The day the UK left the EU changing the requirements and costs for British nationals to get residency in Spain is becoming a fading memory.  For many British nationals the Non-Lucrative Visa is the route to Spanish residency.

We initially published this article early in 2021 not long after Brexit, when this was the ‘new norm’ for Brits.  Now with it very much the ‘norm’, for British nationals, we revisit the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa costs and requirements, and highlight the most recent changes.

We cover the general requirements in our article Spanish Residency Requirements for British Citizens and UK Nationals.

Here we drill down further into what th Spanish residency requirements for British nationals and the costs in real terms.

Spanish Residency Requirements for British Nationals as Citizens of Third Countries

In 2024 Spain implemented significant reforms to its immigration laws to enhance migrant integration and address labour market needs.

Key Spain rule and law changes that are relevant to people that are not citizens of EU countries who are looking to move to Spain include:

Property Investor ‘Golden Visa Residency

In November 2024, the residency scheme for property investors, or ‘Golden Visa’ as it’s commonly known, was deleted from the Law, (Ley 14/2013, de 27 de septiembre, de apoyo a los emprendedores y su internacionalización), that brought it into being.  As of 3rd April 2025, the ‘Golden Visa’ is no longer available to new applicants.  Existing holders of the visa / residency and their family members can carry on renewing their residency, for as long as they continue to qualify under the rules as they were.  New applications by family members of existing holders are also possible.

Non-Lucrative Visa

British citizens / UK nationals now have to follow the same process as other non-EU national citizens of third countries to get Spanish residency, i.e. there is a requirement to first obtain a visa.

The financial means required for a British Citizen / UK national to obtain a residency visa, is a lot higher than it was when the UK was in the EU.  A single applicant needs to have around €30k per year in either income or savings, whereas a citizen of an EU country €6k is sufficient.

British nationals also have to obtain a police criminal report, get official supporting documents legalised, and medical certificates are also required for most visa applications.

UPDATE

In November Congress approved a bill that included text to scrap the ‘Golden Visa’ and end this residency scheme as soon as January 2025. On December 2nd, the Senate vetoed the bill sending it back to Congress delaying the ending of the Golden Visa for property purchases in Spain for several months.  The legislation has now been passed and will come into effect 3rd April 2025.

It will be possible to apply for a ‘Golden Visa up to that date, and anyone who has been granted residency under the scheme will be able to continue renewing in the future.

Background to the End of the Spain’s Golden Visa

The end of the Spanish Golden Visa for UK British Nationals and other non-EU citizens, has been on the cards since Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s announcement in April 2024.

The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa offers residency to British nationals who have the financial means to support themselves without working.  The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa scheme is therefore ideal if you are retired, or have passive income, for example income from rental properties or other investments.  The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa is intended for full-time residency in Spain, i.e. 6 months or more per year.

What does the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa Offer UK British Nationals?

The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa offers residency to nationals from non-EU countries who have the financial means to support themselves without working.  The Non-Lucrative Visa residency scheme is therefore ideal if you are retired or have passive income, for example rental income from properties or income from other investments.  The Non-Lucrative Visa is for people who want to live full-time in Spain, and requires the holder to become tax resident.

What does the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa Offer?

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa and Residency is now more than two years old and has become the second most popular Spanish residency after the Non-Lucrative Visa.  This visa or residency permit allows the holder to live in Spain and work remotely or online.  It can be applied directly in Spain, or via the Spanish Consulate in the country in which you currently reside.

All three Spanish Consulates in the UK have outsourced handling of Non-Lucrative Visa applications to BLS International.

The consulates in London and Edinburgh were the first to make the switch at the start of summer in 2023 at the onset of Student Visa application processing.

Manchester consulate continued handling Non-Lucrative Visa applications in house, though to the end of October 2023, before making the switch.

Everything is now handled by BLS so all former procedures through the Consulates have been done away with, and new processes with BLS are in place.

Who Are BLS International?

The Spanish Consulate in London covers the southern counties of the UK, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.  So if you live in East Anglia, the South East or the South West, you’ll take your application to the BLS International Visa Centre in London which handles visa processing for the Consulate of Spain in London.

Locations that come under the Spanish Consulate in London

The Spanish Consulate in Manchester covers Central UK.  So if you live in the Midlands, the North West, Isle of Man or Wales, you’ll take your application to the BLS International Visa Centre in Salford Manchester, which handles visa processing for the Consulate of Spain in Manchester.

Locations that come under the Spanish Consulate in Manchester