HELP!!!

Hi

I successfully completed the NLV process in May 2021 (after Brexit) and I renewed my NLV in May 2022. I already owned a villa near Lorca in Murcia, so I can't specifically help with purchasing a property in Camposol. PLease see below for my experience and advice on the process...

You need to apply for your visa at the appropriate embassy / consulate in the UK. Broadly speaking, London serves the south of England; Manchester from the Midlands to the North West and Edinburgh for the very north of England and all Scotland. The consulate websites, visas sections, provide the list of requirements.

LIST OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR A NON LUCRATIVE RESIDENCY VISA (NLV)

1 Passport or travel document valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended arrival to Spain with at least two blank pages to affix the visa.

2 One completely filled and signed National Visa Application Form.

3 Ex-01 form and 079-052 fee form to be paid at the Consulate on the day of your appointment. The visa and appointment fee totals approx. £600 per person.

4 One recent passport colour photograph. (No more than six months old)

5 For non-British citizens: A UK residence permit valid for at least 3 months. It can be either in form of Visa stamped on the applicant’s passport or a Residency Card. If you are a 'normal UK subject / citizen, this doesn't apply.

6 Medical (Health ) Certificate signed and stamped by a registered doctor. This Certificate must literally state that the Applicant does not suffer of any illness which represents a risk or a danger for the public according to the International Health Regulations of 2005. The document must be translated by a Sworn Translator only, and with the Hague Apostille if the country is a member. Otherwise the document must be verified by the Spanish authorities in the country of issuance. Our doctor charged £25 per certificate, using a template provided by our Spanish solicitor.

7 Certificate of Good Conduct issued by the country or countries where the applicant has resided in the past five years. The document must be translated by a Sworn Translator only, and with the Hague Apostille if the country is a member. Otherwise the document must be verified by the Spanish authorities in the country of issuance. This is a Police Certificate which is obtained from the ACRO website, at a cost of, I think, £55 per person - turnaround time was about 10 days.

Note - docs 6 & 7 had to be notarised (our UK solicitor charged £25 to do all our documents). The Hague Apostille is an additional government service, which costs £30 per document and has a turnaround time of about 10 days.

8 Full health cover for applicant and, if applicable, family member. There are specific private health insurance policies, which must not include 'co-payments', which are acceptable for the NLV. Many companies offer these. We used Sanitas (which is part of BUPA), as our bank had a linked offer. I have seen DKV recommended by other people on this forum. The policy needs to be paid up front for a year and be 'live' at the date of the NLV application. We were 50 & 48, with no pre-existing conditions and our policy cost around £1,200 for the two of us. I have seen people with pre-existing conditions getting quotes as high as £6,000 pa each. It's important to shop around as prices vary significantly.

9 Means of maintenance in Spain of €2400 € per month for the main applicant. Each additional family member will need €600 per month. In general, €37,000 pa for a couple.

10 All documents must be translated into Spanish (and where it specifies a 'Sworn Translator', these are specific translation companies that charge a lot of money (however, our Spanish solicitor included this in her price)).

Although I would say that I am quite confident and competent in completing forms, gathering evidence, etc.; as many forms needed to be completed in Spanish (and mine is very limited) we used a Spanish solicitor (Raquel at BeGlobal Attorneys) to assist in preparing all the paperwork, making the appointments, etc. but there is still quite a bit of work you need to do yourselves. I would certainly recommend Raquel.

For the 'means of maintenance' we provided evidence of cash in bank, shares, premium bonds, rental income from a property we own and rent out in the UK, and my pension pot.

In total, the process took us about 12 weeks and cost around £2,300 for the two of us (excluding the cost of the private health insurance) - of which the solicitor's fees were approx. £1,000. When you get the NLV, you then have to enter Spain within 3 months and then start the rest of the process (below) within 1 month of entering.

When we got to Spain, we then had to attend the Foreigners' Office at a specific Police Station to have fingerprints taken; and be added to the padron at the town hall. Approx. 5 weeks after this, we collected our TIE from the Police Station.

This NLV lasts for a year, then you have to renew for 2 years, then a further two years, then you can get permanent residency. I have already had my first renewal and the process was similar ('means of maintenance' & private healthcare, but I didn't need the Police check or the medical certificate).

Hope this helps - and happy to answer any questions you may have.

Wow.  That is super helpful.

Question 9. Re income 

Do you have to have that income for every year you are out there or just evidence of it at the beginning...

Obviously I won't be working.

Will have around £80,000 in my bank after property purchase plus annual pension Income of around £6,000. Some of the £80,000 will be used to live on.   Minor amount.   Will this be sufficient.

I don't want to process an application if my income is not sufficient.

Many thanks for your support and time.

Jaye 

You need to prove the income for the first year, then again at each renewal.

You would need to prove €28k (£25k) in your initial application; then €56k (£50k) at first renewal (which then last for 2 years); then the same again at you second renewal. However, you clearly don't need to spend those amounts.

So, from your quoted figures, for example if you spend your pension, plus £10k from your cash in the bank each year, then I think the following is realistic:

Initial application £80k in bank + £6k pa pension; Need to prove £25k - Qualifies.

First renewal £70k in bank + 2 x £6k pension. Need to prove £50k - Qualifies.

Second renewal £50k in bank + 2 x £6k pension. Need to prove £50k - Qualifies.

If you want to contact Raquel, I can provide her contact details. I would imagine she'd give you a view on whether you would qualify, either for free, or for a very small charge.

Cheers!

Im so grateful to you.

Raquel's details would be great.  Can I quote you as recommendation.

If and when I finally make it to Spain, i definitely owe you a drink.

So appreciative of your time.

Enjoy the rest of your day.   

Jaye

Hi 

Yes, please say that Richard Tasker recommended you to contact her.

Raquel's contact information is as follows:

Raquel Moreno

Manager, Senior Immigration Lawyer|BeGlobal Attorneys

[email protected]

Tel.: +34 93 566 87 76    |    Movil: +34 674 07 21 89

Balmes 201, 08006 Barcelona www.beglobalbcn.com

Such super detailed information and guidance RichT. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to post it on this forum, it's much appreciated.

Thank you for asking this Jaye. 

I had stopped considering a move to Spain after looking at the income required.

No probs.

Tbh I've given up.  I am so frustrated.

Just trying to communicate with consulate is a nightmare.   If anyone knows how to obtain a visa and not having to deal with the consulate I'd be grateful for your advice.

Thank you 

Thats a shame, dont give up if it's your dream. I still get angry at Farage/Brexit followers who totally had their head in the sand and ruined things for so many.