Since the beginning of 2021, things have drastically changed for UK citizens wishing to move to Spain. An immigration procedure that before just lasted a few days now requires months and tedious requirements.
Nevertheless, options still exist, and British citizens can still get their residency visas in the country.
How to do it is what we are going to actually explore through this article. We are about to discover the most recommended options to obtain Spanish residency as a UK national today, the new requirements, and other useful legal advice that will make the process much more straightforward.
Were you already living in Spain before Brexit?
If you are British and moved to Spain during the Brexit transition period (before 1 January 2021), your situation is likely to be governed by the EU–UK Withdrawal Agreement rather than by the general immigration rules explained in the rest of this article.
In that case, the procedure you need to follow is different.
The rest of this article is aimed at those who are considering moving to Spain at present, as non-EU citizens.
How to obtain Spanish residency as UK citizen
British citizens must now follow the non-EU path to obtain Spanish residency, and even though there are several options for that, the requirements and the application process are longer.
Nevertheless, there are 2 exceptions to that, as we talked about in this article; the main one now being if you are joining one of your relatives who is currently living in Spain.
For the remaining cases, a residence permit must be requested, and next, we are going to explore the main alternatives that most UK nationals are moving towards.
Non-lucrative residency
Without a doubt, the non-lucrative visa is one of the most popular residencies among British citizens, both for those retiring in Spain and for those who do not wish to perform any kind of economic activity in the country (that is, work).
This 1-year residence permit (which can then be renewed) is granted to UK citizens as long as they hire private health insurance and demonstrate the possession of 28.800 euros in their bank account (minimum).
Those two easy-to-meet requirements make it the ideal path for many, especially because, even though it does not allow one to work, it offers the possibility of moving to a work permit after 1 year of legal residence in the country.
Digital nomad visa
The digital nomad visa is the perfect option for UK citizens wishing to work remotely from Spain.
You can apply for it as long as a) you are working for a company in the UK but from Spain (remotely), or b) you are a freelancer with clients outside Spain (in any other country).
It is a 3-year residence permit, and can be applied for directly from Spain as a tourist.
Furthermore, in the first case, you can benefit from important tax exemptions through the Beckham Law.
Student visa
Then, of course, we find the option that those willing to complete their higher education studies would pursue: the student visa.
It can be applied both in the UK or directly in Spain as a tourist after having a confirmed spot on any university or private education center.
Hiring private health insurance is another crucial requirement here.
Entrepreneur visa
And, finally, the path for those UK business-oriented individuals wishing to set up their own project or business idea in the country.
The entrepreneur visa is a residency that is granted to entrepreneurs who develop a completely innovative and technological idea in Spain.
That idea and how it will positively impact the Spanish economy must be detailed via a carefully prepared business plan (a crucial requirement for a successful application).
Requirements of Spanish residency for UK citizens
What are the exact requirements you will have to meet in order to obtain Spanish residency as a UK citizen?
As always, the answer depends.
The specific requirements will vary according to the path that you choose and best fit your situation. All your options and main requirements for each are what we are exploring in the next section.
Nevertheless, as a non-EU citizen applying for residency in Spain, there are certain requirements you will have to meet no matter your situation and chosen permit:
- Demonstrate the lack of criminal records through the criminal records certificate from the country or countries you have been living in for the past 5 years.
- Have your health care covered in Spain. This can be done by hiring private health insurance, or directly with your Social Security contributions in case you are employed in Spain or work as a freelancer in the country.
- Pay the corresponding fee. All immigration procedures carry an associated fee. The exact number will depend on the procedure and the specific consulate where you apply for residency, but there is no way to avoid this fee.
- Provide your full passport and a copy, which must have a minimum validity of at least 6 extra months.
- Have sufficient means for your stay in Spain
Minimum income required for British citizens to obtain their residency in Spain
This may be one of the areas in which UK nationals are more affected.
Before, as European Union citizens, they just had to demonstrate the possession of 6.000€ in order to get a valid residence permit (their green card or EU registration certificate).
But now, as non-EU individuals, this amount has been largely increased.
The exact sum will vastly depend on the type of residency you are applying to, but if we take one of the most common paths (the non-lucrative visa), the monetary requirement is set at a minimum of € 28.800€.
Again, it is important to understand that this amount may differ according to the specific visa you request (as, for example, when it comes to a student visa, that amount is just around € 7.200 per year). That is why we suggest you first check the specific requirements according to your particular case.
Renew your UK/EU Withdrawal agreement
After 5 years, the residency you obtained thanks to the withdrawal agreement will expire, which means you must renew it.
The renewal must take place within 60 days before and 90 days after the expiration of your card.
The process is quite straightforward.
You will have to book an appointment at the closest immigration office (you can do it online), pay the corresponding fee, and register your fingerprints again once there.
Then, after 30-40 days, you will be able to go back and pick up your renewed physical residency card (your new TIE).
How to get Spanish residency from the UK: Step by Step
The application process to obtain Spanish residency for UK citizens may be divided into the 3 following parts:
1. Submission of the required documents at the Spanish Consulate
Unlike what UK nationals could do before, now all application procedures under the general immigration regime start at the Spanish consulate or embassy in the UK (with the exception of the entrepreneur visa and the golden visa).
Depending on your current location, you would have to submit all the required documents at the Consulate located in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
Each of them may request slightly different requirements for your desired residency option, so our recommendation is to first double-check with them.
After approximately 3 months, you will receive your favorable resolution and will get your passport stamped with a visa allowing you to travel to Spain.
A national visa usually has a limited period of validity for entry, so we recommend that you travel to Spain as soon as possible. Try not to leave it for more than 1–2 months.
2. Entry to Spain and first steps
With your positive resolution, you will have to travel to Spain and enter Spain.
You will have been assigned an NIE number (ID for foreigners), which will allow you to formalize any kind of legal procedure in the country.
With that, we suggest that the first thing you do is to register yourself and your family at the city hall, obtaining what is called “certificado de empadronamiento”.
Then you will have to visit the closest immigration office in order to register your fingerprints.
Bring with you a color ID photo, the form EX-17 (which you can download here), proof of payment of the model 790 fee (which is around 16€), and your passport, so that the authorities can start preparing your residency card.
3. Pick up your residency card or TIE
You have 30 days from the date of your arrival in Spain to apply for your TIE (foreigner’s identity card).
This procedure is crucial, and it is important that you complete it promptly.
How to stay in the country for the long-run
After the initial residency card expires, something that happens after 1 year (or 2 if you are the holder of a golden visa), UK national can renew her residency provided that she still meets the initial requirements.
The validity of a renewed initial residency card lasts 2 extra years, and can be renewed until a total of 5 years in the country. This is in the case of a non-lucrative visa and other residence permits, but not all.
It will be then, after 5 years of legal continued residence in Spain, that the foreigner is allowed to apply for long-term residency, which lasts 5 years and is not linked to any work/income requirement.
After 5 years with permanent residency (a total of 10 years in Spain), it is then possible to apply for Spanish nationality.
Do UK citizens need to apply for a visa to enter Spain?
No, British citizens (English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish) do not need a visa to enter Spain as tourists.
They may stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without having to apply for one in advance. To stay for longer, they will need to apply for a residence permit.
Nevertheless, that does not mean that they don’t need to comply with the different requirements to enter as a tourist, which you can find here.
If you have any other doubts, feel free to contact our team of immigration lawyers for online assistance.
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