The EX-01 form is the national application form for temporary residence authorisations without employment activity in Spain. Completing it correctly — and accompanying it with the required documentation — is the first step to obtaining a non-lucrative visa or a residence authorisation that allows living in Spain without working as an employee or self-employed person. This article explains each field of the form, what documents each category requires, and which common errors lead to avoidable refusals.
What the EX-01 form is and when it is used
The EX-01 is the unified application form that the Ministry of the Interior makes available to non-EU citizens to apply for certain temporary residence authorisations. Unlike other immigration forms (EX-02 for family reunification, EX-17 for long-term residence), the EX-01 covers a wider range of categories:
- Non-lucrative long-stay visa (VNL): for individuals with their own financial means who wish to live in Spain without working.
- Temporary non-lucrative residence authorisation: application from within Spanish territory for those already in Spain with lawful status.
- Family reunification visa for non-EU nationals who are legal residents in Spain.
- Certain stay extensions and changes of administrative status.
The form is downloaded from the Ministry of the Interior portal and must always be used in its most recent version (the edition date appears in the lower margin of the form). Using an outdated form is one of the most frequent grounds for inadmissibility.
Economic requirements for the non-lucrative residence 2026
The non-lucrative residence authorisation — the most common application of the EX-01 — requires demonstrating sufficient financial means to cover living costs in Spain without needing to work. The reference threshold is calculated on the current IPREM:
| Concept | Calculation | 2026 Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant | 400% monthly IPREM × 12 | ~€28,800/year |
| First additional family member | + 100% IPREM × 12 | ~€7,200/year |
| Each subsequent family member | + 100% IPREM × 12 | ~€7,200/year |
Financial means can be evidenced through any combination of:
- Bank statements for the last 6 months (average balance, not point-in-time)
- Foreign pension certificates indicating the monthly amount
- Active rental contracts generating monthly income
- Investment portfolios or funds with up-to-date valuation
- Any other verifiable recurring income
Important: the consulate or immigration office requires that funds be freely available and not pledged as collateral for any loan. Income of a spouse or civil partner can only be counted if they are also an applicant or if a community property matrimonial regime is evidenced.
Full documentation by category
For the non-lucrative long-stay visa (consular route)
- EX-01 form in the current version, completed in all fields and signed by the applicant.
- Passport valid for at least 1 year with at least two blank pages.
- Recent passport-size photograph in colour, white background (32 × 26 mm).
- Proof of financial means (bank statements, pension certificates, etc.) with certified Spanish translation if in another language.
- Health insurance from a company legally established in Spain, with no deductible, covering comprehensive healthcare in Spain. Travel insurance is not accepted.
- Criminal record certificate from the country or countries of residence in the past 5 years, apostilled and with certified Spanish translation.
- Medical certificate confirming no diseases with public health implications (per the International Health Regulations).
- Fee 052 paid (approximately €80 in 2026 for the visa).
For the temporary non-lucrative residence authorisation (from Spain, via Immigration Office)
Same documents as for the consular visa, with these adaptations:
- The application is submitted at the Immigration Office of the province where the applicant resides, or at the UGE if applicable.
- No consular appointment is required.
- The applicant must demonstrate they are in Spain in lawful status at the time of filing.
How to complete the EX-01 form field by field
The form is divided into sections. The fields that generate the most errors are:
Section I — Applicant personal data
- Name: exactly as it appears in the passport, without abbreviations.
- Date of birth: in DD/MM/YYYY format.
- Nationality: as per the passport, not the country of habitual residence.
- NIE (if already held): include it even if this is the first residence application.
Section II — Type of application
- Mark only the box corresponding to the category being applied for. Marking multiple boxes is grounds for inadmissibility.
- For non-lucrative residence: mark “Temporary residence authorisation” → subcategory “non-lucrative”.
Section III — Documentation submitted
- List all documents attached with their page count.
- Do not omit any document from the official list: missing documents in the declaration causes requirements and delays.
Section IV — Signature and date
- The signature must be the applicant’s own, not a representative’s (except for minors or those lacking legal capacity).
- The date must match the date of submission, not the date documents were prepared.
Most common errors that cause refusal
Based on the case files handled by BMC, these are the errors that most frequently lead to refusal or rejection as inadmissible:
- Outdated form: the Ministry updates the EX-01 periodically. Using a version from even 6 months ago may cause inadmissibility.
- Missing apostille or legalisation: every foreign public document must carry a Hague Convention apostille or consular legalisation, depending on the country of origin.
- Inadequate health insurance: travel insurance, insurance with co-payments or deductibles, and policies that exclude pre-existing conditions are not accepted.
- Insufficient or incorrectly evidenced financial means: presenting only the current day’s bank balance (rather than a 6-month average) is frequently a ground for refusal.
- Missing or substandard certified translation: the translation must be carried out by a sworn translator-interpreter recognised in Spain, not a commercial translation agency.
- Criminal record certificate from only one country: if the applicant has resided in multiple countries in the past 5 years, a certificate from each is required.
Resolution deadlines and administrative silence
The non-lucrative residence authorisation has a maximum legal resolution period of 3 months from submission of the complete application (Article 38 LOEx). After that period without an express decision:
- If the application was submitted abroad (consular route): administrative silence is negative — the application is deemed refused.
- If the application was submitted from Spain: administrative silence is also negative in most scenarios; BMC always recommends submitting an appeal or an improved new application before that deadline.
The positive decision is notified by post or via the Ministry’s electronic office. Once the authorisation is granted, the holder has 30 days to apply for the NIE and the TIE (Foreigner’s Identity Card) at the competent Police Station or Immigration Office.
Renewal of the non-lucrative residence
The first authorisation is valid for 1 year. Renewal is requested during the 60 days before expiry (up to 90 days after, with a late fee) and has a validity of 2 years. Renewal requirements are similar to those for the initial grant, with income thresholds maintained at the same IPREM percentage applicable at the time of renewal.
To access long-term residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence, the holder must have maintained regular status throughout that period.
How BMC can help
BMC’s immigration team manages the entire process: prior eligibility analysis, documentary preparation, completion of the EX-01, coordination with the Spanish consulate or Immigration Office, case follow-up, and assistance with any additional requirements. Where the fiscal situation allows, we combine the non-lucrative residence with tax planning for non-residents or, where applicable, with the Beckham Law regime.
Need advice on the EX-01 form or the non-lucrative residence? Speak with BMC’s immigration team.
