Do Indian citizens need a visa to live in Spain?
Yes. India is not a member of the European Union, and Indian citizens are not entitled to EU freedom of movement. Indian nationals can visit Spain for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as part of the Schengen visa-free travel agreement, but to reside in Spain on a long-term basis, a Spanish residency visa is required.
The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) — the Visado de Residencia No Lucrativa — is the standard route for Indian citizens who want to retire to Spain, live on passive income, or use Spain as their European base. The NLV does not permit working for a Spanish employer, but it is compatible with:
- Indian pension and retirement income
- Investment income (dividends, interest, rental income from Indian or foreign properties)
- Passive income from business interests where you are not actively working
The NRI community in Spain is growing steadily, with established communities primarily in Madrid and Barcelona, and a smaller but growing presence on the Costa del Sol and in Valencia.
What health insurance do you need for the Spanish NLV?
The NLV requires a private health insurance policy meeting all of the following criteria. All must be explicitly confirmed in a Spanish-language visa certificate:
Zero copayments, zero deductible, zero co-insurance. 100% of medical costs covered from day one.
At least one full year from the policy start date. Travel or short-term policies are not accepted.
Mainland Spain, Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla — all must be covered.
Medical repatriation to India must be included and explicitly stated on the certificate.
Full cover from day one — no waiting periods for any category of treatment.
The certificate must be in in Spanish. An English-only document is frequently queried at Indian consulates. This is one of the most common mistakes for Indian applicants.
Does Indian health insurance work for the Spanish NLV?
No. Indian public and private health provision is not accepted by Spanish consulates for the Non-Lucrative Visa.
Ayushman Bharat, CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme), ESI (Employees' State Insurance), and all Indian private health insurers — Star Health, HDFC ERGO, Niva Bupa, Care Health Insurance, Bajaj Allianz Health — are regulated under IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) and cannot issue the Spanish-language NLV visa certificate required by Spanish consulates.
Indian private health insurance is well-developed and widely used, but it operates under a completely different regulatory framework from Spanish insurance. The NLV requirement is specifically for a policy issued by a private insurer registered in Spain or the EU — not India.
Specific notes for Indian applicants
The certificate language requirement — especially important for Indian applicants
Indian consular applicants should specifically request a in Spanish visa certificate from their insurer — an English-only document may be queried at the Spanish embassy in India. All major compliant insurers issue Spanish-language certificates on request. When purchasing, ask explicitly for the carta/certificado para visado de residencia no lucrativa.
Because English is the primary professional language in India, Indian applicants often assume an English-only insurance certificate will be sufficient. It will not — or at minimum risks being questioned. Every major NLV-compliant insurer (Sanitas, Caser, ASSSA) issues a in Spanish visa letter as standard. This is not an add-on — it is the standard NLV visa certificate format. Always specify it when purchasing.
Where to apply
Indian citizens apply at the Spanish diplomatic mission covering their state of residence:
- Spanish Embassy in New Delhi — covers most of northern India including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, MP, and more
- Spanish Consulate in Mumbai — covers Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh
- Spanish Consulate in Kolkata — covers West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, and Northeast
- Spanish Consulate in Bangalore — covers Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala
- Spanish Consulate in Chennai — also serves Tamil Nadu and other southern states
Check the Spanish embassy website for the exact jurisdictional coverage. Processing typically takes 1–3 months. Book your appointment early — demand is growing as India's NRI community increasingly considers Spain as a European base.
NRI income and the NLV income requirement
The NLV requires demonstration of approximately €2,400/month in passive income for a solo applicant. NRI income streams — pension from Indian employers, rental income from Indian properties, dividends from Indian investments — are all valid for the income test. You will need to evidence these with bank statements (ideally USD or EUR accounts for easier conversion), investment statements, and pension documentation. Indian Rupee-denominated statements are accepted but may need to be accompanied by a currency conversion exhibit.
Best health insurance for Indian NLV applicants
All three insurers below issue Spanish-language visa certificates and have proven records at Indian consulates. Sanitas is particularly recommended for Indian applicants due to its BUPA backing — a globally recognised brand that provides confidence for those unfamiliar with the Spanish insurance market.
How to apply for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa
Gather evidence of ~€2,400/month in passive income. NRI income — Indian pension, property rental, dividends — is valid. USD or EUR denominated accounts are easiest to evidence. Indian Rupee statements should be accompanied by conversion documentation.
Buy from a Spanish or EU-registered insurer. When you purchase, explicitly request the Spanish-language visa certificate (carta/certificado para visado de residencia no lucrativa). Do not use any Indian plan.
NLV application form, valid passport, police clearance certificate (apostilled), proof of Spain accommodation, income evidence, and your Spanish-language insurance certificate.
Book at the Spanish Embassy in New Delhi or the consulate serving your state. Processing takes 1–3 months. Book well in advance.
Register with your local town hall (empadronamiento) and apply for your TIE card at the immigration office within 30 days of arrival.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa to live in Spain? +
Yes. Indian citizens need a Spanish long-stay visa to reside in Spain beyond 90 days. The Non-Lucrative Visa is the main route for retirees and passive income holders, and requires proof of income and a compliant Spanish private health insurance policy.
Is Star Health or HDFC ERGO accepted for the Spanish NLV? +
No. All Indian health insurance plans — including Star Health, HDFC ERGO, Niva Bupa, Care Health, and Bajaj Allianz — are regulated under IRDAI and not accepted by Spanish consulates. You need a policy from a Spanish or EU-registered private insurer.
Does my insurance certificate need to be in Spanish? +
Yes. An English-only insurance certificate is frequently queried at the Spanish embassy in India. Always request a in Spanish visa certificate from your insurer when purchasing. All major compliant insurers provide this.
Where do Indian citizens apply for the Spanish NLV? +
At the Spanish Embassy in New Delhi or at consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, or Chennai depending on your state. Processing takes 1–3 months. Book early.
How far in advance can I buy my health insurance before my consulate appointment? +
Most insurers allow 30–90 days advance purchase with a future start date. Sanitas is the most flexible — policies can be contracted up to 6 months before the start date. The policy start date must align with your intended arrival in Spain, not your appointment date at the Spanish embassy.
What happens if my Spanish visa application is refused — can I get a refund? +
Most Spanish health insurers will cancel and refund your premium if you notify them promptly after a refusal. Sanitas and Caser both have clear refund procedures. Always confirm the cancellation terms in writing before purchasing — some insurers retain a small administration fee.
Do I need a separate insurance certificate for each family member? +
Yes. Every person named in the NLV application — main applicant, spouse, and any children — needs their own individual health insurance certificate. Some insurers offer family pricing where everyone is covered under one contract, but each person still receives a separate certificate for the consulate. Sanitas and Adeslas both offer multi-person pricing with per-person discounts.
Which insurer is recommended for Indian NLV applicants? +
Sanitas (BUPA) is the top recommendation — instant Spanish-language certificate, BUPA-backed credibility, English-speaking support, and a track record at Indian consulates. ASSSA is the best option for applicants over 70.