Moving to Spain from UK

How to Emigrate to Spain from the UK?

With a relaxed lifestyle, cheap cost of living and an average of 300 days of sunshine per year on the Mediterranean coastline, the allure of Spain is unsurprising.

Spain is the most popular European country for British expats, with well over 350,000 British citizens officially registered as living there (though it is estimated that up to a million Brits are living in Spain).

The main visas/residence permits for Spain are as follows:

• Visado de trabajo y residencia. This is a combined residence and work visa, allowing you to work and live in Spain
• Visado de estudios. This is a student visa which is valid for the duration of a permitted educational or training course
• Visado de residencia. This is a visa for family reunification or retirement

A British citizen can also move to Spain through the following routes:

• As a paid employee of a Spanish company
• As a self-employed person
• As a student
• As a family member/dependant of a Spanish resident
• To retire

Moving to Spain for Work

It is possible to move to Spain if you wish to work in the country as an employee of a Spanish company or to work on a self-employed basis.

Spanish authorities have announced that one of the following must apply if you wish to move to Spain as a worker:

• You are earning money through employment with a Spanish company
• You have at least £2,000 a month coming into your bank account

It is important to note that if you will be employed by a Spanish company, they must complete your work and residence authorisation application on your behalf. You must then apply for the relevant visa from your local Spanish embassy.

If you wish to move to Spain as a worker and your family will be joining you, you will need to meet additional financial requirements. You will need to show that you have an extra £500 per month for each family member.

As an example, a family of five people would need an annual salary of £48,000 to be able to live in Spain.

What are the Different Spanish Work Visas for Britons?

There are several different work visas within the Visado de trabajo y residencia category. Your employer will need to request the relevant work permit pertaining to the type of job you will be doing and submit the application to the Ministry of Labour in Spain.

Usually, you will receive a copy of the application with a stamp from the office and a file number after the application has been submitted.

For standard Spanish work visa applications, the processing time can be as long as eight months. The work permit is valid for one year and can be extended. After five years of residence in Spain, you can apply for long-term residency.

Other Spanish work visas include:

• EU Blue Card (Tarjeta Azul UE)
• Highly Qualified Residence Permit
• Intra-corporate Transfer Visa (autorizacion de residencia por translado intra empresarial)
• Seasonal Worker Visa
• Entrepreneur Visa (Autorizacion de Trabajo y Residencia Para Emprendedores)
• Digital Nomad Visa
• Internship Residence Authorisation

How can I Move to Spain as a Self-Employed Person?

It is possible to move to Spain as a self-employed person either through registering as an ‘Autonomo’ or through registering your own limited company. In fact, more than three million people are currently registered as self-employed in Spain.

First of all, you will need to apply for work and residency permit from the Spanish embassy in the UK. When you apply for the permit, you will need to provide certain documents and information.

This might include:

• Evidence you have appropriate finances to invest in your business or to support yourself
• A business plan (if applicable)
• Proof that you have the skills and experience necessary to do the work
• Any contracts and/or commissions from companies
• Proof of no criminal record

Establishing a Limited Company

Alternatively, you could establish a limited company. There are different options to establish yourself as a limited company. The most common form is the Sociedad limitada.

You would not have personal liability as a limited company. However, you would need to pay additional tax and undertake accounting and other additional responsibilities.

How to Register as Self-Employed in Spain

Firstly, you will need to register your business for the Impuesto sobre actividades economicas (tax for economic activities) with a tax authority office. You will need to provide your passport and NIE number to complete the application.

You will also need to be either an independent professional (profesional autonomo) or sole trader (empresario individual) to register for tax purposes. You will be asked to complete Modelo 036 or 037 (declaracion censal), after which you will be given a personal tax certificate (Impuesto sobre la Renta de las Personas Fiscas or IRPF).

As an Autonomo, you will need to contact the Spanish social security authority to inform them that you are freelancing in Spain. Autonomos need to register with the Spanish social security system under the Special Regime for Autonomous Workers (Regimen Especial de Trabajadores Autonomos).

At your appointment, you may need to provide the following information:

• Completed application form
• Photocopy of passport
• NIE number
• IRPF form
• Pages of Modelo 036/037

What are EU Blue Cards?

EU Blue Cards enable highly-qualified people from outside the EU the chance to live and work in EU countries. EU Blue Cards are valid in Spain.

The main eligibility criteria for the EU Blue Card is as follows:

• Must prove you have a higher professional qualification which lasted at least three years OR a minimum of five years of professional experience at the same level
• Must have been offered a job as a paid employee in Spain (self-employed people cannot apply for an EU Blue Card)
• The job salary must be at least one and a half times the average wage in Spain. (Jobs that are in particular demand may require a salary of 1.2 times the average wage)
• The job offer must be for at least one year
• Must have health insurance for yourself and any family members joining you
• Must be able to prove fulfil the legal requirements to practice your profession, if applicable

Your Spanish employer will submit the application on your behalf, which will include documents about the job role, your passport, information about your qualifications and evidence of your health insurance in Spain.

The EU Blue Card is valid for one year and can be renewed, provided you still meet the conditions for it.

Moving to Spain to Join Family

If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen and have a family member who has been living in Spain for at least one year, and they are planning to stay for at least another year, you may be able to join them in Spain under family reunification rules.

You may be able to join your family member in Spain immediately if:

• They hold an EU Blue Card
• They hold an EU long-term residence permit from another EU state
• They are a student or researcher

Eligible relatives for family reunification in Spain include:

• Spouses/unmarried partners
• Unmarried dependent children who are 18 or under of both the Spanish family member and their spouse. (This includes adopted children)
• Dependent children, grandchildren or person whom Spanish family member is legal guardian of who is over 18-years-old, if they have disabilities
• Dependent parents of both family member and their spouse, who are over 65

You can start the process for family reunification in the United Kingdom at the Spanish embassy. You will need to apply for a residence permit to begin with. If you’re already in Spain, you will need to book an appointment at your local Foreigner’s Office.

Required Documents for Spanish Family Visa Application

As mentioned, you can begin the application process for family reunification in Spain either in the UK or in Spain.

You will usually need to provide the following documents and information at your appointment:

• Original and copy of your own passport and copies of passport of your family member
• Copy of your family member’s residence permit
• Proof of the familial relationship. For instance, a marriage certificate or birth certificate
• Sworn statement from your spouse/civil partner in Spain that they aren’t living in Spain with another partner
• Evidence of your partner’s employment and/or proof they have the means to support the whole family in Spain
• Proof of health insurance
• Evidence that there is suitable accommodation for you to live in in Spain

You may also be asked to provide other information too, such as a criminal record certificate and medical certificate indicating that you do not have a disease which could endanger public health.

Registering in Spain as a Family Member

Once you are in Spain, you will need to book an appointment at your local Foreigner’s Office to get your NIE number, followed by your TIE card.

Once that has been done, you will need to register as a resident on the padron at the local town hall.

The temporary residence permit will be valid for the same length of time as the relative already living in Spain. The permits will be renewed at the same time as your relative in Spain.

Spouses and dependent children over 16 can work in Spain without the need to apply for a work permit.

Moving to Spain to Study

For non-EU/EEA citizens wishing to study in Spain for periods of time longer than 90 days, they can apply for a Spanish Study visa.

This visa also covers training, internships and voluntary work.

A Study visa is not needed for study lasting 90 days or fewer.

Usually, you will need to provide the following information as part of your Study visa application:

• Valid, unexpired passport
• Signed and completed national visa application form
• Proof of acceptance for your study, training, volunteer activity or internship. For study, this must be from an authorised teaching centre for a full-time programme
• Proof that you can support you and any dependents financially while in Spain
• Proof of health insurance
• Medical exam certificate
• Police certificate

If you obtain a residence permit/TIE card, you will be able to work in Spain for up to 20 hours per week.

Also, your spouse/civil partner and children who are under 18 can join you while you are studying in Spain if you have a Study Visa.

What is the Spanish NIE Number?

The Spain NIE number is the Foreigner’s Identification Number (Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero). Your NIE number is the legal number to identify you as a foreign national who is living in Spain.

If you want to stay in Spain for longer than 90 days, you must apply for an NIE number. An NIE is needed for many important purposes and activities, such as working, studying, buying property, paying taxes and opening a bank account.

You ought to make an appointment for your NIE number as soon as possible after you arrive in Spain through your local Oficina de Extranjeros (Foreigner’s Office). Typically, you will need to wait at least a month for an appointment.

You will need to fill out the EX-18 NIE number Spain form, and take two copies with you to your appointment. The form must be written in Spanish.

You will also need to:

• Have an original and photocopy of a document explaining why you want an NIE, such as an employment contract or mortgage contract
• Take your passport and photocopies to the appointment, as well as passport-sized colour photographs. You may also need to take your visas/permits
• Fill in the online 790 form and pay a government fee of around€10.71 

What is the TIE Card?

The tarjeta de indentidad de extranjero (TIE) is an identification card which shows your NIE number, address and where you work and study. You cannot get a TIE card if you do not have an NIE number.

It is a form of proof of permission to reside or remain in Spain for a specific period of time. As with the NIE number, you will need to book an appointment at your local Foreigner’s Office or police station to obtain the card.

The TIE Card is renewable.

What do I Need to do to Register When I Arrive in Spain?

As of yet, the registration process for British citizens looking to emigrate to Spain has not been confirmed.

However, it is presumed that British citizens will need to follow this process:

• Book an appointment to get Numero de Identificacion de Entranjero (NIE number) as soon as possible (or book this appointment before you travel to Spain)
• Obtain a tarjeta de indentidad de extranjero (TIE Card)
• Register on the padron municipal at the town hall

If you were living in Spain before 1^st January 2021, you can obtain a TIE card without necessarily proving that you have an immigration permission in Spain. This biometric card states that it was issued to the holder under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement.

Firstly, you will need to submit a residence application. This can be done at the Oficina de Extranjeros (immigration office) in the province where you live or electronically

You will need to provide the following:

• Completed application form EX20
• Documentation proving you were a resident in Spain before 1^st January 2021
• Documentation proving you meet the EU residence criteria on income and healthcare
• Your passport

Once your residency application has been approved, you can book an appointment to apply for your TIE.

Bear in mind that the specific process of becoming a Spanish resident is likely to differ depending on your particular circumstances. This includes the permit and visa application process.

It is prudent to get in contact with the Spanish embassy to establish exactly what you need to do.

How do I Register on the Padron?

If you live in Spain you must register on the padron municipal. This is a list kept by the town hall of all the residents living in the town. You need to register your home address in Spain. You do not need to own the property to register.

The registration process varies between regions. You may be able to do it online but in some areas you will need to attend an appointment online.

Some of the information which you will need to provide includes:

• Your NIE number
• Deeds of your house or rental contract
• A recent utility bill in your name or proof of payment of municipal taxes

Through registering on the padron, you could receive a reduction in taxes, register for local healthcare, enrol children in school, access income-related benefits and social care and more besides.

You will need to confirm your padron status every 2 or 5 years.

When Can I Apply for Permanent Residency in Spain?

Once you have lived in Spain for five years, you can apply for permiso de residencia a larga duracion (permission to reside in the country). This means that you will be able to live in Spain indefinitely without any immigration conditions.

After you have lived in Spain for ten years, you can apply for Spanish citizenship. However, as a British citizen, you will not be able to apply for dual citizenship if you wish to become a Spanish citizen. This means you would have to renounce your British citizenship to become a Spanish citizen. The only exception is if you are of Sephardic Jewish origin.

If you have already lived in Spain for at least five years, you could apply for permiso de residencia a larga duracion and bypass the standard procedure of applying for a Spanish visa. (You will still need to formally make an application for permanent residency).

Even before Brexit, many British expats living in Spain chose to just have permanent residency in Spain and keep their British citizenship alongside their Spanish residency.

What Is the Cost of Living Like in Spain?

On average, the cost of living in Spain can be around 25% cheaper than the UK on average.

This is due to generally lower prices for essentials such as rent, groceries and utilities.

However, the average salaries in Spain are also generally lower than other European countries, with the unemployment rates generally being slightly higher.

The average monthly cost for rent of a one bedroom apartment in a typical Spanish city may be around €900. Meanwhile, this can rise to around €1,500 for a typical three bedroom apartment.

Costs of rent and groceries will also be far cheaper in the south of Spain in regions such as Andalucía and Seville, compared to the large cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. These regions can hold significant value for money for expats looking to get by on a relatively low wage.

For retirees, it is recommended that a yearly stipend of around €28,000 is sufficient to comfortably retire in Spain, compared to estimated figures of around £40,000 in the UK.