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The Daily Insight

Can UK citizens get residency in Spain?

Author

Andrew Mclaughlin

Published May 14, 2026

Towards the end of 2020, the Spanish government created a new type of residency. A special type of residence permit for UK citizens living in Spain.

How long can I stay in Spain if I live in the UK?

UK citizens in Spain will be able to remain for a period of 3 months at a time, staying longer than this will require a visa. To spend more than 90 days in Spain in a period of 6 months Brits will need to acquire a Spanish Schengen visa.

What will happen if you own a holiday home in Spain after Brexit?

British landlords will still be able to rent out their property after Brexit. EU and non-EU in Spain can freely let properties to holidaymakers and on a long-term basis. It is likely that tax on rental income will rise from 19% (the amount paid by EU citizens) to around 24% (the amount paid by non-EU citizens).

Can British citizens live in Spain after Brexit?

Britain and Spain have mutually agreed that their citizens can stay living in each other’s countries post-Brexit, however, it is important that the correct application process be undertaken to obtain legal permission. The Spanish government have produced a document giving more information about residency post-Brexit.

Can British citizens retire to Spain?

British citizens do not need to apply for a visa but are subject to the same rules. Thus Brits or other Non-EU citizens wishing to retire to Spain will generally need to apply for a Golden Visa or a Non-Lucrative Visa if they wish to stay long term in Spain.

How can I get permanent residency in Spain?

For the permanent residency, you just need 5 years of residence in the country; whereas to obtain the Spanish citizenship you need to have lived in Spain for 10 years. Bear in mind that some individuals from certain countries do require less than 10 years if there is any treatment between both countries.

How long can UK resident stay in Spain?

UK citizens in Spain will be able to remain for a period of 3 months at a time, staying longer than this will require a visa. To spend more than 90 days in Spain in a period of 6 months Brits will need to acquire a Spanish Schengen visa. This can be obtained from a Spanish embassy or consulate in UK.

How long can Spanish residents stay in UK?

Britons Will Be Able to Stay in Their Spanish Homes for 90/180 Days at Most.

How long can Brits stay in Spain after Brexit?

Do British pensioners get free healthcare in Spain?

Once you reach UK state pension age, you can apply for a Form S1 that entitles you to free state healthcare in Spain. Remember, if you have a Form S1, the UK National Health Service foots the bill for your healthcare in Spain, which means you cannot register for healthcare as a Spanish resident.

What happens to Brits living in Spain after Brexit?

If you are a British person who spends your holidays in Spain, or otherwise visits the country for short periods of time then very little will change about the way you enter or exit the EU: if you spend less than 90 days in Spain over the course of 6 months then you will not be impacted by entrance or exit visa …

Can a UK citizen apply for permanent residency in Spain?

On the other hand, there was the case of those UK citizens who had been living in Spain for 5 years already. In that case, they had two options: After those 5 years, the UK citizen had already obtained their EU permanent residency card.

Can a British citizen get an investment visa in Spain?

Investment Visa for Spanish Residency. British citizen / UK nationals can obtain a Spanish residency visa under the Spain’s Investment Permit Program. More commonly known as the ‘Golden Visa’, it allows investors and their families who meet the requirements to secure Spanish residency by investing in Spain.

Can a British citizen still live in Spain after Brexit?

On the other hand, and despite being in the country for the same amount of time, they are still with a temporary residency. In both cases, the British expat could obtain this new type of residence permit, and it will last for 10 years. In the first scenario, the transition is straightforward.

Can a British citizen travel to Spain as a tourist?

If the Spanish resident family member is a national of an EU country, or British citizen / UK national with protected rights under the Withdrawal agreement, then the UK family member joining them, can travel to Spain as a tourist, but must apply for Spanish residency within three months of arrival.