Residency

Post Brexit, British people need to obtain a visa to live in Spain. What type of visa you apply for depends on how you intend to live when you get here.

In the majority of cases, people want to retire here, in which case you need to apply for a 'non lucrative visa' (NLV) which means you don't intend to work. In that case, you have to prove that you can support yourself financially, with an annual income around €28k for an individual or €34k for a couple. In addition, unless you qualify for UK state pension and can therefore access the Spanish public health system, you will have to arrange private health insurance.

If you want to work or start a business, there are other visas with a whole different set of criteria to meet.

If you can explain briefly your circumstances, posters here can give you more information.

Hello 😊 yes I have some friends who want to retire here, they are in receipt of state pension, and have around £25,000 in savings, so can support themselves and apply for S1 form for national health,

Regards Michael.

You need to understand the difference between savings and income. £25k in savings will generate about £750 worth of interest per annum at today's interest rates, i.e. €850 of income per annum. Where's the other €27,150 per annum going to come from? Pensions? Share dividends? Where? This is what you will be asked. I am on a relatively high UK state pension at the moment and it comes to around €14k per annum. That would leave me €14k short if I was applying now.

There is some trade off between savings in the bank and income requirements, but these seem to be up to the individual assessment officer. For example, if you could only show €25k of steady income per annum but had, say, £250k in the bank, there might be some leeway. I don't think £25k would cut it.

I agree with the other posters.

To retire to Spain and live here permanently you will need to apply for the non lucrative visa. You can apply for the visa from the Spanish consulate in London, Manchester or Edinburgh. 

To qualify for the visa you would need to prove an annual income of €28,800 for the first person and €7,200 for each additional family member. So a couple would need €36,000 of rock solid income from pensions etc, etc. Some regions (as stated) might take into account savings but that is not necessarily guaranteed. Income has to be proven again at years 2 and 4 to renew the visa.

You are correct about the S1 cover for healthcare. 

If you gain the NLV you will have 90 days to apply for residency otherwise your NLV will become void.

Steve 

Thank you so much for the information,I will relay this to my relatives. Regards Michael.

Does this apply even if you own your house? Or just to those renting? Susan

It will apply to both, its about having sufficient income for day to day living whether you are an owner or renter. Spain’s requirements are particularly high compared to some other countries such as Portugal.

It certainly is. It’s enough to put people off coming. We’ve had a House here for 20 years and now come for 90 days in 180. I do feel sorry for people trying to get residency. Susan

B 4 brexit it it was doable but they did not care about people like you and me.but you can still make it work.people are down grading property in uk  and i.v also heard some people living on boats and caravans in uk i live in spain 6 months a year and make it work,i have the best of both worlds now.it broke my heart initially but you have to remain positive   life is short, best of look.