Information for British citizens moving to or living in Spain, including guidance on residency, healthcare and passports.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Spain.
Read about the services consulates in Spain can provide.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Spanish authorities. Read the general guidance on moving to and living in Spain from the Spanish government. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
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If you were living in Spain before 1 January 2021
Some parts of this guide only apply if you were living in Spain since before 1 January 2021. You should read these in addition to the rest of the guidance in each section. You should also read our Living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. edit
Coronavirus
Follow the advice of the Spanish Government and your local authority. You should also read the Spain travel advice. For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Spain, read the coronavirus travel advice.
Visas and residency if you were living in Spain before 1 January 2021
If you have been living in Spain legally since before 1 January 2021, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. You must ensure you are correctly registered as a resident. Your children must also be registered with their own residency documents. If you are registering for the first time, you will...
Healthcare
Read our guidance on healthcare in Spain and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances. If you are resident in Spain, you must not use your UK-issued EHIC or GHIC for healthcare in Spain, unless you are a student or a detached (posted) worker. Travel insurance is also not intended to cover healthcare...
Working in Spain
If you are planning to move to Spain and work, you must apply for the appropriate visa. Application processing times vary and you should only make travel arrangements once your visa has been issued. Read the Spanish government’s guidance on:   working in Spain as a foreign national   immigration routes open to foreign national...
Professional and academic qualifications
You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Spain. Read guidance on:   recognition of professional qualifications   how to get your qualification recognised in Spain Recognition and legalisation of UK academic documents If you need your UK academic qualification officially recognised...
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Spain so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief. You should get professional advice on paying tax in Spain. Some English-speaking lawyer in Spain or registered ‘gestores’ provide this service....
Benefits
UK benefits Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Spain. Check which benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them. Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks. Spanish benefits You...
Pensions
Read guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Spain. Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension. If you retire in Spain, you can claim: Â Â your UK State Pension or...
Money and banking
Whether UK banks can provide service to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation. Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on banking, insurance and financial services for more information on cross-border banking.
Driving in Spain
You cannot renew or replace your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence if you live in Spain. Read the guidance on: Â Â what you need to drive in the EU Â Â road travel in Spain From 1 May 2022, if you have been resident for more than 6 months and have not...
Voting
You can vote and stand in local elections in Spain once you have been resident for 3 years. To do so, you must: be registered on the municipal register where you live (padrón municipal) confirm your registration on the electoral roll (censo electoral), within the dates set by the electoral authorities before each...
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnerships
If your child is born in Spain, you must register your child as a resident in Spain. You can also register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British...
Emergencies
Dial the European emergency number on 112 in Spain for the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or dial: 091 for police 061 for health emergencies 080 for firefighters 092 for local police Dial the EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in the EU country where you live or...
Returning to the UK
Check the COVID-19 travel guidance for entering the UK. Tell the UK and Spanish authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently. To help prove you are now living in the UK, you should deregister with your: local town hall (padrón)   the Spanish National Police (Residencia) (in Spanish) your local health...