If you’re thinking about moving to Spain from the UK, you’ve probably already read about the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa. And you’ve probably also come across stories about long processing times, confusing paperwork and difficulties getting clear information.
But not every application takes months.
We recently helped a client based in London obtain approval for her Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa in just four weeks from the date she submitted her application.
What makes this case interesting is that she owned a business, although she was no longer actively working in it.
Here’s how we approached her application and what happened along the way.
Can you apply for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa if you own a business?
This was one of the main questions we needed to address.
Our client wanted to relocate to Spain and had sufficient financial resources to support herself without working.
However, she was also a business owner.
This is an important distinction because Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa is intended for people who wish to live in Spain without carrying out work or professional activities.
Owning a business does not necessarily mean that someone is actively working in it. But the difference needs to be properly explained and supported by documentation.
We also made it clear that she would not continue working in any form, not even remotely, as this is strictly prohibited under the Non-Lucrative Visa.
We needed to make sure that her application clearly reflected her actual circumstances.
It wasn’t simply about showing that she had enough money. We also had to explain her relationship with the business and why her situation was compatible with the residence permit she was applying for.
How we prepared her application from London
One of the things we always explain to our clients is that having all the documents on a checklist doesn’t necessarily mean an application is ready to submit.
The documents need to make sense together.
In this case, we paid particular attention to how we presented her financial situation and business ownership.
Our aim was to make it easy for the Spanish authorities to understand three things:
- She had sufficient funds to live in Spain.
- She was not actively working in her business.
- Her circumstances were consistent with the requirements of the Non-Lucrative Visa.
We prepared her application with these points in mind, making sure the documentation was clear and consistent before her appointment in London.
We wanted to avoid leaving important questions unanswered.
What happened during her BLS appointment in London?
This was probably the most interesting part of the experience.
At her appointment at BLS London, the staff were not aware that some of the application forms had recently been updated, nor of the current procedure for paying the government fees.
BLS is an external service provider based in the UK and does not manage these procedures from Spain, so changes introduced by the Spanish authorities can take time to reach them.
We work directly with the Spanish procedures and follow every update. Our client arrived with the updated forms and the correct fee payment already prepared, so her application could go ahead.
Afterwards, she sent us a message that we particularly appreciated:
“I’ve already recommended you. I also think it shows the difference between using a company in Spain and the UK, as clearly here they are not up to date with current forms.”
That was her personal experience, but it illustrates something we often explain to people applying for Spanish residence from abroad.
BLS handles visa applications as an external service provider, but the Spanish Consulate and the relevant Spanish authorities are responsible for the applicable immigration procedures and decisions.
Having a Spanish immigration lawyer who keeps up with these changes can make the difference when something unexpected happens at an appointment.
Her Spanish residence application was approved in four weeks
Four weeks after submitting her application in London, our client received a favourable decision.
Naturally, she was delighted.
And for us, it was especially satisfying because the case involved a professional situation that needed careful explanation.
Moving From the UK to Spain Without Working?
Whether you are retired, financially independent or own a business you no longer work in, we prepare your Non-Lucrative Visa application around your real situation.
Explore Our Non-Lucrative Visa Services →We cannot say that every application prepared in the same way will receive a decision within four weeks. Processing times depend on the authorities and the individual application.
However, this case is a good example of why we take the preparation stage seriously.
The less room there is for confusion about an applicant’s circumstances, the easier it can be for the authorities to assess the documents provided.
How long does a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa take from the UK?
This is one of the questions we receive most frequently.
According to the Spanish Consulate in London, the general legal decision period for a Non-Lucrative Visa application is two months, although it may be extended if additional documentation or an interview is required.
Our client’s application was approved in just four weeks, but this should be understood as an individual case rather than a standard processing time.
If you’re preparing to move to Spain, we recommend allowing sufficient time for the application, particularly when you need to arrange financial evidence, medical certificates, criminal record checks, apostilles and sworn translations.
For the full requirements, documents and figures, see our Non-Lucrative Visa guide:
Applying for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa as a business owner
If you own a company in the UK or elsewhere and are thinking about relocating to Spain, it is worth reviewing your circumstances before starting the application.
The fact that you have sufficient savings does not automatically mean you meet all the conditions.
Your involvement in your company, the source of your funds and whether you intend to continue any professional activity while living in Spain are all relevant.
Depending on your situation, a different immigration route may be more appropriate.
At MigratioLex, we work with international clients who want to relocate to Spain, including business owners, retirees and individuals who are financially independent.
Our job is to look at your actual circumstances, explain your options and prepare your application in accordance with Spanish immigration requirements.
Talk to a Lawyer Before You Apply
If you’re considering applying for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa from the UK, you can contact our team to discuss your situation before beginning the process. We respond within 24 hours, in English, French or Spanish.
Book Your Initial ConsultationThis article describes an anonymised client experience. Processing times and outcomes vary, and an approval in one case does not guarantee the same result for another applicant. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Based on Organic Law 4/2000 and Royal Decree 1155/2024.
