What Is Non-Lucrative Residency?
A residence permit that allows an Iranian citizen to live in Spain for one year (renewable) without carrying out any employment or business activity on Spanish soil. You must prove a stable income from sources outside Spain: savings, a pension, rental income or investments. This route suits retirees or people with a regular income from Iran or another country.
This permit fully prohibits working in Spain. Anyone working remotely for foreign companies should look into the digital nomad visa in the Residency and Visas section instead, since working under this residency can result in the case being revoked.
Requirements
- Sufficient financial means with no need to work (details in the table below)
- Comprehensive private health insurance, with no copay and no waiting period, from an insurer authorized to operate in Spain
- A certificate of no criminal record from Iran and from any country where you have resided over the past 5 years, duly legalized through consular channels
- A medical certificate confirming you do not have any disease that poses a risk to public health
- A valid passport with at least one year of remaining validity
Financial Amount Required for 2026
This amount is calculated as a percentage of the IPREM (Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator), an official index in Spain used as a benchmark for calculating financial requirements in immigration cases.
| Status | Monthly Amount | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant (400% of IPREM) | Approx. €2,400 | Approx. €28,800 |
| Each additional family member (100% of IPREM) | Approx. €600 | Approx. €7,200 |
The IPREM amount is set every year in Spain's General State Budget Act. Always check the current official figure before submitting your application, as it may change at any time.
How to Prove Your Financial Means
- Bank statements from the last 12 months
- Pension certificate, if applicable
- Documented rental income or financial investments
- Savings certificate or bank deposit
Application Steps
- Prepare a complete file: financial means, health insurance, criminal record clearance and medical certificate
- Book an appointment and submit the application at the Spanish Embassy in Tehran
- Wait for the embassy's decision (processing time varies depending on the embassy's workload)
- After approval and entering Spain, register with the local municipal register (Empadronamiento) and obtain your residence card (TIE) within one month
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in Spain under this residency?
No. Non-lucrative residency prohibits both employment and self-employment inside Spain. Anyone wishing to work remotely should look into the digital nomad visa.
Can this residency be renewed?
Yes, it can be renewed for two more years and then another two years, provided you continue to prove sufficient financial means and maintain actual residence of more than 183 days per year.
Do these years count toward Spanish nationality?
Yes, years of legal and continuous residence under this permit count toward the years required for nationality, which is ten years for Iranian citizens. See details on nationality through residency.
What features must the required health insurance have?
Comprehensive private health insurance, with no copay and no waiting period, from an insurer authorized to operate in Spain, is required.
What should I do after approval and entering Spain?
You must register with the local municipal register (Empadronamiento) and obtain your residence card (TIE) within one month.