Switched from DNV to non-lucrative because of my employer
did you do the application inside spain or did you have to go back to the consulate in san francisco? i heard you can't switch to nlv from within the country anymore.
i actually had to go back and do it through the consulate. it was a pain but the turnaround was only three weeks. you definitely can't do the initial nlv transition at the extranjeria here in gipuzkoa.
Surfing Zurriola every day sounds like a dream compared to the 9 to 5 grind. Just keep an eye on that savings account because Donostia prices are no joke right now. I heard the local government is getting even stricter on short term rentals so finding a new flat if you move will be a nightmare. Did the UGE give you any trouble about the funds being in a US bank account instead of a Spanish one?
Did you have to go back to the US for the visa stamp or did you manage to do the whole change while staying in Spain? I am in a similar spot in Bilbao and my lawyer is telling me two different things. Getting the apostilles from the States while being in the Basque Country is such a slow process. I have been waiting six weeks for a background check.
Check the IPREM requirements again for your renewal next year. They tend to raise the limits every January and you dont want to be caught short on the balance. San Sebastian is probably the most expensive city in the country besides maybe Ibiza and Madrid so the proof of funds needs to be solid. I hope the waves stay good at Zurriola though.
I honestly feel your pain with the permanent establishment fear. My HR department did the exact same thing last year and it almost cost me my residency in Madrid. They just don't want to hear it once their legal counsel gets spooked. San Sebastian is a great place to wait it out though. Are you planning to switch back to a work permit later or just ride out the NLV until you can get permanent residency?
The permanent residency route takes forever but it is worth it to stop dealing with those corporate lawyers. Just remember the clock for PR resets if you stay out of the country for too long on the NLV.
The Sanitas requirement with no copayments is a huge thing people miss. I have seen so many people get rejected because they tried to use a policy with a 5 euro fee per visit. It has to be full coverage with no out of pocket costs at all. Glad you got it sorted but it is a pricey monthly bill when you aren't bringing in a salary.
It is ridiculous because you pay for it and then half the time you still end up going to a private clinic where you have to wait anyway. Spain loves their paperwork loops.
that sounds like a dream to just surf and not work but san sebastian rents are brutal lately. hope you have a massive savings account because the 2025 iprem hike made the income requirement even higher.
The DNV to NLV switch is becoming way more common than people think because of the Social Security mess. California companies are notoriously bad with this. They assume every employee abroad is a tax liability. Just make sure you are careful about actually not working. If Hacienda sees any deposits that look like income you might get a nasty letter in the mail next year.
honestly the dnv paperwork is such a nightmare that i don't blame your company. the social security at-1 form is what kills most of these deals. i'm thinking of doing the same thing if my contract doesn't get renewed in june.
just a heads up that if you stay on the nlv for too long you might lose your chance to count these years toward citizenship if you aren't careful about your days out of the country. keep a log of every time you cross the border.
I am surprised you are learning Basque. That is a massive challenge. Most people just stick to Spanish and get by fine but it probably helps a lot with the locals in San Sebastian. Are the bank statement translations expensive? I heard some people saying you need a sworn translator and others saying a regular one works if it has a stamp.
I strongly disagree with the idea that the NLV is a good long term move if you can work. You lose out on so many social security benefits and your years dont count toward a pension here if you aren't paying in. It is basically a long vacation. If you get bored of surfing you might regret being locked out of the labor market for a full year or more.
It depends on your age honestly. If you are mid career the gap year is fine, but for younger people it definitely hurts the resume and the retirement planning.