One of the questions we hear all the time is: can British citizens still move to Spain after Brexit? The short answer is yes.
Brexit changed the process, but it did not close the door. British nationals can still make Spain their home; there is simply more paperwork involved and, for longer stays, you need to choose the visa or residence route that fits your circumstances.
Before Brexit, British citizens benefited from EU freedom of movement. That meant living in Spain could be relatively straightforward. Today, UK nationals who are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement are generally treated as non-EU nationals, so it is important to understand the difference between visiting Spain and actually living here.
The 90/180-day rule
For a normal visit, British citizens can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen area in any rolling 180-day period without obtaining a visa. That works well for holidays, shorter stays and property-viewing trips.
However, if your plan is to spend most of the year in Spain, relocate permanently or establish your main home here, you will normally need an appropriate Spanish visa or residence authorisation.
This is where some of the post-Brexit confusion comes from. The 90-day rule has not made moving to Spain impossible; it simply means that moving and visiting are now two different things.
So, what are the options?
There is no single visa that suits everybody. The right route depends on factors such as whether you intend to work, where your income comes from and what you plan to do while living in Spain.
The good news is that there are several routes available to British citizens, including options for people who are financially self-sufficient, remote workers and those moving to Spain for employment or self-employment.
The non-lucrative visa
The non-lucrative visa is a well-known option for people who want to live in Spain without carrying out work or professional activity. Applicants need to demonstrate sufficient and guaranteed financial means to support themselves.
It can therefore be relevant to retirees and others who have the necessary resources and do not intend to work while resident in Spain.
An important point is that this is not a work permit. If your plan is to continue working remotely from Spain, you should not assume that the non-lucrative route is appropriate simply because your employer or clients are based in Britain.
The digital nomad visa
For people who can work remotely, Spain's digital nomad visa provides a very different route. It is designed for international remote workers who use digital or telecommunications systems to work for companies or employers outside Spain.
There are specific eligibility requirements, including professional experience or qualifications, and the rules differ depending on whether you are employed or self-employed. For the right applicant, though, it has created a practical route for combining a career based elsewhere with residence in Spain.
Working or running a business in Spain
There are also routes for people taking employment in Spain or planning to become self-employed here. These have their own requirements and are separate from the non-lucrative and digital nomad options.
This is why it is worth getting proper immigration advice before making major decisions. Two British buyers looking at very similar homes could need completely different residence arrangements depending on their work and financial circumstances.
Buying a property and becoming resident are separate issues
Another useful distinction is between buying property in Spain and obtaining the right to live here. Purchasing a home does not, by itself, remove the immigration requirements that apply to British nationals.
That does not mean you need to have every detail of residency completed before you begin looking at property. Many buyers start exploring areas and viewing homes while they investigate the route that will work for them. What matters is understanding both sides of the move rather than assuming the property purchase itself provides residency.
Brexit changed the paperwork, not the appeal
It is easy to focus on what changed after Brexit, but the fundamental reasons British people choose Spain have not disappeared. The climate, outdoor lifestyle, food, culture and quality of life remain every bit as attractive.
For many people, the move simply requires more planning than it once did. Instead of packing the car and deciding to stay indefinitely, you need to think ahead about residency, healthcare, finances, tax and the practicalities of establishing yourself in Spain.
None of that means the dream is over. It means the dream now comes with an application form.
Planning a move to Spain?
If Spain is becoming more than a holiday destination for you, start by understanding which residence route matches your circumstances and take professional advice where needed.
Once you know how you can live here legally, the much more enjoyable question begins: where in Spain do you actually want to call home?
At Hackett Estates, we can help with the property side of that decision, from understanding the local market to finding a home that works for the way you want to live. Brexit may have changed the route to Spain, but British buyers can absolutely still make the move.