Spanish visas for British citizens: An overview

While the UK was still a European Union (EU) member State, British citizens could live and work freely in any of the other 27 countries in the bloc, including Spain, with relatively few, if any, restrictions. You can still move to an EU country even after Brexit, but the process is much tighter and requirements more difficult to meet. And, for the first time in nearly 40 years, you will need a visa to do so.

Needing a visa to move to an EU country is completely new and unknown territory for British citizens, but without one, you would be in breach of immigration laws after 90 consecutive days, which could have serious consequences – so you should make sure you plan ahead and get yours in good time. Here is a brief outline of how visas work.

Does every UK national need a visa to move to Spain?

Yes, unless they hold joint nationality with an EU member State. Unlike before Brexit, UK citizens now wishing to move to any EU country, including Spain, must apply for a visa. The same is true even if you do not intend to live there permanently, but want to stay for more than 90 days. Note that this does not apply to British nationals already living in Spain prior to 2021, who will never need a visa if they hold legal residence status.

I own a holiday home in Spain. Will I still need a visa to live in it?

Yes, you will still need a visa if you want to move into your home in Spain permanently, or to stay in it for more than 90 days in any 180-day period, unless you already had some form of residency in Spain before the year 2021.

How do I get a visa?

Before making the move to Spain, you need to apply for a visa at the Spanish Consulate in the UK. This has branches in London, Edinburgh and Manchester. Allow yourself plenty of time to do so before you even start the moving process: It can take up to eight months for the procedure to be completed, and longer still if your application is declined and you decide to appeal.

Are there different types of visa I can apply for?

You will need to be very clear in your mind how you want your life in Spain to pan out once you're there. Do you still need to work, or will you be able to retire? If you are still working, do you have a job in the UK you can continue to do remotely, or will you need to find employment, become self-employed, or open a business on Spanish territory? Or perhaps you want to take a college or university course in Spain and then decide your next step once you are already in the country.

These are the visas currently available:

• Residence and work visa (visado de trabajo y residencia). This is explained in greater detail in our article Working in Spain after Brexit.
• Student visa (visado de estudios), which is only valid for the length of the approved educational or vocational training course you plan to undertake. If you still want to live in Spain after this has finished, you will need to apply for another type of visa.
• Residence visa (visado de residencia), sometimes called a 'Non-Lucrative Visa'. This is suitable for those planning to retire to Spain, or dependent immediate family members (including spouses and unmarried cohabiting partners) to join existing residents in Spain. A residence-only visa does not allow you to carry out any paid work, even remote work for a UK company. But you can still do volunteer or charity work, as you are not getting paid for it. You can read more on the requirements in our article What visa do I need to retire in Spain?
• Digital nomad visa. This is a relatively new concept being devised by Spanish immigration authorities, and is currently valid for up to three years for those already working for a company outside of Spain or self-employed with existing freelance work.

Much has changed, as a result of Brexit, for Britons wanting to move to EU countries, of which Spain is by far one of the most popular destinations for UK citizens seeking to emigrate to the continent. An overview of visas you might be able to apply for before making the decision to head for southern shores can be found in our article Visas for Spain: A comprehensive guide.