami is home to one of the largest Spanish-speaking communities in the United States. The Consulate General of Spain in Coral Gables handles NLV applications for a wide swath of the Southeast and the US territories.
Consulate General of Spain — Miami
2655 Le Jeune Rd, Suite 203, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Covers: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands
Website: exteriores.gob.es/miami
Miami's large and established Spanish-speaking population means many applicants are already culturally familiar with Spain's administrative processes. However, the consulate's official procedures are identical to all other Spanish consulates — documents must be formally submitted, translated, and complete regardless of your Spanish-language proficiency or existing connections to Spain.
South Florida's strong retirement community makes the Miami consulate one of the busiest for NLV applications in the Southeast. Book your appointment as early as possible — slots can fill 4–8 weeks in advance. The consulate is located in Coral Gables, easily accessible from Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Who Applies for the NLV from Miami?
The Southeast US — especially Florida — is a natural feeder for NLV applications. The demographics of this consulate's catchment area map almost perfectly onto the NLV's eligibility requirements.
Florida Retirees
Florida hosts more retirees than almost any other US state, and many already have strong connections to Spain or Spanish-speaking culture. Social Security combined with pension income or 401(k) distributions typically clears the NLV threshold with ease. The prospect of lower property costs, high-quality private healthcare, and a Mediterranean climate is a compelling draw.
Southeast Families & Early Retirees
Applicants from Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee include both traditional retirees and a growing cohort of early retirees who have built passive income streams through rental properties, investment portfolios, or business sale proceeds. Puerto Rico and USVI residents — already US citizens — are also a significant and often overlooked applicant group for this consulate.
The NLV does not require you to sell your US property or close your US accounts. Many Florida applicants maintain their US homes while living in Spain on the visa — it simply requires spending less than 183 days per year in the US to avoid complications with Spanish tax residency (a topic to discuss with a tax adviser before moving).
Income Requirements & Florida-Specific Sources
The NLV's income threshold for 2026 is approximately $2,600/month for a single applicant and $4,000/month for a couple (USD approximations of the IPREM-based euro threshold).
Income Sources Common to Southeast US Applicants
- Social Security: Award/verification letter from SSA plus 3–6 months bank statements confirming deposits.
- Florida Retirement System (FRS) pension: FRS pension statement or award letter plus bank statements.
- Federal / military pension: OPM or DFAS statements showing monthly payments.
- 401(k) / IRA distributions: Regular scheduled distributions — not lump sums. Account statements plus bank confirmation required.
- Investment dividends & interest: Brokerage statements from Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab, or similar.
- Florida rental income: Schedule E from Form 1040 plus current lease agreements and bank confirmation.
- Annuity payments: Annuity statements showing regular, scheduled monthly amounts.
- Combined sources: All passive income sources may be added together to meet the threshold.
Florida retirees typically qualify easily. The average Florida retiree with Social Security, a modest pension, and some investment income almost always exceeds the NLV threshold. If you're unsure whether your income qualifies, our free eligibility check takes less than 5 minutes.
The 8-Step Application Process from Florida
Allow 6–9 months from starting your preparation to receiving your visa. The FBI background check and apostille process is the longest lead-time item — start immediately.
Order Your FBI Identity History Summary
Use an FBI-approved channeler service for the fastest turnaround (3–5 business days for the check itself). The standard FBI direct process takes 12–18 weeks and is too slow for most application timelines. You still need to apostille the result regardless of which route you use.
Apostille the FBI Check (US State Department)
Florida's Secretary of State cannot apostille the FBI background check — it's a federal document requiring the US State Department in Washington D.C. Mail the original FBI check to the State Department Authentications Office. Standard: 6–8 weeks. Use an expedited service if your timeline requires it.
Obtain Your Medical Certificate
Any licensed physician in Florida can complete the NLV medical certificate. It must be signed, dated, and certified translated into Spanish. It is valid for 90 days — time it to remain valid through your consulate appointment.
Purchase Spanish Private Health Insurance
Buy from a Spain-registered insurer: established private health insurers in Spain, or a leading private insurer are popular choices. The policy must have no copays, no pre-existing condition exclusions, and cover you fully. Medicare does not satisfy this requirement.
Assemble Your Financial Documentation
Prepare 6 months of bank statements, SSA benefit letters, pension award letters, tax returns (Form 1040), brokerage statements, and any other proof of income. Have certified Spanish translations prepared for all key documents.
Complete Form EX-01
Download and complete Spain's national long-stay visa application form (EX-01). Complete in Spanish or with certified translation. Two originals are required. Sign and date close to your appointment date.
Attend In-Person Appointment in Coral Gables
Appear in person at the Consulate General of Spain, 2655 Le Jeune Rd, Suite 203, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Bring all originals and copies. Pay the visa fee (approximately €80–€100 per applicant, typically by money order). Biometrics may be collected.
Wait for Decision & Travel to Spain
Processing takes 10–16 weeks. Collect your visa on approval. Travel to Spain within the visa's validity window and register with the local Foreigners' Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) within 30 days of arrival.
Document Checklist for Miami Consulate Applicants
Identity & Legal
- Valid US passport (6+ months remaining, 2 blank pages)
- 2"×2" passport photos (white background, recent)
- Form EX-01 (2 signed copies)
- FBI Identity History Summary + US State Dept apostille
- Certified Spanish translation of FBI check
Health & Insurance
- Medical certificate from US-licensed physician
- Certified Spanish translation of medical certificate
- Spain-registered private health insurance certificate
- Policy must show: no copays, no exclusions, full coverage
Financial Proof
- 6 months bank statements (all accounts)
- SSA benefit verification letter (if applicable)
- FRS / federal / military pension letter
- 401(k) / IRA distribution statements
- Most recent Form 1040
- Brokerage / investment statements
- Certified Spanish translations of key financial documents
Additional Items
- Proof of accommodation in Spain (lease, deed, or hotel confirmation)
- Visa fee (approx €80–€100, money order)
Frequently Asked Questions — Miami / Florida Applicants
Can Puerto Rico residents apply for the Spain NLV through Miami?
Yes. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands fall under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Spain in Miami. US citizens residing in Puerto Rico or the USVI apply at the Miami consulate. You will need to travel to Coral Gables for your in-person appointment — there is no Spanish consulate in Puerto Rico or the USVI for this visa type. Your US passport is the travel document used for the application.
Does my Florida retirement income qualify for the Spain NLV?
Yes. Florida retirement income — Social Security, Florida Retirement System (FRS) pensions, private pensions, 401(k) / IRA distributions, investment income, and annuities — all qualify as passive income for the Non-Lucrative Visa, provided the amounts are regular and recurring.
For 2026, a single applicant needs approximately $2,600/month and a couple approximately $4,000/month. Most Florida retirees with a combination of Social Security and one other income source easily meet this threshold.
Which Southeast states use the Miami consulate?
The Consulate General of Spain in Miami covers: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Applicants from Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Birmingham, and other Southeast cities all apply at the Miami consulate in Coral Gables.
Do I need to translate my documents into Spanish even at the Miami consulate?
Yes. Despite Miami's large bilingual population and the consulate being staffed by Spanish speakers, the formal application process requires certified Spanish translations of required documents — particularly the FBI background check and medical certificate. Use a professional translation service with experience in Spanish immigration documents.
Can I keep my Florida home while living in Spain on the NLV?
Yes. The NLV does not require you to sell your US property or close US accounts. Many applicants retain their Florida home and divide time between Spain and the US. However, if you spend more than 183 days per year in Spain, you may become a Spanish tax resident — which has significant tax implications. This is an important conversation to have with a tax specialist before applying.
Can I use income from a Florida investment property to qualify?
Yes. Rental income from a Florida property qualifies as passive income for the NLV. You'll need to document it with Schedule E from your most recent Form 1040, current lease agreements showing the rental amounts, and bank statements confirming the rental deposits. Variable or seasonal rental income (like vacation rentals) may be harder to document — a consistent 12-month rental income with clear records is much stronger.
Further Reading
Applying from Miami? Book a Specialist Call
Our team at Platinum Legal Spain has guided hundreds of Florida and Southeast US residents through the NLV process. We know the Miami consulate's requirements inside out — let us help you build a complete, error-free application.