Non Lucrative Spain Visa: Is it Necessary to Have Funds in Spanish Banks?

Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

“When doing Non Lucrative Spain Visa, does the money need to be in Spain based banks, or can I just show them my 401K and IRA accounts?”

Answers

These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:

“It definitely doesn’t have to be in a Spanish bank, but they may want it more liquid than an IRA, so you might have to cash some of that out.”

“The Consulates need to see that you have passive income. If all you have are the 401 and IRA you need to be actively drawing an amount each month to meet the requirements.”

Conclusion

For the Non Lucrative Spain Visa, funds do not necessarily need to be in Spanish banks. However, consulates require proof of financial means that are sufficiently liquid to cover living expenses.

While retirement accounts like 401Ks and IRAs can be shown, they often need to be complemented by accessible savings or evidence of regular passive income to meet visa requirements.

It’s important to ensure that funds are readily available for monthly expenses to demonstrate the ability to live without working.

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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