Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
“For US citizens, did you work with someone to help with the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) or did you do it yourselves? (I’m just starting and not sure if I need help or not)”
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“Here you can find recommended immigration lawyers, with a history of hundreds of visa applications and approvals at US consulates. You can request online consultations here: https://spainguru.es/consultations-immigration-tax/”
“I did it myself”
“It’s a matter of being patient and taking it step by step. It’s very doable.”
“My finger prints were done at the united states postal service. They came back the same day…My apostilles took unusually long. 11 weeks…I first started gather documents in May, didn’t submit till August. Was approved in Oct.”
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Explore Cities →“Working on it myself. It does require time and focus to keep you organized.”
“Start on your own. Most do it themselves. If you find it too much, hire. But most likely you won’t.”
“If you can afford to pay for a specialist company to do it I would recommend it. One mistake can prove very costly.”
“We used a law firm from Spain.”
“Not difficult, you just need to be organized.”
“We did it ourselves as well through the DC embassy and any time we had a question we just emailed them and they answered within a week. We got approved in less than 3 wks.”
“I did it all myself including bringing my dog. I was able to get my Empadronamiento in Torremolinos and then my TIE in Benalmádena. I have already received my residency card.”
“I traveled with my dog. I did all the paperwork along with my vet as well. It was much cheaper than the quotes I was receiving of $4k-$5k.”
“I did it myself. I had talked to a Spanish immigration lawyer, but it seemed like they wanted quite a bit of money and didn’t actually do much.”
“I’m super anxious and was able to do it myself, it’s not as hectic when you figure out a Timeline.”
“Do it yourself. Even when you hire someone you are basically doing it yourself. They just check off on your documents.”
“Yes we did and she’s wonderful! Be glad to share!”
“Understand that the process is pretty straightforward. If you have the money and are not a criminal you are pretty much in.”
Conclusion:
The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa application process for US citizens has been successfully navigated both independently and with professional help. While some members found value in the peace of mind and ease provided by immigration lawyers or specialized companies, many others emphasized the feasibility of the DIY approach.
Key to success appears to be thorough research, patience, and organizational skills. Despite the challenges, such as long wait times for certain documents and the need for detailed preparation, the community feedback suggests that with or without professional assistance, the process is achievable, depending on personal preference and financial considerations.
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