Question
I always read that couples apply separately for the Spain non lucrative visa and make two appointments then BLS does it all at the first appointment. Literally everyone has said that this is how they did it. Does anybody actually apply using the Family application without a separate application for the spouse?
100% of the income and money is mine, in this case my wife is really the dependent; she has nothing special to report. It seems silly to me to go through the hassle of a full application that I’m not going to use, plus of course the small wasted fee.
Answers
These are the answers from Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“My hubby applied for both of us on the application at Manchester even tho they gave us both a bag for our passports to be returned just rang my hubby said both was ready for delivery.”
“We applied may 23rd 2025 we got our visas on August 7th just under 11 weeks we went with a third party they did both our individual packs then we applied BLS together the appointment was just in my hubby name and a photo ID they give you both a bag and you put your details on it.”
“You each have to have your own application and separate fee. You are mistaken.”
“I mean the appointment application was one page with my hubby’s name and photo on we had our own individual packs to take to BLS we applied together as a couple though sorry for the confusion.”
“You HAVE to each have your own application and separate appointments. However, 90% of the time both spouses can come forward at the moment the first applicant is called. Tell them you are applying together as a family and they will most likely take both applications at the same time.”
“When you book it . Book a family ( 2 people) i was in London 14 days ago with my wife for a Spain non lucrative visa.”
“They used to do it separately even for kids. Now it is a joint application. Me and my wife took our documents together to London 2 weeks ago. They have our passports, it took 90 minutes from check in. We used the normal , not the premium room . Not worth the £100 extra.”
“So you just submitted 1 (family) application for 2 people? Thank you. That’s what I was planning to do, as there’s no indication that a separate application is needed, when my spouse’s information is fully detailed in the original/family application along with my own. That’s definitely in contradiction to what virtually everyone else says here.”
“Most couples still end up doing two separate applications, even if one is fully dependent. BLS usually processes them together at the same appointment, but both sets of paperwork still need to be filled out. It feels like extra work, but it avoids delays.”
“To all the people who say that you MUST each have your own application, that may not be correct. I’m not saying that’s not how it worked when others did it in the past or in another office, only that it doesn’t work at BLS Mexico City August 2025. If you’ve listed one spouse as a dependent on a family application then you can’t put them on their own application for a separate appointment. [Unless you use a different type of ID/number for that dependent so they don’t “recognize” that applicant.]”
Conclusion
From the discussion, experiences differ by location and timing. Some report booking a single family slot and submitting both passports together, while others insist on two complete applications with separate fees and appointments.
Common threads are that BLS often processes both spouses at the same counter time, but each applicant may still need a full document pack. Policies appear to vary between BLS centers such as London, Manchester, and Mexico City, and practices may change over time.
Best practice for your Spain non lucrative visa appointment is to check your specific BLS office’s booking options, plan for two full applications and fees unless the “family” route is clearly allowed, and confirm requirements before scheduling.
This article is based on personal opinions from the Spainguru community and is not legal advice.
