Moving to Spain from the UK — Brexit, visas and the DNV explained

Spain was the most popular destination for British expats long before Brexit, and it remains so today — but the legal framework for getting there has changed entirely. UK citizens who once had an automatic right to live and work anywhere in the EU now need to navigate the same visa system as any other non-EU national.

This guide explains what has changed since Brexit, what visa options are now available to British people wanting to live in Spain, and why Spain's Digital Nomad Visa is proving to be an excellent route for UK remote workers and contractors in 2026.

What Brexit changed for British people in Spain

Before 31 December 2020, UK citizens had EU freedom of movement. They could live, work, study, and retire in Spain — and any other EU country — without obtaining a visa. This right ended at the close of the Brexit transition period.

From 1 January 2021, the UK became a third country in EU law. British citizens are now treated exactly as nationals of the United States, Canada, Australia, or any other non-EU country. This has two immediate practical consequences:

• UK citizens can visit Spain for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period without a visa — the same Schengen rule that applies to all third-country visitors
• UK citizens who want to live in Spain for more than 90 days must obtain a long-stay national visa before arrival

There is no transitional arrangement, no grace period, and no informal workaround. The 90/180 rule applies strictly, and Spanish border authorities enforce it.

Visa options for UK citizens moving to Spain

Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)

The DNV is purpose-built for remote workers and freelancers who earn their income from outside Spain. It is an outstanding fit for British people who work remotely for UK employers or who run businesses serving UK clients. The visa was introduced under Spain's Startups Law (Ley de Startups) in 2023 and has quickly become the most popular route for working-age British expats.

The DNV gives an initial one-year visa, which converts to a three-year residence permit on arrival and can be renewed for a further two years. In 2026, the income threshold is €2,849 per month for a single applicant, with 75% added per dependant. Employed workers on the DNV can potentially access Spain's Beckham Law — the 24% flat income tax rate — for up to six years.

Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)

The NLV suits British people who have sufficient passive income — from savings, investments, or a pension — to live in Spain without working. No employment or freelance work is permitted on this visa. It has been popular with British retirees, though the income threshold is notably higher than the DNV. For those below state pension age with investment income, the NLV remains a viable route.

Student visa

For British nationals wanting to study at a Spanish institution — university, language school, or specialist course — a student visa is the appropriate route. Limited paid work is generally permitted alongside study.

The ACRO criminal record check — the UK-specific document

Spain requires a criminal record check from your country of residence as part of the DNV application. For UK applicants, this is the ACRO Criminal Record Certificate, issued by ACRO Criminal Records Office. This is not the same as a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check — a DBS check is not accepted for Spanish visa purposes.

Once you have the ACRO certificate, it needs a Hague Apostille attached to confirm its authenticity for use abroad. For UK documents, the Apostille is obtained from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office. The process typically takes 2–6 weeks in total, though the FCDO offers priority services. Apply for your ACRO certificate before anything else — it is the longest-lead item in the UK applicant's document pack.

Full document checklist for UK applicants

• Valid UK passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay in Spain)
• Completed application form (EX-01 or as specified by the Spanish consulate)
• ACRO Criminal Record Certificate with Hague Apostille
• Medical certificate confirming absence of notifiable conditions, with Hague Apostille
• Sworn Spanish translation of all documents (traducción jurada)
• Proof of income: employment contract, recent payslips, or certified accounts showing at least €2,849/month
• Private health insurance covering Spain (minimum €30,000 coverage)
• Proof of accommodation in Spain (rental contract or ownership document)
• Passport photographs to Spanish specifications

Where UK citizens apply for the Spain DNV

Applications are made at the Spanish consulate with jurisdiction over your place of UK residence. The Spanish Embassy in London handles applications from many parts of England and Wales, while the Consulate General in Edinburgh covers Scotland. There are also honorary consulates in other UK cities. Check the Spanish consulate website for your specific jurisdiction before booking an appointment.

Consulate appointments for the DNV are in demand — book as early in the process as possible, ideally while you are still gathering your documents.

HMRC and UK tax when you move to Spain

Leaving the UK creates important UK tax considerations. Whether you become non-UK tax resident depends on the UK's Statutory Residence Test (SRT) — a set of rules that determine your UK tax residence status in any given tax year. Meeting the automatic UK non-residence tests or the sufficient ties tests will determine when you leave the UK tax net.

HMRC split-year treatment

If you leave the UK partway through a tax year and meet the relevant conditions of the SRT, HMRC will treat that year as split: a UK-resident part (from 6 April to your departure date) and a non-resident part (from departure to 5 April). Income arising in the non-resident part is generally outside the scope of UK income tax. You claim split-year treatment via the SA109 supplementary pages of your Self Assessment return. This is a technical area — take specialist UK tax advice before moving.

UK-Spain double taxation treaty

The UK and Spain have a comprehensive double taxation agreement (DTA). This treaty allocates taxing rights between the two countries for different categories of income, and includes provisions for tax credits to prevent the same income being taxed twice. The treaty is particularly relevant for UK-source income — such as rental income from a UK property or a UK company dividend — that continues to arise after you move to Spain. Your Spanish tax adviser and UK accountant should coordinate on your cross-border tax position.

Non-habitual resident (NHR) in Spain

Spain does not have an exact equivalent of Portugal's NHR regime. The relevant Spanish benefit for employed workers on the DNV is Beckham Law — the 24% flat income tax rate for employed workers who have not been Spanish tax resident in the preceding five years. Self-employed individuals (autónomos) do not typically qualify for Beckham Law. UK contractors who restructure as employees may qualify, but take advice before relying on this.

Healthcare — EHIC, GHIC, and private health insurance

GHIC for temporary visits

The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for UK citizens after Brexit. The GHIC covers medically necessary healthcare during temporary visits to Spain, not during residency. Once you are a Spanish resident, the GHIC no longer applies to your situation.

S1 form for UK state pensioners

If you receive a UK State Pension or certain UK benefits, you may be entitled to register an S1 form with the Spanish health authority. The S1 is issued by HMRC and, when registered in Spain, entitles you and your registered dependants to healthcare on the same basis as a Spanish social security contributor. This is a valuable benefit — UK pensioners moving to Spain should apply for their S1 from HMRC before departure.

Private health insurance for DNV applicants

The DNV application requires private health insurance as a condition of approval. Most UK applicants take out a comprehensive Spanish private health policy. Private healthcare in Spain is of a high standard and significantly more affordable than comparable UK private medical insurance. Budget approximately €80–200 per month depending on your age and the level of cover.

Driving licence exchange — the UK advantage

This is an area where UK citizens have a genuine advantage over nationals of many other non-EU countries. Spain and the United Kingdom have a bilateral agreement on driving licence exchange. This means UK licence holders who become Spanish residents can exchange their valid UK driving licence for a Spanish driving licence without retaking any tests. You simply go through an administrative exchange process at the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico).

The exchange must be carried out within the period specified by the DGT following registration as a resident. Drive with your UK licence during the transition, and keep your original UK licence safe — you will need to surrender it as part of the exchange. Check the current DGT guidance for the specific timescales, as administrative windows are updated periodically.

UK bank accounts and NatWest International / Lloyds International

Maintaining a UK bank account after moving abroad can be complicated. Some UK high street banks close accounts for customers who no longer have a UK address. Before moving, investigate whether your bank has an international banking service — NatWest International and Lloyds Bank International (both based in the Channel Islands) offer accounts specifically designed for British expats. Opening these accounts before you leave the UK is significantly easier than doing so from abroad.

For day-to-day banking in Spain, the main Spanish banks — Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank — are straightforward for UK residents to use. A Spanish bank account is essential for paying rent, utilities, and taxes in Spain.

NHS prescriptions and healthcare transition

Once you are a Spanish resident, you can no longer access NHS services as a UK resident. You should obtain an adequate supply of any prescription medications before departure and register with a Spanish doctor or private GP in Spain promptly on arrival. If you have an ongoing condition, obtain a detailed letter from your UK GP summarising your medication and medical history — this will be invaluable for your Spanish healthcare provider.