A
Au Pair
Au Pair (au pair)
A young person who lives with a host family and provides childcare in exchange for accommodation, meals, and a small allowance. Au pairs from EU countries can stay in Spain for up to one year.
Birth Certificate
Acta de Nacimiento
Official government document proving date and place of birth. Required for visa renewal. Must be certified copy and officially translated into Spanish.
C
Consulate
Consulado
Spanish government office in a foreign country that handles visa applications, renewals, and consular services. Each consulate covers a specific geographic jurisdiction.
Context:
Your NLV renewal is processed through the Spanish consulate in your country of residence or origin.
Bank Certificate
Certificado Bancario
Official document from your bank certifying account balance and transaction history. Often required to prove financial stability and income continuity.
Special Social Security Agreement
Convenio Especial
Special voluntary social security contribution arrangement for self-employed and non-employed residents. Required for some visa categories; costs €320-420/month.
D
Identity Document
Documento de Identidad
Official government-issued identification. Passports and national ID cards are accepted. Must be valid during entire renewal process.
Asylum Application
Demanda de Asilo
Application for refugee or asylum status. A separate legal process from visa renewal with different requirements and timelines.
E
Municipal Registration
Empadronamiento
Registration with your local town hall (ayuntamiento) showing your residence in Spain. Essential proof of accommodation. Can be obtained at city council office with passport and proof of address.
Cost:
Usually free; takes 1-2 days
Deed of Property
Escritura de Propiedad
Legal document proving property ownership in Spain. Used as proof of accommodation if you own property.
F
Application Form
Formulario de Solicitud
Official government form required for visa renewal. Form number and requirements vary by consulate.
G
Guarantee Letter
Carta de Garantía or Carta de Sostenimiento
Formal letter guaranteeing financial support if applicant cannot support themselves. Signed by supporter and notarized. Required if relying on family support.
H
Inheritance
Herencia
Property or money received from a deceased person. Inheritance income can sometimes be used to meet income requirements; consulate rules vary.
I
Immigration Office
Oficina de Inmigración
Spanish government office handling immigration matters, residency permits, and related services. Different from consulates (foreign offices).
Income Tax Return
Declaración del Impuesto sobre la Renta (IIR)
Spanish tax return filed annually. Recent returns often required to prove income history and tax compliance.
L
Lawyer/Attorney
Letrado/a or Abogado/a
Licensed legal professional who can represent you in immigration matters. Can be helpful for complex renewal cases.
M
Approved Medical Examiner
Médico Autorizado
Physician approved by the Spanish government to conduct medical examinations for visa purposes. Not all doctors can perform visa medicals; only authorized ones.
Marriage/Spouse
Matrimonio
Legal marriage between two people. Marriage certificate required if spouse renewing on joint application. Must be officially translated if foreign.
N
Foreigner Identification Number
Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE)
Spain's identification number for non-Spanish residents. Required for all aspects of Spanish bureaucracy including banking, healthcare, and tax. Obtained from National Police.
Essential for:
Bank accounts, tax identification, employment, healthcare registration
P
Passport
Pasaporte
Travel document issued by government proving citizenship and identity. Must be valid throughout the renewal process.
Local Census Register
Padrón Municipal
Official municipal register of residents. Same as empadronamiento; proof of residence in Spain.
Pensioner/Retiree
Pensionista
Person receiving regular pension payments from government or private pension system. Pension income satisfies NLV income requirement if meets minimum.
R
Unemployment Benefits
Renta Activa de Inserción or Prestación por Desempleo
Government payments to unemployed persons. Can count toward income requirement in some cases; consulate dependent.
Minimum Income Requirement
Renta Mínima Requerida
Minimum monthly income required for NLV renewal. Currently €1,080/month for individual or equivalent family income. Adjusted annually.
S
Health Insurance
Seguro de Enfermedad or Póliza de Seguros Médicos
Private or public health insurance coverage required for visa renewal. Must cover medical expenses in Spain. Minimum coverage typically €500/month or €6,000/year.
Application/Request
Solicitud
Formal written request for something, typically a visa renewal. Submitted to consulate with supporting documents.
T
Residence Card
Tarjeta de Residencia or TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
Physical residence permit card showing visa status and expiration date. Issued by National Police in Spain after visa approval.
Note:
Different from the visa itself; cards are renewed if changed during residency
Certified Translator
Traductor Jurado
Government-appointed translator whose translations are legally recognized. Required for official translation of foreign documents. Not all translators are certified.
Administrative Procedure
Trámite
Official administrative process or step. Visa renewal involves multiple trámites (document submission, interviews, etc.).
V
Housing/Residence
Vivienda
Your place of residence in Spain. Must have fixed address in Spain to be eligible for NLV renewal.
Visa
Visado
Official government authorization to enter and reside in Spain. The NLV is a specific type of visa. Renewed annually for those eligible.