Moving to Spain from the UK in 2026: Complete Guide for British Citizens

More British citizens move to Spain than to any other country outside the UK. After Brexit the process changed significantly — but moving to Spain is still very much possible. What changed is that you now need a visa, the same as any non-EU citizen.

This guide covers the full picture: which visa to apply for, what to do when you arrive, and how to navigate Spanish admin as a British resident in 2026.

---

Step One: Which Visa Do You Need?

Your choice of visa depends on how you earn (or don’t earn) your income.

Non-Lucrative Visa — for retirees and passive income

The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is the most common route for British citizens moving to Spain. It is designed for people who do not intend to work — retirees, those living off pensions, investment income, rental income, or savings.

Minimum income: approximately €2,400/month for a single applicant (400% of Spain’s IPREM index, set annually — verify current figure at boe.es before applying). Each additional family member adds approximately €600/month.

What you cannot do: Work in Spain in any capacity — employed, freelance, or as a company director.

Duration: 1 year initial visa, then 2+2 year renewals inside Spain. Eligible for permanent residency after 5 years.

→ Full details: Spain Non-Lucrative Visa for UK Citizens

---

Digital Nomad Visa — for remote workers

If you work remotely for a UK company or UK clients, the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is the correct route. Unlike the NLV, it allows you to work — but only for non-Spanish employers (maximum 20% of income from Spanish sources).

Minimum income: approximately €2,646/month (200% of Spain’s minimum wage, the SMI — verify current figure before applying).

Tax benefit: The DNV gives access to the Régimen Beckham — a flat 24% income tax rate on Spanish-sourced income for the first 5 years, significantly lower than standard progressive rates.

Duration: 3 years initial, then renewable for 2 more years.

→ Full details: Spain Digital Nomad Visa

---

Student Visa — for language courses and university

If you are moving to Spain to study at a language school, university, or vocational programme, you need a Student Visa. Language school students may study for up to 30 hours per week and may not work more than 20 hours per week.

→ Full details: Spain Student Visa

---

Golden Visa — for investors

The Golden Visa grants residency through qualifying investments in Spain. The property purchase route (€500,000+) was closed by the Spanish government in April 2024. Other qualifying investment routes remain open, including:

• €1,000,000 in Spanish company shares or bank deposits
• €2,000,000 in Spanish government bonds
• Creation of a business deemed of general interest to Spain

The Golden Visa is handled entirely in Spain (not at a consulate) and gives 2-year renewable residency.

---

Before You Apply: What You Need

Regardless of which visa you choose, every Spanish long-stay visa from the UK requires:

ACRO Criminal Record Certificate + FCDO Apostille

You need a criminal record certificate from the ACRO Criminal Records Office (not a DBS check), apostilled by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

• ACRO application: acro.police.uk — approximately £55, 10 working days
• FCDO apostille: gov.uk/get-document-legalised — £15 per document, 15 working days standard

Allow 4–8 weeks total for this step before you can submit your visa application.

Medical Certificate

A letter from your UK GP confirming you do not have any infectious diseases of public health concern. This must also be apostilled by the FCDO. The consulate provides a template.

Private Health Insurance

A policy covering all medical risks in Spain with zero copayments. Your UK GHIC does not satisfy this requirement. Policies from companies such as IATI Seguros or Cigna Global are routinely accepted at Spanish consulates.

Proof of Income

Bank statements (6–12 months), pension letters, or investment statements demonstrating income at or above the visa threshold.

---

Applying for Your Visa in the UK

Applications must be submitted in person at the Spanish consulate that covers your region:

Consulate	Jurisdiction
Embassy of Spain, London	England, Wales, Northern Ireland
Consulate General of Spain, Edinburgh	Scotland
Consulate General of Spain, Manchester	Northern England

Book your appointment at exteriores.gob.es. Slots fill quickly — book 2–3 months ahead.

---

After Arrival: The First 30 Days

Once your visa is stamped and you arrive in Spain, the clock starts immediately.

1. Empadronamiento — Register at the Town Hall

Within 30 days, register your address at the local ayuntamiento (town hall). The certificado de empadronamiento this produces is required for almost every subsequent step in Spain.

→ Full Empadronamiento Guide

2. TIE Card — Your Residence Card

Apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) at the nearest Oficina de Extranjería or National Police station with a foreigners’ desk. The TIE is your proof of legal residence and is required for opening bank accounts, signing leases, and accessing public services.

You will need: passport with visa stamp, empadronamiento certificate, proof of income, health insurance certificate, completed form EX-17, photographs, and fee (tasa 790).

→ Full TIE Card Guide

3. NIE Number

You will likely receive an NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) as part of the TIE process. Your NIE is a permanent tax identification number used for all financial and legal transactions in Spain — property purchases, car registration, bank accounts, and tax returns.

→ Full NIE Guide

---

Healthcare in Spain as a British Resident

Phase 1 — Visa period: You rely on your private health insurance. Your GHIC provides emergency access to Spanish public healthcare but is not a substitute for comprehensive private cover.

Phase 2 — After 1 year of legal residence: If you are working and contributing to Social Security, or if you fall under certain exemption categories, you may register for Spain’s public healthcare (Sistema Nacional de Salud) at your local health centre (Centro de Salud). British state pensioners exported their pension to Spain can register for healthcare under the S1 form arrangement — contact the Department for Work and Pensions before moving for details.

Post-Brexit EHIC: The old EHIC is no longer valid for residents moving from Great Britain. Apply for a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) at nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad for emergency cover while you arrange private insurance.

---

Banking in Spain

You will need a Spanish bank account for rent payments, direct debits (utilities, phone), and tax purposes. Opening an account typically requires:

• Passport
• TIE or NIE number
• Certificado de empadronamiento

Before you arrive: Open a Wise EUR account to start receiving your UK income in euros at the real exchange rate. Statements from Wise are accepted by Spanish consulates as proof of regular income. Once you have your TIE you can open a traditional Spanish bank account at any sucursal (branch).

---

Taxes: What You Owe and Where

The 183-day rule

If you spend 183 or more days in Spain in any calendar year, you become a Spanish tax resident (residente fiscal). You must then declare your worldwide income to the Agencia Tributaria (Spain’s tax authority) using Modelo 100.

UK-Spain Double Taxation Convention

Spain and the UK have a Double Taxation Convention (in force since 1976, updated via protocols) that prevents you from paying full tax in both countries on the same income. In practice:

• UK State Pension: Taxable in Spain once you are a Spanish tax resident. You may need to reclaim any UK tax deducted at source.
• Government (Crown) pension: Remains taxable in the UK only (teachers, civil servants, military, NHS). Declare in Spain but it will be exempt.
• Private/occupational pension: Generally taxable in Spain once resident.
• UK rental income: Taxable in both countries, with credit in Spain for UK tax paid.

Consult a gestor or asesor fiscal (Spanish tax advisor) before your first Spanish tax return.

QROPS — Pension transfers

Some British expats transfer their UK pension pot to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) based in Spain or an EU country. This can simplify the tax position but involves fees and complexity. Take independent UK-regulated financial advice before making any pension transfer.

---

Driving in Spain with a UK Licence

You can drive in Spain on your UK driving licence for up to 6 months after establishing legal residency. After that, you must exchange it for a Spanish licence.

Since Brexit, the UK-Spain driving licence exchange is governed by a bilateral agreement signed in 2023. UK licences can be exchanged at the Spanish Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) without a further test for most standard categories.

→ Full exchange process: Spanish Driving Licence for Foreigners

---

Bringing Pets from the UK

Since Brexit, the rules for travelling with pets from Great Britain to the EU changed significantly:

• Microchip: ISO 11784/11785 standard (15-digit)
• Rabies vaccination: Must be administered after microchipping
• Animal Health Certificate (AHC): Issued by an APHA-authorised UK vet within 10 days before travel
• Old PETS passport: No longer valid for travel from Great Britain to EU countries

Northern Ireland residents can still use EU pet passports.

---

Schools for British Children

Spain has a mix of state (colegio público), charter (colegio concertado), and private (colegio privado) schools. British families in Barcelona typically consider:

• International schools offering English-medium education (International Baccalaureate, British curriculum)
• Spanish state schools — free, Spanish-language instruction, strong local integration
• Bilingual programmes in public schools (Spanish + English instruction)

Children of legal residents have the same right to Spanish state education as Spanish children. Registration requires the empadronamiento certificate.

---

Useful Official Links

Resource	URL
Spanish Embassy London	exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/Londres
FCDO Apostille Service	gov.uk/get-document-legalised
ACRO Criminal Records	acro.police.uk
UK-Spain S1 (healthcare)	nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad
Spain IPREM / BOE	boe.es
Agencia Tributaria (tax)	agenciatributaria.es
DGT (driving licence)	dgt.es