If you are planning to retire to Spain after Brexit, we have some details on the best places to enjoy the peace and quiet with good weather. Breezom will give you some important tips for this new adventure! Many British nationals decide to make their home in this Mediterranean country for many reasons.
Spain is renowned for its warm weather, and beautiful landscapes. This country is famed for its high quality fruit and vegetables, healthy diet, and diverse food culture. Here is some information to get you started.
Retiring to Spain: is a visa required?
It is still possible to retire to Spain after Brexit. Administrative procedures have changed, and some are slightly more complex than before, now that British people are subject to the same immigration rules as non-EU citizens. But fear not, even though things are not as quick and simple as they used to be, retiring to Spain from the UK is still an excellent option.
From 2021, British citizens looking to move to Spain for longer than 3 months must apply for a regular residence permit. It’s worth taking into account that this implies waiting some time for your application to be processed, and you must meet several legal requirements. Before you start, make sure that your passport is valid for at least one year. Check out the list of substantiating documents required for your application, which includes a criminal background check and form. With this in mind, you should begin the process in plenty of time to minimise stress!
Without a doubt, one of the most popular options among foreigners from all around the world who wish to retire in Spain is the non-lucrative visa (also called NLV, non-profit visa or retirement visa). This is an excellent option for British people post-Brexit, and grants permission to reside in Spain without carrying out any gainful (work or professional) activity.
This residence permit will enable you to stay in Spain for one year, with the possibility of extending your stay through a renewal process. NLVs are granted to those non-EU citizens who wish to stay in the country without performing any type of economic activity. Your spouse or partner, and dependent children and relatives, also have the right to obtain a visa.
There are other visa options you can explore if you are planning to move from the UK to Spain, such as the Golden and Digital Nomad visas. The Golden visa allows you to get a residency permit by investing in the country, for example by buying property. The new Digital Nomad visa allows non-EU citizens to work and live in the country for up to 5 years.
How to retire to Spain from the UK
You’re not alone if you are asking yourself, ‘How can I retire to Spain after Brexit?’ This has always been a popular option, and it is estimated that approximately 100,000 of the British people living in Spain today are retirees.
Your first step is to establish how to apply for legal residency in Spain. The aforementioned NLV is currently an excellent option for British citizens. You are considered a tax resident in Spain if you spend more than 183 days in total in Spain in a calendar year, or if you work in Spain, or if your spouse and/or children live here.
For residents in Spain, UK occupational and state pensions are taxed only in Spain. As confirmed by the UK government, you can carry on receiving your UK State Pension if you move to live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension from these countries. Likewise, your pension will be increased each year in these countries in line with the rate paid in the UK.
With all of this in mind, don’t forget that, as with retirement anywhere, you should not consider it to be an extended holiday. Take the time to consider what activities you would like to do (even when the weather is not reliable!), clubs you’d like to join, networks you’d like to create. There are many other expats living in Spain and getting involved in associations or social groups can be a great way to meet people with similar interests. You might even be able to make contact with them online before you move.
Where to retire in Spain from the UK
As well as getting all of your paperwork in order and making sure you have understood the requirements to retire to Spain from the UK, don’t forget the fun part of choosing where to live!
The Costa del Sol is one of the most important tourist spots in Spain, and famously one of the best places to retire in Spain by the sea. The Costa del Sol has more than 1.3 million inhabitants, a large community of expats and English speakers that are spread throughout the area stretching from Torremolinos to Manilva. The Costa del Sol is perfect for retirees seeking a comfortable and active lifestyle. Other popular options include Madrid, Alicante, Balearic Islands and Valencia.
Spain is full of beautiful places and vibrant expat communities which warmly welcome new residents. If you are considering investing in a retirement property, why not contact us for a helping hand? At Breezom, our team is available to help make the process as smooth as possible. With the right seaside property, you can make your experience of retiring to Spain as satisfying as possible!
