PropertinspainBuying in Spain from abroad

Note

Residency in Spain for UK citizens after Brexit

By Daniel WhitcombeReviewed by Marta Calderón IbáñezPublished Updated Stage 1: Decide

Quick answer

People who moved before 1 January 2021 have Withdrawal Agreement rights, and the TIE is their document. New residents need a visa or permit, and buying a home does not provide one. The non-lucrative visa suits people with independent means who do not work. The embassy cannot help with applications.

Applies toBritish citizens who already live in Spain or plan to move.

On this page: 10 sections
  1. Two groups
  2. Withdrawal Agreement rights
  3. New residents
  4. The non-lucrative visa
  5. Property does not provide a visa
  6. Tax residence
  7. Short visits meanwhile
  8. The wider picture
  9. Where to check
  10. More on this topic
Checked 26 October 2026by Marta Calderón Ibáñez. Claims on this page are tied to the sources listed at the end.

§ 1Two groups

British citizens in Spain fall into two groups. Those who moved before 1 January 2021 and have lived there legally since have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. Those who move now are third-country nationals who need a visa or permit. Both routes sit within the rules on British buyers.

§ 2Withdrawal Agreement rights

The UK government’s guide says that if you moved to Spain before 1 January 2021 and have lived there legally since, you and your family members have Withdrawal Agreement rights. It states that the TIE is the only valid residency document listed in that agreement, and that Spanish authorities and the British Embassy strongly recommend exchanging a green certificate for one. If you have no residence document, you must register as a resident and obtain a TIE. The card is explained in the residency section.

§ 3New residents

The chapter tells people who want to live in Spain to check which visa or residence permit they need, and lists categories such as retirement and work, including digital nomad work. It adds that the UK embassy and consulates cannot help with Spanish visa, residency or citizenship applications. The Spanish consulates publish their own guidance.

§ 4The non-lucrative visa

For British citizens with independent means who do not plan to work, the consulate information states means of 400% of the IPREM for the main applicant plus 100% of the IPREM for each family member, authorised health insurance, a medical certificate and criminal records. The visa is not a work permit. The residency section explains it in detail.

§ 5Property does not provide a visa

The golden visa for property investment was repealed with effect from 3 April 2025. A purchase therefore gives no right to live in Spain. A home may help show where you will live, and it does not replace the conditions of a route.

§ 6Tax residence

Moving to Spain may make you tax resident, with consequences for your income and assets. The tests are explained in the residency section, and the UK-Spain agreement is outlined in the rules on the UK-Spain tax treaty. Plan the tax position before you move.

§ 7Short visits meanwhile

Until you hold a permit, your visits follow the short-stay rule, explained in the rules on the 90/180 rule for British owners. Do not stay beyond the limit while your application is pending without advice.

§ 8The wider picture

The changes since Brexit are summarised in the rules on buying after Brexit. Rules continue to develop, so check the date on each source before you act.

§ 9Where to check

Official pages change, so confirm the point that matters to you on the source before you act, and keep a dated copy of what you read. Where a page here says we did not read a text, ask your adviser to read it for you.

§ 10More on this topic

The rules on buying as a UK resident explains what a UK-based buyer should plan for.

FAQRelated questions

I moved before 2021. What do I need?

Your proof is the TIE card, per the UK guidance. Holders of the old green paper certificate are advised to swap it for the card. With no document at all, begin by registering your residence.

Can I get a visa by buying a home?

No. The property investor route was repealed in April 2025, and a purchase does not give a visa. The residency section explains the routes that remain, including the non-lucrative visa for people with independent means.

Who can help with my application?

Not the British embassy, which declines such cases. Go to the Spanish consulate before travelling, to the local foreigners’ office once in Spain, or to a qualified immigration lawyer.

Sources

About this page

Written by

Daniel Whitcombe

Writer, buying and living in Spain

Daniel writes the chapters on how a purchase runs, who can buy, where to buy and how to check a location. He writes for readers who are new to the Spanish system and prefers plain explanations that name the official source. He is not a lawyer or adviser.

Reviewed by Marta Calderón Ibáñez, chief editor and source editor, 26 October 2026. Checked: Figures and rules checked against the official texts listed below

Found an error? Report it. Each report gets a dated reply, and confirmed corrections are logged on the updates page.

Legal note. How the process works in general. It is not legal advice, and it never replaces an independent Spanish lawyer acting for you.