Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Can NLV Partners Marry and Apply Together in Spain?
I am here on a Spanish NLV visa and I plan on staying, I am 70. My partner (my age as well) is in the states wants to come and stay as well. Now here comes the issues. One, we would like to get married and can we do that here in Spain without any issues and secondly I hold a USA passport, my partner, though a legal resident of the USA, holds a Mexican passport. She as well would like to apply for a Spanish NLV too. Any advice por favor.
How NLV Couples Can Marry and Apply Together
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“Getting married in the US is a lot easier than getting married in Spain. But, as you’re not a Spanish citizen, I think your spouse would still have to go through the visa application process.” – Top Contributor
“Also you may already know Mexican citizenship should mean your partner can become a Spanish citizen in 2 years and then you’d be a spouse of an EU citizen and all set.” – Top Contributor
“We´d say get married there. If she meets for the NLV on her own apply for it. If she does not meet the NLV requirements on her own, you can do family reunification after one year of residence in Spain. As she is Mexican, she can apply for Spanish nationality after 2 years of residence in Spain.” – Group Expert, Top Contributor
“It can easily take a year to arrange a marriage in Spain. I believe you can just marry online in the US? Resources requirement for the first applicant is €28,800. Requirement for a spouse is exactly a quarter of that. And I think the second person added to a joint health insurance policy is cheaper. So I’d get that done first. For the NLV application, you’ll need a marriage certificate less than 3 months old, apostilled and translated.” – Top Contributor
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Conclusion: Marrying and Applying for the Spanish NLV Together
For couples considering the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) path, marrying in the United States appears to be a more straightforward option than navigating the complexities of marriage in Spain, especially for non-citizens.
A significant advantage is highlighted for Mexican citizens, who can apply for Spanish nationality after two years, potentially simplifying residency requirements. Moreover, financial requirements for additional applicants such as spouses are notably lower, emphasizing the importance of understanding the specific documentation and resource necessities.
Strategic planning, including the possible benefit of online marriage and family reunification policies, plays a crucial role in the smooth transition for couples aiming to reside in Spain under the NLV.
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