If you’re dreaming of sunny Spain, you’re in good company. Well over 300,000 Brits have moved to Spain for the beautiful countryside, delicious food, and affordable properties.
In 2025, is the Spanish dream still a reality? Brexit has made moving abroad harder for UK citizens, but not impossible. We’ve put together a guide for moving to Spain from the UK, including your visa options and application process, financial requirements, and how and when you can get your long-term residency.
Post-Brexit, things have changed for UK citizens wanting to move to the EU. You’re no longer allowed to spend more than 90 days in a 180-day period in the Schengen Area (which includes Spain) unless you get a visa.
There are three types of long-term visa options:
The residency visa for UK nationals is also known as a non-lucrative visa – the golden visa. It’s for individuals with sufficient financial resources to not depend on working in Spain. Basically, you can only get this visa if you have enough money to cover your living expenses, rent or mortgage, and health insurance.
Planning to work in Spain? You need to have a Spanish employer in order to get a Spanish work visa. They will complete your work and residence authorisation application, which you will need for your visa application.
Self-employed? Don’t worry, British nationals can still move to Spain without working for a Spanish company. You’ll need proof of funds, skills and experience, and no criminal record.
It’s worth noting that all visas will need to be renewed every two years, no matter which visa you choose. You no longer need to renew your visa once you’ve successfully applied for permanent residency.
So, you’ve selected the appropriate visa. Now you just need to apply – easy, right? We’ve detailed what British expats need to apply for a visa below.
You should apply for your Spanish visa at least three months ahead of your move. Fees depend on the type of visa, and will need to be paid during the application process.
To begin, you will need the following on hand:
You might also need further documents to prove you meet the visa requirements.
A long-stay visa is one thing. But what about your plans to retire to the Spanish countryside for the foreseeable? Applying for long-term residency or Spanish citizenship means that you won’t need to continue re-submitting your visa application with your local immigration office every two years.
You can only apply for Spanish citizenship after you have lived in Spain for at least 10 years. It may seem like a long time to wait, but with your Spanish citizenship, you can:
However, to become a citizen of Spain, you will need to give up your UK citizenship. The Spanish authorities do not currently recognise dual nationality with the UK.
In order to apply to become a citizen, you’ll need to be:
You’ll also need:
When you first arrive in Spain, you’ll need to apply for your Spanish Foreigner Identification Number (NIE). You must apply in person with the Spanish consulate at the local town hall or police station – and it might involve several trips to fill out the application form and gather your documents. You will also need to pay the required fee.
Why get your NIE? With this, you can open a Spanish bank account and apply for long-term residency.
Here’s the good news: the cost of living in Spain is much lower than in the UK. On average, an individual can live comfortably on €1,000 a month, whether renting or owning property in Spain. Of course, it depends on where you live – the big cities like Barcelona and Madrid cost a lot more than house prices in smaller, rural towns.
You need €2,400 per month (or €28,800 annually, as of 2025) to meet the Spanish non-lucrative residence visa requirements. Any dependants, like a spouse or family member, will need an additional €600 per month. You’ll need to prove that you have these funds with documents like bank statements or income proof.
These requirements can vary. It’s worth checking the exact amounts and specific requirements before submitting your application.
It’s relatively easy to open a Spanish bank account as a British expat. You’ll need your proof of identity, Spanish foreigner identification number (NIE) and certificate, proof of address, and proof of employment status.
You might need to book an appointment with an English-speaking member of staff, but if this is not an option, you’ll need to bring along someone who can translate.
It’s also worth double checking what will happen to your current bank when moving to Spain from the UK. Some banks, like Barclays, close your account when you move abroad.
If you’re moving to Spain with your family, you’ll need to put your kids in school. In Spain, there are four stages: infant (escuela infantil), primary (educación primaria), secondary (educación secundaria obligatoria), and university preparation (bachillerato) or vocational training (formación profesional).
Public schools in Spain are free as long as you are a legal resident. It’s compulsory to send your children to school from the ages of six to sixteen.
Moving to Spain means you’ll get one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Although mostly funded by taxes, British citizens will also need private health insurance – especially for services like dental care or mental health.
State healthcare is free for anyone who works and pays social security contributions. As long as you meet these requirements, you should be able to access free state healthcare.
Ready to move to Spain? Sorting out your finances and applying for a mortgage for a Spanish property in a foreign country can feel like a pain. Upscore can make things easier. Our Spanish Finance Passport is a convenient way to find lenders and get one step closer to owning your dream home in Spain.
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