Hello Everybody !

Hello Mark,

That's quite a wide ranging information request. I would suggest that you may need to narrow your research by looking at a specific area and the pros and cons of moving there.

You have done a fair bit of research....what areas come to mind? Have you visited anywhere? What are your reasons for relocating?

There is plenty of information within the Forum, and lots of people willing to offer advice.

All the best.

Frank

Moving to Spain: “Stolen from an other forum”

There are even bigger issues than that about Brits moving to Spain now...

The opportunity for UK citizens not already living in Spain to apply for Spanish Residencia via the EU citizens route finally ended on 31.12.20.

From 1.1.21 onwards if it is your intention to come to live in Spain (rather than simply visit the Schengen zone for the "up to 90 days in any running 180 day period" time limit that applies to all non-EU citizens) you must now BEFORE YOU COME first apply from within the UK to the Spanish Consulate in London (or Edinburgh), for the required pre-entry visa.

That's either a "Non-Lucrative Visa" under which you can temporarily reside in Spain for up to 12 months whilst you make your Residencia application, but which forbids any working for income (non refundable application fee currently £516 per person); or if you have a formal Spanish job offer in writing then a "Work Visa" (non refundable application fee £410).

One of the conditions of being granted a Non-Lucrative Visa is that you can show the Consulate proof of the minimum regular monthly income per applicant required by the Spanish Consulate (which they require you to have in order that you can support yourselves whilst in Spain and so not become a burden on Spanish taxpayers) .

There are several other requirements, including a criminal records check report, and proof of full-cover private Spanish medical insurance for the period of the visa, etc. Any supporting documents not in Spanish will need to be Apostiled and translated into Spanish by an official Translator

I would very VERY strongly advise you to make your pre-entry Visa application through a specialist lawyer, as if any part of your application does not meet the requirements your entire application will be rejected and your application fee lost.

You must have obtained that approved pre-entry visa BEFORE you then come to Spain, as it is that visa which gives you permission to reside temporarily in Spain whilst you then obtain and submit all your formal Residencia process documents etc.

Be aware that then once in Spain, as part of your Non-EU citizen Spanish Residencia application, as well as showing the approved Pre-entry Visa which allowed you to enter the country to live temporarily, you will need to show Spanish bank statements etc proof that you have brought into Spain a minimum of at least 4 x "IPREM" to support yourself, or documented proof you are earning more than that in Spain.

If you are bringing any other family members with you, then you must add at least 1 x IPREM for each of them.

This "IPREM" amount increased on 1.1.21. by 5% for year 2021 and is now 6772 euros.

So you will need to bring into Spain a MINIMUM approx 27,500 euros with you, plus 6,772 euros for each of any other family members, to qualify as financially self-supporting to obtain Spanish Residencia.

As part of your Residencia application you must also show proof that you've taken out at least an annual full, all-conditions-covered Spanish private health insurance policy (including cover for any pre existing conditions), for each person you are bringing in. Such a Spanish medical insurance policy is not cheap... perhaps at least 2,000 euros per person, and potentially much, much more in case of significant medical existing conditions.

There is also plenty of other bureaucracy on top of these big initial issues, including the requirement to take a Spanish driving test (in Spanish) as your (non-EU) UK driving licence ceases to be valid for use in Spain after you've lived there for 6 months.

More info here...

http://extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es/.../hoja010/index.html

And here....

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/.../Consulado/Pages/Visas.aspx

an other hurdle:

https://murciatoday.com/brexit-collides-with-1975-military-law-in-spain-british-housebuyers-must-now-obtain-military-permit_1552969-a.html

Adding to eraser's excellent post ... and in order to manage your expectations ...

You will not qualify for Spanish NHS. In order to gain Residency/TIE (i.e. to get a visa), you will need private health insurance (PHI). If you have a pre-existing medical condition, the costs might be prohibitive. 

I say this not to deter you or to upset you, but to suggest you need to do a bit of homework on PHI before you get too invested in your plan.

Best wishes 

There is another Spanish residencia  alternative, which is not often mentioned which is become an 'autonomo'. That is a self employed business person, operating in Spain but with income perhaps coming for a range of international sources.

That works particularly well if you have been already working remotely in the UK. Typically this works for IT, sales, writing, graphic arts and a range of online service providers/contractors. 

Internet line speeds are high in Spain, so many people can operate here, just as well as they could in Manchester or London. The only difference is its warmer, the food is great and its much cheaper to live.

For a non-Eu, that is third country visa is not fast, you need to show a robust business plan with evidence of likely success etc. and sufficient funds to establish the business,  to meet the  income levels required (currently income levels currently €26k, 32k etc.  Plus the medical certificates, Police reports, private health insurance for first year etc.

However for many people facing retirement and a high British income barrier for a non-working visa, some ongoing part time work may deliver a route to Residencia. 

Hi Mark,

As you can see from the (excellent) replies so far there is alot to moving out here and alot to undo if you get things wrong so our advice would be to take your time and do your research before buying. 

My wife and I bought our home on the Mar Menor Golf Resort 4 years ago as a holiday home and came out here for extended holidays until we fully retired last September, sold our house in the UK and are giving things a go over here.. We applied for our residencias in December and they are currently being processed and we are learning Spanish (slowly... :-) ).

We love the Mar Menor area and there is lots to do here. Even if you are not a golfer it is definitely worth looking at golf resorts, alot of non golfers live on them and as with everything there are alot of pros and cons, its just a case of what you want and your priorities. On the Mar Menor we have padel tennis courts, which is a great game and a good way to meet people and socialise, a hotel (hopefully opening again soon....) with several restaurants and just outside we have The Boulevard which is a large development of apartments above restaurants and shops which is a lovely place to walk over to and have a meal or drink. Also crazy golf and games centre plus gym. When you do come over you could do alot worst than spending a couple of nights in the hotel and checking the place out.

What we would suggest is that you come over for an extended period first and rent somewhere to find out if it is for you. Things over here are quite different to the UK and it has taken us some time to adjust but we love it here, as do our two grown up kids who can't wait to come back out here for a holiday when they are allowed.

Our nearest coastal town is Los Alcazares and we visit the beaches and sea front there whenever we can (we are in the Torre Pacheco area so we are covid confined to the region so cannot at the moment). It has a nice centre with alot of restuarants which under "normal" circumstances is pretty vibrant. It's worth a look but as with anywhere in the Mar Menor area just check if there have been any issues with flooding before you buy.

The cost of living debate is forever running on, it depends upon your lifestyle and what and where you buy things plus exchange rate etc. On balance we reckon it is about the same as when we were back in the UK (Shropshire) with some things more expensive and some things less.

Would we recommend the area and move here again if we were starting afresh, yes!!!

We have alot of frienfds on the MM Golf Resort who are here on their own and are very happy here.

Good luck and hope you find somewhere, it's a great life out here but just make sure it really is for you. 

Don't forget you will need private medical insurance. I am the same age as you and it cost me just under 1000E for a year for a qualifying policy for residencia....Also get advice on how to handle your pension(s)...

Also, think about timing

- when you sell your UK home

- when you buy your Spanish home

- when you become tax-resident in Spain

- the cutover process between being taxed in the UK and being taxed in Spain.

There is a lot of money to be lost by getting those things wrong.

We are moving out permanently to Mar de Cristal we love it there, it has a fantastic beach and small marina, it is also near Los Belones town which has everything and La Manga Golf where you will find lots of bars and restaurants.

Good luck in your search, I also know a very good British estate agent should you need any help.

Further to my original post I have found a place that looks interesting - Can any body give me their opinions on La Manga del Mar Menor please ? - All help appreciated !

How about doing what we used to do.  We overwintered in Los Alcazares every year.

Then spent some of summer here too.  The final two years we actually rented out

our UK house and the money more than paid for our winter stays.

Under this 90 days rule.  You can come for 90 days.  Go back for 90 days and

then return for 90 days!  So 6 months here and 6 months home.  Sometimes

half a cake is better than none.

We made the leap for residency last June though as we knew after Dec 31 things

would be more difficult!   Luckily for us, everything worked out well.