Schengen limit
90-Day Rule
60–70%
Mortgage LTV
No — to buy
Residency Needed?
DTA applies
Pension Tax
What Changed After Brexit?
UK citizens are now non-EU nationals — which affects how long you can stay, but not your right to buy property.
- You can still buy property freely — no restrictions
- 90-in-180-day Schengen rule now applies
- No automatic residency from property ownership
- Need EHIC/GHIC for healthcare (or private insurance)
- Driving licence exchange now required
Residency Options for UK Buyers
If you want to live in Spain full-time, you'll need a visa.
- Non-Lucrative Visa — €28,000+ savings/income, no work
- Golden Visa — €500k+ property investment (ending 2025)
- Digital Nomad Visa — for remote workers
- Retirement Visa — pension-based income proof
- 90-day stays are fine for holiday homes
Tax & Pension Considerations
The UK-Spain Double Taxation Agreement means you won't pay tax twice — but you need to plan carefully.
- UK state pension: taxable in Spain if resident
- Private pensions: can be paid gross & taxed in Spain
- SIPPs: can be paid to a Spanish bank account
- Capital gains: taxed in Spain if resident
- Get advice from a UK-Spain dual-qualified accountant