Posted: Thu Sep 9, 2021 10:03am
Hi Mary,
If the property is going to be a holiday home only, you don't need to worry about a visa or healthcare, although you will need to comply with Schengen travel zone rules, i.e. staying a maximum of 90 days in a rolling 180 days in Spain and any other Schengen country.
If you're a UK citizen and planning to move permanently to Spain, the financial requirements since Brexit for a Non-lucrative visa (which doesn't allow you to work and typically is the one which retired people apply for) is around €27,200 for the first person and around €34,500 for 2 people. This amount has to be proved to be available for each year of the first 5 years of residency, following which you become "permanent" residents. The visa has to be applied for at your nearest Spanish Consulate in the UK. It lasts 3 months and 15 days, during which time you move to Spain and apply for residency, which must be done within the first month of moving here. Your first residency permit will last 1 year, your second and third permits each last 2 years, at the end of which you'll have achieved 5 years' permanent status and won’t need to renew again. The permanent TIE card lasts 10 years and will require renewal, but this is a relatively straightforward admin process and does not require further proof of income or healthcare.
Healthcare can be proven either by private health insurance (I'm 60 and mine costs €870 per year for mid range cover), or if you're State Pension age, you can obtain a Form S1 from the Overseas Healthcare Team in the UK, to transfer your right to free healthcare to Spain. It's worth noting, though, that you may have to make a contribution to the cost of any medication depending on your level of income.
Regarding Angie's post about documents that have to be provided to Spanish banks, all foreign nationals have to do this - it's in order for the banks to comply with EU money laundering and tax evasion laws. If non-resident, you have to provide your passport details every 2 years - the banks are obliged to provide a certificate to the Spanish authorities for each non-resident bank account holder - and they charge you around €40 for the privilege! If resident, you have to provide your TIE card to your branch. If you should renew either of these documents, you have to provide them to the bank again. Failure to do so will result in your account being frozen.
In the "Spain Tips and Guides" section (there's a link at the top of the page), you can find detailed guides about much of what I've covered. Some members have also been through the visa application process already, so their feedback is well worth a read and, of course, they should be able to help with specific enquiries you may have about the process.
Kind regards,
Kim