The SIX biggest myths about moving to Spain post Brexit
It’s been over three years since Brexit yet the confusion and misconceptions remain about how to move to Spain. Hundreds of Britons have relocated there since 2021, according to records of the padron register, and many more planning to do so.
We offer guides to Spanish relocation, useful visa updates and also inspiring case studies to help explain the process but here are the most enduring fallacies.
1. It’s impossible to move to Spain now.
No it’s not. It just involves a bit more planning and paperwork. You will need to work out which type of visa suits you best, gather together various documents and apply. The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is a popular option for those not planning to work in Spain. Seek the help of a relocation expert to help you apply for one and save time – a small fee can make big difference.
2. It requires a lot of money.
Not all visas require you to invest a sum of money. You may have heard of the golden visa which does require the purchase of a property, but this scheme is being closed down and more importantly the other visas do not require this. Obtaining a NLV requires around €1,000 per person which includes visa fee and paperwork. You will also need to show that you have the financial resources to support yourself. For a NLV this is €28,800 per year or €36,000 for a married couple.
3. You have to buy an expensive property to get a Spanish visa.
No, as per the point above, the golden visa is not the only option and has been the most popular route for Britons to get residency. The NLV and digital nomad visa do not require you to own a Spanish property.
4. If you don’t have a private pension you won’t meet financial requirements.
For the NLV you need to show proof of income of €28,800 per year or €36,000 for a married couple. Relocation experts can advise on using a combination of income sources: state or private pensions, UK buy to let income, savings, even using the value of a Spanish home to achieve this. They can be very creative so never assume the worst.
5. It’s now more complicated to buy a property.
No, nothing has changed about the way you can buy a home, or how many you can purchase. The purchase taxes remain the same for locals and overseas buyers. In Spain, you don’t even have to pay higher stamp duty (or ITP) if you are buying a second home.
6. You can’t access Spanish healthcare now.
If you become a Spanish resident you can access the Spanish healthcare system by paying into the system if you are working and registered with social security. This means that basic healthcare is free, but even the Spanish part-pay for prescriptions etc under the co-payment system. If you are retired and over the UK state pension age you can apply for an A1 Certificate which will allow you this same access – without paying for private healthcare that is required of younger visa applicants.
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