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Schengen Visa Ltd | Schengen Travel

Elective Residency Support

Elective residency lets financially independent people settle abroad on their own means, without working locally.

Living abroad on your own means

Elective residency — also known as a non-lucrative or passive-income route — is a national long-stay (Type D) permit for people who can support themselves financially without working in the destination country. Rather than relying on the local job market, you show that your income comes from sources such as pensions, savings, rental income or investments. The same idea appears under different names across Europe: residenza elettiva in Italy, the non-lucrative visa in Spain and the D7 in Portugal, among others.

Each country sets its own conditions around the level and type of income you must evidence, the accommodation you need to secure and the private health cover you must hold. Those rules differ markedly and are revised from time to time, so the right approach depends entirely on where you plan to live. Figures and conditions are indicative and change — we confirm the current rules for your case before you commit to anything, and point you to the official consulate or government source for your destination.

Who it suits

This route tends to fit UK residents who:

  • can live on pensions, savings or investment income without local employment
  • want to settle in their chosen country for longer than a short-stay visa allows
  • can evidence steady, ongoing means rather than one-off funds
  • may wish to bring a partner or other dependants

How we help

We support you through the application from start to finish:

  • confirming the correct route and document list for your destination
  • pre-checking your documents against the country’s published requirements
  • helping evidence your income, accommodation and health insurance clearly
  • completing application and dependant forms accurately
  • preparing a cover letter setting out your means and intentions
  • booking your consulate appointment and explaining what to expect

What to prepare

  • A valid passport and proof of identity
  • Evidence of regular income or sufficient funds, such as pension statements, bank statements or investment records
  • Proof of suitable accommodation in the destination country
  • Comprehensive private health insurance
  • Details of any dependants you wish to include

We support your application; we do not make the decision — that rests with the relevant authority. When you are ready, start your application and tell us your destination and intended stay, and we will outline the right route for you.

Frequently asked questions

What is elective residency?
It is a national long-stay route for people who can support themselves from their own resources — typically pensions, savings or investment income — without taking local employment. It goes by different names, such as residenza elettiva in Italy, the non-lucrative visa in Spain and the D7 in Portugal.
Who is it aimed at?
It tends to suit financially independent people, including retirees and those living on passive income, who want to live in their chosen country but will not work there. Conditions differ by country and consulate, so we confirm the current requirements for your case.
Can I work on this route?
These routes are generally for people who will not take up local employment, which is reflected in their names. Rules on any remote or overseas income vary by country and change over time, so check the official government source for your destination and we will confirm what applies to you.
What do I usually need to show?
Requirements differ by country, but applicants are typically asked to evidence sufficient regular income or funds, suitable accommodation and comprehensive private health insurance. We tell you the exact documents, translations and certifications your consulate expects.
Can you guarantee my application will be approved?
No. We provide application support, document pre-checks and guidance; the decision rests entirely with the relevant consulate or immigration authority. We focus on submitting a clear, complete and well-organised application.
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