Immigrate to Spain from the UK
If you want to immigrate to Spain from the UK, our lawyers can guide you. Contact us for information on the main visas related to moving to Spain.
Do you want to immigrate to Spain from the UK, and you are not up to date with the latest requirements? Here is a guide on your current options and the services we can help you with once you decide to take this step.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa requirements for UK nationals | No |
Special requirements after Brexit | Employment and residence permits must be obtained by those who do not have Spanish residence permits or EU Blue Cards |
Relocation options | Temporary residence permits for students, employees, businesspersons, non-lucrative (wealth) visa (the golden visa was abolished in April 2025) |
| Temporary residence options | Temporary work permit, non-lucrative visa |
| Permanent residence requirements | Living in Spain based on temporary residence permits, family reunification |
| Access to investor/citizenship by investment visa | NO, the golden visa was abolished on 3 April 2025 and Spain has no citizenship-by-investment scheme |
| Timeframe for obtaining a residence permit (approx.) | 6 to 8 months |
| Family reunification visa availability (YES/NO) | YES |
| Investment visa requirements | Investment value – not applicable: the golden visa was abolished on 3 April 2025 (Organic Law 1/2025) |
| Permanent residence timeframe | 5 years of uninterrupted stay |
| Citizenship requirements | 10 years through naturalization |
| Possibility to acquire real estate (YES/NO) | YES, foreigners can buy property freely, but buying real estate no longer leads to a residence permit (golden visa abolished on 3 April 2025) |
| Spain-UK double tax treaty (YES/NO) | YES |
| Immigration services (YES/NO) | YES, support in applying for temporary, permanent residence, citizenship |
| Post-immigration support (YES/NO) | YES, document renewal services, support in registering with the local authorities |
| Immigration process affected by Brexit (YES/NO) | Yes, British citizens who do not have EU residency must apply for Spanish residence permits. |
Relocation steps | – draft immigration papers, – file for a residence permit, – collect the residence visa from the Spanish Embassy |
Special conditions to respect in terms of short-term residency | No |
| Documents required for temporary residency | – valid passport, – application form, – details on the reason for relocation, – proof of self-sufficiency, – valid health insurance |
| Easiest ways to move to Spain from UK | Employment and business |
| Special requirements to secure a work contract (if any) | No, there are no special requirements to meet when relocating through employment. |
| Special requirements when moving to Spain as a dependent (if any) | No |
| Possibility to retire to Spain as a British citizen (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Retirement options (if any) | The non-lucrative residence permit (the golden visa was abolished in April 2025) |
| Support in visa refusal (YES/NO) | Yes, we offer support in case of visa denial. |
| Support in renting/buying Spanish properties (YES/NO) | Yes, our immigration lawyers in Spain can also help in such matters. |
| Support in registering with local authorities (YES/NO) | Yes, this is one of our most important services related to immigration to Spain. |
| Documents for permanent residency | – application form, – valid passport, – valid residence permit, – other relevant documents, as requested |
| Tax benefits for British citizens (if any) | There are no special tax benefits for British citizens. |
| Why move to Spain as a British citizen | – access to EU residency, – access to the EU healthcare system, – great living conditions, possibility to travel to other EU countries visa free. |
Do I need an entry visa when I travel from the UK to Spain? How about if I relocate on a long-term basis?
No visa is required for short-term travel of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you plan to stay more than that, you will need an entry visa and a Spanish residence permit.
What are my visa options for relocating to Spain from the UK?
The following are available for this purpose:
- student visas for UK students coming to complete their studies in Spain;
- work visas for British nationals who want to relocate to Spain for employment purposes;
- non-lucrative visas: for citizens in the UK who decide to retire to Spain;
- family-reunification visas for those who have family members living in Spain and who can facilitate relocation here;
- entrepreneur visas that are available for those who want to start an innovative business in Spain.
Once the desired visa is selected, you can reach out to our immigration law firm in Spain, provide the necessary details, and start the relocation process.
The procedure of immigrating to Spain from the UK is also presented in the infographic below:
What steps do I need to follow to immigrate to Spain from the UK on a long-term basis?
If you are interested in long-term immigration to Spain, we advise you to:
- check all your available options (we can explain the requirements for all types of visas);
- make sure you have a valid passport;
- prepare all the supporting documents associated with the chosen type of temporary residence permit (some papers will need certified Spanish translations);
- submit the application file with the Spanish Embassy in the UK.
NOTE: Once you enter the country, you can rely on our Spanish immigration lawyers for support with all post-relocation formalities.
What are the conditions to move to Spain from the UK?
The conditions under which a UK citizen can emigrate to Spain are the following:
- he or she has an employment offer or is self-employed and has arrangements in this sense in Spain;
- he or she has a business or plans to set up a business in Spain, thus being eligible for residency;
- he or she is a student and is enrolled with a Spanish educational institution;
- he or she has other family members living in Spain and is moving with them;
- he or she is a retired person and has the financial means of supporting him/herself and health insurance.
Our immigration lawyers in Spain can offer more information on how to move here from the UK and the formalities involved. We invite you to watch our video:
Where is the Spanish Embassy in the UK?
The Spanish Embassy is located in London. Additionally, you can also reach out to one of the Consulates General in London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
How long does it take to be issued a Spanish temporary residence permit for a British national?
Between 1 and 2 months. In the meantime, you can stay in Spain based on the national D visa.
What is the most common way for Brits to relocate to Spain?
Employment and retirement.
How long must I reside in Spain to obtain permanent residency?
5 years.
What documents do I need to obtain permanent residency in Spain?
The following:
- your valid British passport;
- your Spanish residence card (TIE);
- health insurance;
- proof of financial means;
- clean criminal record;
- proof of having lived in Spain in the past 5 years.
You can apply with our assistance, and our immigration lawyers can go through all the terms in detail. In case you are searching for immigration services in another country, for example in Finland, our partner law firm can help you – LawyersFinland.com.
If you want to move to Spain from the UK, do not hesitate to contact our lawyers.
Laura Fusté, Attorney at Law · 2 October 2026