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Moving to Spain from the UK
— The Complete 2026 Checklist

Every step a UK national needs to take, in the right order — from picking your visa to registering in Spain. Don't miss a thing.

📋 10 phases covered 🇬🇧 Written for UK nationals 🗓 Updated May 2026
How to use this checklist: Work through each phase in order. Phases 1–4 happen before you leave the UK. Phases 5–7 happen on arrival in Spain. Tick items off as you go. For personalised guidance on any step, speak to an expert at agrin.uk — the initial consultation is free.
1
Research & Decide 6+ months before
Choose your destination in Spain Important
Research regions — Costa del Sol, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Madrid. Consider cost of living, climate, English-speaking expat communities and proximity to airports.
Identify the right visa for your situation Critical
Digital Nomad Visa (remote workers), Non-Lucrative Visa (retirees/passive income), Work Permit (Spanish employer), Student Visa, or Autónomo (self-employed). Each has different income and document requirements. See the full visa comparison.
Calculate your budget Important
Factor in visa fees, apostille costs, certified translations, flights, deposits, shipping and 3 months' living expenses as a buffer.
Book a free consultation with agrin.uk Useful
A specialist will confirm the best visa route for your circumstances and give you a personalised document checklist — saving weeks of guesswork.
2
Prepare Your UK Documents 4–5 months before
Valid UK passport Critical
Must be valid for at least 1 year beyond your planned stay. Renew early — passport offices can be slow.
UK criminal record certificate (ACRO) Critical
Required for all long-stay visas. Apply via the ACRO Criminal Records Office. Must be issued within 3 months of your consulate appointment and apostilled.
Apostille all UK official documents Critical
The UK FCDO issues apostilles on criminal records, birth/marriage certificates and other official documents. Allows 2–3 weeks for processing. Many visas require this.
Certified Spanish translations Critical
All documents not in Spanish must be translated by a sworn translator (traductor jurado). Your agrin.uk consultant can recommend approved translators.
Proof of income or funds Critical
Bank statements (3–6 months), pension letters, or employment contracts depending on your visa type. Digital Nomad requires ~€2,800/month; Non-Lucrative requires ~€27,800/year.
Private health insurance policy Critical
Required for Non-Lucrative and Digital Nomad visas. Must cover Spain with no co-payments and no exclusions for pre-existing conditions. Obtain before applying.
Passport-style photos Important
You'll need several recent photos meeting Spanish consulate specifications. Take more than you think you need.
3
Apply for Your Visa 3–4 months before
Book a Spanish Consulate appointment Critical
Apply at the consulate for your UK region — London, Edinburgh or Manchester. Appointments can be scarce; book as soon as your documents are ready.
Complete the visa application form (Modelo Nacional) Critical
Download and fill in the correct form for your visa type from the Spanish Consulate website. Your agrin.uk consultant will review it before submission.
Pay the visa fee Critical
Fees vary by visa type, typically £80–£160. Pay at your consulate appointment. Fees are non-refundable.
Attend your consulate appointment Critical
Bring originals and copies of all documents. The consulate will retain originals, so make certified copies in advance.
Wait for visa approval Important
Processing takes 20–45 working days (Digital Nomad) or 1–3 months (Non-Lucrative/Work Permit). Do not book one-way flights until your visa is confirmed.
Pro tip: Once your visa is approved, you typically have 1 month to enter Spain and activate it. Plan your move date to fall within this window. Your visa start date is fixed from the date of issue, not your arrival.
4
Before You Leave the UK 4–8 weeks before
Notify HMRC of your move abroad Critical
Complete form P85 (if employed) or inform HMRC if self-employed. This establishes your non-UK tax residency and stops incorrect PAYE deductions.
Contact your pension provider Important
Notify your pension provider of your new address abroad. Check whether State Pension can be paid to a Spanish bank account.
Arrange international money transfer Useful
Use a specialist FX provider (Wise, OFX, etc.) rather than your UK bank to move larger sums — you'll save significantly on exchange rates.
Sort your UK property Important
Give notice to your landlord, or if you own, decide whether to sell or let. If letting, inform your mortgage provider and arrange landlord insurance.
Redirect UK mail Useful
Set up Royal Mail redirection for 12 months and update your address with banks, DVLA, HMRC, GP, dentist and any subscriptions.
Arrange shipping or storage Useful
Get 3 quotes from international removal companies. Customs paperwork is required for moving personal belongings to Spain. Expect 1–4 weeks transit time.
5
Arrive in Spain Day 1
Enter Spain and activate your visa Critical
Your visa activates on entry. Keep your entry stamp or boarding pass as proof of your arrival date — you'll need it for your TIE application.
Confirm your accommodation address Critical
You need a fixed Spanish address for the Padrón, NIE/TIE, and most official registrations. Short-term rental is fine initially, but a rental contract in your name is best.
6
Register Your Residency (Within 30 Days) First month in Spain
Apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) Critical
Your residence card. Book an appointment at your local Oficina de Extranjería within 30 days of arrival. You'll need your passport, visa, photos, proof of address and the EX-17 form. See our full NIE & TIE guide.
Register on the Padrón Municipal Critical
Register at your local Ayuntamiento (town hall). The Padrón certificate proves Spanish residency and is required for healthcare access, school enrolment, driving licence exchange and much more.
Obtain your NIE number Critical
Your Número de Identidad de Extranjero — Spain's tax identification number for foreigners. Needed for opening bank accounts, signing contracts and paying taxes. Issued as part of your TIE process or separately at a police station.
7
Set Up Daily Life First 1–3 months
Open a Spanish bank account Important
You'll need your NIE, passport and proof of address. Major banks include Santander, BBVA and CaixaBank. Some offer English-language services.
Register with a local GP (médico de cabecera) Important
Visit your local health centre (centro de salud) with your TIE and Padrón certificate to be assigned a GP and access Spain's public healthcare system.
Set up Spanish utilities Useful
Arrange electricity, water, gas and internet. You'll need your NIE and bank account to set up direct debits.
Exchange your UK driving licence Important
UK licences are no longer automatically recognised in Spain post-Brexit. You must exchange it (canje de permiso) at the DGT within 6 months of becoming a Spanish resident. You'll need your Padrón and TIE.
Register children in school Useful
Contact your local Ayuntamiento for the school catchment area. Public school is free. You'll need the Padrón, TIE and birth certificates.
Register your vehicle (if brought from the UK) Useful
UK-registered vehicles must be re-registered in Spain within 30 days of establishing residency. This involves an ITV (Spanish MOT) and DGT registration.
8
Tax & Financial Admin First year
Understand your Spanish tax residency status Critical
If you spend more than 183 days per year in Spain, you are a Spanish tax resident and must declare worldwide income to the Spanish tax authority (AEAT). Get advice early — double taxation can catch people off guard.
File Modelo 720 if applicable Important
Spanish tax residents must declare foreign assets over €50,000 using Modelo 720. Penalties for non-declaration are severe. Seek professional tax advice.
Explore the Beckham Law (if eligible) Useful
Newly arrived workers may qualify for Spain's "Beckham Law" — a special tax regime that taxes only Spanish-sourced income at a flat 24% for up to 6 years. Must be applied for within 6 months of starting work. Ask agrin.uk if you qualify.
9
Renew Your Visa & Build Residency Year 1 onwards
Renew your visa on time Critical
Start the renewal process 60 days before expiry. Requirements vary by visa type but typically include proof of continued income, health insurance and local registration. Late renewal can disrupt your residency timeline.
Track your days in Spain Important
To qualify for permanent residency after 5 years, you must show continuous legal residence. Keep records of your time in Spain vs abroad.
10
Long-Term Residency & Citizenship Year 5–10
Apply for Long-Term Residency (5 years) Useful
After 5 years of continuous legal residence, apply for long-term residency (Residencia de Larga Duración). This gives open-ended rights to live and work in Spain without further renewals.
Apply for Spanish nationality (10 years) Useful
After 10 years of legal residence, UK nationals can apply for Spanish citizenship. This restores your EU citizenship and freedom of movement across 27 countries.

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FAQ

Checklist Questions Answered

How far in advance should I start planning my move to Spain from the UK?
At least 3–6 months before your intended move date. Visa processing alone can take 1–3 months, and gathering apostilled UK documents adds further time. Starting early removes all the stress. agrin.uk can give you a precise timeline based on your visa type.
Do I need to apostille my UK documents for a Spanish visa?
Yes. Most official UK documents — criminal record checks, birth and marriage certificates — need an apostille stamp before Spain will accept them. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issues apostilles. Allow 2–3 weeks.
Can I move to Spain before my visa is approved?
No. You must receive your long-stay visa before entering Spain with the intention to stay more than 90 days. You can visit for up to 90 days visa-free while your application is processed, but your residency clock does not start until the visa is issued and you enter Spain.
What is the difference between NIE and TIE?
Your NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your Spanish tax identification number — a permanent number that never changes. Your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the physical residence card that contains your NIE. See our full NIE & TIE guide for step-by-step instructions.
How long does it take to complete the full move process?
From decision to full registration in Spain, most UK nationals take 4–8 months. The visa application period (1–3 months) is usually the longest wait. Post-arrival admin — TIE, Padrón, bank account, GP — typically takes 4–8 weeks to complete once you're on the ground.