Proof of Funds Calculator

Understanding Proof of Funds Requirements for Visa Applications

Most long-stay residence visas require you to demonstrate that you can support yourself financially without working in the destination country. The exact requirement — and what counts as evidence — varies significantly between visa types, and using the wrong type of income documentation is a common, avoidable rejection reason.

Passive income vs remote work income: a critical distinction

For passive income visas (Portugal D7, Spain Non-Lucrative Visa, Costa Rica Rentista/Pensionado), the income must be truly passive: government or private pensions, investment dividends, property rental income, annuity payments, or interest. Remote work salary — even from a foreign employer — does not qualify and actively disqualifies you from the Spain NLV if mentioned in your application.

For remote work visas (Portugal D8 Digital Nomad, Spain Digital Nomad Visa), your remote employment salary or freelance invoices are exactly what is required. The threshold is higher (€3,680/mo for Portugal D8; €2,849/mo for Spain DNV) but the income source requirement is easier to meet for most working-age applicants.

How income thresholds are set

Most European country thresholds are tied to national wage indices and update annually:

• Portugal D7: Equal to the Portuguese national minimum wage (€920/mo in January 2026). Updates every January when the minimum wage is revised.
• Portugal D8: Four times the minimum wage (€3,680/mo). Same annual update cycle.
• Spain NLV: 400% of the IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples). IPREM has been frozen at €600/mo since 2023, making this threshold more stable than SMI-linked ones.
• Spain DNV: 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI), updated annually via Royal Decree — €2,849/mo for 2026.
• Mexico: Set in Mexican pesos via the UMA (daily unit of account) formula — 300× daily UMA for income route, 6,000× for savings. Equivalent USD amount shifts with the peso exchange rate.

The 20% buffer rule

This calculator shows a “recommended buffer” of 20% above the stated minimum. This is not arbitrary: consular officers apply informal judgment when income is right at the stated minimum. Several UK and US expat forums document cases where D7 applicants at exactly €920/mo were asked for additional evidence or received requests for clarification, while those at €1,100+ were processed without issue.

The buffer also protects against two practical risks: (1) exchange rate movement between when you apply and when the consulate processes your application — thresholds are in EUR or local currency but your statements may be in USD or GBP; (2) the “per applicant” vs “per household” calculation, which varies by visa type and consulate location.

Income route vs savings route (Mexico)

Mexico’s Temporary Resident Visa is the only visa in this calculator with an official savings balance alternative to the monthly income route. The savings route requires an average balance of approximately MXN 703,860 (around $35,000) across 12 consecutive bank statements. Crucially, this is an average balance — individual months can be lower, as long as the 12-month average meets the threshold. No apostille, no translation, and no background check is required for either Mexico route.

For European visas, a savings lump sum is not generally accepted as a substitute for ongoing income, though some consular officers may consider very large balances on a discretionary basis. Do not rely on this.

Related Free Tools