What Changed After Brexit?
90-Day Rule & Visa Requirements
Since January 2021, British citizens are no longer EU citizens and can only stay in Spain visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period (the Schengen 90/180 rule). To live in Spain long-term, UK citizens must now apply for a Spanish residency visa — the same as non-EU nationals. Those who registered as residents before December 2020 retain their pre-Brexit rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Visa Options for British Citizens
Digital Nomad Visa
If you work remotely for non-Spanish employers or clients, the Digital Nomad Visa is your best option — it allows you to work legally, grants access to the Beckham Law's 24% flat tax rate, and is renewable long-term.
Non-Lucrative Visa
For retirees and those with passive income (UK pension, investments, rental income from UK properties), the Non-Lucrative Visa is the most popular post-Brexit route. Around 50,000 British nationals live in Valencia on this visa.
Golden Visa
For those investing €500,000+ in Spanish property. See our Golden Visa guide.
Pre-Move Checklist
ACRO Police Certificate
Required for all Spanish long-stay visa applications. Apply via acro.police.uk. Standard processing: 10 working days. The certificate must be apostilled — UK apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Allow 3–6 weeks total.
UK Pension & State Benefits Abroad
Notify the UK pension authority (DWP) of your move abroad. UK State Pension continues to be paid overseas — and crucially, living in Spain means your pension receives the triple lock uprating (unlike some other countries where it's frozen). Set up international payment arrangements before you leave.
NHS to Spanish Healthcare (S1 Form)
If you receive a UK State Pension, you may be entitled to an S1 form from the NHS, which entitles you to Spanish public healthcare funded by the UK. Apply via HMRC/DWP before leaving. This is one of the best-kept secrets for British retirees in Spain — it significantly reduces or eliminates the need for private insurance.
First Steps in Valencia
NIE, Padrón & TIE
Same process as all non-EU arrivals: get your NIE, register on the Padrón, then apply for your TIE (residency card) at the local Extranjería. With a Spanish long-stay visa, you have 30 days from arrival to begin this process.
Driving Licence Exchange
Post-Brexit, UK driving licences can be exchanged for a Spanish licence without taking a test — but the UK-Spain bilateral agreement for automatic exchange has not been restored post-Brexit. As of 2026, UK licence holders must take the Spanish theory and practical test to get a Spanish licence. You can drive on your UK licence for up to 6 months after becoming resident. Check the current DGT (Spanish traffic authority) rules as this is subject to ongoing negotiation.
Banking & Moving Your Money
Transfer large sums via Wise or CurrencyFair rather than bank-to-bank transfers to avoid poor exchange rates. Open a Spanish account at BBVA, Sabadell, or Bankinter — all have English-language services. Keep a UK account (Nationwide, Halifax, or Starling all offer good overseas access) for UK income, pension payments, and UK tax obligations.
Tax Implications for UK Expats
UK-Spain Double Tax Treaty
The UK-Spain Double Taxation Convention ensures you don't pay full tax on the same income in both countries. UK State Pension is taxable only in Spain (as your country of residence). UK government service pensions (civil service, military, NHS) are taxable only in the UK. Private pensions are generally taxable in Spain as your resident country.
Modelo 720 — Foreign Asset Declaration
As a Spanish tax resident with UK assets (pension pots, bank accounts, property) exceeding €50,000 per category, you must file Modelo 720 by March 31 each year. This trips up many British expats — get professional advice before your first Spanish tax return.