After applying for a Spanish Non lucrative visa, what’s the subsequent process involving the Spanish Consulate, checks in Spain, and potential delays during the August holiday period?

Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

Does anyone know the actual process of what happens after you have submitted your application for a Spanish Non lucrative visa?

How much input does the Spanish Consulate that accepted your application have? It may have quite a big input as those that have been asked for additional information, (these requests) have come from their local Consulate.

Does it all get sent to a central location in Spain (Madrid) to be re-checked, and/or does it get forwarded from Madrid to the area you want to live in to be checked again?

Finally, how slow will everything be during the holiday month of August? Will anyone anywhere be working/checking applications?

Answers

These are the answers of some Facebook group members:

”The consulate decides if you have met their differing criteria. If they decide you do they send off a few things to Spain in the area you’ll live and then the approval comes through and you get the visa stamp. So the consulate kinda weeds out the yes and nos which is how they each can have separate rules”

”The consulate decides if you have met their differing criteria. If they decide you do they send off a few things to Spain in the area you’ll live and then the approval comes through and you get the visa stamp. So the consulte kinda weeds out the yes and nos which is how they each can have separate rules”

”I was told that my application would be sent to the providence I would be living in for their approval…then back to Manchester for the final decision…mine took 11 business days…however I was the only person applying to the providence I have chosen to live in”

In conclusion, according to Spainguru Facebook group members, after you submit your Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) application, the Spanish Consulate assesses your eligibility based on their specific criteria. If approved, certain documents could be sent to the Spanish region of your intended residence for further endorsement, culminating in the visa stamp. Notably, different consulates might have distinct approval rules. However, during the August holiday month, processing delays might arise due to reduced staffing and the potential unavailability of personnel involved in the application review.

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.

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