Since Brexit, British citizens are no longer EU nationals. That means if you want to live, work, or retire in Spain for more than 90 days, you’ll need a visa.
And here’s where it gets complicated—Spain has multiple visa types, each with its own rules, costs, and limitations.
This guide breaks it all down, so you know which visa fits your situation—and how to go from temporary visa to permanent residency to full Spanish citizenship.
Which Spanish Visa is Right for You?
Not all visas are created equal. It all depends on why you’re moving.
📌 Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) – Best for Retirees & Passive Income Earners
✔️ Who it’s for?
- Retirees with pensions or private income.
- Passive income earners (rental income, dividends, investments).
- Anyone who doesn’t need to work in Spain.
✔️ Key Requirements
- Must prove financial stability: at least €28,800 per year (€2,400 per month).
- No working in Spain (but remote work for non-Spanish companies is allowed).
- Private health insurance required.
💰 Visa Cost: €500-€700 (depends on consulate).
📆 Processing Time: 2-4 months.
🛂 Renewable? Yes—one year, then every two years.
🔹 Best for: UK retirees and expats with passive income who want to live in Spain long-term without working.
📌 Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) – Best for Remote Workers & Freelancers
✔️ Who it’s for?
- Remote workers employed by non-Spanish companies.
- Freelancers & digital entrepreneurs earning from overseas clients.
✔️ Key Requirements
- Must show a monthly income of €2,520+ (or €30,240 per year).
- Income must come from non-Spanish clients.
- Health insurance & clean criminal record required.
💰 Visa Cost: €300-€400.
📆 Processing Time: 1-3 months.
🛂 Renewable? Yes—valid for one year, renewable for up to five years.
🔹 Best for: Remote workers who want to live in Spain while working for UK or international companies.
📌 Golden Visa – Best for Property Investors & High-Net-Worth Individuals
✔️ Who it’s for?
- Property investors spending at least €500,000.
- High-net-worth individuals making business or capital investments in Spain.
✔️ Key Requirements
- Must invest at least €500,000 in Spanish real estate.
- Alternative investments: €1M in Spanish companies or €2M in government bonds.
- No minimum stay requirement.
💰 Visa Cost: €1,800-€2,500 (including legal fees).
📆 Processing Time: 2-4 months.
🛂 Renewable? Yes—initially for two years, renewable every five years.
🔹 Best for: UK expats who want residency through property investment.
⚠️ NOTE: The Golden Visa is being scrapped in April 2025.
📌 Work Visa – Best for UK Citizens with Spanish Job Offers
✔️ Who it’s for?
- British citizens with confirmed job offers from Spanish companies.
- Employees in high-demand fields (healthcare, IT, teaching).
✔️ Key Requirements
- Job offer must be from a Spanish employer.
- Employer must sponsor the visa application.
- Health insurance & clean criminal record required.
💰 Visa Cost: €250-€400.
📆 Processing Time: 2-5 months.
🛂 Renewable? Yes—renewable annually.
🔹 Best for: UK citizens who have secured a job in Spain.
How to Transition from a Visa to Permanent Residency & Citizenship
If you’re planning to stay in Spain long-term, here’s how to go from temporary visa to permanent residency—and eventually citizenship.
📌 Step 1: Obtain a Temporary Spanish Residence Permit
Most visas (NLV, DNV, Work Visa, and Golden Visa) start with a temporary residence permit.
- Must renew every 1-2 years depending on the visa type.
- Still subject to restrictions (like not working on an NLV).
📌 Step 2: Apply for Permanent Residency After 5 Years
✔️ Eligibility Requirements for Permanent Residency
- Must have lived in Spain for 5 consecutive years.
- Cannot have spent more than 6 consecutive months outside Spain per year.
- Must show financial stability & health insurance coverage.
✔️ Benefits of Permanent Residency
- No need to renew visas every 1-2 years.
- Can work & live in Spain without restrictions.
- Access to public healthcare & social benefits.
📌 Step 3: Apply for Spanish Citizenship After 10 Years
✔️ Eligibility for Spanish Citizenship
- Must have lived in Spain for at least 10 years.
- Must pass a Spanish language test (A2 level).
- Must take a cultural knowledge exam (CCSE) on Spain’s history, government, and society.
✔️ Dual Citizenship Rules
Spain does not allow dual citizenship with the UK. That means you’d have to renounce UK nationality to become Spanish.
Many expats skip citizenship altogether and just live in Spain permanently as residents.
Which Spanish Visa & Residency Option is Right for You?
✔️ Retiring in Spain? → Get the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV).
✔️ Working remotely? → Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV).
✔️ Buying property? → Go for the Golden Visa (before it’s gone in 2025).
✔️ Got a Spanish job offer? → You need a Work Visa.
✔️ Staying in Spain long-term? → Work towards Permanent Residency (5 years) & Citizenship (10 years).
The Bottom Line
Moving to Spain takes more paperwork post-Brexit, but it’s still 100% doable.
The key? Choose the right visa, know the long-term residency rules, and plan ahead.
🌟 Thinking about moving to Spain? Already applied for a visa? Drop your questions below! 👇
