Moving to Spain from the UK: Visas, Costs & Removals 2026

Zuletzt aktualisiert: 22. Oktober 2026

Spain is still the most popular country in Europe for Britons moving abroad, thanks to its climate, food, lifestyle and large British community. Since Brexit, though, UK citizens need a visa to live in Spain, and the paperwork has become more important than ever.

Die 90/180-Regel

Without a visa, UK citizens can stay in Spain (and the Schengen area) for bis zu 90 Tage innerhalb eines Zeitraums von 180 Tagen. To live there longer, you need a residence visa.

Ein Paar segelt bei Sonnenuntergang — The coastal lifestyle is the main draw for Britons moving to Spain.

Visummöglichkeiten für britische Staatsbürger

Visum	Für wen es geeignet ist	Wichtige Punkte
Non-lucrative visa	Rentner und Personen mit passivem Einkommen	Must show sufficient income or savings and private health insurance; no local work
Visum für digitale Nomaden	Remote workers for non-Spanish employers or clients	Income threshold applies; can lead to residency
Arbeitsvisum	People with a Spanish job offer	Usually employer-sponsored
Self-employed visa	Freiberufler und Unternehmer	Business plan and finances needed
Familienzusammenführung	Familie von Personen mit rechtmäßigem Aufenthalt	Sponsor must meet requirements
Student visa	Study in Spain	Limited work rights

Spain closed its “golden visa” property investment route in 2025. Apply at the Spanish consulate in the UK before you move, and always check the official requirements, because income thresholds change.

Key paperwork on arrival

NIE: your foreigner’s identification number, needed for almost everything
Empadronamiento (padrón): registering at your local town hall
TIE card: your residence card, once your visa is approved
Social security and healthcare: state pensioners may use an S1 form; others need private insurance or contributions
Steuerlicher Wohnsitz: usually if you spend more than 183 days a year in Spain. Take advice on UK pensions and income.
Führerschein: UK licence holders who become residents should exchange their licence within the set period

Removals to Spain: costs and timing

Most removals to mainland Spain travel auf der Straße via ferry or the Channel Tunnel, taking about 3–7 days.

Verschiebungsgröße	Typical cost range (UK to mainland Spain)
Teilladung / Sammeltransport	£1,000–£2,500
Haus mit 2–3 Schlafzimmern	£2,500–£5,500
Großes Einfamilienhaus	£5,000–£8,000+

Moves to the Kanarische Inseln und Balearic Islands involve sea freight and extra customs steps, especially for the Canaries, which sit outside the EU VAT area. Read our Leitfaden für internationale Umzüge.

Autos, die auf ein Ro-Ro-Schiff verladen werden — Cars and goods for the Canary and Balearic Islands travel by sea.

Mit dem Auto fahren

A UK right-hand-drive car can be registered in Spain, but it needs technical inspections, possibly modifications and registration tax, and it can be harder to sell later. Many people sell their UK car and buy a left-hand-drive car locally.

Getting there

Overnight ferries from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander and Bilbao let you drive down with a car full of belongings. See Urlaub ohne Flug aus Großbritannien for more no-fly routes.

Moving checklist

Choose your visa and gather documents, including translations where required
Get private health insurance if your visa requires it
Book removals 6–8 weeks ahead
Apply for your NIE and register on the padrón
Open a Spanish bank account
Exchange your driving licence after becoming resident

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Can I move to Spain from the UK after Brexit?

Yes, with a residence visa such as the non-lucrative, digital nomad or work visa. Without one, you can stay only 90 days in any 180.

How much does it cost to move to Spain from the UK?

Removals for a 2–3 bedroom home typically cost £2,500–£5,500 by road, plus visa, insurance and set-up costs.

Wie lange dauert ein Umzug nach Spanien?

Usually 3–7 days by road to mainland Spain. Island moves by sea take longer.

Is the Spanish golden visa still available?

No. Spain ended its golden visa route in 2025.

Can I take my UK car to Spain?

Yes, but registration involves inspections, paperwork and tax. Many people buy locally instead.

Fancy the slow route south?

Ask us about freighter and sea voyages from the UK to southern Europe and beyond.

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Steve Joury

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Leidenschaftlich über langsame Reise und Meer. Steve kennt die meisten Schifffahrtsrouten und Verfahren, um unsere schöne Welt vom Meer aus auf einem Containerschiff zu entdecken. Er war auf den meisten Reisen von 7 Tagen auf Frachtfahrt bis zu 140 Tagen an Bord.

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