NLV Requirement 2026
Medical Certificate for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa — What Your Doctor Needs to State
The medical certificate for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa is one of two apostilled documents required alongside your application — the other being your criminal record certificate. A standard GP letter will not do. The certificate must contain specific wording referencing the 2005 International Health Regulations and confirm freedom from drug addiction. This guide explains exactly what the certificate must say, who can issue it, whether it needs apostilling, and how to manage the 3-month validity window.
Why It's Required
Why Spain Requires a Medical Certificate for the NLV
Spain's immigration regulations require all long-stay visa applicants to confirm that they do not suffer from any illness that could pose a risk to public health, as defined by the World Health Organization's 2005 International Health Regulations. This is a standard public health screening measure applied to all non-EU national residency applicants, not a specific NLV requirement.
The medical certificate for the non lucrative visa Spain must be issued by a registered medical practitioner — your regular GP, a private doctor, or a travel health clinic physician. It is not a comprehensive health check or a medical examination — it is a professional declaration by a doctor, based on their knowledge of your health, that you do not carry a notifiable communicable disease and are not dependent on drugs.
Medical Certificate — Key Facts at a Glance
- Issued by: Any registered medical practitioner (NHS GP, private GP, travel health clinic, occupational health doctor)
- Must state: No illness posing public health risk per 2005 International Health Regulations; no drug addiction
- Format: On official headed paper; signed by the doctor; includes doctor's GMC/licence number
- Validity: Must be issued within 3 months of your consulate appointment date
- Apostille: Required by most consulates — FCDO for UK, Dept of State for US, DFAT for Australia
- Translation: Certified Spanish translation required if not in Spanish
- Lead time: 1–5 days to obtain; apostille adds 2–4 weeks on standard service
The Critical Section
Exactly What the NLV Medical Certificate Must State
This is the most important section of this guide. The medical certificate for the NLV is frequently rejected or queried when the wording is vague, generic, or missing specific required elements. Your doctor does not need to invent the language — we provide a template. But they need to include the following statements clearly and explicitly.
The Required Wording (English)
The certificate must confirm, in substance, the following two statements:
"I confirm that [Full Name], date of birth [DD/MM/YYYY], passport number [XXXXXX], does not suffer from any illness that could have serious public health repercussions according to the International Health Regulations adopted on 23 May 2005, nor from any other condition that would prevent their entry into Spanish territory."
"I further confirm that [Full Name] does not suffer from any drug addiction."
These are the core statements. The wording does not need to be verbatim — close equivalents referencing the 2005 IHR and drug addiction are acceptable — but both elements must be present. A vague letter saying "fit for travel" or "in good health" is not sufficient.
What the Certificate Must Include
- Official headed paper from the medical practice or clinic
- Applicant's full legal name (as on passport)
- Applicant's date of birth
- Applicant's passport number
- The 2005 International Health Regulations wording
- Confirmation of no drug addiction
- Doctor's full name and signature
- Doctor's GMC number (UK) or equivalent licence number
- Practice name, address, and contact details
- Date of issue
What the Certificate Must NOT Do
- List specific diagnoses, conditions, or medications
- Include any qualifying or limiting language ("to the best of my knowledge" is generally fine, but "as far as I am aware, the patient does not appear to be" is not)
- Be handwritten or on non-headed paper
- Be issued by a nurse, physiotherapist, or any non-doctor practitioner
- Be undated or signed by a doctor who has not seen the patient recently
- Be a photocopy — the original signed certificate is required
Our case managers provide the exact template letter to give to your doctor, with all required wording, as part of the application service.
Start My ApplicationApostille Requirement
Does the NLV Medical Certificate Need an Apostille?
Yes — for the majority of Spanish consulates, the medical certificate requires an apostille under the Hague Convention, confirming that the doctor's signature is genuine and that they are a registered medical practitioner. The apostille process for the medical certificate is slightly different from the criminal record certificate because it involves verifying a doctor's signature rather than a police authority's stamp.
UK: FCDO Apostille Process
For UK-issued medical certificates, the apostille is obtained from the FCDO Legalisation Office — the same authority that apostilles criminal record certificates. However, the FCDO cannot apostille a document simply by verifying the doctor's signature alone. The doctor's signature must first be confirmed against the GMC register. In practice, this means the FCDO process works smoothly for most GP-issued certificates. Send the original signed medical certificate by post to the FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes with the standard fee (£45). Allow 15–25 working days on the standard postal service. An expedited premium service is available.
Do All Consulates Require It?
Most Spanish consulates require the medical certificate to be apostilled, but requirements are not entirely uniform across all Spanish consulates worldwide. Some consulates — particularly in English-speaking countries — accept a certified copy with a medical register stamp rather than a full Hague apostille. This is an area where our case managers' knowledge of individual consulate practices is particularly valuable. We confirm the exact requirement for your specific consulate at the start of your application, so you know precisely what is needed before you obtain the certificate.
Apostille Authorities for the Medical Certificate by Country
- UK: FCDO Legalisation Office — gov.uk/get-document-legalised
- USA: US Department of State Office of Authentications
- Australia: DFAT — via Australia Post DFAT apostille service
- Canada: Provincial/territorial government apostille authority
- South Africa: DIRCO (Department of International Relations and Cooperation)
- New Zealand: MFAT (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
Translation
Medical Certificate Translation Requirements for the NLV
The medical certificate and, where required, its apostille must be accompanied by a certified Spanish translation. This is mandatory for all non-Spanish documents submitted to a Spanish consulate.
What Needs Translating
The certified Spanish translation must cover the full text of the medical certificate — your personal details, the medical declarations, the doctor's details, and the date. If the apostille is a separate document attached to the certificate, it should also be translated. Some certified translators provide a combined translation covering the original certificate and the apostille as a single document; others translate each separately. Both translations must be included in your application pack.
Certified Translation Included in Our Service
Our application service includes up to €100 of certified translation costs as part of the application fee. This covers the medical certificate translation for the vast majority of applicants. Our case managers arrange the certified translation through accredited sworn translators (traductores jurados) once your apostilled medical certificate is received. You do not need to source a translator separately — this is handled as part of the managed service.
Timing
When to Get Your Medical Certificate — Timing and Validity
The medical certificate is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Unlike the criminal record certificate, obtaining a replacement medical certificate is quick — most GPs and all private clinics can reissue it within days. However, the apostille process adds 2–4 weeks on standard service, so you still need to time it carefully.
Time It with Your Consulate Appointment Window
The 3-month validity runs from the date your doctor signs and dates the certificate — not the date of your GP appointment, not the date it is apostilled. Coordinate when you get the certificate with your expected consulate appointment date. If your appointment will be in October, obtain the certificate in August or September — not in July where it may expire before the appointment. Your case manager will advise on the optimal timing once your application is in progress and your appointment window becomes clearer.
Book a GP or Private Clinic Appointment
If you are using your NHS GP, book an appointment and explain you need a medical certificate for a Spanish visa application with specific wording. NHS GP appointments can have waiting times of 2–4 weeks, so book early. If speed matters, a private GP appointment for this purpose is available at most private medical clinics and travel health centres (including MASTA, Nomad, and private GP services) often within 1–5 working days. The cost is typically £50–£100 privately. Provide your doctor with the template wording to ensure the certificate is correct first time.
Send for Apostille Immediately
As soon as you have the signed original certificate, send it for apostilling without delay. The sooner it is apostilled, the more validity period remains in the certificate when you reach your consulate appointment. Using a faster FCDO service or an apostille agent can compress the timeline if you are working within a tight window.
If the Certificate Expires — Replacement Is Quick
If your consulate appointment is delayed beyond 3 months from the certificate date, you need a replacement. Fortunately, replacement medical certificates are fast — a private GP appointment can produce a new one in days. The apostille process still takes 2–4 weeks on standard service, so do not delay starting the replacement if expiry becomes a risk. Our case managers track all document validity dates and alert you well in advance.
Country-Specific Notes
Medical Certificate by Country — Practical Notes
The core requirements are the same across all countries, but the practicalities of obtaining and apostilling the certificate differ slightly.
United Kingdom
UK applicants can use their NHS GP or a private GP. NHS GPs can issue the certificate but may not be familiar with the IHR wording — give them the template. Private GPs at clinics such as Doctor Care Anywhere, LondonDoctors Clinic, or your local private practice are usually faster. MASTA and Nomad Travel clinics also offer this service. The certificate is then apostilled by the FCDO. Most UK consulate applicants go through BLS International or directly to the Spanish consulate in London, Edinburgh, or Manchester — all require the apostilled certificate.
United States
US applicants use a licensed physician — your primary care doctor (internist, family doctor) is ideal. Walk-in clinics and urgent care centres may also issue the certificate if they are familiar with the wording. The certificate is apostilled by the US Department of State Authentications Office. US applicants applying through Spanish consulates in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, or Chicago should confirm the specific apostille requirements with their consulate or our case managers.
Australia
Australian applicants use a GP registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). Private GP clinics and travel health centres are typically faster than bulk-billing practices for this type of administrative certificate. The certificate is apostilled by DFAT through Australia Post. Australian applicants typically apply through the Spanish consulate in Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth.
Canada
Canadian applicants use a physician licensed in their province. Provincial colleges of physicians and surgeons regulate practitioners — ensure your doctor's licence number from the relevant provincial college is included on the certificate. Apostille is obtained from the provincial or territorial apostille authority. Processing times and methods vary by province. Our case managers advise on the specific provincial apostille process for your province of residence.
South Africa
South African applicants use a medical doctor registered with the HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa). Include the HPCSA registration number on the certificate. Apostille is from DIRCO. South African applicants should note that the SAPS criminal record certificate process is also lengthy, so coordinate both certificates carefully. Begin both as early as possible in your application timeline.
Other Countries
For other nationalities, the principle applies universally: any licensed, registered medical doctor can issue the certificate. The apostille is obtained from your country's designated Hague Convention apostille authority. If your country is not a Hague Convention signatory, legalisation through an alternative process may be required — contact us at hello@myspanishnlv.com to discuss your specific situation.
Common Questions
Medical Certificate for the NLV — Frequently Asked Questions
What exact wording does the NLV medical certificate need to include?
The certificate must confirm that the applicant "does not suffer from any illness that could have serious public health repercussions according to the International Health Regulations adopted on 23 May 2005, nor from any other condition that would prevent their entry into Spanish territory." It must also confirm that the applicant "does not suffer from any drug addiction." Both statements must appear explicitly, alongside the applicant's full name, date of birth, and passport number. Our case managers provide a template letter with the exact wording to give to your doctor.
Can my NHS GP write the medical certificate for Spain's NLV?
Yes — an NHS GP can write the medical certificate. However, NHS GPs may not be familiar with the specific IHR wording and may have limited appointment availability for administrative letters. We provide a template letter with the precise required wording that you can take to your GP. Many applicants find it faster to use a private GP or travel health clinic (MASTA, Nomad, private practice) where the certificate can be produced within 1–5 working days and staff are familiar with immigration health certification.
Does the NLV medical certificate need an apostille?
Yes — for most Spanish consulates, the medical certificate must be apostilled. In the UK, the FCDO Legalisation Office issues apostilles on medical certificates in the same way as criminal record certificates. Some consulates accept a medical register certification stamp rather than a full apostille — our case managers confirm the exact requirement for your specific consulate at the start of your application. Allow 2–4 weeks for the FCDO apostille process on the standard service.
How recent must the medical certificate be for the NLV?
The medical certificate must be dated within 3 months of your consulate appointment date. The date that counts is the date your doctor signs the certificate. Coordinate when you obtain the certificate with your expected appointment date — obtaining it too far in advance risks expiry before your appointment. Your case manager will advise on the optimal timing once your appointment window becomes clear.
Can a private doctor or clinic issue the certificate instead of my regular GP?
Yes. Any registered medical practitioner can issue the certificate — NHS GP, private GP, travel health clinic doctor, or occupational health physician — provided they are registered with the appropriate regulatory body (GMC in the UK, state medical board in the US, AHPRA in Australia). Private GPs and travel health clinics are often faster and more familiar with immigration documentation. Services such as MASTA, Nomad Travel, and private GP networks can typically issue the certificate quickly.
What if I have a chronic medical condition — will it prevent NLV approval?
Having a chronic condition — diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer in remission, arthritis, and similar — does not automatically prevent NLV approval. The medical certificate tests whether you carry a notifiable communicable disease that poses a risk to public health, as defined by the WHO's 2005 International Health Regulations. Most chronic conditions do not meet this threshold. Your doctor can truthfully sign the declaration even if you have chronic health conditions. If you have any uncertainty about your specific circumstances, discuss them with your case manager and your doctor.
Does the medical certificate need to be translated into Spanish?
Yes. The medical certificate must be accompanied by a certified Spanish translation if it is not in Spanish. Both the certificate itself and the apostille should be translated. The translation must be certified — performed by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) recognised in Spain. Our application service includes up to €100 of certified translation costs, which covers the medical certificate translation for most applicants. Our case managers arrange translations through accredited translators as part of the service.
What if my appointment is delayed and the medical certificate expires?
If your consulate appointment is rescheduled past 3 months from the certificate issue date, you need a replacement. Unlike the criminal record certificate, a replacement medical certificate is quick to obtain — most private GPs can issue a new one within days. The apostille process still takes 2–4 weeks on standard service, so take action as soon as expiry becomes a risk. Our case managers track all document dates and will alert you proactively if the certificate is approaching its 3-month limit.
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