Moving to Spain: The Complete Guide for British and International Buyers

Yes, British citizens can still move to Spain after Brexit, but the process has changed. Before Brexit, British nationals could move freely as EU citizens. Now they must apply for a visa or residency permit in advance. The most popular routes are the Non-Lucrative Visa (for those with sufficient savings or income), the Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers), or the Golden Visa (for those investing 500,000 EUR or more in property). British citizens who were already legally resident in Spain before 31 December 2020 are protected under the Withdrawal Agreement and hold TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) cards. New arrivals must apply from the UK before relocating.

The most affordable regions in Spain for day-to-day living are generally Extremadura, Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha and parts of Andalusia, where property prices and general costs are considerably lower than the national average. Within these regions, smaller cities and towns offer the best value. However, for international buyers who want good transport connections, English-speaking communities and quality international schools, the Valencian Community (particularly Valencia city and the Costa Blanca) and parts of Andalusia (such as Almeria) offer a strong balance of affordability and quality of life. In Catalonia, mid-size cities 30 to 60 kilometres from Barcelona such as Terrassa, Sabadell and Vilanova i la Geltru offer significantly lower property prices than the capital while retaining excellent infrastructure.

Spain has a public healthcare system (Sistema Nacional de Salud) that is widely regarded as one of the best in Europe. Once you are legally resident in Spain and registered on the padron municipal (local council register), you are generally entitled to use public healthcare. The process for accessing public healthcare depends on your visa or residency status. Those on a Non-Lucrative Visa are typically required to hold private health insurance as a visa condition. Workers paying Spanish social security contributions have automatic access to the public system. Retirees from the UK who receive a state pension can access Spanish public healthcare via the S1 form. Many expats also maintain a private health insurance policy for faster access and English-speaking doctors, particularly for specialist consultations.

You do not need to speak Spanish to live in Spain, particularly in areas with large established expat communities such as the Costa del Sol, the Costa Blanca or Barcelona. In these areas, English is widely spoken in daily life, services and business. However, learning Spanish — even at a conversational level — makes an enormous difference to your quality of life, your ability to handle administrative tasks, and your integration into local communities. In the workplace, Spanish is generally required unless you are working remotely for a non-Spanish employer. In Catalonia, both Spanish and Catalan are official languages, and most residents speak both. Government communications, school teaching and some local services may be primarily in Catalan, though Spanish is always accepted.

The best area depends entirely on your priorities. For those seeking urban life with international connections, Barcelona and Madrid are the clear choices, offering world-class culture, employment opportunities and international schools. For coastal living and a relaxed pace, the Costa del Sol (Malaga area) and the Costa Blanca (Alicante area) are perennially popular with northern European buyers. For a balance of city amenities, coastal access and more affordable prices than Barcelona, Catalonia outside the capital — areas such as the Maresme coast, the Garraf coast (Sitges, Castelldefels) or the Valles Occidental (Sant Cugat, Terrassa) — is increasingly sought after. For those prioritising pure affordability, Valencia, Murcia and parts of Andalusia offer the lowest costs. camiacasa specialises in Catalonia and can provide detailed guidance on the best areas for your specific requirements.