Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
I am getting ready to apply for our Spain Non Lucrative Visa. My wife and I are retired and living in the USA. I was reading the conditions for the NLV and came across this statement: ‘Residency applicants cannot have/leave loans or mortgages in the United States when applying for residency in Spain.’ Does this mean I would have to sell our home that has a mortgage which we rent prior to receiving the visa?”
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“We applied in Los Angeles, and we have a mortgage. They didn’t ask for proof.”
“I applied in San Francisco and got my visa, and I still have a house in California.”
“LA doesn’t require it. I heard SF does. Info is 18 months old, so it may have changed.”
“Our lawyer advised us that the San Francisco consulate does have this requirement.”
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Explore Cities →“If that’s true, it must be a brand new requirement. I got my Spain Non Lucrative Visa in San Francisco in July 2024. LA used to have this requirement, but apparently, they don’t anymore.”
“If you claim mortgage deduction on your tax return, they might find out.”
“I was told there was no way for them to know unless it shows up on your tax return. I filed standard deduction, and it didn’t show, and they never asked.”
“Houston did not require it when I applied two years ago (2023).”
“You should check with the consulate you are applying through, as requirements vary.”
“BLS conditions might differ from consular requirements.”
Conclusion
According to the experiences shared by applicants, the requirement to not have a mortgage when applying for a Spain non lucrative visa seems to vary by consulate.
Some consulates, like Los Angeles, reportedly do not require proof of mortgage status, while others, such as San Francisco, may have recently introduced such a requirement. It appears that consulates may not actively check for mortgages unless they are declared in tax returns.
Applicants should check directly with their specific consulate to confirm the most up-to-date requirements.
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