Move to Spain
from the UK
It's the number-one destination for British expats - 300,000 registered, perhaps 800,000 in reality. Post-Brexit paperwork is painful, but the 25% cost saving, world-class healthcare, and 300 days of sunshine haven't changed!
At a Glance
- Capital
- Madrid
- UK Expats
- ~300,000+
- Local Time
- Madrid
- Flight Time
- 2h 15m direct
- Temperature
- 17°C now
GBP → EUR · 12 months
↓ -1.5%£1 = €1.16
25%
Cheaper than UK
cost of living
40%
English Spoken
5/10
Visa Ease
A
Safety
Large
Expat Community
Excellent
Healthcare
Overview
For sun, sea, sand and relaxation, you could do a lot worse than moving to Spain.
This gorgeous Western European country offers culture and natural beauty in spades, and is already home to a huge number of British expats.
Moving to Spain from the UK also offers expats opportunities to travel much more widely.
On the doorstep, you’ve got the parties of the Balearic Islands, the rock of Gibraltar, the souqs of Morocco and the snowy allure of the Alps.
The Numbers
Over 300,000 British citizens are officially registered in Spain - but the true number is estimated at 800,000+ when you account for “seasonal residences”, making British Spain a national tradition that has been stretching back for decades.
The Costa Blanca alone accounts for roughly 98,700 registered Brits (the single largest concentration anywhere), while the Costa del Sol has around 73,700.
Together those two coastlines hold about 40% of every registered Brit in the country.
The cosmopolitan hubs of Madrid and Barcelona attract younger professionals and corporate transferees. While the Canary Islands pull retirees chasing year-round warmth (and a growing tribe of digital nomads).
Daily Life
Spanish daily rhythms take adjustment, for better or worse.
Lunch is much later, usually around 2–3:30 pm, dinner rarely starts before 9 pm, and oh yes: the siesta is real (shops close 2–5 pm in many areas!). It’s a way of life that and bureaucracy moves at its own glacial pace. Budget for a gestor - a professional fixer who handles paperwork on your behalf - at €50–100 per month.
Chances are, you will need one!
Who Thrives
- Adaptable language learners willing to pick up Spanish seriously
- Outdoor types who live for sunshine, hiking, beaches, and year-round terraza culture
- Remote workers earning in GBP or USD while spending in EUR
- Homework-done retirees with realistic budgets and a willingness to integrate locally
Who Struggles
- Spanish refusers who expect everyone to speak English (doable but not recommended!)
- Tight-fixed-income pensioners who haven't budgeted for private healthcare or gestor fees
- Efficiency-needers who can't tolerate bureaucratic delays or a routine August shutdown
- "Living the dream" crowd who arrive without a Plan B or realistic finances
Pros
- 300+ days of sunshine per year across most of the country
- 25% cheaper than the UK overall (Source: Numbeo, March 2026)
- Spain has a strong public healthcare system with a broad state coverage
- 2-3 hour flights from the UK to most Spanish cities (and lots of them)
- Established British communities with English-speaking services
- Excellent food culture - menú del día at €10–15 for a full three-course lunch
- Safe and family-friendly - one of the lowest violent crime rates in Europe
- 84% fibre broadband coverage (it’s ahead of the UK)
- Outdoor lifestyle year-round: hiking, cycling, swimming, sailing
Cons
- A ton of Post-Brexit bureaucracy - visas, TIE cards, NIE numbers, and constant paperwork
- Language barrier outside tourist zones and expat enclaves
- Spanish bureaucracy is legendarily slow, and August shuts almost everything down
- Brutal summer heat inland - Madrid regularly exceeds 40°C in July and August
- Spanish salaries are 37.6% less than UK equivalents (Source: Numbeo, March 2026)
- Expat bubble trap - easy to socialise only with other Brits and never integrate
- Rising property costs - Madrid and Barcelona have seen 13-22% price surges recently, eating away at cost of living
- Regional languages (Catalan, Basque, Galician, Valencian) throw in some added communication barriers
Watch: Life in Spain
Hand-picked videos from expats and creators on the ground.
Moving To Spain: Honest 6 Month Review
18 Months of Living In Spain
Why So Many Brits Move To Spain
Visas & Immigration
Before Brexit, a Brit could simply move to Spain - no visa, no paperwork beyond registering at the town hall.
Since January 2021, UK nationals are now considered third-country nationals needing a visa for everything: living, working, retiring, even staying longer than 90 days.
Needless to say, Brexit has complicated the process of moving here.
Tourist / Schengen
Tourist / Schengen
No visa required for short stays. The 90-day limit applies across the entire Schengen area, not just Spain. You cannot work. Overstaying can result in fines up to €10,000.
90 days in 180-day period
Free - for now (ETIAS ~€20 from late 2026)
Digital Nomad Visa
Digital Nomad Visa
Requires financial means of at least 200% of Spain’s monthly minimum wage (SMI). On the current official 2026 figure, that is €2,442/month for the main applicant, with additional amounts for family members. Applicants must usually show either a university/professional qualification or at least 3 years’ relevant experience, plus evidence of working for the foreign company for at least 3 months before the application. For UK nationals applying in London, the visa fee is £719. Eligible applicants may also opt into Spain’s special impatriate tax regime, subject to the tax rules and conditions.
1–3 years (renewable to 5)
~£70
Non-Lucrative Visa (Retirement)
Non-Lucrative Visa (Retirement)
Requires financial means equal to 400% of IPREM for the main applicant, plus 100% of IPREM per dependant. On the current official figure, that is €2,400/month for the main applicant. No work is permitted. Spanish consular guidance states that working remotely is contrary to the nature of this visa, so use the digital nomad route if you plan to work online. For UK nationals applying in London, the visa fee is £516.
1+2+2 years
~£516
Employment Visa
Employment Visa
Employer-led route. Spain’s “national employment situation” rules must allow the hire, for example because the job is on the shortage-occupation list or the employer can show difficulty filling it through the domestic labour market. For UK nationals applying in London, the visa fee is £719.
1+2+2 years
~£719
Self-Employed / Autónomo
Self-Employed / Autónomo
Requires a viable business plan, evidence of resources/investment, and approval for self-employed work. For UK nationals applying in London, the visa fee is £719. This route is not generally not designed for remote freelancers serving non-Spanish clients.
1+2+2 years
~£719
Student Visa
Student Visa
Can work where the activity is compatible with the studies, and it may not exceed 30 hours per week. For UK nationals applying in London, the visa fee is £345 for study stays of more than 180 days; for stays of more than 90 and less than 180 days, it is £74.65. The London consulate accepts a UK GHIC as medical cover for student visas.
Course length
£70-£345
Golden Visa
Spain's Golden Visa programme was abolished on 3 April 2025.
No new applications are being accepted but existing holders are grandfathered and can continue to renew.
Permanent Residency
This is available after 5 years of continuous legal residence. You must usually complete 5 years of legal and continuous residence. Absences of up to 6 consecutive months do not break continuity if the total does not exceed 10 months over the 5 years, or 18 months if the absences are for work reasons.
Permanent residency does not require you to renounce British citizenship.
Citizenship
Requires 10 years of legal residence, a DELE A2 Spanish language exam, and the CCSE civics exam.
In practice, Brit applicants are generally asked to declare renunciation when acquiring Spanish nationality.
Cost of Living
| Category | Spain | UK | London | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-bed flat city centre | £764/mo | £1,019 | £2,367 | -25% |
| Three-bed flat city centre | £1,209/mo | £1,680 | £3,810 | -28% |
| Meal for 2 mid-range | £43 | £65 | £80 | -34% |
| Beer (pint) | £2.59 | £5.00 | £6.50 | -48% |
| Monthly transport pass | £26 | £75 | £200 | -65% |
| Utilities (monthly) | £115 | £240 | £286 | -52% |
| International school (annual) | £7,916 | £16,593 | £22,597 | -52% |
| Preschool (monthly) | £413 | £1,279 | £1,833 | -68% |
Source: Numbeo, March 2026. Exchange rate: €1 = £0.863.
Based on Numbeo’s crowdsourced cost of living figures, we can make some basic like-for-like comparisons…
For example, a weekly food shop in Spain might cost about £65-80 compared to £80-100 in the UK - roughly 20% cheaper for a similar basket.
A pint of beer is £2.59 versus £6.50 in London. A bottle of wine averages £4.31 versus £8.00 in the UK. Of course, the catch is that local earnings are offset. Spanish salaries are 37.6% less than UK equivalents, so those cost savings can evaporate quickly if you're earning locally rather than using income from elsewhere.
Base Monthly budgets - Single: £1,400-1,800 (Madrid/Barcelona: £1,700-2,100). Couple: £2,000-2,600 (coastal: £1,700-2,200). Family: £2,800-3,800 (with international school: £4,000+).
Climate
Weather data for Madrid, Spain. 30-year averages from Open-Meteo (1991–2020).
Average Monthly Temperature (°C)
Average Monthly Rainfall (mm)
Right Now in Madrid
Overcast
Feels Like
16°C
Humidity
51%
Wind
7 km/h
Hottest Month
Aug (33°C)
Coldest Month
Jan (1°C)
Wettest Month
Nov (59mm)
Driest Month
Aug (4mm)
Annual Rainfall
430mm
Avg Temperature
9–20°C
Where to Live
While Spain is a very large country, British expats tend to congregate in just a few cities and areas.
That said, Spain offers everything from buzzing metropolitan centres to quiet whitewashed villages and sun-drenched coastlines.
Where you settle depends on whether you're chasing career opportunities, affordable retirement, family life… or the digital nomad sweet spot.
Below we have profiled some of the most popular destinations for British expats.
Alicante & Costa Blanca
The undisputed capital of British Spain — 98,700 registered UK nationals, more than any other province. The most affordable major coastal option and the easiest soft landing for newcomers.
1.9M (province)
£1,700–2,100/mo
Barcelona
Beach plus world-class culture plus booming tech sector. Spain's most expensive rental market — up 70% in a decade. Catalan/Spanish duality adds complexity.
5.5M (metro)
£2,400–3,000/mo
Canary Islands
Warm weather twelve months a year — not ten. Southern Tenerife is the British hub, Las Palmas draws digital nomads. More favourable tax regime than the mainland.
2.2M
£1,850–2,400/mo
Madrid
Spain's capital offers the best job market, highest salaries, and world-class culture — Prado, late-night dining, proper city living. No beach, baking summers, cold winters.
6.8M (metro)
£2,400–3,000/mo
Málaga & Costa del Sol
Where the classic British-in-Spain experience lives. 73,700 registered Brits, English-speaking everything, and Europe's mildest mainland winters. Málaga city itself has become a genuine cultural destination.
1.7M (province)
£1,850–2,400/mo
Valencia
Repeatedly voted world's best city for expats. Mediterranean life at 25-30% below Madrid prices. A 15-minute cycling city with Spain's best paella and a growing tech scene.
1.5M (metro)
£2,000–2,400/mo
Healthcare
Spain's Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) is generally well regarded.
Life expectancy has crept above 83 years, and the country has 6.2 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants - comfortably above the EU average.
Access as a British Expat
If you're employed or self-employed (autónomo), you're automatically covered by the SNS through social security contributions.
Eligible UK state pensioners can apply for an S1 before moving to Spain and register it with the Spanish system to access state healthcare there.
Everyone else needs either private health insurance or the Convenio Especial (voluntary buy-in): which works out to roughly €60/month if you're under 65, or €150+/month if you're over 65.
(Emergency care is free for everyone regardless of status.)
What's Covered
GP visits, specialist referrals, hospital treatment, surgery, maternity care, and subsidised prescriptions.
Not covered: dental (except children under 16), optical care, and most physiotherapy.
Wait Times
The latest national public data put the average wait at 96 days for a first specialist consultation and 118.6 days for elective surgery, but we’ll caveat this with the disclaimer that there is substantial regional variation.
Private Insurance
There are several major providers including Sanitas (owned by Bupa), Adeslas, Asisa, and Caser. Typical monthly premiums: 30s: £50-75, 50s: £85-150, 65+: £125-210+.
Qualifying public or private health cover is required for many residence routes, if we take the non-lucrative and digital nomad visas for example.
For student visas handled by the London consulate, a UK GHIC is accepted as medical cover.
Prescriptions
Co-payments range from 10-60% depending on income. Pensioners pay just 10%, capped at €8-19 per month. Pharmacies are well distributed across Spain and they can also advise on minor ailments if needed.
Mental Health
Public mental health provision is fairly limited at this point (Spain spends just 0.6% of GDP on it).
Latest reports suggest private therapy sessions cost €50-120 per session. English-speaking therapists are available in Madrid, Barcelona, the Costa del Sol, and Valencia… but thin on the ground elsewhere.
Tax
Spend 183 or more days per year in Spain and you're a Spanish tax resident - taxed on your worldwide income.
The system is progressive, regionally varied, and it’s full of traps for the unwary. As things stand, the Beckham Law flat 24% rate is a game-changer for qualifying newcomers… but its status is not guaranteed in the long-term.
Income Tax (IRPF) Brackets
| Taxable Income | Combined Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to €12,450 | 19% |
| €12,451 – €20,200 | 24% |
| €20,201 – €35,200 | 30% |
| €35,201 – €60,000 | 37% |
| €60,001 – €300,000 | 45% |
| Over €300,000 | 47% |
Combined state + regional rates. Regional variations apply — Madrid tends lower, Catalonia can exceed 50% at the top.
Savings, Wealth & Solidarity Tax
Savings income (dividends, interest, capital gains) is taxed separately at 19-30%.
Wealth tax starts above the standard €700,000 exempt minimum, subject to regional rules. Madrid and Andalucía apply 100% regional wealth-tax bonuses, but high-net-worth residents can still be caught by the state Temporary Solidarity Tax on Large Fortunes above €3 million…
The Beckham Law
This is a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-source income up to €600,000 for 6 years.
You must apply within 6 months of becoming tax resident via Modelo 149. Digital Nomad Visa holders are eligible. Under the special impatriate regime, you are generally taxed under non-resident source rules… rather than the ordinary resident worldwide-income rules.
UK-Spain Double Tax Agreement
Thankfully, the 2014 DTA remains unaffected by Brexit.
It uses the tax credit method (not exemption) - so you pay in Spain first, then claim credit for any UK tax already paid. Remote workers employed by UK companies are taxed only in Spain if they're Spanish tax residents.
UK State Pension in Spain
Good news!
Your UK State Pension remains payable in Spain and continues to receive annual uprating there.
Spanish residents can generally use the UK-Spain treaty relief process so the State Pension is not taxed twice… but do check the separate treaty rules for any UK public-service pensions.
Tax Traps
- Modelo 720: if you are Spanish tax resident and hold foreign assets above €50,000 in a reporting block, you may need to file this information return. It is not an automatic annual filing: you generally file again only if the value in a block rises by more than €20,000 since the last filing, or if a previously reported asset is sold, closed, or otherwise changes in a reportable way. The sanctions regime was changed after the ECJ ruling. People using the special impatriate regime are not required to file Modelo 720 for their own assets.
- UK ISAs are NOT tax-exempt in Spain - all gains and income are taxable.
- Selling UK property while Spanish tax resident will trigger Spanish Capital Gains Tax at 19-30%, with credit for any UK CGT paid.
Families & Schools
There are plenty of schools in Spain across the public, private and international spectrum, from nursery age all the way through university, and are generally considered to be of high quality.
It is free for expats to send their children to Spanish state schools, although they will need to be registered on the Padron/Empadronamiento at your local town hall beforehand.
Spain has 339 international schools across 28 cities, with 165 offering a British curriculum - that’s more than any other country in continental Europe.
International Schools
Costing are given based on recent annual charge sheets. Check their respective websites for the latest pricing.
- King's College Madrid - £7,000-17,900/year. Multiple campuses, British curriculum through to A-levels.
- British School of Barcelona - £7,000-16,400/year. Rated Outstanding by BSO inspection.
- Aloha College Marbella - £7,800-22,400/year. Named 5th best international school by Forbes.
- Kensington School Barcelona - £7,600–11,400/year.
The Numbeo average for international school fees in Spain is £7,916 per year - which is roughly half the UK average and just a third of London prices.
State Schools
Spanish state education is free for ages 6-16 and open to all residents.
Typically, lessons are in Castilian Spanish (plus the regional language where applicable - Catalan in Catalonia, Basque in País Vasco, and so on...).
Children under 8 typically adapt very well and become fluent remarkably fast. Aulas de enlace (bridging classes) are available in many regions to help non-Spanish-speaking children integrate.
Nursery education ages 3-6 is free and publicly provided, with 96% attendance. Under-3 nursery (guardería) costs £260-775 per month - still 69% cheaper than the UK equivalent based on latest Numbeo figures.
A High Quality of Life
There are so many people moving to Spain from the UK that you’ll likely have no problem finding fellow Brits and making new friends - and this should make for an easier transition for your children.
Overall, it has to be said that Spain offers children an extraordinary quality of life: you’ve got outdoor freedom, a family-oriented culture where kids are welcomed everywhere, and a slower pace that prioritises play and socialisation.
The biggest downside is the loss of your UK family support network, but compared to other countries we’ve profiled, the flight time makes weekend visits back to the UK easily viable.
Younger children (under 10) should thrive. Teenagers uprooted mid-education: proceed with caution - friendship groups and exam curricula are harder to rebuild. You may need to consider private school for older kids.
Practicalities
Finding a job in Spain is difficult for many expats, and indeed, many locals as the national economy is quite sluggish.
Companies are likely to hire a Spanish national over a British expat if the two are similarly qualified and there’s just one position on offer.
There are a number of multinationals operating in Madrid and Barcelona so it’s definitely worth inquiring about openings with British companies who have Spanish offices.
While most positions in Spain will require at least a high level of conversational Spanish, international companies are likely to be more flexible towards a native English speaker.
Getting Around
Madrid and Barcelona both have world-class metro systems.
A monthly transport pass costs just £26. Meanwhile, AVE high-speed trains connect major cities (Madrid–Barcelona in 2.5 hours, Madrid–Seville in 2.5 hours).
For rides within cities, Cabify, Uber, and Free Now are all available and plentiful.
If you moved to Spain on or after 16 March 2023, your valid UK or Gibraltar licence is recognised for 6 months from the date you obtain residence. You can exchange a UK or Gibraltar licence for a Spanish one without taking a theory or practical test… but you should apply before the 6-month period ends.
Phones & Internet
Spain has 84% fibre broadband coverage - which is actually ahead of the UK.
Speeds of 1Gbps are widely available. Fibre + mobile bundles typically cost €35-60 per month. Lobster Mobile is well worth a look if you want English-speaking customer service on the Movistar network.
Banking
You'll need an NIE (tax identification number) to open a resident bank account.
Sabadell is widely regarded as the most expat-friendly Spanish bank. For GBP-to-EUR transfers, Wise continues to offer the best rates.
Non-resident accounts are also available at Santander, Sabadell, and CaixaBank if you need one before moving.
Language
English is widely spoken in expat coastal areas, tourist zones, and international business districts.
But let’s be clear… English alone is not sufficient for any kind of bureaucratic settings - places like town halls, tax offices, healthcare administration, and police stations all operate in Spanish.
On the bright side, Spanish is classified as one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn, with the FSI estimating roughly 600 hours to professional proficiency.
Learn it!
Your quality of life will transform.
Property
There are no restrictions on foreign property ownership - you just need an NIE. Buying costs can be expected to come in at about 10-12% on top of the purchase price (transfer tax, notary, registry, legal fees).
We suggest you rent first for 6–12 months before buying. Areas feel VERY different once the holiday glow wears off.
Bringing Pets
For dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from Great Britain to Spain, you need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and an animal health certificate issued by an official veterinarian before travel.
If the pet has just had its first rabies vaccination, you must wait at least 21 full days before travel. Get this wrong and your pet will be refused entry.
Once you get the certificate, it is valid for entry into the EU within 10 days of issue, and each trip from Great Britain needs a new one.
The country changes. The expat questions don't.
Subscribe to The Departure Lounge — a window into the world of Brits building better lives abroad.
Get the next issue in your inbox, 100% free.
A weekly digest for Brits living abroad — or trying to make the dream happen. The reality, the admin, and everything in between, written for Brits who've actually left, or are seriously thinking about it.
Free forever. Unsubscribe anytime.