Brexit: How to move to Spain from UK

Living in Spain is a real privilege: our climate, our beautiful cities, our natural spaces, our gastronomy and, in short, our quality of life, make us one of the main destinations that foreigners from all over the world choose to settle down.

Of course we all make mistakes, and in my opinion, Brexit is one of them, however, since it’s there we need to work around it.

One of the most asked questions after Brexit is: can I still move to Spain permanently? The answer is YES, you can, but regulations have changed.

When UK was part of Europe British expats could move freely, living and working in Spain without strict regulations. After Brexit, these freedoms ended.

So, what are the new regulations?

You need to have lived in Spain for 5 years before you apply for permanent residency. With this you will be able to live in Spain indefinitely without any immigration conditions, however, how do you enter in Spain in first instance? Brits have the following options:

• As a paid employee of a Spanish company

• As a self-employed person

• As a student

• As a family member/dependant of a Spanish resident

• To retire

In order to apply for one of those above you have different visa options:

1. Non-Lucrative Visa (Residency Visa)

2. Work Visa

3. Student Visa

4. Digital Nomad Visa

5. Investor Visa

6. Family Reunification Visa

Moving to Spain for Work as a paid employee

It is possible to move to Spain if you wish to work in the country as an employee of a Spanish company or to work on a self-employed basis.

Spanish authorities have announced that one of the following must apply if you wish to move to Spain as a worker:

• You are earning money through employment with a Spanish company

• You have at least £2,000 a month coming into your bank account.

  
  

It is important to note that if you will be employed by a Spanish company, they must complete your work and residence authorisation application on your behalf. You must then apply for the relevant visa from your local Spanish embassy.

If you wish to move to Spain as a worker and your family will be joining you, you will need to meet additional financial requirements. You will need to show that you have an extra £500 per month for each family member.

As an example, a family of five people would need an annual salary of £48,000 to be able to live in Spain.

Moving to Spain for work as a Self-Employed Person?

It is possible to move to Spain as a self-employed person either through registering as an ‘Autonomo’ or through registering your own limited company. In fact, more than three million people are currently registered as self-employed in Spain.

First of all, you will need to apply for work and residency permit from the Spanish embassy in the UK. When you apply for the permit, you will need to provide certain documents and information.

This might include:

• Evidence you have appropriate finances to invest in your business or to support yourself

• A business plan (if applicable)

• Proof that you have the skills and experience necessary to do the work

• Any contracts and/or commissions from companies

• Proof of no criminal record

• Proof of health insurance

• NIE

Moving to Spain to Study

For non-EU/EEA citizens wishing to study in Spain for periods of time longer than 90 days, they can apply for a Spanish Study visa.

This visa also covers training, internships and voluntary work.

A Study visa is not needed for study lasting 90 days or fewer.

Usually, you will need to provide the following information as part of your Study visa application:

• Valid, unexpired passport

• Recent passport size photo

• Signed and completed national visa application form

• Proof of acceptance for your study, training, volunteer activity or internship. For study, this must be from an authorised teaching centre for a full-time programme

• Proof that you can support yourself and any dependents financially while in Spain

• Proof of health insurance

• Medical exam certificate

• Criminal records certificate

If you obtain a residence permit/TIE card, you will be able to work in Spain for up to 20 hours per week.

Also, your spouse/civil partner and children who are under 18 can join you while you are studying in Spain if you have a Study Visa.

So, you made it to Spain,

What do I Need to Register to When I Arrive in Spain?

Once you finally made it into Spain, British citizens will need to follow this process:

• Book an appointment to get the NIE (Numero de Identificación de Extranjero) as soon as possible (or book this appointment before you travel to Spain)

• Obtain la "Tarjeta de Indentidad de Extranjero" (TIE Card)

• Register on the "padrón" municipal at the town hall

Please contact us for a free quote if you require any advice or help on any of the above