Big Changes to Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) What You Need to Know in 2025

Until recently, the process was relatively simple. Once your NLV was approved, you had 90 days to enter Spain and get your passport stamped. Your one-year residency would begin from the day you arrive. That gave applicants a bit of breathing room to prepare their move and get settled.

That’s no longer the case. As of May 20th, 2025, after the introduction of the new Spanish immigration law, the Spanish authorities have extended the visa’s validity from 90 days to a full 365 days. This change has already been reflected in newly issued visas, and we have had confirmation directly from the Spanish Consulate in London. It appears clearly on the Spanish version of their website, although the English version hasn’t been consistently updated.

The visa itself now also states that it’s a multi-entry visa, which means holders can come and go during the year it’s valid. That’s a big improvement in flexibility for many people, especially if you have family, property, or obligations in the UK or elsewhere.

But here’s where things get complicated — and potentially risky. It’s currently unclear when your official residency begins. In the past, residency started from the date of your entry stamp. But under the new system, there are strong signs that it now starts from the date the visa is issued, even if you don’t enter Spain until months later.

The Spanish law itself doesn’t make this crystal clear, but two articles strongly support this interpretation. One states that the initial residency authorisation is valid for one year, and another confirms that your residency card (TIE) must match the duration of that authorisation, which likely links it to the visa’s start date, not your arrival date.

This becomes even more critical in 2025 because the 183-day rule is now back in force. To qualify for your first renewal, you must prove you’ve spent more than 183 days physically in Spain during your first year of residency. If the clock starts ticking from the visa issue date, but you delay your entry, you could easily fall short and find your renewal refused, even if everything else is in order.

To make things even tighter, Spain is rolling out an electronic entry and exit system that will automatically track your movements. Until now, passport stamps have been used to check how long someone has spent in the country, but that manual approach is on the way out. Once the new system is live, there’ll be no room for interpretation — the data will speak for itself.

So what should you do if you’re applying for or about to receive your NLV? Plan to enter Spain as soon as possible after your visa is issued. That way, you get the full benefit of your residency period and protect your eligibility for renewal.  Keep a close eye on your travel dates and track your time in Spain carefully. Avoid lengthy trips abroad unless you’re absolutely certain you’re still meeting the 183-day requirement. 

That said, keeping an eye on your tax liabilities in Spain is a must. Check out this article related to Capital Gains. 

In our latest video above, we take you through the legal text, show examples of the new visa wording, and explain what we’re seeing so far from clients registering their visas for TIE cards. ! 

We have a constant stream of clients going through this process, so we’ll be offering updates as we see how the new 365-day visas are being handled at immigration offices across Spain. In the meantime, if you have questions or need help with your visa journey, the team here at Upsticks is ready to help. Book a call HERE