Living in Spain

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens about moving to or living in Spain.

Read about howthe services our consulates in Spain can help.provide.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should obtainget 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.

To stay up to date:

• sign up for email alerts to this guidance
• follow the British Embassy inMadrid Spain on Facebook and Twitter

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. TheseYou areshould indicatedread withthese sub-headings.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.

Coronavirus

YouFollow should follow the advice of the Spanish Government and your local authority. You canshould also read ourthe Spain travel advice.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Spain, seeread ourthe coronavirus travel advice.

Visas and residency

IfYou must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

Check the entry requirements for Spain.

Before you move to Spain you must apply for the appropriate visa from the Spanish consulates in London or Edinburgh, or the Spanish consulate in Manchester (details available from the Foreign embassies in the UK list). You must apply for your residence document as soon as you arrive in Spain. Your children must also be registered with their own residency documents.

Read the Spanish government’s guidance on:

• moving to Spain (in Spanish)
• the different types of residence permit available to you (in Spanish)

Visas and residency if you were legallyliving residentin Spain before 1 January 2021

If you have been living in Spain legally since before 1 January 2021, you willand beyour ablefamily tomembers stay.have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. You must ensure you are correctly registered as a resident. ChildrenYour children must also be registered with their own residency document.documents.

If you are registering for the first time, you will be issued with a biometric residence card called a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE). This card willshows provethat youryou have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you registered as a resident before 6 July 2020, you will have a green A4 certificate or credit card-sized piece of paper from Extranjeria or the police. This is still a valid documentresidency anddocument. You provesdo yournot rightshave underto theexchange Withdrawalthis Agreement.

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For more information:

• see the Spanish government’s information on residency for UK nationals living in Spain before 1 January 2021
• read the Spanish government’s guidance for UK nationals living in Spain before 1 January 2021

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you should consider other options:

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• contact the local support

Forimmigration detailsservices of(servicio officialde atención al inmigrante) provided by your local town hall or regional government

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UK

Passports and travel

Coronavirus travel restrictions may affect themay informationaffect ontravel thisto page.and Forfrom the latest COVID-19 guidance read our Spain travel advice.Spain.

You can apply for or renew your British passport infrom Spain. The British Embassy does not issue passports.

Check the Spain travel advice for Spain for passport validity requirements.

Always carry your passport when travelling within the Schengen area. If you have citizenship of an EU /or EFTAEuropean Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Spain using your EU /or EFTA passport.

If you stay in Spain with a Spanish residence permit or long-stay visa, this time does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.

If you visit other Schengen area countries outside Spain, make sure you do not exceed the visa-free 90 days in any 180-day period. You are responsible for counting how long you stay under the Schengen visa waiver, and you must comply with its conditions.

Different rules apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

If you were living in Spain before 1 January 2021

When you travel, especially within the Schengen area, you should carry with you your residence document (the green paperA4 EUcertificate residenceor certificatecredit card-sized piece of paper or the TIE) or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.

You must proactively show your residence document (the green paperA4 EUcertificate residenceor certificatecredit card-sized piece of paper or the TIE) if you are asked to show your passport at border control. If you have applied for, but not yet received, your residence document, carryshow proof that your application is in progress.

If you cannot prove that you are a resident in Spain, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the EU. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in the country or countries where you live or work. If a passport is stamped, the stamp is considered null and void when you can show evidence of lawful residence.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can enter and exit Spain with a valid passport. You do not need any extraadditional monthsvalidity on yourthe passport tobeyond enterthe ordates exiton EUwhich countries.you are travelling.

Children travelling from Spain

Children (under 18 years old) resident in Spain, who travel out of Spain without a person who has parental responsibility, may need a certified authorisation by that person. This is required in addition to a valid travel document.

The regulation does not apply to foreign children resident in Spain who are subject to the law of their country of nationality, or to non-resident foreign children visiting Spain.

The Spanish immigration authorities are aware that there is no similar standard regulation in the UK, and therefore British consulates do not provide travel authorisation documents.

British children do not need written permission to travel unless they are subject to a court order which states that written permission is required from those holding parental responsibility. If the child is subject to such a court order, or to ensure that an unaccompanied child will be able to leave Spain without delay, you must obtain a certified authorisation from a public notary in Spain.

If you have parental responsibility for Spanish children in Spain, you can obtain a certified authorisation at a notary, national police station (in Spanish, or at the Guardia Civil (in Spanish).

Flight discounts for residents in Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla

Read the Spanish government’s guidance on who is eligible to access discounts on flights, (in Spanish), and on how this has changed for UK nationals since 1 January 2021.

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.

ReadTravel theinsurance Spanishis government’salso guidancenot onintended access to cover healthcare.

If you’recosts leavingif theyou UKlive with medicine that contains a controlled drugoverseas,.

Read check with the Spanish embassygovernment’s about the rules before you travel and the NaTHNaC guidance on travellingaccess withto medicineshealthcare.

You should also read our guidance on:

• finding an English-speaking doctor in Spain
• healthcare when travelling inwith Europemedicines
• advice on foreign travel insurance
• bringing medicine containing a controlled drug into the UK

Working in Spain

If you are planning to move to Spain and work, you maymust needapply afor the appropriate visa. Application processing times may 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 workers (in Spanish)
• how to get a visa

Read the guidance on visas and applying for a visa at the:

• Spanish consulate in London
• Spanish consulate in Manchester
• Spanish consulate in Edinburgh

To apply for a job, you may need to provide a:

• UK criminal records certificate
• Spanish criminal records certificate (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales)
• certificate from the Spanish sex offenders registry (Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual) to work with children
• record of your employment history in Spain from Seguridad Social (a Vida Laboral certificate)

Read:

• working or providing services in Spain
• working in an EU country
• EU guidance on working in an EU country
• guidance on how to get your UK academic or professional qualifications recognised in Spain
• the Spanish government’s guidance on the right of UK nationals to work in the public sector

If you were living in Spain before 1 January 2021

You have the right to work without a visa, under the Withdrawal Agreement.Agreement.You can use your TIE or green A4 certificate or credit-sized piece of paper as proof of your right to work.

If you live in Spain and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EuropeanEFTA Free Trade Area (EFTA) country before 1 January 2021, read our guidance for frontier workers.

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

If you were living in Spain before 1 January 2021

If the relevant regulator in Spain officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the recognition process by this date, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision. Seek advice from the regulator if needed.

Recognition and legalisation of UK academic documents

If you need your UK academic qualification officially recognised in Spain, follow the Spanish Ministry of Education’s guidance (in Spanish)Spanish).

FromYour 31 October 2021, your degree certificate or other documents need to be certified by a UK notary public and then legalised by the FCDO Legalisation Office. This legalisation service is not provided by the British Embassy in Madrid, UK consulates in Spain, or the British Council in Spain.

Read guidance on getting your UK degree qualification certified and legalised in the UK.

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If legalisationyou servicewere isliving notin providedSpain bybefore 1 January 2021

If the Britishrelevant Embassyregulator in Madrid,Spain UKofficially consulatesrecognised inyour Spain,professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the Britishrecognition Councilprocess inby Spain.this date, make sure you understand the terms of your decision. You should get advice from the relevant regulator.

Studying in Spain

If you plan to study in Spain, carry out an internship or take up a placement as a language assistant, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.

Contact the relevant higher education provider in Spain to check what fees you may have to pay.

Read guidance on:

• continuing your studies in the EU
• studying in the European Union
• immigration routes for students, internships and language assistants (in Spanish)
• visas for students, internships and language assistants
• healthcare for students in Spain

If you were living in Spain before 1 January 2021

The studying in the European Union guidance includes specific information forif thoseyou who were already living in Spain before 1 January 2021.

Money, tax and bankingTax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Spain toso ensurethat 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. FindSome an English-speaking lawyer in Spain or you can use a registered ‘gestor’‘gestores’. provide this service.

Read guidance about:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• tax if you get a pension and live abroad
• paying income tax in Spain
• paying tax in Spain from the Spanish Tax Authority.Authority
• EU guidancefactsheet on taxbuying andgoods customs, including online shopping from the UK
• EU guidance on customs including preferential originwebsites
• EU guidance on excise duties

National Insurance

Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Spain.

Declaring your assets

As a Spanish resident, you must declare your global income to the Spanish authorities, no matter which country it came from. If you are not a resident, you will only pay tax on income that came from Spain.

You may need to file an annual declaration of overseas assets called a Modelo 720. There are severe penalties if you do not file, or give incorrect or incomplete information.

UK

National banking

insurance and social security contributions

WhetherNational UKInsurance-type bankscontributions can(NIC) provideare servicecalled ‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Spain. Find out if you need to customerspay livingNational Insurance in the EEAUK isor asocial mattersecurity contributions in Spain.

You can request proof from HMRC of localthe lawtime you’ve worked in the UK and regulation.your UK National Insurance record.

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PensionsBenefits

UK benefits

Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Spain.

IfCheck youwhich arebenefits movingyou orcan retiringclaim 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 may be entitled to Spanish benefits. To find out if you mustare tellentitled to Spanish benefits and how to claim, you can:

• speak to a social worker (trabajador social) at your local town hall (ayuntamiento) (in Spanish)
• visit your nearest Instituto de Mayores y Servicios Sociales office
• read the UKSpanish government officesguidance thaton dealsocial withsecurity yourbenefits benefits,for pensionworkers

Pensions

Read guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and tax.pensions while you are living in Spain.

Read our 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:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre tofor claimfurther information
• pensions if you’ve worked in other EU countries

Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life Certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possiblepossible. -Your your payments may be suspended if you do not.

BenefitsMoney and banking

ReadWhether our guidance on entitlement to UK benefitsbanks andcan pensionsprovide whileservice youto arecustomers living in Spain.

If you are moving or retiring abroad, you must tell the UKEEA governmentdepends officeson thatlocal deallaws with your benefits, pension and tax.regulation.

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Manyguidance income-relatedon benefitsbanking, suchinsurance as Pension Credit and Housingfinancial Benefitservices cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more thaninformation 4on weeks.

Youcross-border can request proof from HMRC of the time you’ve worked in the UK and of your UK National Insurance record.banking.

Spanish benefits

You may be entitled to Spanish benefits. To find out if you are entitled to Spanish benefits and how to claim, you can:

• speak to a social worker (trabajador social) at your local town hall (in Spanish) (ayuntamiento)
• visit your nearest Instituto de Mayores y Servicios Sociales office (in Spanish)

Accommodation and buying property

Read guidance on how to buy or let property in Spain.

Driving in Spain

ReadYou ourcannot guidancerenew foror replace your UK, licence-holdersGibraltar, about:Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence if you live in Spain.

Read the guidance on:

• what you need to drive in the EU
• generalroad drivingtravel regulationsin Spain

If you have a valid UK driving licence

If you were living in Spain before 1 January 2021, your valid UK driving licence will be recognised for driving in Spain until 2830 FebruaryApril 2022.

If you moved to Spain after 1 January 2021, your valid UK licence will be recognised for 6 months from the date you obtained residence, or until 2830 FebruaryApril 2022, whichever is later.

If you live in Spain, you must exchange your UK driving licence for a Spanish one. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP)(IDP) instead.

Read the Spanish Traffic Authority’s (DGT) guidance on using and exchanging licences in Spain (in Spanish, with English translation).

If you registered your details with the Spanish Traffic Authority (DGT) before 30 December 2020

If you have lived in Spain since before 1 January 2021 and registered your details and intention to exchange with the DGT before 30 December 2020, you shouldmust haverequest requested an appointment with the DGT to exchange your UK licence by 3130 DecemberApril 2021.2022. IfYou youmust diddo notthis completeso thethat exchangeyou beforecan complete the deadlineprocess andwithout needtaking furthera information, contact the DGT.test.

If you did not register your details with the DGT before 30 December 2020

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Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Spain

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

If you register as a resident or spend longer than 6 months of the year in Spain, you must register your vehicle with the Spanish authorities and you may need to pay some taxes.

You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so you will need certificates of exemption.

Read the Spanish Traffic Authority’s guidance on registering a foreign vehicle in Spain.

Driving outside Spain with a Spanish licence

You can use your Spanish licence when visiting the UK. Keep up-to-date with the UK Highway Code.

If you return to live in the UK, you can exchange your Spanish licence for a UK one without taking a test.

To drive in another country, in addition to your Spanish licence, you may need to apply for an IDP (in Spanish with English translation).

Read the EU guidance on:

• EU driving licences and insurance
• driving licence exchange and recognition in the EU

Voting

You can vote and stand in local elections in Spain once you have been resident for 3 years. To do so, you must:

• register on the municipal register where you live (padrón municipal)
• formallyconfirm declare your intention to vote and register on the local electoral roll
• reconfirm your registration on the electoral rollroll, ahead of each election within the deadline set by the electoral authorities before each election

Read the Spanish government’s guidance on voting in local elections. You can also read the bilateral agreement between the UK and Spain on voting rights (in Spanish).

You cannot vote in general or regional elections in Spain or European Parliamentary elections.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter

Births, deaths, marriagesmarriage and civil partnerships

If your child is born in Spain, you willmust 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 abroadwith the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

If someone dies in Spain read our guidance on:

• what to do after someone dies abroad
• what to do after a British person dies in Spain
• finding English-speaking funeral directors in Spain

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

You may also need notarial and documentary services for British nationals in Spain.

Pets

If youyou’re havemoving ato petSpain passportwith issuedyour bypet, Spainread orthe anotherguidance EUand memberensure state, you cancomply usewith itthe toregulations:

• taking travel with your pet abroad
• moving to Great Britain and elsewhere in the EU.

  A GB-issuedcountries EUwith your pet

To passportvisit isother notcountries validwith foryour travelpet, tocheck the EUrules orfor Northernthe Ireland.country Youyou’re shouldtravelling speakto. toContact your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents andyour ensurepet you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.needs.

Read guidance on:

• bringing your pet to GBGreat Britain
• travelling. withCheck that your petpet’s inrabies thevaccinations EU
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the EU

Emergencies

YouDial can 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

YouDial can dial the EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in the EU country where you live or in another EU country.

Read It also provides the guidance andif supportyou tohave been the familiesvictim of missinga children.rape or sexual assault in Spain. 

If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact yourthe nearest British embassyEmbassy Madrid or nearest consulate.

If your child is at risk of being, or has been, abducted, read:

• guidance on international parental child abduction
• Spanish Ministry of Justice’s official protocol document on child abduction (in Spanish)
• EU guidance on child abduction
• EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country

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 centre

If you get healthcare in Spain through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 or Seguridad Social to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

To move your pension or benefits payments to the UK, tell the International Pension Centre and the Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social.

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.

Ifmembers, youtax return to the UK permanently and meetaccess the ordinarily resident test, you’ll be able to access NHS care without charge.services.

Useful information

List of useful websites for UK nationals living in Spain.

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the FCDO can support you if you get into difficulty.