How to Get a Passive Income Visa
Passive income and non-lucrative visas let you live abroad on pensions, rent, or investments. Who they suit, the income you need, and the main European routes.
A passive income visa is for people who can support themselves without a local job. If you live on a pension, rent, or investments, it is often the simplest route to living in Europe.
Who it suits
- Retirees living on a pension.
- People with rental income, dividends, or investment returns.
- Anyone financially independent who does not need to work locally.
The usual sequence
- 1
Confirm your income qualifies
It must be passive and stable, not local salary. - 2
Gather evidence
Pension statements, rental contracts, dividend records, bank statements. - 3
Arrange health insurance
Private cover valid in the host country. - 4
Apply at the consulate
Submit documents and pay the fee. - 5
Register on arrival
Then complete your residency locally.
How the main routes compare
Figures are illustrative for 2026 and move with minimum wages and indexes, so confirm before applying.
| Country | Route | Income (approx, main applicant) |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | D7 | ~920 EUR / month |
| Spain | Non-lucrative | ~2,400 EUR / month |
| France | Long-stay visitor | ~1,400 to 1,500 EUR / month |
- Portugal
- Route
- D7
- Income (approx, main applicant)
- ~920 EUR / month
- Spain
- Route
- Non-lucrative
- Income (approx, main applicant)
- ~2,400 EUR / month
- France
- Route
- Long-stay visitor
- Income (approx, main applicant)
- ~1,400 to 1,500 EUR / month
Before you apply
- Confirm your income is clearly passive. Work income usually disqualifies you.
- Budget for a savings buffer, which several countries expect on top of monthly income.
- If you want a path to permanent residence, check whether the years count toward it.
Still earning from remote work? A digital nomad visa is usually the better fit than a passive income route.
Frequently asked questions
What is a passive income visa?
It is a residence route for people who live on stable, ongoing income they do not earn from local work: pensions, rental income, dividends, or investments. Spain calls its version the non-lucrative visa, because it does not allow you to work in the country. These visas suit retirees and the financially independent.
What income do I need for Portugal's D7 visa?
Portugal's D7 sets the minimum at its national minimum wage, which is 920 euros a month for the main applicant in 2026. You add roughly 50% for a spouse and 30% per dependent child, and a savings buffer is usually expected. Eligible income includes pensions, rent, and dividends.
How much income does Spain's non-lucrative visa require?
Spain ties it to an index called IPREM. The main applicant needs about 400% of IPREM, which is roughly 2,400 euros a month as of 2026, plus around 600 euros a month for each additional family member. The income must be passive: salary or freelance work does not count for this visa.
Can I move to France on passive income?
Yes, through the long-stay visitor visa. France does not publish a fixed figure but expects sufficient, stable means, in practice benchmarked to the French minimum wage, so plan on roughly 1,400 to 1,500 euros a month per person and ideally more. You sign an undertaking not to work in France.
Can I work on a passive income visa?
Generally not in the host country. These visas are specifically for people supporting themselves without local employment. If you want to work remotely for foreign clients, a digital nomad visa is usually the better fit.
Browse by destination
Where to get a Passive Income Visa
Spain
Why people move to Spain, which visa fits your situation, and the practical steps to make the move — from digital nomads to retirees.
France
How to actually move to France — the long-stay visitor visa, the Talent Passport, the self-employed route, and the path to citizenship in this founding EU member.
Cyprus
Why remote workers, retirees and investors choose Cyprus — a sunny EU island with a digital nomad visa, low taxes, and a clear residency path.
Portugal
Portugal's appeal for expats — the D7 and digital nomad visas, mild climate, and a clear path to residency and eventually citizenship.
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