Sun, sea and the largest British retiree community in Europe
Key facts at a glance
Non-Lucrative Visa: 400% of IPREM = €2,400/month / €28,800 a year (≈£24,400) per applicant (Real Decreto 557/2011, Art. 47)
+100% IPREM (€600/month) per dependant — couples need roughly €36,000/year
TIE residence card (not the older green NIE certificate) since July 2020
Modelo 720 / 721: declare overseas assets above €50,000 by 31 March each year
Golden Visa abolished 3 April 2025 under Ley Orgánica 1/2025 — retirees use NLV instead
Monthly cost of living
Typical monthly outlay for a single retiree, in pounds.
Category
£ / month
Rent (1-bed apartment)
£700
Groceries
£240
Utilities (electric, water, internet)
£120
Local transport
£50
Healthcare (private cover or co-pays)
£100
Leisure (dining, entertainment, travel)
£290
Total (single)
£1,500
Total (couple, typical)
£2,300
Retirement visa: Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV / Visado de Residencia No Lucrativa)
Apply in person at the Spanish consulate in the UK with proof of 400% IPREM passive income (€2,400/month / €28,800/year for 2026), private health insurance, and a clean criminal record.
Minimum monthly income£2,040+
Processing time1–3 months at the consulate
RenewableYes — renewed after 1 year, then for 2-year periods. Permanent after 5 years.
How to apply
Obtain comprehensive private health insurance valid in Spain (no co-pays)
Compile pension statements proving ~£24,000+ annual income
Apostille and translate UK criminal-record check (ACRO)
Submit visa application in person at the London or Manchester consulate
Within 30 days of arrival in Spain, apply for TIE residence card at police station
Tax on your UK pension
Pension tax rateSpanish income-tax progressive rates (19–47%) apply to worldwide income including pension once resident >183 days/year.
Special regimeStandard tax residency
UK double-tax treatyYes — UK / Spain DTT in force; UK pensions taxed only in Spain for tax residents (with some exceptions for UK government service pensions).
Wealth tax applies in most regions above ~£600k of worldwide assets. The Beckham Law special regime does not apply to retirees.
Healthcare for UK retirees
Public systemSistema Nacional de Salud (SNS)
UK S1 form eligibleYes
Typical private cover~£70/month
S1 holders register with the Spanish INSS to receive a healthcare card (TSE). Free GP and hospital access on the same terms as Spanish nationals.
Pros and cons
Pros
Largest British community of any country (300,000+)
World-class public healthcare with S1 reciprocity
Extensive direct flights from every UK regional airport
Established expat infrastructure on Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol
Cons
NLV income threshold is high — ~£24k per applicant per year
Cannot legally work or freelance on the NLV
Mandatory full private health insurance for the first 1–5 years
Wealth tax in most regions above ~£600k
Where British retirees settle in Spain
Costa Blanca (Alicante, Torrevieja)
£1500/mo · Largest British community in Spain
English everywhere, low summer humidity, direct flights to most UK airports.
Costa del Sol (Málaga, Marbella)
£1700/mo · Sunny year-round, more international
Mildest winters in mainland Europe, 320+ sunny days.
Tenerife / Gran Canaria
£1500/mo · Subtropical year-round, very British
Average winter temperature 21°C, no winter heating bills, large UK community in the south of each island.
Valencia region (inland)
£1200/mo · Lower cost, more authentically Spanish
Real Spanish villages, lower rents, still 80 minutes from a major airport.
Frequently asked questions about retiring in Spain
How much pension do I need for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa?
Spain requires proof of passive income at 400% of the Spanish IPREM (public income index). At the 2026 IPREM that works out to roughly £24,000 per year for a single applicant, plus 25% per dependant. The full new UK State Pension alone (£11,500/year) is not enough — you'll need an additional private pension or proof of savings income.
Can I use the NHS in Spain on holiday after I move?
Yes — your UK GHIC card covers necessary care during visits back to the UK if you're a Spanish resident with an S1. For routine care while resident in Spain, you'll use the Spanish SNS via your S1 registration.
Do I have to give up my UK citizenship to retire in Spain?
No. You keep British citizenship and your UK passport. After 10 years of legal residence you can apply for Spanish citizenship if you wish, but it requires renouncing British citizenship (which Spain does not always enforce in practice for UK applicants over a certain age).
People also ask
How much income do I need for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa in 2026?+
€28,800 per year (400% of IPREM) for a single applicant, plus €7,200 per dependant (100% of IPREM each), evidenced by 12 months of bank statements and DWP pension letters.
Do I lose NHS access if I move to Spain?+
Yes — but you replace it with Spain's Sistema Nacional de Salud. Request an S1 form from HMRC's Overseas Healthcare Service and register it with INSS within 3 months of arrival; the UK funds your Spanish public cover at no cost to you.
Can I work part-time on the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa?+
No. The NLV explicitly bans employment or self-employment in Spain. You must show all qualifying income is passive — pensions, rentals, dividends or investment income.
Sources & last reviewed
Last full editorial review: 13 June 2026. We refresh figures and visa rules annually against the following authorities.