What are the requirements for retiring to Spain?

The requirements for retiring in Spain will first depend on whether you are a European Union (EU) citizen or not.

If you are an EU citizen, it is relatively straightforward to retire in Spain as you won’t need a visa to live in Spain. But if you plan to stay in Spain for more than 3 months a year you will need to apply for a residence document confirming your right to live in the country.

However, if you are a non-EU citizen, you will need to apply for a residence visa to stay in Spain for longer than 3 months and, consequently, apply for a residence permit. In both cases, you are not required to speak Spanish or take any language exam for Spanish residency. This is, however, a requirement if you decide to apply for Spanish nationality. That said, we strongly advise you to start learning the language, as it will help you enjoy Spain even more.

There are two main options when looking at retirement visas in Spain. Let’s look at the requirements for both scenarios:

What are the requirements for EU citizens retiring to Spain?

As an EU national, during the first 90 days of your stay in Spain, it is not necessary to apply for any visa or residence document. However, after 3 months in Spain, if you wish to stay, you will be required to register your residence with the relevant authority, Oficina de Extranjeros, or the Immigration Office. In order to do this, you will need to book an appointment online.

Once you have your appointment, you will need to bring along the following documentation:

• A census certificate (Certificado de Empadronamiento) from your local council. It is commonly known as 'El Padrón'. This effectively certifies where you live. Find out how to apply for your Padrón here.
• Passport or ID card
• A completed Model EX-18, as well as a copy.
• Receipt of payment for the Tax 790 fee - stamped by the bank.
• Evidence of full health insurance for the duration of your stay in Spain or proof of eligibility for Spain’s public health system. To get a better understanding of Spain's healthcare requirements and how to access free healthcare, please read this article.
• Evidence that you can support yourself without government help. This can be through income or savings, for example. You must prove you have the minimum required funds to live in Spain. This is based on the annual income index called the IPREM which in 2023 is stipulated at €600 a month or €7200 a year after tax.

Once you have completed your registration and presented all the necessary documents, you will be given an EU Registry Certificate. This document certifies your right to continue living in Spain indefinitely. Your registration certificate will be issued on the same day and will include your NIE number (Numero de Indentification Extranjero). It does not need to be renewed, however, if you do change your address this needs to be reported to the local authorities. It is important to remember once you register for this certificate you will be considered a tax resident in Spain as the address you provide will be considered your main address.

What are the requirements for NON-EU citizens retiring to Spain?

Non-EU citizens will need to choose between two visa options. Either the 'Investor visa', commonly referred to as the ‘Golden Visa’, or the Non-lucrative Visa, commonly referred to as the ‘Retirement Visa’. The latter being the more popular choice.

Both visas allow you to live in Spain and travel freely to other EU or EEA countries without any restrictions. And both visas allow you to bring your family with you too. However, each visa has its own particular requirements.

The main difference between them is that the Investor Visa requires a minimum investment in Spain of €500,000 in property. There are alternative investment routes such as buying shares in a Spanish company, but property is the most common route.

The non-lucrative visa requires you to prove an annual income of 4 times the public income index IPREM. This in 2023 is set at €600 a month or €7200 a year, after tax. For one retiree you would need to provide evidence of €28,800 in annual net income. For every extra person you bring with you, you will need to add an additional €7,200 (IPREM x 1). Income can come from a variety of sources such as pensions, savings, dividends, rental income, or any other means. In addition to this, you will also need to contract private medical insurance for your first year of residency as well as present a series of documents. Amongst others, these include a medical certificate and a criminal record certificate to ensure you are not a danger to the population.

To get a full breakdown of what is needed to apply for both visas, please read our article here. It's important to note that the requirements for living in Spain can change. Therefore, it's highly recommended to verify the latest information with the Spanish consulate in your country of origin before taking the next steps.

If you have read this article it's because you have been thinking about retiring to Spain, and as you have learned it is not very complicated. With the right financial planning and a little bit of luck, you could be enjoying your golden years in paradise in no time at all!