Applying for our non lucrative Spain visa at London’s Spanish consulate

Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

My partner and I (Phil) went for our non lucrative Spain visa appointments at 10.30 on 3/12/2021 at London. 

1. The appointments are in Draycott Place and not at the embassy in Chesham road – some others went to the wrong place and were late. 
2. On arrival you will wait outside the building on the road, however a lady called us in at exactly 10.30am. Through security and temperature check then downstairs to where the staff are. We waited about five minutes whilst they finished up with someone before we were called forward. 
3. Told the man why we were there. He checked us on list. Asked if joint application. We were, so he dealt with us both together, although checked papers for us one at a time. 
4. Paperwork he wanted was in following order:
   1. Original passport.  
   2. Copy of passport.  
   3. Police criminal record check original – then translated one and copies*.  
   4. Application form with photo glued to it. 
   5. Health insurance certificate.
   6. EX-01.  
   7. Medical certificate. (Get your Medical Certificate to apply in any Spanish consulate (US, UK, etc) for any Spanish Visa! Certificate issued by registered Spanish Doctor, that doens’t need translation nor apostille. 100% online.)
   8. Savings / financial proof and copies*.  
   9. NIE certificate.   
   10. Lastly, the 790 form.

*Colour copies. They want the pages with your details on and any pages with travel stamps in. We scanned and printed ours in colour.

What paperwork had to be legalised or translated or both?

We apostilled the police check – then had it and the apostille translated. You need to translate any divorce / marriage certificates to cover any name changes. We also had bank statements and letters of resignation translated (our choice to prevent any questions). Medical certificate was done by a Spanish doctor, so didn’t need translation. Same with health insurance – the certificate AND receipt for payment in full were sent in Spanish. Basically, we provided more than needed to cover all bases. We aren’t married, hadn’t given up work at time of appointment and savings were in a joint English bank account. We own a property in Spain and we had stamps in passports showing we had been recently. We didn’t have to do a letter of motivation.

We had additional proof including resignation acceptance letters from workplace.  He didn’t ask for these but we handed them over with translated versions. 

5. He checked everything. He entered it onto a computer. Put all the paperwork in a folder and handed us a receipt to show we had applied.  
6. Upstairs we paid £525.80 each – different to what it says on the website – but this is because it includes the 12€ (9.80£) tax charge relating to the form 790. Back downstairs to same guy and showed him the payment. He took the folder of paperwork back and told us two weeks. Do you want to know more about the costs of an NLV application at London consulate? Read First-hand experience: The costs of our NLV application in London
7. He kept our passports. 

We were in there for an hour and ten minutes after security checks for two applications and payments.

When we came out onto the street people were queued both sides of the street with about 20-30 people. Three different queues for different things though – so wrap up warm!

We saw people turned away at the checking stage but that was because they didn’t have correct paperwork – no police check. 

Another was the apostille wasn’t present. Stuff easily avoided. 

We don’t know our result but, the appointment was straight forward and the staff were very helpful. 

We followed the application guide that is available on Spanish consulate website – London. (English version at the end)

Hope this helps someone else a little bit.  Good luck!

Author: Phil Anderson

Shaheen Samavati

Shaheen Samavati is a pivotal figure at SpainGuru, where she brings her profound understanding of Spanish immigration to the forefront. Her journey in Spain began when she arrived in Madrid to pursue her studies at IE Business School. Over the years, Shaheen has not only immersed herself in the Spanish culture but has also become a trusted resource for expats. Through her active participation in the "American Expats in Spain" Facebook group and her role as a content manager for Spotahome.com, she has consistently provided invaluable insights to the expat community.

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