Moving to Spain from the UK

Thinking about moving to Spain?

Start here with our complete guide to relocating to Spain for people leaving the UK.

Expert-led advice, created in association with our trusted partners, is designed for people moving from the UK and provides essential guidance on taxes, visas, residency, property, healthcare, finances and more.

Why not start your journey with a consultation with one of our trusted Spanish relocation experts.

Challenges when moving to Spain Book a relocation consultation
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Don't leave anything to chance

Moving to Spain requires proper planning

Even after Brexit, Spain remains one of the most popular destinations for British citizens seeking a different pace of life, a warmer climate and access to wider Europe.

The transition can be complex without a clear plan, particularly when dealing with a new language, regional bureaucracy and unfamiliar administrative requirements such as tax compliance, structuring your wealth, currencies, arranging somewhere to live and accessing the Spanish healthcare system.

people having a beer in spain 1000
266,462

According to Spain’s national census data, there were about 266,462 UK nationals officially registered as residents in Spain in early 2025, slightly down from the previous year.

*Spanish National Institute of Statistics (NIE)

 

 

10,000+

An estimated 10–15K people relocate to Spain from the UK every year

old man relaxing on a bench
84 years

The average life expectancy in Spain is just over 84 while in the UK it's just 81 years.

woman eating paella outside
50%

Eating and socialising out is part of Spanish culture around half of Spaniards eat or drink outside the home at least once a week.

Plan your move with confidence

Important challenges for British people moving to Spain

Relocating to Spain from the UK has become more complex since Brexit.

Now that British citizens are treated as non-EU nationals everything including visas, residency rights, healthcare access, taxation and how long you can legally stay have all been impacted.

Many people are still underestimating how different Spanish administration can be, particularly when dealing with regional authorities, documentation, translations and strict timelines.

Moving to Spain Timeline Book your relocation consultation
Regional distinctions

Spain’s regions vary widely in climate, culture, language and cost of living. Coastal areas and major cities can feel very different from inland or rural regions, and some autonomous communities have additional administrative requirements. Spending time in different locations before committing is strongly advised.
Cost of living

Day-to-day living costs can be lower than in the UK, particularly for food and eating out, but housing, utilities, private healthcare and schooling can vary significantly by region. Budget carefully for upfront costs such as visa fees, translations, legal support, insurance and rental deposits.
Healthcare

Access to Spain’s public healthcare system depends on your residency status. Until registered, private health insurance is usually required as part of the visa process. Some UK pensioners may qualify for S1 healthcare, allowing access to state healthcare once resident.
Work/life balance

Spain is famous for its emphasis on social life, family time and outdoor living. Business hours can be shorter, administration may move more slowly than in the UK and August is traditionally a quieter month across much of the country. Adapting expectations around pace and availability is a fundamental factor when settling in.
Tax complications

Spanish tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. UK pensions, rental income and investments must usually be declared in Spain. The UK–Spain double taxation agreement helps prevent income being taxed twice, but professional guidance is important to ensure correct reporting and compliance.
Wealth management

Some UK financial products lose their tax advantages once you become Spanish tax resident. Reporting obligations, investment rules and currency exposure can change significantly, making it sensible to review your finances with cross-border advice before relocating or transferring assets.
Essential reading to get your research underway

What you’ll discover inside our UK-to-Spain relocation section

We help British people moving to Spain, whether for work, family, retirement or a complete lifestyle change.

Every move is different, which is why, alongside our detailed guides and checklists, we also offer the option to speak with a specialist through a formal consultation.

Booking a consultation allows you to get tailored answers to your questions and make more informed decisions about your move, with far less uncertainty and stress.

Spanish visas for British citizens


Learn about key visa routes for UK nationals, including non-lucrative residence, work, self-employment and family reunion, and how Spain’s residency and registration process works after arrival.

 Read about Spanish Visas

Financial planning in Spain


Understand how to manage UK pensions, investments and currency transfers when relocating to Spain, and when regulated advice may be appropriate for British citizens living overseas.

 Financial planning in Spain

Spain-UK Tax Planning

 

Avoid double taxation by understanding the UK–Spain tax treaty, Spanish tax residency rules, split year treatment and reporting obligations for income and assets held in both countries.

 Guide to Spain-UK Tax

Accessing Spanish healthcare


Spanish healthcare works differently from the NHS. Learn how the system operates, when private insurance is required, and the steps to register once you move.

 Learn about healthcare in Spain
Book your relocation consultation
Timeline for moving to Spain from the UK

Relocation timeline and when to speak to specialists

Moving abroad can feel a lot like preparing for a marathon. While most people reach the finish line, without proper preparation and timely specialist support the risk of stress, mistakes and costly delays increases.

When relocating to Spain, the order of your decisions matters. Visa applications can take months, tax obligations come with firm deadlines, property decisions require research and access to healthcare depends on your residency status and registration timing. Building in time for Spanish administrative processes is essential.

Consular and local appointments can book up well in advance, offices often operate limited hours, and August and regional holidays can slow progress. Some steps require in-person appointments, repeated visits and officially translated documents. Applying for your NIE, exchanging or applying for a TIE, registering locally and setting up healthcare all tend to work more smoothly when extra time is allowed.

That is why we have created a relocation timeline specifically for Spain.

Book a paid consultation

Get advice from a relocation specialist

Whether you’re early in your research or you need specific answers to your questions you can’t find online, booking a consultation will help.

A paid consultation, rather than a discovery call or AI based research, gives you dedicated time with a Spanish legal specialist to talk through your situation and get tailored responses to the issues that matter most to you.

We provide this service via our trusted partners for people who want clarity before making decisions around residency, visas, property or other legal aspects of moving to Spain.

Consultation options and what you get

Consultations are available in different durations, starting from €60 for 30 minutes, allowing you to choose the level of support that suits your needs.

During a consultation, you can:

  • Ask specific questions based on your circumstances
  • Get clear explanations of requirements, risks and next steps
  • Understand how Spanish rules apply to your situation
  • Remove uncertainty before committing to applications or plans

These sessions are paid and you get to choose a time that suits you, ensuring proper preparation and focused time with a specialist. There is no obligation to proceed with further services after the consultation.

You can request a consultation using the form and select the option that best fits your situation. Other options are available and our partner can discuss all the options with you if you are uncertain.
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John C.SpainSpanish Tax Planning

The whole process has been conducted in a timely and professional manner. We feel that our recent issues with our taxes in Spain are being addressed and we are currently feeling optimistic of a satisfactory outcome.

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Carl P.SpainPensions and Brexit

I found the session with the consultant to be very helpful in that it helped allay any concerns I had around my choice to manage my pension post-Brexit. I really valued the opportunity to be able to discuss what I was planning with an someone who could give an independent perspective.

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Darren C.JapanTax

Dealing with financial issues from overseas is stressful and difficult. Experts for Expats take away that stress.