Moving to Spain from the UK after Brexit: which visa fits you
Since 1 January 2021, a British citizen moving to Spain is a third-country national: for more than 90 days in any 180 you need a national visa, applied for from the UK before you go. Which one depends on what you will do there.
Which visa fits you
Retiring or living on savings: the non-lucrative visa, with income of 400% of the IPREM and private health insurance. Working remotely for a company or clients outside Spain: the digital nomad visa, with 200% of the minimum wage.
A job offer in Spain: the work visa, after the employer gets your authorisation. Studying: the student visa. The partner or child of a Spaniard: the family member visa, which is free.
Where you apply
Almost all national visas are lodged at the BLS centre of your consular district: London, Salford or Leith.
London's page for the family-member-of-a-Spaniard visa says both that it can be lodged directly at the consulate and that applications go to BLS; it also says the visa is free and that only those who choose BLS pay its service fee.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Retiring or living on savings | non-lucrative visa |
| Working remotely | digital nomad visa |
| Job in Spain | work visa |
| Studying | student visa |
| Partner or child of a Spaniard | family member visa (free) |
After you arrive
Within a month of entering Spain on a residence visa you apply for the TIE, the foreigner's identity card, which carries your NIE. Without the TIE, the Spanish border and Spanish offices have no proof that you live there: GOV.UK advises residents to show it with their passport.
If you lived in Spain before 2021
Britons already living in Spain before 2021 are in a different situation, under the Withdrawal Agreement. The consulates have a separate page for visas for family members of that agreement's beneficiaries.
The TIE is applied for in Spain within a month of arrival.Related guides
Checked against the official pages on 10 November 2026.
This directory is run privately. spanishconsulates.co.uk does not belong to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or to any consular office.
We publish what the official sources say and point out where they disagree. Before travelling, check the detail with the office.