I am interested in retiring in Spain. I am self-supported. In all my inquries about visa requirements, I get a list of documents required for the application. That does not give me any idea or understanding of the probablilities of acceptance or rejection. In other words, provided all documentation is in order, then is it only a matter of time before I get the visa? Or are there circumstances that after a long wait I get rejected?

Unfortunately there are no guarantees unless you’re very wealthy. In which case you may not even need a visa or you’d just get your lawyer to handle it for you.

Of course some people are rejected, but usually that’s because they try to do it themselves.