Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question about non lucrative Spain visa
I have a question about switching to a working visa. I currently have an non lucrative Spain visa, and once the year is up I would like to do real estate. Does anyone know how hard is it to change? Or what visa I would need?
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
”If I’ve read correctly, you can change it as long as you have a job offer. At this point, since you have been in Spain for a year as a resident, you don’t have to apply for the highly skilled work permit. Some of those challenges go away. You could get a job as a server ir you wanted to as long as it is a 1 year contract. This is what I know from all I’ve researched/read. It is supposed to be easier to change… just need that job offer or a business plan if you are planning to be self-employed”
”You have to prove you still have savings to renew your non lucrative Spain visa, that is aside from applying to modify the work permit. I guess look into it. As I said, many law firms in Spain have this called out where the highly skilled requirement goes away after 1 year of legal residency”
”If you have a job offer and an employer willing to jump through a couple of small hoops (not to the level of applying for a work visa from your home country, which is much more difficult), then yes you can modify from a non lucrative Spain visa to a working residency type after one year”
”Moving from highly qualified to autonomo It is a slow and a bit of a tedious process, business plan, etc. but it is happening. I suggest you hire immigration experts to follow that process.”
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In conclusion, according to Spainguru Facebook group members, transitioning from an non lucrative Spain visa to a work Spain visa seems feasible and potentially easier after you’ve been a legal resident for a year. It generally requires a job offer or a well-thought-out business plan if you plan to be self-employed.
While there may be some bureaucratic processes involved, working with a lawyer can be helpful in navigating the visa modification process. It’s essential to ensure you meet the specific requirements and consult with immigration experts for personalized guidance in your unique situation.
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