Quick Facts for British Citizens

What Brexit Actually Changed

Before January 2021, any British citizen could move to Spain, stay indefinitely, and work without paperwork. Thats gone. Now the UK is treated like any other non-EU country: 90 days in any 180-day period, then you need a visa.

The silver lining: if you were legally resident in Spain before December 31, 2020, youre protected under the Withdrawal Agreement. You keep your rights. This guide is for everyone else, the post-Brexit arrivals.

Three things hit British expats hardest:

• You need to prove income and get health insurance just like Americans or Australians.
• The 90-day limit kills the traditional “snowbird” lifestyle of spending winters in Spain on a tourist stamp.
• Driving license exchange became complicated. The previous automatic swap is gone; many Brits now take the full Spanish test.

But plenty of paths remain open. Spain still wants British residents, their spending power, and their pension income. The bureaucracy is just more involved now.

Best Visa Options for British Citizens

Digital Nomad Visa (Remote Workers)

If you work remotely for a UK company, this visa makes the most sense. Spain launched it in 2023 to attract location-independent workers, and British applicants are among the largest groups.

Requirements:

• Minimum €2,763/month income (roughly £2,350 at current exchange)
• At least 3 months with an employer operating for 1+ year
• Bachelors degree OR 3 years relevant professional experience
• Private health insurance from a Spanish-authorized provider
• ACRO police certificate with apostille

The Beckham Law tax regime is available. Instead of paying up to 47% Spanish income tax, you can opt for a flat 24% on your first €600,000. Most Brits qualify if they havent been Spanish tax residents in the previous 5 years.

Non-Lucrative Visa (Retirees)

This is the classic British expat route: retire to the sun. Requires passive income and explicitly prohibits working in Spain.

Requirements:

• €28,800/year passive income (about £24,500)
• Sources: UK state pension, private pensions, investment income
• Full private health insurance
• No employment in Spain whatsoever

The full UK state pension is around £11,500/year, well short of the requirement. But combined with a workplace pension or private pension, most retirees qualify. SIPP and ISA income counts too.

S1 Healthcare Route (UK Pensioners)

If you receive a UK state pension, you might be entitled to an S1 certificate. This lets the NHS cover your Spanish healthcare costs through the Spanish public system. The UK pays Spain; you get treated.

This route works best combined with the Non-Lucrative visa. You still need the visa, but the S1 handles the health insurance requirement, potentially saving you £100-200/month on private coverage.

Apply through NHS Business Services Authority before you move. Processing takes 8-12 weeks.

Tax and Pension Matters

UK Tax Residence

Unlike Americans, Brits dont owe UK tax simply for being British. Once you establish Spanish tax residence (183+ days per year or your main economic interests in Spain), youre taxed in Spain on worldwide income.

The UK-Spain double taxation treaty prevents you paying twice, but structure matters. Get advice on:

• Timing your departure from the UK tax system
• Handling UK rental income
• Pension lump sum withdrawals
• ISA treatment in Spain (not tax-free like in the UK)

UK Pensions in Spain

UK state pension is paid worldwide without reduction. Private pensions can be paid to Spanish bank accounts. But tax treatment differs:

• State pension: Taxed only in Spain (not UK)
• Private pensions: Generally taxed only in Spain under the treaty, but verify your specific scheme
• Government pensions: Civil service, NHS, teachers, police. These remain UK taxable unless you have Spanish citizenship

QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme) transfers are largely pointless for Spain moves. The tax charges and complexity rarely justify it.

The Driving License Problem

This is where Brexit really bites. Pre-Brexit, you could exchange a UK license for a Spanish one with minimal paperwork. Now you have two options:

Option 1: Take the Spanish test. Theory exam (available in English in some regions) plus practical test. Pass rates for experienced drivers are around 60% first attempt. Book months in advance; test centers are backlogged.

Option 2: Exchange via Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland licenses can still be exchanged directly due to EU protocol quirks. Some Brits transfer their UK license to NI first (requires a NI address), then exchange in Spain. Legal grey area; works for now but Spain has flagged it.

Your UK license is valid for 6 months after establishing Spanish residence. After that, youre technically driving without a license.

Where to Apply: Spanish Consulates in the UK

Apply at the consulate covering your UK residence:

London is busiest with multi-week waits for appointments. Manchester and Edinburgh move faster. If you can justify traveling for an appointment, Edinburgh often has the shortest queues.

Documents You Need from the UK

ACRO Police Certificate

Apply through ACRO (UK Criminal Record Office). Processing takes 2-4 weeks. Then get it apostilled through the Foreign Office (add another week or use an expediting service).

Spanish consulates typically require certificates less than 3 months old. Time your application carefully around your appointment date.

Other UK Documents

• UK passport valid for at least 1 year beyond intended stay
• 3-6 months bank statements showing required income
• Employer letter or pension statements as income proof
• Private health insurance from Spanish-authorized provider (BUPA Global and AXA both have compliant policies)
• S1 certificate if claiming NHS-covered healthcare

Cost of Living: UK vs Spain

Outside London, the gap narrows. But even compared to Manchester or Birmingham, Spanish cities run 20-30% cheaper for most categories. Healthcare costs drop dramatically, property is more affordable, and dining out costs a fraction of UK prices.

Your Timeline: UK to Spanish Residence

Citizenship: Worth It for Brits?

After 10 years of legal residence, you can apply for Spanish citizenship. Spain formally requires you to renounce your British citizenship during naturalization. However, the UK does not recognize renunciations made to foreign governments. In practice, most Brits who naturalize as Spanish keep both passports. Post-Brexit, this actually works in your favor. You regain EU rights while keeping UK citizenship.

What you gain: EU citizenship again, Spanish passport, full Schengen freedom, right to live and work anywhere in the EU.

What you lose: UK citizenship, automatic UK residence, NHS access on visits, some inheritance complications.

Most Brits opt for permanent residence instead. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for long-term resident status. This gives you indefinite stay rights in Spain and easier travel in the EU, without giving up your British passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

We Handle Everything

Brexit changed everything for Brits moving to Spain. What was once a simple right of free movement now involves visa applications, financial documentation, and bureaucratic processes that didnt exist before 2021. The Spanish system wasnt built for this volume of non-EU applicants, and the learning curve shows.

At Legal Fournier, we dont just advise. We handle everything. Visa applications prepared correctly from the start. Tax planning coordinated between HMRC and Spanish obligations. NIE registration, empadronamiento, social security enrollment, healthcare access, and practical settlement support. You focus on building your new life. We manage the paperwork that would otherwise consume your first months in Spain.

Spanish bureaucracy moves slowly and explains nothing when applications stall. Consulates reject documentation for minor formatting issues. Requirements change without notice. Our British clients arrive ready to live in Spain. Not ready to navigate a foreign administrative system while also adjusting to a new country.

This guide provides general information about moving from the UK to Spain. Immigration rules and tax regulations change regularly. For planning tailored to your specific situation, contact our team for a comprehensive consultation.