...
Home Americans in Spain Can we apply for the non lucrative Spain visa having a mortgage...

Can we apply for the non lucrative Spain visa having a mortgage on a house in the US, or should we sell it before we apply?

Last Updated on April 29, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Moving to Spain as an American? See Settleguru’s full U.S.-tax checklist for FBAR, FATCA, FEIE, and state exit.

Open the checklist →

Question about the non lucrative Spain visa

Can we apply for the non lucrative Spain visa having a mortgage on a house in the US, or should we sell it before we apply?

🇮🇸

Planning your move to Spain?

Get the free step-by-step roadmap used by 10,000+ expats — covering visas, budget, housing, and the mistakes to avoid.

Start the Moving to Spain Hub →

Answers

These are the answers of some Facebook group members:

“Your property ownership, or otherwise has no bearing on the non lucrative Spain visa process. The requirements are the same regardless.”

“You can’t carry a mortgage and apply from certain areas. It depends, believe it or not, on the consulate.”

“In a lot of US states, such as Texas, Houston consulate. You are not able to apply with a mortgage”

🏠

Not sure which city is right for you?

Compare cost of living, weather, expat community size, and lifestyle across 13 Spanish cities in our free guide.

Explore Cities →

“This is insane that depending on what US state you live in makes a difference IN SPAIN! Ni other country has this requirement but the USA”

“Not in Los Angeles, apparently for non lucrative Spain visa . We were hoping to rent our house out and rent somewhere for a year but that’s out now.”

“It depends on the Consulate. Generally yes, but in parts of the US you can’t. Check with your consulate.”

“It was quite surprising for me to discover that, which has made us think about Spain as a potential destination for early retirement again. Nonetheless, I have been informed that varying consulates have varying regulations. For instance, our consulate in CA mandates the selling, whereas another consulate (although I can’t recall which one) doesn’t.”

“In February 2022, we applied for non lucrative Spain visa through the Los Angeles consulate and got approved. Despite having a mortgage, we were transparent about it and demonstrated that we possess sufficient assets to cover our mortgage payments for more than a year, along with fulfilling the minimum financial prerequisites for the visa. The consulate was content with our application.”

In conclusion, the answer to whether one can apply for the non lucrative Spain visa with a mortgage on a house in the US or not is not straightforward. It appears that the rules and regulations can vary depending on the consulate and the state in which one resides. Some members of Spainguru’s Facebook group suggest that having a mortgage may not affect the non lucrative Spain visa process, while others claim that certain consulates require the selling of the property. Nonetheless, transparency and adequate documentation of financial circumstances seem to be crucial when applying for the non lucrative Spain visa, as demonstrated by the experience of some applicants who were approved despite having a mortgage. It is, therefore, advisable to do thorough research and seek clarification from the consulate before applying.

📖 Related Reading: For a complete overview of requirements, application process, renewals, and financial proof, see our Non-Lucrative Visa: The Complete Guide.

Get your free step-by-step Spain move plan

10 emails over 2 weeks covering visas, budget, housing & the mistakes to avoid.
Join 10,000+ expats who used this roadmap.

Start the Free Roadmap →

100% free · No credit card · Unsubscribe anytime

author avatar
Bruno Bianchi CEO & Spain Immigration Expert
Bruno Bianchi is the founder and CEO of Spainguru, Spain's largest expat immigration community with 150,000+ members. Since 2014 he has helped thousands of people relocate to Spain through expert guides, webinars and vetted professional services covering visas, residency, taxes and life in Spain.