NLV Requirement 2026
Using Your Pension to Qualify for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa
Pension income is the single most common qualifying income source for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa, and both state and private pensions are accepted. This guide covers how pension income qualifies, which types of pension count, what evidence the consulate needs, and what to do if your pension falls short of the ~€2,400/month threshold.
The Short Answer
Does Pension Income Qualify for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa?
Yes — pension income is the most straightforward and widely accepted form of passive income for the NLV. Both state pensions (government-provided retirement income) and private pensions (company, occupational, and personal pensions) qualify. This makes the NLV a natural route for retirees from the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, and New Zealand who want to spend their retirement years in Spain.
The NLV's fundamental requirement is that you can support yourself financially in Spain without working. A pension — which by definition arrives whether or not you work — is the cleanest possible demonstration of this. It is predictable, documented, and the consulate knows exactly what evidence to expect.
2026 NLV Income Threshold at a Glance
Single applicant: approximately €2,400/month
Couple (2 applicants): approximately €3,000/month
Family of 3: approximately €3,600/month
These figures are 400% of Spain's IPREM for the lead applicant, plus 100% IPREM for each additional family member. The IPREM is revised every January. Your exact threshold is confirmed by our case managers based on your consulate and appointment date.
Pension Types
Types of Pension Income Accepted for the NLV
Here is a detailed breakdown of each major pension type accepted for Spain's NLV, with evidence requirements and practical notes on how each one is assessed.
UK State Pension
The UK State Pension qualifies for the NLV, but the full new State Pension in 2026 — approximately £11,500 per year (£960/month) — converts to roughly €1,100–€1,150/month at current rates. This falls well below the €2,400 threshold for a single applicant, so UK State Pension recipients almost always need to supplement with a private pension, rental income, dividends, or savings. Evidence required: DWP pension award letter (downloadable from GOV.UK) plus 3–6 months of bank statements.
UK Private and Occupational Pension
Final salary (defined benefit), money purchase (defined contribution), and personal pensions all qualify. Whether you receive income through an annuity or regular scheduled drawdown, you need an annual pension statement from your provider and bank statements showing regular pension deposits. Many UK applicants combine their State Pension with a company or personal pension to reach the threshold. Our case managers help you calculate whether your combined pension income qualifies.
SIPP Drawdown
Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) drawdown qualifies but requires more supporting documentation than a regular pension. Because SIPP income is flexible rather than guaranteed, the consulate needs confidence that your drawdown level is sustainable. You will need a letter from your SIPP provider or an independent financial adviser (IFA) confirming the portfolio value, the monthly drawdown amount, and a sustainability assessment — alongside 3–6 months of bank statements showing the drawdowns. We can advise on exactly how to frame this evidence for your consulate.
US Social Security
US Social Security retirement benefits qualify as passive income. Evidence: a Social Security Award Letter (obtainable from the SSA website or your local Social Security office) plus 3–6 months of bank statements showing regular SS deposits. The average US Social Security payment in 2026 is approximately $1,900/month — this may need to be supplemented with a 401(k), IRA drawdown, or other income to reach the €2,400 equivalent. The SSA letter is typically in English and will require a certified Spanish translation.
Australian Age Pension
The Australian Age Pension qualifies for the NLV. Evidence: a Centrelink letter confirming your pension entitlement and payment amount, plus bank statements. The full Age Pension in 2026 is approximately AUD 1,100–1,200/month for a single person — at current exchange rates this falls well below €2,400, so supplementary savings or investment income is typically needed. The Centrelink letter must be accompanied by a certified Spanish translation.
Canadian CPP / OAS
Canadian pension income from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) qualifies. Evidence: a Service Canada letter confirming your entitlement and payment amounts, plus bank statements. Many Canadians receive both CPP and OAS — combined, these average approximately CAD $1,500–$2,000/month, which may approach but not meet the €2,400 equivalent depending on exchange rates. Private savings or RRSP/RRIF income can supplement the total. Service Canada letters require certified Spanish translation.
Annuity Income
A purchased annuity — where you have converted a pension lump sum into a guaranteed income stream — is viewed very favourably by Spanish consulates. Annuity income is predictable, guaranteed, and evidenced clearly through an annual statement from the annuity provider plus bank statements. If you are considering whether to take an annuity or use drawdown, note that from an NLV perspective an annuity makes your application significantly simpler to document and assess.
Irish and Other EU State Pensions
Irish State Pension recipients (non-EU citizenship holders eligible for the NLV) can use their Irish pension as qualifying income. Other national pensions from countries with which Spain has a social security agreement may also qualify. Evidence requirements mirror other state pensions: an official award or payment letter from the relevant pension authority plus bank statements. Our case managers confirm the exact evidence required for your specific pension type.
Evidence Requirements
Pension Evidence Required — Country by Country
Each country's pension authority issues different documents. Here is exactly what you need from each, and how to obtain it.
United Kingdom (DWP / Private Provider)
State Pension: DWP pension award letter or proof of state pension letter — downloadable from your GOV.UK personal tax account or Request a proof of entitlement letter from DWP directly. Private pension: Annual statement from your pension provider (insurance company or employer scheme trustees). Both: 3–6 months of UK bank statements showing the pension deposits. All documents are in English and require certified Spanish translation. FCDO apostille is not typically required for pension letters (only for criminal records and medical certificates) but bank certification stamps are advisable.
United States (SSA / Private Provider)
Social Security: Social Security Benefit Verification Letter — request online at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. 401(k)/IRA/pension: Annual statement from the plan administrator or an adviser letter for drawdown. Both: 3–6 months of US bank statements showing deposits. All US documents require certified Spanish translation. Apostille from the US Department of State is not required for pension letters but may be needed for other supporting documents — confirm with your consulate.
Australia (Centrelink / Superannuation)
Age Pension: Centrelink Income Statement or Centrelink payment summary letter — accessible through myGov or by calling Services Australia. Superannuation drawdown: Annual statement from your super fund plus an adviser or fund letter confirming the drawdown arrangement. Both: 3–6 months of Australian bank statements. Apostille from DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) is recommended. Certified Spanish translation required for all documents.
Canada (Service Canada / Private)
CPP and OAS: T4 tax slips from Service Canada plus a benefits verification letter — obtainable from My Service Canada Account (MSCA) or by calling Service Canada. RRSP/RRIF: Annual statement from your financial institution plus an adviser letter for drawdown. Both: 3–6 months of Canadian bank statements. Apostille (or equivalent) from the relevant provincial government. Certified Spanish translation required.
Below the Threshold?
What If Your Pension Doesn't Meet the NLV Threshold?
Many pensioners — particularly those relying solely on a UK State Pension or a modest private pension — find that their pension income alone falls below the approximately €2,400/month NLV threshold. This is very common, and there are several well-established solutions.
Combine Pension with Other Passive Income
If your pension provides €1,500/month, you only need an additional €900/month from another source to meet the threshold. Rental income from a property you own, dividends from an investment portfolio, or interest from savings can all supplement your pension. Each source must be documented separately, and our case managers present the combined picture clearly to the consulate. See our passive income guide for a full list of qualifying supplementary sources.
Supplement with Savings
Many Spanish consulates accept a combination of pension income and savings. If your pension provides, say, €1,200/month but you have £200,000 in savings, the consulate may accept that you are financially self-sufficient. The typical savings benchmark for a single applicant is approximately €28,800 (12 months at €2,400), though this is a guide rather than an absolute rule — the combination of pension plus savings is assessed holistically. See our savings requirements page for full detail.
Couples: Combined Pension Income
For couples applying together, your combined pension income is assessed against the combined threshold — approximately €3,000/month for two people, not €4,800. So if you both have pensions adding up to €3,000/month between you, you meet the threshold without either of you individually needing to reach €2,400. This is the key advantage of joint applications — it is often easier for a couple to meet the income threshold together than individually.
Tax Considerations
The 183-Day Rule and Your Pension in Spain
This is not part of the NLV application itself, but it is important context for anyone planning to retire to Spain on a pension.
If you spend more than 183 days per calendar year in Spain, you become a Spanish tax resident. Once you are a Spanish tax resident, Spain has the right to tax your worldwide income — including your pension. Whether Spain can actually tax your pension depends on the double taxation treaty between Spain and your home country.
UK-Spain Double Taxation Treaty
Under the UK-Spain double taxation treaty, most UK private pension income becomes taxable in Spain once you are a Spanish tax resident. UK government pensions (civil service, military, teaching) remain taxable only in the UK regardless of where you live. The UK State Pension is taxable in Spain once you become resident. This does not mean you pay double tax — it means Spain takes over as the primary taxing authority for most income types, and the UK relieves the UK tax accordingly. Specialist tax advice before you move is strongly recommended.
US-Spain Double Taxation Treaty
Under the US-Spain tax treaty, US Social Security benefits are generally taxable in Spain once you become Spanish tax resident, though a credit mechanism prevents double taxation. US government pensions (federal, military) are typically only taxable in the US. US citizens and green card holders face an additional complexity: the US taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live, so US residents in Spain typically file both US and Spanish tax returns. US-specific tax advice is essential before relocating to Spain.
Tax residency and immigration residency are separate concepts — you can hold the NLV without becoming Spanish tax resident if you spend fewer than 183 days in Spain per year. However, most people who move to Spain full-time do become tax resident, and planning ahead makes the transition far smoother.
Common Questions
Pension Income for the NLV — Frequently Asked Questions
Does the UK State Pension qualify for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa?
Yes, it qualifies as a source — but the full UK State Pension in 2026 is approximately £11,500/year (£960/month), which converts to roughly €1,100–€1,150/month. This is well below the approximately €2,400/month threshold for a single NLV applicant. Almost all UK State Pension recipients need to supplement with a private pension, rental income, investment income, or savings to reach the full threshold. Our case managers help you calculate exactly what supplementary income or savings you need.
Does US Social Security income qualify for Spain's NLV?
Yes. US Social Security retirement benefits qualify as passive income for Spain's NLV. You need a Social Security Benefit Verification Letter (obtainable from ssa.gov) and 3–6 months of bank statements showing regular Social Security deposits. The average SS benefit in 2026 is approximately $1,900/month — depending on exchange rates and your specific benefit amount, you may need to supplement with additional income or savings to reach the €2,400 equivalent.
What if my pension income is in GBP, USD or AUD rather than euros?
Spanish consulates convert foreign currency pension income to euros using the ECB reference rate at the time of your appointment. You should calculate your pension in euros at the current ECB rate and, ideally, target a 10–15% buffer above the minimum to protect against exchange rate movements. Our case managers calculate your exact euro equivalent at the time of application and present the currency conversion clearly in your documentation.
Can I use SIPP drawdown as pension income for Spain's NLV?
Yes. SIPP drawdown is accepted, but requires more documentation than a regular annuity-style pension. You need a letter from your SIPP provider or an independent financial adviser (IFA) confirming the portfolio value, monthly drawdown amount, and sustainability, plus 3–6 months of bank statements. Some consulates are more cautious about flexible drawdown than guaranteed annuities — our case managers tailor the presentation of SIPP drawdown evidence to your specific consulate's known preferences.
What documents do I need to evidence my pension for the NLV?
For state pensions: an official award or confirmation letter from the relevant government body (DWP for UK, SSA for US, Centrelink for Australia, Service Canada for Canada) plus 3–6 months of bank statements. For private pensions and annuities: annual pension statements from the provider plus bank statements. For SIPP drawdown: adviser letter confirming sustainability plus bank statements. All non-Spanish documents need certified Spanish translation — our service includes up to €100 of translations.
What if my pension falls below the NLV threshold?
If your pension alone is below approximately €2,400/month for a single applicant, you can supplement it with other passive income (rental income, dividends, savings interest) or with savings. A combination of pension plus savings is commonly accepted — the consulate assesses your overall financial picture. See our savings requirements guide for details on using savings to supplement pension income for the NLV.
Do private and occupational pensions qualify for Spain's NLV?
Yes. Final salary pensions, money purchase pensions, company pensions, personal pensions, and annuities all qualify. You need annual statements from the pension provider and bank statements showing regular deposits. Annuity income is particularly straightforward to document as it is guaranteed and the provider can confirm the exact monthly amount. Private pension income combined with UK State Pension often reaches or exceeds the NLV threshold.
Is pension drawdown different from a pension annuity for NLV purposes?
Yes — the key difference is certainty. An annuity provides a guaranteed fixed income for life, which is the easiest evidence to present: a single statement from the annuity provider confirms exactly how much you receive every month. Drawdown is flexible — you can vary how much you take — which means you need to demonstrate both your chosen drawdown level and that your pot is large enough to sustain it. Both are accepted for the NLV, but annuity evidence is simpler. If you are at the drawdown stage and have flexibility, taking regular fixed monthly amounts (rather than irregular lump sums) makes your application cleaner.
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