Retirement abroad is increasingly popular with around 247,000 British ex-pats having their pension paid overseas. Of those pensioners choosing to live abroad, Spain is by far the most popular destination, with 121,000 of which choosing Andalusia rather than Andover.
Although many dream of constant sunshine, brilliant food and vibrant festivals – it’s not as easy as simply packing up and moving over. For Brits looking for a taste of Spanish culture, the rules have changed now that the UK is no longer a member of the EU, making the process more onerous.
Why Spain is an attractive place for Briton’s retirees?
Spain continually makes up a key retirement hotspot for Brits looking to spend their senior years soaking up a different culture. Not as far away from family and friends in the UK, Spain has it’s benefits, including:
- Year-round sun – with the British summer being unpredictable at best, for sun-worshippers Spain offers a bountiful supply of sunny days throughout the year. With temperatures in July averaging 26 degrees Celsius, it’s not hard to see why Spain is so popular.
- Outstanding beauty – although sadly, much of Spain’s coastal resorts have been overdeveloped, Spain still boasts many beautiful yet undiscovered towns. From the mountains of Los Mallos to Mijas in Andalusia – there are plenty of places that still yield authentic Spanish charm.
- A low-cost place to retire – although more expensive now than it once was, Spain is still an affordable place to live with the cost of amenities such as food, property and petrol lower than that of the UK.
All of this combined with the traditional laid-back pace of Spanish life makes Spain a perfect place to retire.
What are the main procedures to consider for your retirement in Spain as a British Citizen?
Now that the UK is no longer part of the EU, Brits are now subject to the same rules as other non-EU citizens. Therefore, it’s recommended to seek expert legal advice who can advise on retirement procedures post-Brexit for the best chance of visa success.
Nowadays you can stay for 90 days without a visa, but you cannot stay for more than 90 every 180 days.
For British nationals who wish to retire in Spain, there are a few options to pick from. The first option is to opt for a non-lucrative visa. These are for those who wish to retire or work in Spain and can show evidence of income sufficient to support your family and have private medical care.
For this type of visa, you must first apply at a Spanish consulate in the UK and be presented by the applicant. This must then be approved or rejected before you can move to Spain.
Golden visas on the other hand are for those with money to invest in property and other investments. This type of visa can be renewed every two years and after five years you can gain permanent residency, with the option to become a citizen after ten years.
The application for a golden visa is like that of a non-lucrative visa, except you will need to purchase real estate worth a minimum of $500,000 and you do not need to apply in your country of origin.
If you’re thinking of retiring in Spain, the good news is that it’s relatively easy to do with the right expert advice. Make sure to hire a legal expert and before you know it, you too could be enjoying paella and Rioja in your new country of residence.