Immigration advice for UK Expats in spain
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Moving to Spain from UK
Make your Spanish residency journey stress-free! Our immigration consultations for UK citizens offer personalized guidance and essential tips. We provide you with expert advice and our services ensure a seamless transition to life in Spain.
Moving to Spain from UK
There are several reasons why a citizen of the United Kingdom might want to live in Spain. These can include the pleasant climate, the relaxed lifestyle, the rich culture and history, the delicious food, and the opportunity to learn a new language. In addition, Spain offers a relatively low cost of living and a high quality of life. UK citizens may also be interested in investment opportunities in properties and businesses in Spain.
Do I need a visa for Spain as a British Citizen?
As a UK citizen, you can travel to Spain for short stays of up to 90 days in every 180 days without needing a visa. But, if you plan to stay longer, you will have to apply for a residence permit.
If you permanently move to Spain and have resided there for more than 183 days in its fiscal year, you are generally considered a tax resident in Spain.
spain visa requirements UK:
To apply for a visa, you will need to meet certain requirements:
- Valid passport: Must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave.
- Digital photographs and biometric fingerprints
- Schengen travel and medical insurance: You must have insurance that covers any expenses that might arise concerning repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, or emergency hospital treatment.
- Proof of accommodation: Evidence that you checked into a hotel, or any evidence to support your accommodation.
Applying for Residence in Spain as an UK Citizen
UK expats in Spain wishing to obtain the residence must follow the following steps:
- Empadronamiento: You must register in both the central register of foreigners and the local town hall (padrón municipal).
- Foreigner Identity Card (TIE): Following Brexit, the status of UK citizens in Spain has changed. They are no longer considered EU citizens and since then, are required to follow the procedures applicable to non-EU citizens. This includes obtaining the TIE. It’s important to note that the TIE for British citizens is different from the residence card that was previously issued to them as EU citizens. The TIE for UK citizens explicitly indicates that it has been issued to the holder under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement. As a result of Brexit, UK citizens are now required to obtain this specific TIE, not the Certificate of Registration for EU Citizens (CUE). This change reflects the altered residency requirements for UK citizens following Brexit.
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Required documents: The process for obtaining residency for UK expats in Spain can be quite complex and varies depending on when you establish residency in Spain:
UK citizens living in Spain before January 1, 2021: All British citizens legally resident in Spain before this date, will have to apply for the TIE, as we have previously explained.
UK expats in Spain can obtain residency through the following methods:
Study in Spain
If you plan to study in Spain, you can apply for a student visa.
Non-lucrative residence visa
If you have sufficient income to support yourself and your dependents and do not plan to work in Spain, you can apply for a non-lucrative residence visa.
Permanent residence
After living legally in Spain for five uninterrupted years, you can apply for permanent residence.
Work Permit
If you have a job offer in Spain, you can apply for a work permit. This is also the case if you want to work as a self-employed person, either as a freelancer or as an employee.
Golden Visa
If you plan to invest in the Spanish economy, such as buying real estate or starting a business that creates job opportunities for Spanish citizens, you may qualify for the Golden Visa.
Digital Nomad Visa
This is a temporary residence permit for those who earn an income working remotely. If this is your case, you can book a free consultation.
Family Reunification Visa
Allows foreign citizens who are already legal residents in Spain to bring their family members to live with them.
Common requirements to obtain your residence permit:
- EX17 application form for the TIE.
- Have a valid passport.
- Have no criminal record.
- Have public or private health insurance in Spain.
- Demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves and any dependents.
- Provide a certificate of good health from a Spanish doctor.
- Valid work or residence permit.
- Documentation proving your residence in Spain before January 1, 2021 (if applicable).
There are specific requirements for each residence permit, this are the most general ones.
After obtaining the residence permit, you must apply for your TIE or NIE.
Agreements between Spain and the UK:
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Brexit Withdrawal Agreement: British citizens who were living legally in Spain before January 1, 2021, have rights under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. They should ensure they are correctly registered as residents. If they are registering for the first time, they will be issued the TIE.
UK expats in Spain arriving after the transition period, this means after the date mentioned above, and who are not beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement, will be subject to the general immigration regime.
Benefits or Aid for British Citizens in Spain:
UK expats in Spain may be eligible to receive certain benefits and assistance from both the UK government and the Spanish government.
- UK Benefits: UK citizens living in Spain may be eligible to receive certain UK benefits. The most common benefits that people in Spain receive from the UK are state pensions and sickness, disability, or carer’s allowances. You can find details of the UK benefits you may be entitled to and how to claim them on the UK government website.
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UK State Pension: If you have lived and worked in the UK or a spouse has done so, you may be entitled to a UK state pension. A person can claim the UK state pension while living in Spain.
To claim your pension, you can contact or send the international claim form to the International Pension Centre.
Your state pension can be paid into a bank in the country you live in or a bank or building society in the UK. You will be paid in the local currency and the amount you receive may change due to exchange rates. Your UK pension will be taxed as regular income in Spain at Spanish rates. - UK Benefits for Disability or Carer Support: If you moved to live in Spain before December 31, 2020, you could be entitled to one of the following UK allowances (among others) if you have a particular illness or disability, even if you are resident in Spain, such as Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance Care Component, Personal Independence Payment Living Component.
- Spanish Statutory Support: The Spanish Statutory Support provides healthcare, state pensions, unemployment benefits, disability benefits, and housing assistance to eligible residents, including UK citizens living in Spain.
- UK government guide about citizens rights: The UK government provides a guide on your rights after the UK’s exit from the EU , access to healthcare, how to get a legalized document, English-speaking lawyers, and how to vote abroad.
Do you have questions about tax obligations for UK expats in Spain? Talk to an expert here!
Requesting Spanish Nationality as a British Citizen
There are different ways to apply for Spanish Nationality if you are moving to Spain from UK, some of these methods are:
By residence:
This is the most common method. Generally, a period of legal residence in Spain of 10 years is required. However, this period is reduced to just 1 year for those who are married to a Spanish citizen or are widows of a Spanish citizen, or also for those who were born in Spain.
Grandchildren Law:
This law allows the grandchildren of those who lost or had to renounce Spanish nationality as a result of exile during the Spanish Civil War and the dictatorship to apply for Spanish nationality.
By Option:
This method applies to those who are or have been under the parental authority of a Spanish citizen. This means that if the children were already 18 years old or older at the time the father or mother obtained Spanish citizenship, this process would not be possible.
By Marriage:
Marrying a Spanish citizen can speed up the process of obtaining Spanish citizenship. Although marriage does not automatically grant citizenship, it reduces the required residence period from 10 years to just 1 year.
Do you still have questions about the immigration procedures you need to do in Spain? Talk to an expert here!
Professional Guidance
Whether you’re starting from scratch or need assistance with specific documents, our expert team efficiently manages each case, prioritizing their timely acquisition and minimizing potential risks in the application to get:
- Visas to travel to Spain.
- Residence permits.
- Legal immigration procedures.
- And many more!
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FAQ
General Info
The process for obtaining a visa to Spain can vary depending on the type of visa you need and your country of origin.
Generally, you’ll need to submit an application form, passport photos, a valid passport, demonstrate the absence of criminal records and have full health coverage in Spain.
You’ll also need to pay a fee and, in some cases, schedule an interview at the Spanish consulate or embassy in your home country.
Entre Trámites can assist you with the application process and ensure that all necessary documents are submitted correctly.
The documentation for a Spanish visa can vary depending on the type of visa you need. Some common requirements include a valid passport, proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay, and documentation of the purpose of your visit, such as a letter of invitation or proof of enrollment in a Spanish school.
We can help you determine the specific requirements for your visa and ensure that all necessary documents are submitted correctly.
If your visa application is denied, you may have the right to appeal the decision or reapply with additional documentation or information. Our team can assist you with this process and provide guidance on how to proceed.
However, please note that we cannot guarantee a successful outcome as the decision ultimately rests with the Spanish authorities.
The duration of a Spanish visa or residence permit varies depending on the type of permit or visa you are applying for.
Typically, visas for short-term stays in Spain are issued for up to 90 days, while long-term residence permits can be valid for up to two years initially and then renewed for subsequent periods.
Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and several other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
However, even if you are not required to obtain a visa, you may still need to meet certain entry requirements, such as having a valid passport and proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
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