Moving to Spain as a couple? The Non-Lucrative Visa process works slightly differently when two people are applying together. This guide covers everything couples need to know — from financial requirements to whether you should apply jointly or separately, and how unmarried partners fit into the picture.
Financial Requirements for Couples in 2026
When applying as a couple, the financial threshold increases to account for the second person:
- Main applicant: €28,800/year (400% of IPREM)
- Spouse/partner: additional €7,200/year (100% of IPREM)
- Total for a couple: €36,000/year (€3,000/month)
If you have children, add another €7,200/year per dependent child. A couple with two children needs €50,400/year.
The income can come from either partner or both combined. What matters is that the total household income meets the threshold.
👉 Full IPREM breakdown and income calculations
Joint Application vs. Separate Applications
Married couples and registered domestic partners (pareja de hecho) can apply together on a single application, with one person as the main applicant and the other as a dependent. This is the most common and straightforward approach.
Advantages of applying jointly:
- Lower total income requirement (€36,000 instead of €57,600 for two separate applications)
- One set of consulate appointments and fees
- Simpler paperwork — many documents overlap
- Both visas processed together
When separate applications might make sense:
- You’re not legally married or registered as domestic partners
- You each have strong individual financial profiles and want independent visa status
- One partner wants to apply for a different visa type (e.g., one NLV and one Digital Nomad Visa)
Married Couples: What You Need
In addition to the standard NLV documents for each person (passport, criminal background check, medical certificate, etc.), married couples need:
- Marriage certificate — apostilled and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator
- Both passports — each valid for at least 1 year beyond planned entry
- Financial proof — showing combined household income meets €36,000/year
- Health insurance for both — each person needs their own compliant policy (sin copagos, sin carencias, nationwide coverage)
- Individual criminal background checks — one per person, from each country lived in 6+ months
- Individual medical certificates — one per person
Unmarried Couples: Your Options
If you’re not married, you have two paths:
Option 1: Register as Pareja de Hecho (Domestic Partners)
Spain recognizes registered domestic partnerships (pareja de hecho). If you register your partnership — either in Spain or in a country whose registrations Spain recognizes — you can apply as a couple with the same benefits as married couples. The registration must be done before applying for the visa. Requirements for pareja de hecho registration vary by autonomous community in Spain, but generally require both partners to be present, proof of cohabitation, and registration at the local civil registry.
Option 2: Apply Separately
Each person applies for their own independent NLV. This means each partner must individually meet the €28,800/year income requirement (total €57,600 for the couple), and each submits a complete set of documents. The applications are independent — if one is denied, the other can still be approved.
Same-Sex Couples
Spain fully recognizes same-sex marriages (it was one of the first countries in the world to legalize them in 2005). Same-sex married couples have exactly the same rights and process as opposite-sex married couples for NLV purposes. Same-sex couples can also register as pareja de hecho. Your marriage certificate from your home country will be recognized as long as it’s properly apostilled and translated.
What If One Partner Is an EU Citizen?
If one partner is an EU/EEA citizen, the non-EU partner may not need an NLV at all. EU citizens have the right to live in Spain, and their non-EU spouses/partners can obtain a family member of EU citizen residence card (tarjeta de familiar de ciudadano de la UE), which is simpler and cheaper than the NLV process. Consult an immigration lawyer if this applies to your situation.
Mixed Visa Strategies for Couples
Some couples have different needs: one partner is retired with passive income, while the other wants to work remotely. In this case, the retired partner can apply for the NLV while the working partner applies for the Digital Nomad Visa. Each visa has its own requirements, and you’d apply independently. This can actually be advantageous — the DNV partner gets the Beckham Law tax benefits while the NLV partner’s passive income is taxed at standard rates.
👉 NLV vs Digital Nomad Visa comparison
Connect with immigration lawyers who specialize in Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa process.
Practical Tips for Couples Applying Together
Start document prep at the same time. Since many documents have expiry dates (3–6 months), coordinate so everything is ready simultaneously. Getting one partner’s documents early while the other’s aren’t ready can mean the first set expires.
Book consulate appointments together. Some consulates allow joint appointments for married couples; others require separate time slots. Call ahead to confirm.
Get separate health insurance policies. Even applying jointly, each person needs their own health insurance policy. You can often get a discount from the same insurer for a second policy.
Plan the TIE appointment together. Once in Spain, both partners need TIE cards. Book appointments at the same Oficina de Extranjería on the same day if possible.
Consider joint bank accounts for proof. If your income goes into a joint account, provide statements for that account. If income goes into separate accounts, provide statements for both and clearly show how the total meets the threshold.
Financial planners who help NLV applicants structure passive income and meet the requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my spouse join me later through family reunification?
Yes. If you apply alone first, your spouse can later apply for family reunification (reagrupación familiar) once you have your residence card. However, this is a separate process and can take additional months. Applying together from the start is usually faster and simpler.
What if we get married after one partner already has the NLV?
The non-visa-holding spouse can apply for family reunification. Getting married in Spain is straightforward for legal residents, though the paperwork takes time.
Do both partners need to be at the consulate interview?
Generally, yes. If applying jointly, both the main applicant and dependent spouse should attend the consulate appointment. Some consulates may be flexible, but plan for both partners to be present.
👉 Step-by-step application guide | Full 2026 requirements | Cost breakdown | Consulate interview tips
