How To Move To Spain From The UK

Since Brexit, British citizens are non-EU nationals, so moving to Spain from the UK now means applying for a residence visa rather than relying on free movement. You can still visit for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa, but to live in Spain you apply for a national visa before you travel. Most Britons use the Non-Lucrative Visa (for those living on pensions, savings or other passive income) or the Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers and freelancers). This 2026 guide walks through the visa routes, what it costs, healthcare, tax, and where Britons settle, so you can plan the move with confidence. If budgeting is your first question, start with our cost of living in Spain guide.

How to move to Spain from the UK after Brexit

After the Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2020, British citizens became third-country nationals under EU law. In practice that means the same rules as any other non-EU applicant: to stay longer than 90 days in any 180-day period you need a residence visa, arranged at a Spanish consulate before you travel, followed by a residence card (the TIE) once you arrive. Which visa you choose depends mainly on how you earn your money: passive income, remote work, or a job in Spain.

Visa routes for British citizens

Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)

The Non-Lucrative Visa is the classic route for retirees and anyone who can support themselves without working. You show sufficient passive income or savings, in 2026 around €2,400 a month (400% of Spain's IPREM index) for the main applicant plus roughly €600 more per family member, along with private health insurance and a clean criminal record. The important catch: it does not let you work, not even remotely for a UK employer, so it suits pensioners and the financially independent rather than people who still need an income.

Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)

Introduced in 2023, the Digital Nomad Visa is designed for remote workers and freelancers earning from outside Spain. You'll need to show remote income of roughly €2,650 a month (200% of the Spanish minimum wage), proof the work can be done remotely, and that your employer or clients are mostly outside Spain. A major perk is the optional “Beckham Law” tax regime, which lets qualifying newcomers pay a flat rate of about 24% on Spanish-source income for their first years, often far less than standard progressive rates. Unlike the NLV, the DNV lets you keep working.

What about the Golden Visa?

Spain's residency-by-investment “Golden Visa” was abolished on 3 April 2025 and is no longer available to new applicants, so it is no longer a route for Britons moving to Spain. If you have read older guides that mention a €500,000 property investment option, that scheme has closed. The Non-Lucrative and Digital Nomad visas are now the main paths for most British applicants.

Other routes

If you have a Spanish job offer you can apply for a work visa; students use a student visa; and if you have close family who are Spanish or legal residents, family reunification may apply. Each has its own income and documentation rules, but for the majority of Britons relocating for lifestyle or retirement, the Non-Lucrative and Digital Nomad visas are the two to compare first.

Step-by-step: how to apply

The process usually runs like this:

1. Choose your visa and confirm you meet the income threshold.
2. Gather your documents: passport, proof of income or savings, private health insurance, and a criminal-record certificate and medical certificate, all apostilled and officially translated into Spanish.
3. Book and attend an appointment at the Spanish Consulate in the UK (London, Manchester or Edinburgh) to submit your application.
4. Once approved, travel to Spain within the visa's validity.
5. Register your address at the town hall (empadronamiento) and apply for your TIE residence card and NIE number.

The Digital Nomad Visa can alternatively be applied for from within Spain during a legal 90-day stay.

Cost of living in Spain vs the UK

For most Britons, day-to-day life in Spain is noticeably cheaper than in the UK, particularly rent, eating out, and utilities, though Madrid and Barcelona are pricier than the coast or smaller cities. Housing is where the biggest savings usually appear, especially away from the two big cities. For a real sense of local prices, see our guides to living in Valencia and the cost of living in Madrid.

Healthcare for British citizens

For your visa you'll need private health insurance with full coverage in Spain and no co-payments. Once resident, UK state pensioners may be able to register for Spanish public healthcare using an S1 form (a continuing right under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement), while others can join the public system by paying into the “convenio especial” scheme or keep private cover. The EHIC/GHIC card only covers temporary visits, not residents, so plan for proper cover from day one.

Taxes and your UK income

If you spend more than 183 days a year in Spain you become tax resident and are taxed on your worldwide income. The UK-Spain double taxation treaty ensures you are not taxed twice on the same income, and UK pensions are generally taxable in Spain once you are resident (government service pensions are treated differently). Digital Nomad Visa holders can often opt into the flat-rate Beckham regime. Spanish tax is complex for newcomers, so most Britons take professional advice for their first filing.

Driving in Spain on a UK licence

Under the UK-Spain agreement that took effect in 2023, British residents can exchange a valid UK driving licence for a Spanish one without sitting a new test. There are deadlines and paperwork involved once you become resident, so it's worth starting the exchange soon after you arrive rather than leaving it until your UK licence lapses.

Best places for Brits to live in Spain

British expats cluster along the sunny coasts and in a few standout cities:

• Costa del Sol (Málaga, Marbella, Fuengirola): large, established British communities and easy flights home.
• Costa Blanca (Alicante, Torrevieja, Jávea): a long-time Mediterranean favourite for Britons, with plenty of English-speaking services.
• Valencia: big-city life with beaches, at a lower cost than Madrid or Barcelona.
• The Canary and Balearic Islands: year-round warmth for those chasing the sun.

The right choice comes down to climate, budget, and whether you want an English-speaking community nearby or full immersion in Spanish life.

Moving to Spain from the UK with Viv Europe

Relocating after Brexit involves more paperwork than it used to, but with the right visa and good preparation it is very achievable, and thousands of Britons do it every year. Viv Europe helps British citizens choose the right visa, prepare a consulate-ready application, and handle the on-the-ground steps in Spain, from NIE and empadronamiento to housing and banking. Book a free consultation and we'll map out your move from the UK to Spain.