Spain provides a wonderful location for British retirees to consider for their retirement years. The wonderful climate, the colourful lifestyle, the affordable cost of living and the sophisticated healthcare system in Spain, all make for a compelling argument for European retirees to consider leaving the grey/wet winters of home and move to sunnier climes.
At Martin Real Estate, we specialise in helping our clients to find their ideal property to achieve their retirement goals in wonderful, sunny, warm Andalucia. And more specifically on the Costa del Sol where there are so many easily accessible, wonderful towns and villages to choose from and all within one hour of Malaga Airport.
The process of becoming resident in Spain for EU citizens is easier in terms of the options to become resident and the automatic right to work, so for the purpose of this article we will focus on the opportunities for UK residents where choices have become more limited as a result of Brexit.
Brexit is not a barrier to moving to Spain for UK retirees. All nationalities are welcome on the Costa del Sol, and the Andalusian Government makes special provisions to make the process easy, straightforward, and accessible for British Citizens. Yes, Brexit has made a difference but the easiest way for retirees from the UK to gain residency in Spain is to apply for a ‘non-lucrative visa’. This visa option basically allows you to become resident in Spain without working (you come here to retire),on condition you can prove that you have sufficient resources or income to fund your new lifestyle in the sun.
At Martin Real Estate we like to keep matters simple and straightforward for our clients, and so here is a concise step-by-step guide on what you need to do, to become resident in Spain:
- Apply for your Non-Lucrative Visa at the Spanish Consulate in the UK where you will need to provide evidence of financial means, health insurance etc.
- Show bank statements and or proof that you have at least €27,115, in savings or guaranteed income(amount subject to variation depending on circumstances), so be prepared and always check the specifics as they apply to you. In addition, you will also need to have €6,778 for each additional dependent.
- Private Medical Insurance Cover: You will need to have put in place a policy that will cover all your health costs in Spain after you move. Basically you need to show that you and your dependents will not be a burden on the state when you arrive in Spain. This insurance cover needs to be in place before your visa is granted by the Spanish authorities.
- Residency in Spain. You will need to apply at the local Extranjería, within a month of arriving in Spain and apply for your residency card!
Living in Spain is wonderfully rewarding for retirees. With lots of time on your hands, you can afford to savour the local cuisine, join clubs, and find new interests. The wonderful Mediterranean weather affords lots of opportunities for outdoor ‘predictable’(not weather spoiled) activities, without hardly ever a need for a raincoat or an umbrella! The possibilities of discovering new friends and hobbies are endless. Do not forget -the Costa del Sol boasts 300 days of sunshine annually. Outdoor activities can be enjoyed all year round. A BBQ in December anyone??
From beaches to nature walks, to exploring the local tapas bars, and perhaps joining some ex-pat clubs to fall in love with some new hobbies, and interests- and don’t forget learning some Spanish along the way to make your immersion in your new Andalucian home complete; the possibilities are endless. There are plenty of Spanish Language classes available at a nominal charge, and this learning activity provides a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of your new home and its culture and customs. The language is a great door opener to many great social opportunities and affords you the chance to make local Spanish friends and expand your horizons.
The cost of living is reasonable with utilities often cheaper than equivalent water, electricity, and phone bills from home. Internet is fast and reasonably priced and widely accessible. Supermarkets provide great produce at decent prices and local markets provide access to fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables, competitively priced. Eating out is popular and embedded in Spanish culture and in most places outside of tourist spots, the popular pastime of dining out is very affordable indeed. And do not forget the house bottle of lovely Spanish wine is also very reasonably priced, relative to other European countries. Keep an eye out for our upcoming Spanish wine guide coming soon to help you with your dinner wine selections.
Having obtained your Visa, and your residency permit, you will also need an NIE number(essential for all transactions in Spain-including opening a bank account!), and then you can sign up at your local town hall (empadronamiento) to show proof of address and allow you to access local services.
If you need more information or want to being your Spanish move with a more detailed understanding of the Spanish property market, feel free to reach out to our professional team here at Martin Real Estate. We are here to help and happy to do so.
Find our contact details at . And don’t forget to check our testimonials page where many of our satisfied clients will tell you in their own words how they rate our tailor made property finding service for clients just like you!
