You don’t need to pay for flights or trains upfront. Spain only requires reservations or a travel plan, not confirmed tickets, and you’re not tied to the exact flights you submit. Use a flight hold or agent-issued itinerary, book hotels with free cancellation, and provide a simple itinerary for internal travel—no need to pre-book trains. On finances, each of you must still show funds (around €118 per day, with a minimum balance), even if you’re paying. Your husband submits his own bank statements, and you add a sponsorship letter plus your financial proof. Being retired is fine—you just show pension income or savings instead of employment.
