Moving to Spain post-Brexit – all your questions answered

Travelling to Spain post-Brexit

UK Citizens no longer have the same rights in EU countries as they did before Brexit. However, it is still early days, and there is a chance that an agreement on visas could be reached with the Spanish government at some point.

For now, if you want to travel to Spain, you must have at least 6 months left on your adult/child passport to travel to Spain, and will be required to use different lanes to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queuing at the airport. 

You can travel to Spain for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism. To stay longer than 90 days in any 180-day period, you will need to apply for a visa or work permit, you can apply for this Visa to extend your stay from Spain. If you want to arrange an extended viewing trip in Spain (i.e. longer than 90 days), you can do this, but you will need to apply for a Visa.

Please note that travel restrictions are currently in place to limit travel between the UK and Spain due to Coronavirus. Check out the latest UK government travel updates for UK travellers heading to Spain. 

What has changed when applying for Residency in Spain post-Brexit? 

British passport holders are now required to apply for non-EU residency in Spain. 

To do so, you will have to provide information such as bank statements, that prove that you and your partner have the means to support yourselves. The Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM) is an index used in Spain as a reference for granting aid, subsidies or unemployment benefits. As of 2021, a steady income per individual of at least €2.259.60 (400% IPREM) per month (or a lump sum of €27,115.20 per year) is required, plus an additional €564.90 (100% IPREM) of income per month per dependent, is required. If you are a couple with one income, then you would need to have access to €2.151.36 + €564.90 = €2,716.26 per month.

Other requirements of Spanish residency;

• you will need to open a Spanish bank account.
• prove that you have no serious illnesses.
• prove that you have no criminal record.
• Prove that you do not have ‘an irregular situation’ in Spain. This is unusual and won’t apply to most people moving to Spain, if in doubt, check with with your solicitor.
• you are strongly advised to take out private medical insurance.

You can access the most updated information from the Spanish Foreign Office.

Permanent residency can now only be confirmed after 5 years of living in Spain. So, once you have lived in Spain for 5 years , your residency permit will expire and you will have to prove again that you comply with the above requirements. If you comply a second time, only then will you become a permanent Spanish resident. 

Do I need to own a property in Spain before applying for residency? 

You do not need to own a property to become a resident; you just need to live in Spain for more than 183 days. You can apply for residency, rent a house, or live with friends  while you look for a property. If you are renting, it is likely that you will be required to have a minimum rental agreement of 11 months in place. 

Can I work in Spain post-Brexit?

If you plan to work in Spain for a UK-based/non-Spanish company, you will need to provide proof of your employment status (work contract, payslips), and apply for a non-profit visa, known as a permiso de residencia no lucrativa.

 If you are working for a company based in Spain, your employer will be responsible for handling your application, and they will organise a visado de cuenta ajena for you. If you are self-employed, you will be asked to prove that you earn enough to support yourself and your dependents, and will. require a visa known as visado de cuenta propia.

Can I take my pet to Spain post-Brexit? 

UK-issued Pet Passports are no longer valid. From now on, you will need to obtain an animal health certificate for your dog, cat or ferret if you’re travelling from the United Kingdom to an EU country or Northern Ireland. And you will need a new animal health certificate each time you travel. 

To obtain an animal health certificate – you must take your pet to the vet no more than 10 days before you travel.  You will need to bring proof of your pet’s microchipping date and vaccination history. The certificate needs to be signed by an official vet.  

Your pet’s animal health certificate will be valid after the date of issue for:

• 10 days for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland, meaning you must travel within 10 days of date of issue
• 4 months for onward travel within the EU
• 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain

Driving licence

If you want to drive in Spain, you now need to exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one, but you will no longer need to retake your driving test thanks to a new UK/Spain driving licence agreement implemented in March 2023.

To make things as easy as possible, there is  British citizens can continue to use their original permit for the first six months of residency in Spain while they undergo the exchange process.

You will need to take the following steps to exchange your British driving licence for a Spanish one: 

1. Take a medical examination, called a ‘psicotécnico,’ to ensure you are capable of performing certain tasks while driving. Every driver in Spain is required to take this test.

2. Make an appointment with the Oficina de Trafico. You will be required to provide personal details, proof of identity, proof of residence, and NIE/TIE number. And you'll need to provide a passport size photo and fill out an application form. 

Health care

It is strongly advised that if you choose to live in Spain, you should take out private health insurance. This was the case before Brexit, and will continue to be the advice given by solicitors. If you apply for Spanish residency then you will be covered by the Spanish National Health System, which is very good, but it can be slow. With private insurance, you will be able to see a doctor or a specialist much faster than if you rely on the Spanish National Health Service. 

Do I need to open a bank account in Spain?

Yes, this was always a requirement for moving to Spain. It is very easy to open a bank account. You can do it yourself in any bank branch, or you can do it with a solicitor. You can open a non-resident bank account and then switch to a resident bank account once you are a resident. 

Retiring to Spain; pensions and taxes

If you want to retire to Spain, you will need to prove that you are healthy, and that you have the financial security required – a steady income of at least €2.151.36 (400% IPREM) per month and an additional €537.84 (100% IPREM) of income per month per dependent.

If you are in receipt of a UK state pension, you will need to notify the Spanish authorities by filling out an S1 form. If you’re eligible for an S1, you can also apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). 

Will tax rates change for expats in Spain post-Brexit?

As UK citizens will be considered non-EU, they will pay the same taxes as non-EU citizens. If you own property in Spain, the taxes that you pay when you buy or sell your property will now be higher as a non-EU resident. Currently, a non-EU national will pay 24% CGT on the sale or transfer of property, whereas an EU national will pay 19%

Is it still worth moving to Spain after Brexit?

Of course! Yes it’s going to cost more time and money, but if moving to Spain is your dream, then it’s 100% worth the extra effort to make your dream home in the sun a reality.