Moving to Spain

Gaining "Residency" here (the right of long-term abode) is a bit more tricky now. But Spain is still a great place to retire to.

Initially, you can't come for >90 days. So plan to come here, get familiar with what's what, and maybe arrange to rent long-term, or to buy a home. Then sort out a solicitor here to do all the legal stuff while concurrently applying for your Non-Lucrative Residence Visa.

The hurdles to obtaining this visa have become higher, as Brits are now treated like any other non-EU citizens.

Nobody has gone through this new process yet, but on paper the requirements are ...

- demonstrable income of around 28k Euros per year for one, or 33k Euros/year for a couple (with, potentially, the need to repeat the demonstration once or twice of during the first 5 years of Residency)

- healthcare (usually around 2k to 2.5K Euros/year for a retirement age couple without serious pre-existing conditions)

- a medical report showing no illnesses of "public concern"

- a criminal record check 

Worth checking you can meet these criteria before getting too emotionally invested in the idea.

Will has put it well but you should look at taxes. Once you are tax-resident you must declare all your income world-wide to the Spanish tax office. You must also declare on Form 720 all assets held outside Spain worth over 50,000 Euros. the 50k applies to all sums in the same category, that is for example 6 pension pots worth 10k each cannot be treated as if they are below declaration level. All assets such as luxury cars, houses etc must be declared. You do this initially each year (separate from income tax declaration).

Fines for non-declaration are hefty, although the tax may not be.

On a different subject are you prepared to become fairly competent in Spanish? There are interpreters but in emergency situations these are not instantly available, and you will not find every police officer, medical worker, builder et al prepared or able to communicate with you. You can start lessons years before you come in preparation, and it is in my view essential even if you intend only to go to Brit-friendly places or watch UK tv (while this is still possible).

Thank you for the information it at least this gives us important things to look at, we are planning to take Spanish lessons so hopefully will have a good basic knowledge of understanding, we were hoping to come over on a fee visits this year but who knows what covid brings, There is always the chance if Ms Sturgeon get her way we maybstill be in the EU 🤷‍♀️ 

Hi we have not been on here either but can anyone advise if buying on the Sector D area of Camposol is a good idea knowing all the negative views that are out there.  Thank you 😊

PeterC is right. My wife and I have company pensions (we're not old enough yet for the UK State Pension). We pay significantly more tax in Spain then in the UK.

..... we are also thinking about relocating our UK home to Scotland ...

Well, I live on D27. I love it. Views of hills, very very quiet.  You would need to drive, or be very fit and cycle. There is a community  bus, and food can be delivered, but all bars and restaurants  are on B or A or further , so for convenience  a car is necessary. 

The big question is not whether you should buy on Camposol or Torre Golf or wherever, but should you buy anywhere in Spain.

Thank you for your comment so please can you advise whether buying in Spain is advisable please. We still have a property in the UK but would like to obtain residency in Spain. Does anyone know whether this is possible, Thank you 😊

Yes, but much harder than it was. Scroll back and read Will60 and PeterC. Also I am not sure how long you can use your driving licence. 90 days I know  but not sure after. Also do not forget you will have to buy your medication in full. For example  my partner has diabetes and had a heart attack 20 years ago. His medication would cost €200 per month.