Q&A · Documents · updated 08.07.2026
What Extranjería checks when reviewing a residence permit
Updated: 8 July 2026 · Verified against official sources
It depends on the permit type, but there is a universal set of blocks: income, documents, insurance, a clean criminal record and the legality of your presence in the country. The case officer checks every item against the requirements of RD 1155/2024 — the new Immigration Regulation, in force since 20.05.2025. Any unresolved item is grounds for refusal or a request for further documentation (requerimiento).
The five blocks of the review
| Block | What exactly is checked | Typical mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Income | Meeting the threshold for your permit type: for the NLV — €2,400/month, for the DNV — €2,760–2,850/month, for the student permit — €600/month | Bank statements are outdated or do not cover the required period |
| Documents | Completeness of the file, apostille, sworn translation into Spanish, validity of the criminal record certificate — no older than 90 days | Criminal record certificate expired or missing the apostille |
| Insurance | The policy covers the entire residence period, includes Spain, with no deductible and no repatriation clause | Travel insurance instead of a resident policy |
| Criminal record | Spanish criminal registry + a certificate from your country of citizenship (apostille required) | Certificate from only one country when you hold a second citizenship |
| Legality of stay | Entry stamps, empadronamiento (municipal registration), no overstay of the 90 days Schengen limit before filing | Filing after breaching the Schengen limit |
Additional checks by permit type
For the NLV (non-lucrative residence permit), the case officer additionally checks the source of income: its passive nature (rental income, dividends, pension) and its stability over the past 12 months. For the DNV — a current contract or registration as an autónomo (self-employed) abroad.
If the documents are accepted but questions arise, Extranjería issues a requerimiento — a request for additional documents. You usually have 10 working days to respond. Missing the deadline = automatic refusal.
Step by step: how to prepare for the review
- Check your income against the threshold for your permit type. Use the 2026 Income Calculator — it factors in your family size and the current IPREM/SMI thresholds (Spain's official income benchmarks).
- Check the validity of your criminal record certificate. It must have been issued no more than 90 days before the filing date, with an apostille and a sworn translation.
- Make sure your insurance is a resident policy: no deductible, no time limit, covering hospitalisation and repatriation.
- Check your passport. Minimum validity at the time of filing — 1 year.
- Assemble your file using the checklist and file at your cita previa (pre-booked appointment) — every document on the list, with nothing missing.
Not sure your file is complete? Generate a personal checklist for your permit type — the Document Checklist Generator will factor in your family size and permit type.
This is a preliminary assessment based on official sources, not individual legal advice. Your case may differ — we will review your situation for free.
Official sources: BOE — Spanish legislation · Ministry of Inclusion and Migration · Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs