Minimum income
 

I was reading that you need to have proof of income to register as resident in Spain; some sites suggest a minimum of 9k euros pa. I'm hoping to come over with a pension of approx 6k euro pa (at today's low exchange rate) and capital for a rainy day of 25k euro (from which healthcare will be paid). I'll own my house outright and my pension will rise considerably once my state pension kicks in (6 years). I'm confident that I can live on this income (and have done here in the UK for a couple of years) but my question is - will this satisfy the authorities as adequate means? If anyone has already been approved on this sort of income I'd be pleased to hear it. Thanks.

Re: Minimum income
 

As no one else has replied - I went through this process many years ago. I think the current system bases acceptance on income equivalent to a Spanish state pension (which varies by region) but around 650 - 800 euros a month. So you are a bit low but the savings and other factors might get you through. It may all depend on the system on the day. Suggest you get a good gestoria to make the application.

Re: Minimum income
 

Many thanks for your reply, spainrico.

Re: Minimum income
 

Person that i know that did this never had to prove annual income but had to prove a set amount in the Spanish bank at the time the bank signed the form. I believe it was in the region of 6000/6500 euro. That amount did not have to remain in the bank. I believe big problem is different areas deal with this differently.

Re: Minimum income
 

I'm a pensioner and got my Spanish residency in Valencia last year. Surprisingly they only ask for an income of 450 euros a month. If you have proof of pension income, UK healthcare (form S1), and around 2000 euros in a Spanish bank you should be OK.

Re: Minimum income
 

Very cheering news, thank you both, bobd22 and Bad leg.

Re: Minimum income
 

Hi,

When I was applying for residency the authorities wanted to see a regular income going into a Spanish bank account. I had been forwarded of that before I came to live in Spain so I set up a non-resident account a year before and put regular payments into the account. I told the authorities that it was my monthly pension scheme payment. I was putting €700 per month into the account for a full year along with a lump sum. They accepted the Spanish account statement as acceptable income.

I had to also show proof that I had adequate healthcare.

Steve

Re: Minimum income
 

That's a good idea, thanks tebo53.

Re: Minimum income
 

I'm in Spain at the moment and deliberating whether to stay. we are at the start of the residency process and here in Malaga province, for a single person, 650 euros per month is enough provided it's a regular payment proved by documentation. If under 65, you need private insurance, since January this has to be at the top level( without co-payments). That's it really, quite straightforward for a UK cit. But, you will find that despite the Ministry of Interior setting a national rule, the provinces are free to use their own discretion as to self-sufficiency. Every province is different. Some places require regular payments plus lump sum, others want payments into a Spanish bank account for 3 months prior to the application. You really need to decide which part of Spain and then research it locally. Gestors we have found to be less than accurate on certain points but usually relating to non-EU residency applications. The golden rule here is ask, ask and ask again. Expect to be asked to return to the local office dealing with foreigners more than a couple of times and the smaller areas may well not give appointments so take a book! The upside for you is that once you decide where you are going you will satisfy the income rule whatever it is, so just get the healthcare sorted, fill in the ex-18 form and that's pretty much job done.. Gestors here will charge about 40 to 50 euros for doing not a lot in your case. Good luck with it.

Re: Minimum income
 

Thanks jimbob66. When you say health insurance has to be without co-payments, is that the excess? I was hoping to go for the maximum excess allowed to keep the cost down, but it sounds like that may not be possible.

Re: Minimum income
 

Some authorities will accept a lower monthly income figure if you can prove that you own your property as opposed to paying rent each month.

Re: Minimum income
 

Get a number of quotes but read everything in them. We for example had a quote from a company called DKV. They gave 4 options, basic to elite. As I only needed it for 4 months' until I hit 65, we were about to go for the basic ( with copayments) but were then advise that the law changed in January ( the quotes were in March!)and for residency, it had to be Elite cover. We also looked at Sanitas ( Bupa related I think) they offer a Mas Salud policy, below Elite cover and with some copayments, so, you pays your money and takes your chance. Worst case scenario, you go for a cheaper option with copayments/excesses, it gets refused when you apply for residency, you just upgrade apparently. We have found that you have to commit to 12 months', no cancellation is possible and for us it is ridiculous. we would pay for private cover that we don't need for 8 months' after my 65th birthday. for you, no such worries. Decide on the place then ask for quotes for that province and keep asking questions. All the best. Oh, if you decide to rent your house in Ireland, give me a shout! lol

Re: Minimum income
 

Thanks again! Not living in Ireland, but can get Irish passport. like the idea of living in Spain, but if language difficulties seem insurmountable, Ireland is my second choice. Property prices in both countries are great compared to UK!!
(and thanks KeironF - feel more comfortable about my income now).

Re: Minimum income
 

Co-payments are offered by several Insurance providers, basically they bring down the cost of the premium by charging a nominal amount for each consultation , for example a visit to a specialist from the Insurer's approved list may carry a €10,- charge.

It is not an "Excess"

Re: Minimum income
 

Since it is 9 months on from the last time a figure was quoted ( 650 euros per month) could anyone say if this is still s good figure to be looking at. Also, would it be per person if a couple were to apply, After all, if they are considering your ability to rent etc, then the rent is the same for one or two surely ?

Alan

Re: Minimum income
 

The figures usually quoted are based on the minimum income in Spain, the non contributory pension;

Annually:
Individual. 5.136,60 euros.

With families.

2 members 8.732,22 euros.
3 members. 12.327,84 euros.
4 members. 15.923,46 euros.

Re: Minimum income
 

I have recently (last few weeks) enquired with a gestors re this. The figures were as above. But I was told if your house is owned outright then that is sufficient for money and you don't not have to have X amount in the bank. Of course may vary by area? Also told there are 3 ways of showing sufficient income, property owned outright, specified amount deposited in bank, monthly income shown I think 450 euros per month or similar was mentioned

Re: Minimum income
 

Snikpoh and bobd22, thank you for your quick replies, that has helped me know end...I was worrying over nothing apparently ..
Al

Re: Minimum income
 

A credit card with a significant amount of unused credit on it is acceptable as well.

Re: Minimum income
 

We went through the whole process last year, in Seville and were told No to the health card which we had got via S1 form. This despite functionario checking with Policia National, and being told all was in order. Seems every official, in every office has a different set of rules. My advice would be to collect all documents ( photocopied/translations etc.) and pop along, wait in the queue and see what you have not got, or they don't like. ( in our case it was the document for opening my bank account which for some unknown reason he asked to see) Then get everything, go back, and try to see the same person again!
We finally "passed" on the third attempt, with same health card which had been rejected previously, but as we had all the other bits which he wanted and were not listed on the official document all was OK.
Oh he did say that with a full state pension each, and my teachers pension from the UK, our income was nowhere near sufficient to live on,( we own our house outright and have no debts) but he accepted it
Good Luck

Re: Minimum income
 

I think he is living in cloud cuckoo land. A lot of places accept full home ownership with no bills attached and full healthcare cover. I think your income in Spain is more than enough to live on.

Re: Minimum income
 

Definitely enough income or there are thousands of us also living in cloud cuckoo land with him! Sad it gets like that. What we did was go to the Police Station one week before we were going to do the application. I asked the guy what we needed, wrote it down in front of him and asked when he was on duty during the next week. Checked we had everything, and bounced him the next week!
Job done, but don't expect a 100% victory, they are bound to pull you on not enough photocopies or something like a missing signature / set of initials,just because they can. Entertaining!

Re: Minimum income
 

That's why with limited time there I am going to use a gestor to sort it out. I have made contact already and will contact him before I go out to have an appt to sort it out as soon as I get over.

Re: Minimum income
 

Good idea. In truth, everyone I know who used a Gestor got it first time with no problems, pppppp eh?

Locally, the bill was 80 euros I think. Especially handy if the Officer won't slow down his Spanish!

Re: Minimum income
 

In some locations you now HAVE to make an appointment online and sometimes it is a month or more away. A gestor usually is able to jump the queue.

Re: Minimum income
 

Good to know thanks Fred

Re: Minimum income
 

I think when we do ours, we will definitely use a gestor.

Re: Minimum income
 

Good call, they can open doors you can't under the 'Old pals Act' as well. All the very best, its a wonderful Country.

Re: Minimum income
 

This seems less about a means test, than a test of the applicants good humour and perseverance!

Re: Minimum income
 

Is that not simply standard practice when dealing with officialdom in Spain
:rofl:

Re: Minimum income
 

FYI - We have been doing some research of our own for our proposed long term stay in Spain and found a current document from one of the Spanish Consulates in Canada. One of their paragraphs addresses minimum income for non-EU individuals who cannot work, and it says:

Re: Minimum income
 

Assuming that figure would apply across the board, then for a soon to be non-EU UK pensioner that's the equivalent of net income of £23,000 pa. That would count quite a few out.

Bloody nora, in some parts of the country you could live like a King on that.

Re: Minimum income
 

wonder how many thousands of spainish don't have that, never mind us.

Re: Minimum income
 

Can see all the concerns of course. But whether the Spanish have that or not is not relevant, thats how much a non EU retirement visa application needs. I suppose there may be some form of concession for an existing Spanish home owner after Brexit, but again we shouldn't expect any special treatment after we leave vountarily!!! I think the last timeI looked (worse case planning!) we needed about 32000 euros! Compared to the 9000 for a couple currently, BIG difference.

Re: Minimum income
 

Sums up my point. Everybody seems to have a different idea.
When you are sat there, in front of a functionario who will not budge, there is not a lot you can do, except of course pay an awful lot for a good abogado and have them go instead.
Pete

Re: Minimum income
 

The minimum income required is 25,560 Euros annually plus 6,390 Euros per each additional family member.

Thank you, Brexiteers. :(

Re: Minimum income
 

There are very different requirements for non EU immigrants. Spain can impose whatever rules they like regarding income and be very specific about what is required.

The rules regarding EU immigrants are laid down by EU law and part of that is that you CANNOT specify a specific amount as it will depend on individual circumstances. That is the reason that no one will quote an exact figure.

This thread is about the minimum requirement for EU citizens wishing to live in Spain. Discussion about the requirements for non EU immigrants is irrelevant and should be covered in a new thread specific to that situation, otherwise confusion will reign.

Re: Minimum income
 

The UK has already proposed that only EU citizens having lived legally and continuously in the UK for a period of 5 years be granted permanent residence status.

The OP is planning early retirement in Spain, post Article 50 having been triggered. We don't know yet of course, but should that criteria be reciprocated by the EU, wouldn't non-EU qualification be relevant ? In a forewarned is forearmed kind of way ?

Re: Minimum income
 

The proposal (thats all it is remember!) also includes allowing EU citizens lawfully in the UK, but for less than the five years, permission to stay until they have attained the five years, anf then apply for settled status. Perhaps thats also up for reciprocation.

The rub is that no one has said what the cut off date is as yet! Article 50? Exit date? Who knows?

Re: Minimum income
 

I agree they have not said what that date is yet mind they haven't said much at all re the grand plan or non plan really. However from media it does seem that the UK has accepted that it will be the date we actually leave. Of course there is then the probability of a so called transitional period one minute that means freedom of movement is extended then it doesn't? So who knows.