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Visas & healthcare · 6 min read

Visas and residency for retiring to Spain

EU citizens register as residents. British and other non-EU nationals retiring on a pension or savings may consider Spain’s non-lucrative visa. A specialist can confirm the right route for your situation.

Best for
British and non-EU nationals
Main routes
EU registration or non-lucrative visa
Start
About six months ahead

For many people, paperwork is the biggest worry about moving abroad. The good news: if you have a steady pension or savings, the routes to living legally in Spain are well established. What you need depends mainly on your nationality.

If you are an EU citizen

German, Dutch, French, Belgian and other EU citizens can live in Spain freely. You register as a resident after arrival, show that you have enough income and health cover, and receive a registration certificate. It usually takes a few appointments rather than a visa application.

If you are British or from outside the EU

  • Spain's non-lucrative visa is designed for people who will not work in Spain and can support themselves from pensions, savings or investments. You apply at a Spanish consulate before you move.
  • Applicants must check current requirements for sufficient means, health insurance, criminal-record certificates and accommodation with the relevant Spanish consulate.
  • Spain's investment-based golden visa has closed to new applicants.
“With a steady pension or savings, the routes to living legally in Spain are well established.”

The usual route, step by step

  1. 1

    Six months before

    Choose your visa route and collect pension, savings and health-insurance evidence.

  2. 2

    Three to four months before

    Have documents translated and legalised; book your consulate appointment.

  3. 3

    Visa approved

    Travel within the validity of your entry visa and find your home.

  4. 4

    First weeks

    Register locally, apply for your residence card and tax number, and join the health system.

Practical tips

  • Start six months before your planned move: consulate appointments and official translations take time.
  • Keep income evidence simple and well documented, ideally in one account.
  • Plan tax residency, pensions and inheritance at the same time as the visa, not afterwards.
  • Use a specialist firm: the requirements change and details matter.

How Solera Village helps

Our team helps residents with local paperwork once they arrive, and we work with a specialist partner for visas and residency before you move.

See the numbers for yourself

Compare everyday costs in your home city with Solera, and buying or renting with Solera over 10 to 25 years.

Open the cost calculator

General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; please take personal advice before you move. Ask us a question.