Where clients get caught out
Many refusals are not due to insufficient money but to poorly documented means: unexplained recent transfers, statements without average balances or income that actually comes from work. Working remotely on a non-lucrative permit can also put the renewal at risk.
Non-lucrative residence requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Financial means | 400% IPREM for the holder, 100% per family member, for the whole period |
| Health insurance | Equivalent to public healthcare, from an insurer authorised in Spain |
| Criminal records | Last five years, apostilled and translated |
| Medical certificate | Recent, in the required form |
| Passport | Valid for at least one year |
The first application at the consulate
The application is filed at the Spanish consulate for your place of residence. Once the visa is granted, you enter Spain and request your residence card (TIE) in Mallorca within one month. We prepare the full file and the appointments.
Renewals in Mallorca
Renewals can be filed in the two months before expiry or up to three months after (with a possible fine). You must prove more than 183 days of residence per year, means for the two years of the renewal and continuous insurance. See the non-lucrative visa guide.
Tax and buying a home as a resident
Living in Mallorca more than 183 days usually makes you tax resident, taxed on worldwide income. See tax lawyer. Many clients also buy a home here: see property purchase lawyer.
Example: non-lucrative residence in Mallorca
Based on situations we commonly see; not a specific client. A retired American couple applied for non-lucrative residence to live in Sóller. Their savings were enough, but the statements showed a large recent deposit from a property sale. We documented the origin of the funds, and both visas were granted.
Our collaborators for non-lucrative residence in Mallorca
For every service we work with trusted collaborators when a matter needs them: notaries, architects and surveyors, tax advisers at Castell.tax, sworn translators, banks and mortgage brokers, property managers and specialist lawyers in other parts of Spain. You keep one lawyer as your single point of contact, and we coordinate everyone else.
Castell.law is the English and German-speaking practice of Castell Abogados, a law firm in Palma de Mallorca. This page is general information, not advice on a specific case: laws and procedures change, so check your situation with us before acting.
Not sure where you stand? Ask before you sign
Tell us about your matter or send us the documents you have. A lawyer will explain the risks, the options and the cost before you commit to anything.
Questions about non-lucrative residence in Mallorca
How much money do I need for non-lucrative residence?
400% of IPREM for the holder plus 100% for each family member, for the whole period.
Can I work with a non-lucrative permit?
No, it is for living without working in Spain; remote work needs another route.
How long is the permit valid?
One year initially, then renewals of two years.
Can I spend half the year abroad?
To renew you must have lived in Spain more than 183 days a year.