Rotor

Post Brexit we seem to get just as many British citizens asking how they can live in Spain , I`ll start with :

• Couples need to be able to demonstrate an annual income in excess of £29,500 to get the required visa (€25,560 annually for an individual, plus €6,390 per each additional family member, this has to be from an source outside of Spain and has to be verifiable .
• You have to have medical insurance.

Over to you..

Fred James

I would add that the helath insurance has to be total. No exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions (who hasnt got one of those!) and no Co-payments.

Don't forget the full criminal database check for some applicants

Rotor

Yes indeed , also your medical insurance must be subscribed with a company that is legally entitled to operate in Spain, so no dodgy cheapo UK policies.

Rotor

Getting a work visa is one way for people of working age if you have a skill or trade that's in demand , think I.T or medical, in most cases you`d be getting a reduced salary but a better quality of life ,potential employers must apply for your work visa from the Ministry of Labour ,Work permit applications can take up to 8 months to process (pre covid) so forward planning is required.

Rosemary

Here is a post from another thread which has relevant information so I have copied it over to here.

Rosemary

Barriej

DRIVING LICENCES.

While you may have the funds etc to move here.
If you are a UK citizen (or any other) with a UK issued (or swapped) driving licence.
You WILL now have to take a Spanish Driving test. In SPANISH.
Once resident you will only have a set amount of time before you must swap or take the test.

It is (or was) possible to take the theory test in English (and some others) but the practical test is conducted in Spanish.

Should you be lucky and have an original (not swapped) licence that is still valid from an existing EU country you will still be able to affect the exchange. (but not Northern Ireland as this counts as a UK licence)
There are also a number of other countries that have an agreement with Spain and these are below.

These countries are the following: Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Macedonia, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Paraguay, Serbia, Turkey, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Chipmonk

I would agree about the real snake in all this: driving licence!. Its no good getting all het up about money ,insurance etc. If you plan on driving ( which most do) if you cant speak Spanish you might find retired life rather frustrating!!

Rotor

Very good point , amusing / ironic that the driving licenses Spain will accept are from countries with some of the most appalling driving practices and records.

Rotor

Guess you may see more expats on scooters and those electric skate board things .

Fred James

They will still need a licence for a scooter and it’s only a matter of time before the electric “skateboards” will need one. They are already subject to most of the normal road rules.

avionisto

Apparently, the UK government is negotiating with Spain for the previous license swap procedure to be restored for UK citizens who take up residency in Spain after 1st January 2021. I can understand Spain wanting to ensure people who take up Spanish residency can support themselves properly and not be a burden on their adopted country but the driving test requirement seems vindictive.

In view of the new NL-Visa income and driving test requirements I would expect the number of new UK retirees in Spain to diminish drastically over the next 10 years with a consequent negative effect on the Spanish construction industry.

Chipmonk

I am afraid you overestimate the economic clout of the frugally retired Brits. Spain will not bend over over for Brits for licences or other things. The UK voted to leave the EU
The UK actually require English for immigration. Consider if the Spanish government asked for for something reciprocal Unlikely many Brits would be able to meet that condition
!!

Stingychips

Driving licences are supposed to be a doddle in comparison to British tests. That’s why lots of other countries let people drive on British licences because they know the uk tests are one of the hardest. Would be least of my worries acquiring a Spanish licence.

dougal03

Dearie me,if the number of retirees does diminish just think what that will do for the state of the NHS in Britain.It´s already being held together by charity,Look how many people are performing amazing feats to raise cash.I´m starting to worry every time my ancient knees start to creak aloud.

Barriej

I found out the other day that You dont need a B1 licence for either the little scooters or the small (tiny) cars with the yellow plates, just the easier to get A1 (although I was also told that in some cases no licence at all) but that was in a local bar.

So maybe all the new 'rich' arrivals will be pottering around at 40kph and getting nowhere fast