Yes, living in Spain is still possible for a UK citizen in 2026, but a British passport alone is no longer enough: since Brexit you need a residence visa to stay longer than 90 days in any 180-day period. Buying a home does not give you that right, because the golden visa was abolished in April 2025. Anyone who was legally resident in Spain before 1 January 2021 keeps their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
This guide answers the general question and shows which route fits your case if you plan to buy on the Costa del Sol. It reflects the rules in force in November 2026 and is not a substitute for advice from an immigration lawyer.
Can a UK citizen live in Spain after Brexit?
Yes. What has changed is the procedure: since 2021 British citizens are third-country nationals and must apply for a visa before moving, just like an American or a Canadian. According to the UK government's official Living in Spain guide, there are visas to retire, to work, including as a digital nomad, to study or to live with family. Once you arrive, you must register as a resident and on the padrón at your local town hall.
| Your situation | What you need | How long you can stay |
|---|---|---|
| Holidays or a second home | Passport only | 90 days in any 180 |
| Retired or living on income and savings | Non-lucrative visa | Renewable residence |
| You work remotely for clients outside Spain | International telework (digital nomad) visa | Renewable residence |
| Job offer or business in Spain | Work visa | Depends on the permit |
| Legally resident before 2021 | Withdrawal Agreement TIE | No visa needed |
How long can I stay in Spain without a visa?
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not just Spain. Owning a home does not add days. For many British owners this is enough: they spend the winter or several stays a year in their property without any residence paperwork.
Which visas let a British citizen live in Spain?
- Non-lucrative visa: for people living on a pension, income or savings who will not work in Spain. In 2026 the applicant must show €2,400 a month, 400% of the IPREM index, plus €600 for each dependant.
- International telework visa: for people working remotely for companies or clients outside Spain, with income of at least €2,442 a month, 200% of the minimum wage.
- Work, study or family reunification: each route has its own requirements.
The requirements, documents and timings for each are in our guides to the Spain visa from the UK, the non-lucrative visa and the digital nomad visa. The figures depend on the IPREM index and the minimum wage, so check them when you apply.
Can I live in Spain permanently if I buy a property?
No. The property investor visa was abolished by Organic Law 1/2025 and no new applications have been accepted since 3 April 2025. A British citizen can buy without restrictions and only needs an NIE number, but the title deed does not change the 90-day limit.
Buying does help with everything else: it gives you a stable address for the padrón and the residence card, and you avoid depending on long-term rentals, which are expensive and scarce on the coast. Many of our British clients buy during a 90-day stay and apply for the visa afterwards, from the UK.
Living in Spain with a British passport: TIE, padrón, healthcare and tax
- TIE: you apply for the residence card within one month of entering Spain on your visa.
- Padrón: registering at the town hall opens the door to healthcare, schools and municipal services.
- Healthcare: British pensioners can register an S1 form and use public healthcare; those who work in Spain pay contributions and get access directly; everyone else needs private insurance.
- Tax: if you spend more than 183 days a year in Spain, you are tax resident and declare your worldwide income here. Spain and the UK have a double taxation agreement.
- Driving licence: a UK licence is valid for the first six months of residence; after that it must be exchanged for a Spanish one.
Each step, with costs and a timeline, is covered in our guide to moving to Spain in 2026.
Where do British residents live on the Costa del Sol?
The most established British communities are in Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas and Marbella, with British schools, services in English and direct flights from Málaga airport. These are the median asking prices from our Costa del Sol market report for November 2026:
| Town | Median price | €/m² (median) |
|---|---|---|
| Marbella | €950,000 | €6,053 |
| Benalmádena | €630,000 | €4,569 |
| Malaga | €625,800 | €4,977 |
| Fuengirola | €549,000 | €5,314 |
| Mijas | €549,000 | €4,317 |
These are asking prices from our own listings, not closing prices. The figures, updated every month, are in the Costa del Sol market report.
How EVS Property helps British buyers
At EVS Property Group we support British buyers in Málaga, Marbella, Benalmádena and the rest of the Costa del Sol: we help you choose the area and the home, coordinate the NIE with the notary and the bank, and put you in touch with trusted immigration lawyers for the visa. Tell us your plan and we will suggest the order of steps that makes most sense.
FAQ
Can I live in Spain as a British citizen?
Yes, with a residence visa: non-lucrative, telework, work, study or family. Without a visa you can spend 90 days in any 180.
How much money do you need in the bank to get residency in Spain?
For the non-lucrative visa in 2026 you must show €28,800 for the first year, that is €2,400 a month, plus €7,200 a year for each dependant.
Can you live on $1000 a month in Spain?
Not if you need residency as a British citizen: the non-lucrative visa requires proof of €2,400 a month and the telework visa €2,442. Housing on the Costa del Sol is not cheap either.
What is the downside of living in Spain?
The ones our clients mention most are bureaucracy and appointment waits, the language, expensive and scarce rentals on the coast and the summer heat.
What if I already lived in Spain before 2021?
You are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement and do not need a visa. UK government guidance recommends exchanging the old green certificate for a TIE.
