Key Takeaways
- ✓ EU citizens have the right to live in Spain — register within 3 months of arrival.
- ✓ Non-EU citizens (including post-Brexit Brits) need a non-lucrative visa.
- ✓ Get your NIE number early — you need it for almost everything.
- ✓ EU pensioners can access public healthcare via the S1 form.
- ✓ Spend 183+ days/year in Spain and you become a Spanish tax resident.
Visa Types for Retirees
If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you do not need a visa to retire in Spain. You have the right to live anywhere in the EU under freedom of movement rules. You simply need to register at the Oficina de Extranjeros (Foreigners’ Office) within three months of arrival to obtain your green residence certificate (certificado de registro de ciudadano de la UE). This is a straightforward process that requires your passport, proof of health insurance or S1 form, and proof of sufficient funds.
If you are a non-EU citizen — including British nationals since Brexit — you will need a non-lucrative visa (visado de residencia no lucrativa). This is the standard visa for retirees who will not be working in Spain. It requires proof of sufficient income or savings (currently around €2,400/month or €28,800/year for the main applicant), private health insurance with full coverage in Spain, a clean criminal record certificate, and a medical certificate. The visa is applied for at the Spanish consulate in your home country before travel.
The non-lucrative visa is initially valid for one year. You then renew in Spain for two-year periods (twice), after which you can apply for long-term residency or permanent residency. After ten years of legal residency you can apply for Spanish nationality, though your home country’s rules on dual citizenship will determine whether you keep your original passport.
Getting Your NIE Number
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your Spanish tax identification number for foreigners. You need it for virtually everything: opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, buying a car, connecting utilities, registering for healthcare, and filing tax returns. Getting your NIE should be one of the very first things you do.
EU citizens can apply for an NIE at the Oficina de Extranjeros or at the National Police station (Comisaría de Policía) in your area. In Torrevieja, the process takes 1–3 weeks and requires your passport, a completed EX-15 form, the Tasa 012 payment receipt (€12 approximately), and an appointment (cita previa). Non-EU citizens will receive their NIE as part of the visa/residency card process.
Healthcare Registration
EU pensioners can access Spain’s excellent public healthcare system using the S1 form, issued by your home country’s health service. The S1 entitles you to the same healthcare as Spanish nationals — GP visits, hospital treatment, prescriptions and specialist referrals — all covered by your home country. Register at your local Centro de Salud (health centre) with your S1, NIE and empadronamiento (town hall registration).
Non-EU retirees and those without an S1 have two options: private health insurance (from around €80–€150/month for over-60s) or the convenio especial — a pay-in scheme that provides access to Spain’s public health system for around €60/month (under 65) or €157/month (over 65). Many expats combine the S1 or convenio with a top-up private policy for faster specialist access.
Tax Obligations
If you spend more than 183 days per year in Spain, you become a Spanish tax resident and must declare your worldwide income. This includes your state pension, any private pension, rental income, savings interest and investment gains. Spain has double taxation agreements with most European countries, so you generally will not be taxed twice.
Income tax rates are progressive, starting at 19% on the first €12,450 and rising to 47% above €300,000. There is also a wealth tax (impuesto sobre el patrimonio) if your net assets exceed €700,000 (thresholds vary by region). The Valencia region, which includes the Costa Blanca, has its own allowances and rates. We strongly recommend consulting a fiscal advisor (asesor fiscal) who specialises in expat taxation.
Cost of Living on the Costa Blanca
The southern Costa Blanca is one of the most affordable places to retire in western Europe. A couple can live comfortably on €1,500–€2,000 per month including rent, or €1,000–€1,400 if you own your property outright. Key monthly costs include: rent (€500–€800 for a two-bed apartment), groceries (€300–€400 for a couple), utilities (€80–€150), health insurance (€80–€150 private), and leisure/eating out (€200–€400).
The biggest savings versus northern Europe come from eating out (a full three-course menú del día with wine is €10–€13), heating (virtually unnecessary for 8–9 months), and transport (many retirees walk or cycle year-round thanks to the flat terrain and sunshine). Property taxes (IBI) are low by European standards, and community fees for apartment complexes average €50–€100/month.