Moving to Spain from the UK: A Post-Brexit Practical Guide

What Changed After Brexit

On 1 January 2021, the UK’s Brexit transition period ended and British citizens lost their EU free movement rights. The practical impact for anyone wanting to live in Spain is significant:

• 90/180-day rule: UK passport holders can now visit Spain (and the wider Schengen area) for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. This is sufficient for holidays but not for extended stays.
• Visa required for residency: To live in Spain for more than 90 days, you must apply for and obtain a visa before you move. You cannot simply arrive and register as before.
• Work permit required: If you want to work in Spain (employed or self-employed), you need a work visa or a visa category that permits work. Freelancers can use the digital nomad visa.
• No automatic healthcare: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) was replaced by the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for UK residents, but this only covers temporary visits, not residency. Residents need separate healthcare arrangements.

The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement preserved some rights — particularly around social security coordination and pension payments — but day-to-day life as a British expat in Spain requires significantly more paperwork than it did before 2021.

Visa Options for UK Citizens

The non-lucrative visa is by far the most common choice for British retirees and early retirees. It is valid for one year, renewable annually, and leads to permanent residency after five years. The main requirement is proving you have sufficient passive income (pensions, investments, savings) to support yourself without working in Spain — currently approximately €2,400/month for a single applicant, plus €600/month for each additional family member.

The digital nomad visa, introduced in 2023, is popular with younger British professionals who work remotely for UK-based companies. It offers tax advantages (24% flat rate for the first four years under the Beckham Law) and permits residency for up to five years.

For property investors, the Golden Visa (€500K+ investment) offers the most flexibility — see our Golden Visa guide for full details.

The Residency Process

Once you have your visa, the residency process in Spain involves three key steps:

1. NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero). Your foreigner’s tax identification number. You’ll need this for almost every official transaction — buying property, opening a bank account, signing contracts. Apply at the National Police foreigners’ office or through a Spanish consulate in the UK.

2. Empadronamiento (municipal registration). Within 3 months of arriving, register at your local ayuntamiento (town hall). This confirms your address and is required for healthcare registration, school enrolment, and residency renewals. It’s free and straightforward — bring your passport, NIE, rental contract or property deed, and a completed application form.

3. TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). Your physical residency card. Apply within 30 days of entering Spain on your visa. You’ll need to book an appointment at the Oficina de Extranjería, provide biometrics, and pay a fee (~€16). The card is typically ready within 4–6 weeks.

Healthcare

Healthcare is one of the biggest practical changes for British expats post-Brexit. Here are your options:

S1 form (UK state pensioners). If you receive a UK state pension, you can apply to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for an S1 certificate. This entitles you to access Spain’s public healthcare system (Seguridad Social) as though you were a Spanish pensioner. The Spanish state recovers costs from the UK. This is by far the best option for British retirees — comprehensive, free at point of use, and covers hospital care, GP visits, prescriptions and specialist referrals.

Convenio Especial. If you are not eligible for an S1 (i.e., you’re under state pension age), you can pay to join Spain’s public health system through the Convenio Especial scheme. The cost is approximately €60/month for under-65s or €157/month for over-65s. This provides access to the same public healthcare as Spanish nationals.

Private health insurance. Required for your visa application regardless of whether you plan to use public healthcare. Policies from Spanish insurers (Sanitas, Adeslas, Asisa, DKV) start at €50–€80/month for a healthy adult under 65, rising to €150–€300/month for over-65s. Private insurance offers shorter waiting times and English-speaking doctors.

GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). This replaces the EHIC for UK residents visiting Spain temporarily. It covers emergency and necessary medical treatment during visits but does NOT cover residents. It is a travel card, not a residency healthcare solution.

UK State Pension in Spain

Good news for British retirees: the UK state pension is paid worldwide, including to residents of Spain. It increases each year under the triple lock (the higher of inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%). Spain is one of the countries where annual increases are applied — not all countries receive the triple lock (notably, Australia and Canada do not).

Key tax considerations:

• Under the UK-Spain double taxation agreement, your UK state pension is taxable only in Spain once you become a Spanish tax resident (183+ days/year).
• UK occupational and private pensions are also taxable in Spain under the same treaty.
• Spain’s income tax rates are progressive, from 19% to 47%. However, generous personal allowances for over-65s can reduce the effective rate significantly.
• You should inform HMRC that you are moving abroad to avoid double taxation. Your UK pension payments will then be made gross (without UK tax deducted).

Consult a UK-Spain cross-border tax advisor before moving. The interaction between UK and Spanish tax systems is complex, and getting it wrong can be expensive.

Driving Licence

Post-Brexit, UK driving licences are no longer automatically recognised for residents of Spain. The rules are:

• Visitors (up to 90 days): Your UK licence is valid. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended but not strictly required for short visits.
• New residents: You have 6 months from obtaining your TIE card to exchange your UK driving licence for a Spanish one. This exchange is possible under the UK-Spain driving licence agreement (signed March 2023). You do not need to take a test.
• After 6 months: If you miss the 6-month window, you must pass the full Spanish driving test — a notoriously difficult theoretical exam in Spanish (or English at some centres), followed by a practical test. Many British expats have been caught out by this deadline.

Practical tip: Start the licence exchange process as soon as you receive your TIE card. The DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) appointments can have long waiting times, especially in popular expat areas. You’ll need your UK licence, TIE, passport, medical certificate (€30–€50, from an approved centro médico), and the DGT application form.

Buying Property as a UK Citizen

British citizens face no restrictions on buying property in Spain. The process is identical to any non-EU buyer: obtain an NIE, open a Spanish bank account, find a property, sign arras, complete at the notary. UK buyers pay the same taxes (10% ITP on resale, 10% IVA + 1.5% AJD on new build in the Valencia region).

The main difference post-Brexit is practical rather than legal:

• Currency: You’re paying in euros with pounds. Exchange rate fluctuations can add or subtract thousands from your total cost. Use a specialist currency transfer service (Wise, Currencies Direct, TorFX) rather than a high-street bank.
• Mortgage: UK income is acceptable to Spanish banks for non-resident mortgages, but lenders typically offer 60–70% LTV rather than the 80% available to residents.
• Insurance: UK travel insurance rarely covers property purchases. Make sure your travel insurance includes legal expenses cover if you’re travelling to Spain specifically to view and buy property.

For the full buying process, see our complete guide to buying property in Spain.

Best Areas for British Buyers

British buyers have been buying property on the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol for decades, and established communities exist in several areas:

Torrevieja and La Siesta: The largest British expat community on the southern Costa Blanca. English-speaking shops, pubs, social clubs, churches, and a well-organised British community. Property from €100K. See our Torrevieja neighbourhood guide.

Orihuela Costa (La Zenia, Cabo Roig, Playa Flamenca): Purpose-built residential urbanisations popular with British families and golfers. Good amenities, La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre, and several championship golf courses. Property from €155K.

Ciudad Quesada: Quiet hilltop community with detached villas and a strong British presence. La Marquesa golf course. Popular with retirees who want space and privacy. Villas from €250K.

Fuengirola and Mijas (Costa del Sol): The Costa del Sol has the oldest British community in Spain. Fuengirola and Mijas Costa offer beaches, international schools, excellent transport links, and a large English-speaking infrastructure. Property from €200K.

Practical Checklist Before You Move

Moving to Spain from the UK is a significant life change. Here is a practical checklist to work through before you go:

• 6–12 months before: Research visa options. Consult a UK-Spain tax advisor. Start the visa application process. Research areas and visit Spain for viewings.
• 3–6 months before: Apply for your visa at the Spanish consulate. Arrange private health insurance. Open a Spanish bank account (you can do this remotely with some banks). Obtain quotes from removal companies if shipping belongings.
• 1–3 months before: Receive visa. Book flights. Arrange temporary accommodation (for the first month while you find a permanent home). Set up mail forwarding from your UK address.
• First week in Spain: Register at the ayuntamiento (empadronamiento). Apply for your TIE card. Register with a local GP (centro de salud) if using public healthcare. Set up utility direct debits.
• First month: Open a full Spanish bank account (if not done remotely). Exchange your driving licence at the DGT. Register with the British consulate in Alicante or Málaga. Arrange contents insurance for your new home.

If you have questions about the property side of your move to Spain, contact our team in Torrevieja. We guide British buyers through the process every week.