Money and Retirement Visa

[lbernal]

Hello -
My first question, just joined here and already have learned sooo much! Thank you who post and keep up here it is very helpful!!
I've read a couple of threads asking about this but I don't see anything that addresses this part of it.

The requirement, as I understand it, is that you make 10,000 + 1,700 for dependents (which I don't have), a year from a pension. 10,000 seems like a small amount of money to live on, even there? Am I understanding that correctly? That is less than E800.00 a month isn't it? After rent or mortgage, electricity, gas, etc. I know many Spanish make less than that but as a requirement for a foreigner to retire just seems low?

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by lbernal

Hello -
My first question, just joined here and already have learned sooo much! Thank you who post and keep up here it is very helpful!!
I've read a couple of threads asking about this but I don't see anything that addresses this part of it.

The requirement, as I understand it, is that you make 10,000 + 1,700 for dependents (which I don't have), a year from a pension. 10,000 seems like a small amount of money to live on, even there? Am I understanding that correctly? That is less than E800.00 a month isn't it? After rent or mortgage, electricity, gas, etc. I know many Spanish make less than that but as a requirement for a foreigner to retire just seems low?

There is no set income level laid down for a retirement visa, as decison will be made by the central government and provincial government in whose area you are looking to retire to, taking into account your personal circumstances. But you are correct that the level required is a lot more than the figures given - which look like a student income. Each consulate may put an indicative level, but the Miami Consulate, where you'll be applying for your visa, has nothing. Ther idea is your income should give you a reasonably comfortable standard of living without money worries, or tempted to seek employment or self-employment, which isn't allowed. I'd have thought more than 20,000 euro per year sounds more realistic., but even if you have the rqeuired income, it may not lead to a visa being granted, as they have a wide power of discretion.

[lbernal]

Thanks for that info, it is a little confusing there seems to be very few people who post anywhere (I've surfed the internet looking for this info for a few days now), about their experiences with this process. It does seem that what ever consulate website you look at, whether in the states (Miami, Chicago, etc) or South America, saw the link from someone on here about it, they all say 10,000 a year plus 1700 for each dependent. This won't be our problem at we will make about 4000 a month on retirement. I lived in spain for 7 years and was married to a local guy from Rota for 5 years and we had a son. Although we are now divorced my son spent every summer there for the last 15 years and I have stayed at least 3 weeks every year also. I am retired military and can use the base for all my medical and dental needs plus tricare I believe covers some emergency things that could happen. If not local insurance is not that much really. I hope my connections to Spain will help with thjs process but who knows?? Just wish more people who have obtained the visa would write about it!!

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by lbernal

Thanks for that info, it is a little confusing there seems to be very few people who post anywhere (I've surfed the internet looking for this info for a few days now), about their experiences with this process. It does seem that what ever consulate website you look at, whether in the states (Miami, Chicago, etc) or South America, saw the link from someone on here about it, they all say 10,000 a year plus 1700 for each dependent. This won't be our problem at we will make about 4000 a month on retirement. I lived in spain for 7 years and was married to a local guy from Rota for 5 years and we had a son. Although we are now divorced my son spent every summer there for the last 15 years and I have stayed at least 3 weeks every year also. I am retired military and can use the base for all my medical and dental needs plus tricare I believe covers some emergency things that could happen. If not local insurance is not that much really. I hope my connections to Spain will help with thjs process but who knows?? Just wish more people who have obtained the visa would write about it!!

No, there are very few American expats posting here or other similar sites, presumably because of the difficulty of obtaining non-work retirement visa. Those who live in Spain on retirement usually have family connection like being married to a Spanish or other EU national or have lived and worked in Spain long enough to get permanent residency.
There is a different visa arrangement for those of South American origin, as they can get citizenship after living in Spain for only two years.

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by Joppa

No, there are very few American expats posting here or other similar sites, presumably because of the difficulty of obtaining non-work retirement visa. Those who live in Spain on retirement usually have family connection like being married to a Spanish or other EU national or have lived and worked in Spain long enough to get permanent residency.
There is a different visa arrangement for those of South American origin, as they can get citizenship after living in Spain for only two years.

you're right - these visas are notoriously hard to obtain

the most recent regular poster here who is USC & has applied for a retirement visa recently decided to not wait til it comes through, but to just come over on the 90 tourist visa & keep everything crossed that the retirement visa comes through OK



not to be recommended & I hope they are OK

[Brangus]

Originally Posted by lbernal

I lived in spain for 7 years and was married to a local guy from Rota for 5 years and we had a son.

Sorry, I can't help you with your questions about the retirement visa, but another approach might be that your son is entitled to Spanish citizenship, if he doesn't have it already. As his mother you might have a "foot in the door" that way.

My husband brought up the point that a U.S. citizen can petition to bring a foreign parent to live in the United States, and Spain might have a similar immigration rule. I would imagine that your son would have to be living in Spain, however.

[Brangus]

Originally Posted by Joppa

There is a different visa arrangement for those of South American origin, as they can get citizenship after living in Spain for only two years.

Just wanted to point out that it's all of Latin America, not just South America. I heard this from my hubby, who's pretty good with the immigration info.

Also Filipinos are eligible, and other places where the Spanish dipped their big toes.

[thrax]

If your son was born in Spain with a Spanish father then he is Spanish. My understanding is that your best route will be via him.

[Brangus]

Originally Posted by xabiachica

the most recent regular poster here who is USC

A University of Southern California alum?
Oh, U.S. citizen.

Originally Posted by xabiachica

& has applied for a retirement visa recently decided to not wait til it comes through, but to just come over on the 90 tourist visa & keep everything crossed that the retirement visa comes through OK

not to be recommended & I hope they are OK

You mean Folklore. Yes, he might be a good one for Ibernal to get in touch with regarding the financial requirements.

Americans don't need a visa to come to Spain as a tourist. Folklore would be perfectly legal in Spain visiting relatives for up to 90 days, then heading back to Colombia, where he applied for his retirement visa.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by Brangus

Americans don't need a visa to come to Spain as a tourist. Folklore would be perfectly legal in Spain visiting relatives for up to 90 days, then heading back to Colombia, where he applied for his retirement visa.

Hmmmm .... why do I need a visa to go to the US on holiday?? And have to pay the US Government for it!