When you retire, you expect a kind of stillness. But for us, that stillness became a quiet longing for something more, a new rhythm… a new country.
Immigrant Invest didn’t just help us get residency in Europe; they showed us a new way to live. They gave us the blueprint for a second chapter, and that’s a gift you can’t put a price on.
Richard
Obtained Spain residency for financially independent
Clients’ names and photos have been changed
The air in Richard and Nancy’s suburban home west of Boston had settled into a quiet stillness. The gears that had turned for so long had finally stopped, and Richard experienced a calm he hadn’t expected and didn’t entirely like in retirement. Nancy felt it too — a quiet longing for something more.
The life they had built was comfortable, but after decades of routine, they felt an unfamiliar pull toward a new adventure. It was a feeling their son, a restless spirit who’d recently moved to Spain for work, understood perfectly.
“Come on, ” he’d said over a video call, his voice filled with the vibrant energy of his new city. “It’s a big world out here.”
That was all the invitation they needed, and the idea of living in Europe took hold. Spain called to them, promising sunny days, rich history, and new experiences, with a balance between activity and a laid-back approach to life. It also had the added benefit of being where their son was building his new life.
Richard,
Obtained Spain residency for financially independent
Yes, our son encouraged us to move to Spain. Yet we didn’t want to depend on a family reunification visa or place a burden on him, especially since he didn't have enough funds to support both of us. Instead, we set out to find a residency option that would allow us to remain independent.
That’s when we realised we needed a guide. Someone who understood not just the rules, but the nuances of the whole process. And that’s how we found Immigrant Invest.
Guide through the complexities
From their very first consultation, Richard and Nancy felt a sense of ease. As they mentioned later, the Immigrant Invest didn’t seem like a faceless corporation, our team was an empathetic partner who asked both about their finances and their dreams.
The investment program expert quickly identified the Non-Lucrative Visa as the perfect fit for Richard and Nancy. It was a path tailored for individuals with a stable, passive income, like their pensions and dividends, who didn’t need to work.
The primary requirements were straightforward:
-
stable, passive income of at least €28,880 per year, plus an additional €7,200 for each dependent;
-
no criminal record;
-
being a citizen of a non-EU and non-EEA country;
-
having a place to live in Spain, whether rented or owned.
Richard and Nancy comfortably met all these criteria. They came from the US, had no criminal records, and were ready to rent housing. Their retirement income, a blend of pensions and dividends, totaled about €70,000 a year, providing a solid financial foundation for their move.
Finding a home, a vision, and peace of mind
Once they had the residency path clear, the next step was finding a home. Immigrant Invest provided them with several options in different Spanish coastal cities.
When Richard and Nancy narrowed it down to four apartments, their son volunteered to visit each one, accompanied by a representative from Immigrant Invest. It was a moment where the old life and the new began to beautifully intersect, their son acting as their eyes and ears in a place that would soon be their home.
Richard and Nancy chose a two-bedroom apartment in Alboraia, a charming municipality of Valencia, for €1,850 per month. The location offered the perfect balance of serene coastal living with easy access to Spain’s major cities, like Madrid and Barcelona, just a two-hour train ride away.
One of Alboraia’s symbols is Port Sa Playa, called ‘Little Venice’. It is located 5—6 km north of Valencia
Streamlined process: how Richard and Nancy became Spanish residents
The process of obtaining Spanish Non-Lucrative Visas for Richard and Nancy took 4.5 months. Immigrant Invest guided them throughout the entire procedure.
See which steps you would need to take if you decide to follow in their footsteps.
February 3rd, 2025
Preliminary Due Diligence
Before signing an agreement, Immigrant Invest’s lawyers screened Richard’s background using international legal and business information databases to ensure everything was in order.
This preliminary check helped reduce the risk of refusal to just 1%.
Before signing an agreement, Immigrant Invest’s lawyers screened Richard’s background using international legal and business information databases to ensure everything was in order.
This preliminary check helped reduce the risk of refusal to just 1%.
+ 3 weeks, €3,750
Preparation of documents
Immigrant Invest’s lawyers prepare a personalised list of documents, including:
- valid passports;
- marriage certificate;
- completed D visa application form;
- criminal record certificate;
- proof of passive income;
- health insurance with cover of at least €30,000;
- rental agreement in Spain;
- passport-sized photos.
Lawyers also completed the required government forms.
Richard paid €1,250 for document preparation and an administrative fee of €300. He also purchased health insurance for himself and Nancy at €1,100 per person.
Immigrant Invest’s lawyers prepare a personalised list of documents, including:
- valid passports;
- marriage certificate;
- completed D visa application form;
- criminal record certificate;
- proof of passive income;
- health insurance with cover of at least €30,000;
- rental agreement in Spain;
- passport-sized photos.
Lawyers also completed the required government forms.
Richard paid €1,250 for document preparation and an administrative fee of €300. He also purchased health insurance for himself and Nancy at €1,100 per person.
+ 2 months
Acquisition of D visas to enter Spain
Richard and Nancy applied for national D visas to enter Spain, submitted biometrics, and requested a residence permit.
The lawyer arranged an appointment at the Spanish consulate in Boston.
Richard and Nancy applied for national D visas to enter Spain, submitted biometrics, and requested a residence permit.
The lawyer arranged an appointment at the Spanish consulate in Boston.
+ 3 weeks, €3,700
Renting of housing in Spain
Immigrant Invest helped select a suitable apartment and concluded a rental agreement.
Richard covered the first month’s rent and a one-month security deposit.
Immigrant Invest helped select a suitable apartment and concluded a rental agreement.
Richard covered the first month’s rent and a one-month security deposit.
June 19th, 2025, €150
Trip to Spain and obtaining residency
The D visa was valid for 90 days.
Richard and Nancy entered Spain and submitted the residence permit application at the foreigners’ registration office or a police station. Richard paid €150 for the issuance of two residence permit cards.
When residence permit cards were ready, Richard and Nancy collected them in person.
The D visa was valid for 90 days.
Richard and Nancy entered Spain and submitted the residence permit application at the foreigners’ registration office or a police station. Richard paid €150 for the issuance of two residence permit cards.
When residence permit cards were ready, Richard and Nancy collected them in person.
New horizons
A residence permit wasn’t just documents; it was a key. It unlocked a future filled with new possibilities.
Richard and Nancy now access Spain’s high-quality, affordable healthcare. They also have the freedom to travel easily across Europe and move from Spain to Italy or France in just a few hours by car. Most importantly, they have the peace of mind of a secure, legal residency, allowing them to truly build a new life for themselves, with their son just a short drive away.
They soon discovered that the same income that had supported a typical, middle-class existence back home now felt like a fountain of freedom. This was no longer just about living; it was about thriving.
In Valencia, where an average couple’s monthly budget hovers around €1,500—2,000 for everyday needs, Richard and Nancy found themselves with nearly €4,000 to spare after paying their rent. This newfound financial freedom allowed them to afford a level of comfort and leisure they simply couldn’t have imagined back in the States.
Average monthly expenses: Richard and Nancy’s hometown vs. Valencia
Category
Groceries
Boston
€920
Valencia
€480
Category
Utilities
Boston
€170
Valencia
€120
Category
Internet
Boston
€60
Valencia
€25
Category
Phone
Boston
€50
Valencia
€15
Category
Transport pass
Boston
€75
Valencia
€30
Category
Leisure
Boston
€600
Valencia
€350
Category
Boston
Valencia
Groceries
€920
€480
Utilities
€170
€120
Internet
€60
€25
Phone
€50
€15
Transport pass
€75
€30
Leisure
€600
€350
Today, Richard and Nancy are finding their rhythm in a new country. Richard, now a regular at a local cafe, is practicing his Spanish, and Nancy has found a painting class near the coast. They are living a life of newfound adventure that began with a quiet longing and was made possible by the unwavering expertise and guidance of a trusted partner.
“It’s not about leaving our old life behind, ” Richard mused recently. “It’s about starting a new one.” And for the first time in a long time, the future felt as bright and boundless as the Spanish sky.
Like Richard and Nancy you can transform your passive income into residency in Spain or another country, and Immigrant Invest is here to help.
