One of the parts I enjoy most about my work is helping our clients build lasting lives in Spain. Over the years, the  Non Lucrative Visa (NLV) has become one of our favourite areas of practice—not just because of the legal work involved, but because of the inspiring people behind each file.

At Costaluz Lawyers, we’ve helped dozens of clients renew their NLV successfully, and through this experience, we’ve seen it all—the good, the stressful, and the “why did they do that?”

In fact, many people come to us after having their renewal denied. They are often the result of incomplete or poorly prepared applications submitted elsewhere. Fortunately, we’ve been able to win appeals or reapply successfully in the vast majority of these situations.

When to Start

You can submit your NLV renewal:

• From 60 days before your card expires

• Up to 90 days after (grace period, with right reasons and good faith--risky)

We recommend starting preparations around three months in advance, especially if any documentation needs to be updated, translated, or clarified.

What You’ll Need

Here’s a checklist we prepare with every NLV client:

• EX-01 application form

• Copy of all passport pages

• Proof of sufficient funds (usually 400% of IPREM)

• Private health insurance (no co-payments, full coverage in Spain)

• Recent empadronamiento

• Modelo 790 fee payment proof

What Can Go Wrong – From the Cases That Reach Us

We’ve worked on many rejected NLV renewals—and although they weren’t originally submitted by us, we’ve learned a lot from correcting these cases. Here are the most common issues we’ve seen:

Financial documentation that lacks clarity or translation

This includes statements from foreign banks that haven’t been translated, unclear proof of consistent income, or sudden large transfers with no explanation. We know exactly how immigration officials interpret financial evidence, and we tailor each submission accordingly.

Health insurance that doesn’t meet legal standards

Many denials stem from policies that include co-payments, have limited coverage, or were expired at the time of renewal. These are automatic red flags. We only work with fully compliant Spanish insurers.

Insufficient physical presence in Spain

Although the NLV doesn’t allow work, it does require real residency. Renewals can be denied if the applicant spent more than six months outside Spain. We always ask our clients to review their travel history before applying.

Missed or miscalculated deadlines

Applications submitted too early or too late are unfortunately common. Our internal systems track each client’s dates carefully to avoid these problems.

How We Help

When you work with Costaluz Lawyers:

• We manage your submission through the Mercurio platform

• Carefully review and prepare each document

• Handle sworn translations and insurance compliance

• Support you through fingerprinting and TIE card collection

• And if needed, we file strong, well-structured appeals or assist with reapplying

Final Thoughts

Your NLV renewal doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right preparation and legal support, it can be a smooth continuation of your life in Spain.

If you’ve already had a renewal denied, don’t panic. We’ve helped many clients successfully appeal or reapply—even when it seemed like all options were exhausted.

Need support with your NLV renewal or appeal?
Contact me and my team at Costaluz Lawyers. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

Feel free to leave your questions below. We’ll respond personally.