Applying for the NLV as a Couple or Family
On a non-lucrative visa (NLV), your family can include:
- your spouse, or a registered or proven stable partner;
- your unmarried children under 18;
- adult children with a disability who need support, or who can't support themselves because of their health.
For each family member you show an extra 100% of the IPREM index per month, which is €600 in 2026, on top of your own 400%. Each person needs their own documents.
Who counts as family
- Partners: a spouse, a registered partner, or a stable partner who can prove a durable relationship. A year's continuous cohabitation is always enough; with children in common, proven stable cohabitation is enough.
- Children: minor children of the applicant or of their spouse or partner who are unmarried, or who haven't formed their own family unit.
- Adult children: those of the applicant or partner who have a disability needing support, or who can't provide for themselves because of their health.
Parents aren't included in the NLV's definition of family.
How much more you show
| Household | Monthly (2026) | One-year total |
|---|---|---|
| You alone | €2,400 | €28,800 |
| You and a partner | €3,000 | €36,000 |
| You, a partner and one child | €3,600 | €43,200 |
| You, a partner and two children | €4,200 | €50,400 |
What each family member provides
- a passport valid for at least a year, and the application form;
- documents proving the relationship: a marriage or partnership certificate, birth certificates, or evidence of cohabitation. These are legalised or apostilled and given a sworn translation where needed;
- if they're an adult, criminal record certificates for the countries where they've lived in the last five years;
- a medical certificate;
- health insurance.
The family file at a glance
| Who | Passport and form | Relationship proof | Criminal record | Medical certificate | Health insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| You | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spouse or partner | Yes | Marriage, partnership or cohabitation evidence | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Child under 18 | Yes | Birth certificate | No | Yes | Yes |
| Adult child who needs support | Yes | Birth certificate and evidence of the need for support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Applying together
Families usually apply at the same consulate around the same time, so everyone's documents and dates line up. Your service will advise on whether to file together or one after another for your situation.
Children and school
When you renew, children of compulsory school age must be in school while in Spain. Plan schooling from the start.
Insurance for the family
Each person needs health insurance. We'll check whether the applicants can be covered together and how each person should appear on the insurance evidence. See our NLV health insurance guide and family health insurance plans.
Common mistakes
- Budgeting for two people when there are four. Each family member adds 100% of the IPREM.
- An unproven partnership. Without marriage or registration, cohabitation has to be proved.
- Forgetting the adult child's record. Applicants over 18 need criminal record certificates.
My Spanish NLV
A coordinated NLV application for the whole household.
- One case manager and one dashboard for everyone
- The household threshold worked out for you
- Translations managed together
Opens provider website. No details shared.
Platinum Legal Spain
A family NLV run as one engagement.
- One fixed family fee, quoted for your household
- One point of contact
- Each family member's documents and translations handled together
Opens provider website. No details shared.
Both services mention family pricing; ask each for a quote for your household. We don't pass your details to either service. Choosing one opens its website in a new tab, where you start a separate enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
Can my partner work in Spain on an NLV?
The NLV authorises residence without work for the applicant and their family members. Ask a service about routes if a family member wants to work.
Can my parents come?
Parents aren't included in the NLV definition of family. Ask your service about other options.
Do we need to be married?
No. A registered partner or a proven stable partner also counts.