Retiring to Spain

As an Irish (EU) citizen you don't need to do anything, no permits, autorizations whatsoever required. You don't even need a NIE (tax-ID) as long as you do not have any financial issues (properties, bank accounts etc.) in Spain. After 180 days you need to register in the corresponding "padron municipal" but there is no control. You can request urgent medical assistance from the national health system w/o any cost by just presenting your passport. You are not considered in any way as an "alien". Legally you can use your driver license during 180 days (I used my German license for over 4 years).

Is the above what it says on the Spanish statute book? I thought if a citizen from another member country of the EU stayed or intended to stay for 3 months or more they needed to apply for Spanish residency and after 183 days in Spain in any given tax year, assuming the OP intended to stay in Spain without returning to "Ireland" or spending a bit of time out of the EU, they would become tax resident in Spain regardless of whether they applied for residency.

I know that many from the UK, when it was a member of the EU, used to bend/ break the rules/ law and fly under the radar here. It would be interesting to see if others from other EU member countries do exactly the same. 

I agree Lancelot. I also understand that if anyone wants to stay permanently in Spain  whether from another EU country or not they have to apply for residency and fulfill the income and healthcare requirements. After 183 days  they become tax residents. Anything other than that they will be illegal residents living under the radar!!

Steve

If you look on the Irish gov website , there is info on there. 

So as stated, if an Irish passport holder wants to reside in Spain permanently they will need to apply for residency and all that entails.....income and healthcare requirements. 

Steve 

Thank you so much to all who replied to my message, I am not so worried about making the move now .

I need to find the best area now as I will be on my own so if there are any groups that I could join that would be excellent 

The U3A are an excellent group/club to join for outings and meetings. They organise a variety of activities, i.e. crafting, walking, winery tours, trips out to markets, theatre trips etc,etc 

They are a world wide organisation and I've heard that some organise house swaps for foreign holidays. 

There will be a branch in your area.

Steve