The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) allows UK nationals to live in Spain without working there. You must prove sufficient income from outside Spain — pension, rental income, dividends, investments. You cannot earn income from Spanish sources on this visa.
Income figures verified against official Spanish Embassy guidance (exteriores.gob.es) April 2026. Requirements reviewed annually.
Main applicant: approximately €2,400/month (or €28,800/year). Each additional dependent: approximately €600/month. These figures are based on IPREM (Spanish public income indicator) multiples and increase annually. Income must be demonstrably passive — pension, dividends, rental income, or investment returns. Remote employment income from a foreign employer is a grey area — some consulates accept it, others do not. The Digital Nomad Visa (see below) is a cleaner option for remote workers.
Valid passport (minimum 1 year validity beyond visa end date), criminal record certificate (apostilled), proof of income (bank statements showing consistent income, pension letters, investment statements), private health insurance with full cover in Spain (no co-payments, no deductibles), proof of accommodation in Spain (rental contract or property deed), completed visa application forms. Exact requirements vary by Spanish Consulate — the London Consulate processes UK national applications.
Apply at the Spanish Consulate in London (for UK nationals). Initial NLV valid for 1 year. Renew in Spain for 2-year periods. After 5 years, eligible for long-term residence. Citizenship eligibility after 10 years of legal residence (compared to Portugal's 5 years — a significant difference). Processing times at the London Consulate currently run several months — apply well in advance of your intended move date.
Spain launched a Digital Nomad Visa in 2023 for remote workers employed by companies outside Spain. Requires income of at least €2,646/month (200% of Spanish minimum wage). Allows working for both Spanish and foreign clients (up to 20% of income from Spanish clients). A cleaner option than trying to qualify the NLV on remote employment income.
This is general information only. Spanish tax is complex. Consult a qualified Spanish tax adviser (asesor fiscal) for advice specific to your situation.
Once you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, you become a Spanish tax resident — meaning your worldwide income is potentially subject to Spanish income tax. Spanish income tax rates are progressive and can be high for higher earners. This is a fundamental consideration before relocating — the NLV does not exempt you from Spanish tax once you become resident.
A special tax regime allowing qualifying individuals to be taxed as non-residents at a flat rate of 24% on Spanish-source income (rather than the higher progressive rates up to 47%). Available for the first 6 years of Spanish residency for those who qualify. Primarily relevant for those with a Spanish employment contract. Remote workers on the Digital Nomad Visa may qualify. Specific conditions apply — take specialist advice.
A Spanish bank account is required for paying rent, utilities and eventually for residency paperwork. Opening one requires your NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) — obtain this from a Spanish police station or consulate before or shortly after arrival.
The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is required before opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, or buying property. Apply at the Spanish Consulate in London before moving, or at a Policía Nacional office in Spain after arrival. Allow time — appointments can be weeks out.
The main Spanish banks. Santander has the best English-language service internationally. BBVA has a good digital app. CaixaBank has the widest branch network across Spain including rural areas. All require NIE and proof of address. Non-resident accounts available while awaiting residency — check with individual branches.
EUR-denominated Wise account essential for first weeks before your Spanish bank account is open. Spend in EUR at the mid-market rate everywhere.
Private health insurance with no co-payments or deductibles is mandatory for the NLV application. Spain has good public healthcare (Sistema Nacional de Salud) but access for non-EU nationals requires formal registration.
Once resident, you can supplement or replace international cover with local Spanish private health insurance (mutualidades), which is significantly cheaper — around €60–120/month — and gives access to Spain's extensive private hospital network.
Compare international health insurance →Movistar, Vodafone Spain and Orange are the main networks. Good coverage across major cities and coastal areas. Rural and inland areas can have gaps. UK nationals do not benefit from EU roaming deals post-Brexit.
Spain eSIM plans from around $5 for 3GB. Get data working immediately on arrival without hunting for a SIM — then switch to a local monthly plan once settled.
Get a Spain eSIM from Airalo (AD)Indicative figures for a single person. Barcelona and Madrid are the most expensive cities. The Costa del Sol, Valencia and inland cities are significantly cheaper. Figures in GBP at April 2026 rates.
There's a gap between arriving in a new country and getting long-term health insurance sorted. Travel insurance covers you in that window — and for trips back home, visits to neighbouring countries, and activity-based incidents that IPMI doesn't always cover. It's not a substitute for proper expat health cover but it fills the gap.
Designed specifically for travellers and new expats. Covers emergency medical, trip cancellation, adventure activities and personal liability. Available to residents of most countries. Get a quote online in minutes — cover can start immediately.
Travel insurance is not a substitute for international private medical insurance for long-term residents. See our health insurance comparison →
Most people moving abroad ship less than they expect and buy more locally than they planned. That said, some things are worth shipping — clothes for all climates, specialist equipment, sentimental items. Get multiple quotes before committing.
International removals by sea and air. Door-to-door service covering most of our destination countries. Competitive for partial loads. Quote online.
Get a removals quote (AD)Before booking a container, price up buying equivalent items at your destination. In Thailand and Malaysia, furniture and electronics are often cheaper locally. In UAE and Singapore, not so much. Ship what you can't replace, buy the rest.
A hire car is useful for your first weeks while you're finding your feet, viewing apartments and getting oriented. Longer term you'll work out whether you need your own vehicle — until then, hiring gives flexibility without commitment.
Compares rates from local and international car hire companies. Usually cheaper than booking direct. Includes free cancellation options on most bookings. Book in advance for best rates.
Spanish is required for the Non-Lucrative Visa renewal process and citizenship applications (A2 level minimum). Outside the expat enclaves of Barcelona and the Costa del Sol, English is less common than people expect. Starting before you arrive makes the first months considerably easier.
Structured daily lessons built around conversational Spanish. 15 minutes a day. Castilian Spanish (the Spanish spoken in Spain) is available — different pronunciation and some vocabulary from Latin American Spanish. Subscription with money-back guarantee.
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