Why Choose the Spanish Non profit Visa?
Reasons:
The application process is extremely straightforward, roughly on par with applying for a tourist visa in some countries. You only need to provide proof of sufficient funds, demonstrating that you can live in Spain for the long term without working and still support yourself and your family.
The approval time is very short—once you submit your documents, you can receive the visa in 1–3 months.
By handling everything yourself (DIY), the cost is virtually zero, allowing you to obtain a long-term residence visa without wasting money on intermediaries.
Spain is a developed European country with a robust social security system, social equity, free healthcare, free public education (extremely low university tuition), and even mostly free public transportation.
Upon arriving in Spain, you receive your NIE card (the foreigner’s ID), which essentially acts as a “second identity.” You can use it to open a bank account, book a hotel, purchase airline tickets, start a company, etc. It works almost the same as an EU ID, except it does not grant certain social benefits.
Strongly discouraged is the EUR 50,000 investment visa (which may soon be canceled). It’s completely unnecessary, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the local market—you can easily be taken advantage of. Many people from China hire agents, spend EUR 50,000 for a property that’s only worth EUR 20,000, and find it hard to believe that a house on tens of thousands of square meters of land plus a building of around one thousand square meters can cost just EUR 400,000 in Spain—yet such deals are common. Moreover, the application process for the non-lucrative visa is even simpler. If you truly have sufficient funds, you can first settle with the non-lucrative visa, buy a property after arriving, and then convert to an investment visa if desired.
To avoid being swindled when buying property, refer to:
How to Buy Spanish Real Estate
Translation fees, notarization fees, and travel expenses combined total only a few thousand RMB, which is enough to obtain a Spanish non-lucrative visa. You must stay in Spain at least 10 months per year, and after 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency (for Spain or the EU). Once you receive permanent residency, you only need to stay in Spain 1 day per year. After a total of 10 years, and after passing a low-level Spanish exam, you can apply for Spanish citizenship.
An official introduction to the non-lucrative (non-working) residence visa is provided on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website:
https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/pekin/zh/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-residencia-no-lucrativa.aspx
Note that this is simply a general legal requirement. Individual consulates may have slightly different evaluation criteria.
When applying for the Spanish non-lucrative visa, the principal applicant must submit materials to the appropriate consulate based on his/her registered address (if you are already abroad, you can apply at the Spanish consulate in the country where you are located):
• Spanish Consulate in Chengdu: Established in 2023, processes applications for Sichuan Province
• Consulate General in Shanghai: Covers Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang
• Consulate General in Guangzhou: Covers Fujian, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hunan, Yunnan, Guangxi
• Consulate General in Beijing: Covers Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, as well as Beijing, Chongqing, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang, and Tibet
Each consulate has slightly different requirements. The Beijing Consulate generally demands fewer documents, whereas the Shanghai Consulate tends to be more complex. Requirements may change, so it is advisable to contact the consulate directly to confirm before applying. If you are already overseas, you can apply at the Spanish consulate in your host country, which is typically simpler than applying within China.
Information about the necessary documents, how to schedule an appointment, and the interview can be obtained by emailing the consulate. Please use Spanish or English:
• Beijing: cog.pekin@maec.es
• Guangzhou: cog.canton@maec.es
• Hong Kong: cog.hongkong@maec.es
• Shanghai: Cg.Shanghai@maec.es
Operational Tips & Tricks:
Spanish driving tests are challenging. You must take the theory exam in English, Spanish, or another available language. Spain and China do not have reciprocal driver’s license recognition. However, an Ecuadorian license can be exchanged for a Spanish license, so you could first get a license that’s eligible for exchange before going to Spain. Just ensure you have the exchangeable license in hand prior to arrival in Spain.
Translation of Application Materials:
All application materials must be translated into Spanish. You can handle the translations via Taobao. If you are unsure how to fill out the application forms, you can also ask your translator for help.
Notarization and Legalization:
Notarization and Hague Apostille (or similar legalization) can also be arranged via Taobao. You can apply online for a Certificate of No Criminal Record.
Bank Deposit Requirements:
Explanation of Bank Balance Requirements for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa
According to Spanish regulations, applicants must possess sufficient funds. You can convert this amount into RMB if needed. Bank statements from China or abroad are acceptable. Specific conditions include:
• The total must be at least 4 times the IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples). For each additional family member, add 1 × IPREM.
• For renewal, the principal applicant needs funds equivalent to 8 × IPREM, plus 2 × IPREM for each additional family member.
• In 2024, IPREM is 7,200 EUR.
Below are some application forms for download. If these links become invalid, please search “Solicitud de visado nacional chino,” “790 052,” or “EX01” on Google:
• Spanish Visa Application Form in Chinese (you may switch to another language if you prefer):
https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/canton/es/ServiciosConsulares/Documents/nacional-es-cn.pdf
• 790-052 Form:
https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/ServiciosConsulares/Documents/Formulario%20790-052.pdf
• EX01 Form:
https://www.inclusion.gob.es/documents/410169/2156469/01-Formulario_residencia_no_lucrativa.pdf
If you do not understand how to complete the forms, please consult a Spanish translator.
Required Documents for the Principal Applicant
- New Passport, photocopies of all pages (including blank pages)
- Old Passport, photocopies of all pages
- Household Registration Book (hukou), photocopies of all pages + Spanish translation
- Certificate of No Criminal Record (translation, notarization, Apostille/legalization)
- Marriage Certificate (copy, translation, notarization, Apostille/legalization)
- Consulate Appointment Confirmation (reply email from consulate)
- Application Form (attach a 2-inch photo) + photocopy of the first page of the form
- 790-052 Form
- EX-01 Form
- Bank Statements from the past year (translation)
- Deposit Certificate (translation, notarization, Apostille/legalization)
- Property Ownership Certificate (copy, translation, notarization, Apostille/legalization; optional)
- Rental Contract (translation; required by some consulates)
- Social Security Proof (translation; optional)
- Tax Certificate (translation; optional)
- Home Sale Invoice (translation, notarization, Apostille/legalization; optional)
- Home Sale Contract (translation, notarization, Apostille/legalization; optional)
- Health Check Report (from a consulate-designated hospital, do not open the sealed envelope; some hospitals may not require notarization/Apostille)
Health Certificate for Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa
- Proof of Accommodation in Spain (hotel reservation in Spanish with a full-refund option)
- One-Year Medical Insurance in Spain (comprehensive coverage recommended, printed in Spanish)
Required Documents for a Dependent Spouse
- New Passport, photocopies of all pages
- Old Passport, photocopies of all pages
- Household Registration Book (hukou), photocopies of all pages + Spanish translation
- Certificate of No Criminal Record (translation, notarization, Apostille/legalization)
- Marriage Certificate (copy, translation, notarization, Apostille/legalization)
- Application Form (attach a 2-inch photo) + photocopy of the first page of the form
- 790 Form
- EX-01 Form
- Health Check Report (from a consulate-designated hospital, do not open; some hospitals may not require notarization/Apostille)
- One-Year Medical Insurance in Spain (comprehensive coverage recommended, printed in Spanish)
Required Documents for a Dependent Child
- New Passport, photocopies of all pages
- Old Passport, photocopies of all pages
- Household Registration Book (hukou), photocopies of all pages + Spanish translation
- Birth Certificate (copy, translation, notarization, Apostille/legalization)
- Application Form (attach a 2-inch photo) + photocopy of the first page of the form
- 790 Form
- EX-01 Form
- Health Check Report (from a consulate-designated hospital, do not open; some hospitals may not require notarization/Apostille)
- One-Year Medical Insurance in Spain (printed in Spanish)
- Proof of Current Enrollment in China (translation)
- Offer Letter from a School in Spain + Tuition Payment Records (required by some consulates)
