How UK citizens can secure visas and residency in Spain in 2024

With Brexit fully in effect, UK nationals looking to move to Spain now face a different process for obtaining residency. While those who were already legal residents before 1 January 2021 can continue to enjoy their rights, the rules for new arrivals have changed.

Here’s our guide for UK citizens applying for residency in Spain post-Brexit, including the different types of visas available to UK citizens and the various residency requirements.

Post-Brexit residency rules for UK citizens

Following Brexit, UK nationals can only stay in Spain – or any other EU country – for 90 days in any 180-day period. If you’re planning on staying in Spain any longer than 90 days, you need to apply for a visa.

Visa options for UK citizens moving to Spain

There are several Spanish visa options available depending on your situation and what you plan to do once you move. Each visa also has slightly different requirements, so it’s important you find the right visa for you and make sure you meet the criteria.

Speaking of eligibility criteria, all long-stay visas require a criminal record check and full healthcare coverage. If you don’t qualify for public healthcare – or if it’s not included as part of your employment or course of study – then you’ll need private health insurance. This can be from a Spanish or international provider, as long as it meets Spanish legal requirements. The UK government website has more useful information on healthcare in Spain.

The standard Spanish visa fee is €80, but the actual fee for a UK citizen varies depending on the type of visa. You’ll need to contact the Spanish Consulate to find out exactly what your fee is. Visa application centres will also charge a service fee, with BLS International in London charging an additional £14.55.

1. Non-lucrative visa (NLV)

If you’re retiring in Spain, the non-lucrative visa is for you. The NLV is designed for individuals who can financially support themselves without working, such as retirees or those living off savings or passive income.

It’s valid for one year. After that, you can renew it for two more years. The application fee for UK citizens is around €80-€100, with renewals charged at the same rate.

Eligibility criteria:

• You must prove that your income is at least 400% of the Spanish IPREM (an income index used to calculate benefits in Spain). In 2024 this comes to €28,800 per year for an individual, and you’ll need an additional 100% of the IPREM (€7,200) for any others in the household.
• Proof of accommodation, such as a rental agreement or property ownership. This could also be temporary accommodation, e.g. a short-term rental agreement.
• You’ll need to spend at least 183 days per year in Spain to maintain your NLV residency status.

2. Golden Visa (investor visa)

The Golden Visa is for those willing to make a significant investment in Spain, including in real estate, venture capital or public debt.

Unlike the other long-stay visas, the Golden Visa also grants you the perk of free movement across the Schengen Zone, and there are no minimum stay requirements.

The permit lasts two years, after which you can renew it for another five years. Once you’ve lived in Spain with a Golden Visa for a decade you can apply for Spanish citizenship.

The application and renewal fees start at €500. If you’re bringing other family members or dependents, you’ll have to pay for them too.

Eligibility criteria:

• Investment of at least:
  • €500,000 in Spanish real estate. However, the Spanish government has announced that it will end the programme for people buying property in Spain, so this remains under review;
  • €2,000,000 in Spanish government debt securities, such as bonds and treasury bills;
  • €1,000,000 in closed investment funds or venture capital;
  • €1,000,000 in Spanish stocks or shares;
  • or €1,000,000 in bank deposits.
• Another path is to set up a business project in Spain, with at least one of the following features:
  • the creation of jobs;
  • a positive socio-economic impact;
  • or a valuable contribution to science or technology.
• You’ll also need proof of your investment.

3. Work visa (for employment or self-employment)

If you plan to work in Spain, you’ll need a work visa. There are different categories depending on your employment status, skill, and working patterns, including highly skilled worker visas and seasonal worker visas.

Work visas can vary in length, although they typically last for one year, after which you can renew for an additional two years at a time. Crucially, the visa is tied to your employment. If your employment ends, you could lose your right to stay in Spain.

Spanish work visa fees and renewal fees range significantly, depending on the type of visa and where you get it processed. For UK citizens, you could expect to pay €60 to €200+.

Eligibility criteria:

• If employed, you need your offer of employment from a Spanish company.
• If self-employed, you’ll have to present a viable business plan and proof of financial solvency.
• There are minimum income requirements dependent on the job type and region. Typically, most work visas will require at least the minimum wage, which is currently around €1,080 per month. Highly skilled jobs and more expensive regions will have higher income requirements.
• You’ll also need proof of qualifications and any professional licenses required for the job.

4. Digital nomad visa

The digital nomad visa is designed for remote workers employed by companies outside of Spain or for freelancers working with international clients.

The initial visa is valid for up to a year. You can then renew it for up to three years, and after five years in Spain you may be eligible for permanent residence.

The digital nomad visa fee is roughly €75 to €100, as is the renewal fee.

Eligibility criteria:

• You’ll need proof of your employment or freelance work outside of Spain.
• You can do self-employed work for a Spanish company, as long as this doesn’t exceed 20% of your total professional activity.
• You need an undergraduate degree or higher, or at least three years’ experience in your field.
• You need to show you earn at least two times the Spanish minimum wage. In 2024, this means you’d need €2,160 per month or €25,920 per year.

5. Student visa

The Spanish student visa is for non-EU nationals who wish to study in Spain. It’s valid for the duration of your study.

The fee for a student visa in Spain usually comes to €60 to €100 for UK citizens.

Eligibility criteria:

• You’ll need proof of enrolment from a recognised Spanish educational institution, such as an acceptance letter.
• You’ll also need to provide evidence that you can support yourself financially. You typically need 100% of the IPREM (€600 per month or €7,200 per year in 2024, although the exact amount can vary by region) for the duration of your study.
• Finally, you also need proof of accommodation.

Where and how to apply

UK visa applications should be submitted to the Spanish Consulate. You’ll need to book an appointment online and bring all required documents.

It’s important to note that there can be long wait times (from 15 to 60 working days), so make sure you apply for your visa in advance.

Once you’re in Spain, and you need to renew your visa, you can make your application through a Spanish immigration office or online through the Spanish government portal.

What documents will I need to apply for a Spanish visa?

For any visa application, you’ll need to provide the following documentation:

• Proof of financial means: Bank statements, pension records, or proof of income.
• Healthcare: A private health insurance policy, eligibility for Spanish public healthcare, or healthcare coverage as part of your work or study.
• Criminal record check: A background check to prove you do not have a criminal record in the UK or Spain.
• Proof of accommodation: This can be a rental agreement or proof of property ownership.
• A valid passport
• Any other evidence required for your specific visa

Permanent residency in Spain for UK citizens post-Brexit

If you plan to stay in Spain long-term, getting permanent residency is an important step. This allows you to live in Spain indefinitely, with the same rights as EU citizens, including the ability to work and access healthcare and public services. However, if you want the right to vote in Spanish elections then you’ll need Spanish citizenship, which we’ll cover later in the piece.

Eligibility criteria for permanent Spanish residency

As a UK citizen, you can apply for permanent residency in Spain once you’ve legally lived in Spain for five consecutive years.

Time spent under most residency visas counts toward this period, provided you did not leave the country for extended periods. Short-term absences are allowed – up to six months per year – and longer absences for military service or serious health reasons may also be permitted.

It’s important to note that if you’ve been living in Spain under a student visa, your time in the country is usually considered ‘temporary residency’. This means it typically won’t count towards the five years needed for permanent residency.

How to apply for permanent residency

After meeting the five-year residency requirement, you can begin the application process for permanent residency. Here’s what you need to do:

Gather documentation:

• Proof of continuous residence in Spain for five years (such as rental agreements, utility bills, or municipal registration records).
• Proof of financial stability (bank statements, employment contracts, pension documents).
• Health insurance documentation.
• Clean criminal record certificate from Spain and the UK.

Submitting your application:

Applications can be made at the immigration office in your region or online through the Spanish government’s immigration portal.

There’s typically a small processing fee for the permanent residency application (usually between €20 and €40, depending on the region).

Receiving your residency card:

Once approved, you will be issued a Tarjeta de Residencia Permanente (permanent residency card), which must be renewed every five years, though the renewal process is simpler than the initial application.

Applying for Spanish citizenship

After ten years of legal residence you can apply for Spanish citizenship, provided you meet the other requirements, such as passing language and cultural tests (DELE A2 and the CCSE exam).

Staying informed

Since immigration rules can change, it’s important to stay updated by regularly checking official government websites. Consulting an immigration lawyer or visa expert can also help ensure your application process goes smoothly.