Question
So all I have seen lately is posts of people NLV being denied and I’m currently in the process of submitting my first year. Has anyone successfully actually managed to get their visa approved with gifted money and the appropriate documents to go with it being gifted to say that it’s legally yours?
For reference I am having a large lump sum of one of my parents’ houses and we are all relocating at the time.
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Spanish Non Lucrative Visa group here members:
“If you are at the point of submitting for your 1st year you are obviously a Spanish resident. If the property you are receiving money from was not in your name then any money you receive will be a gift from the owner (presumably your parents).
You will therefore need to declare that money within 30 days I think and pay any gift tax that is due. Once you have done this and you can show the money in your account it is yours and therefore should count for the visa.
What you can’t do is have the money placed in your account without explaining where it came from. My understanding is they need to be sure it’s not a loan or simply a temporary transfer.”
“We had our at first two years ago with our lawyer and no problem.”
“I would wait to apply until the funds are in your personal account for over 6 months. You may still have the gift letter, but demonstrating that it is solidly yours with bank statements would be best.”
“This is at least a solid plan B because the whole process might be 6 months anyway, and it could be moot. Although it depends on the consulate, some want 12 months, I think. I’ve heard some agents only took 3!”
Conclusion
According to members of the Spain non lucrative visa community, it is possible to use gifted money as proof of financial means—provided it is well-documented and properly declared.
A key recommendation is to formalize the gift through a legal letter and ensure the funds are clearly yours by showing them in your bank account over time. Some suggest waiting until the money has been in your account for several months (potentially up to six or even twelve), depending on the consulate.
Additionally, you may need to pay applicable gift taxes if the money was transferred recently. Ultimately, what matters is proving the money isn’t a loan or a temporary transfer.
Working with a reputable immigration lawyer familiar with Spanish requirements is highly advised to avoid unexpected denials.
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