All About Brexit for British Expats in Spain

Embarking on a life in Spain as a British expat post-Brexit is a journey fraught with complexities and considerations, affecting residency, healthcare, and the nuances of everyday life.

While Brexit has ushered in a new era, it has not diminished Spain's appeal as a destination for those seeking a Mediterranean lifestyle. Join us on this interesting journey, exploring the challenges and opportunities that define the post-Brexit landscape for British expats in Spain.

After Brexit, what things have changes for Expats in Spain?

Brexit has brought about a wave of changes for British expatriates in Spain, spanning residency, healthcare, financial matters, and cultural connections. Navigating these changes requires careful consideration, proactive planning, and staying informed about evolving regulations. Seeking professional advice, actively engaging with local communities, and maintaining flexibility in the face of uncertainties are key strategies for a successful post-Brexit life in Spain.

Before Brexit, there were around 300,000 British expatriates living in Spain officially, and it was estimated that there were between 500,000 and 700,000 living here without any type of registration. The decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union has had a profound impact on various aspects of life, including the status of British expatriates living in EU member states. For British expats in Spain, a country that has long been a popular destination for retirees and those seeking a Mediterranean lifestyle, understanding the implications of Brexit is crucial. Let’s have a look at some of the key areas, such as residency, healthcare, and financial matters.

Residency:

Prior to the departure from the EU, British citizens enjoyed the right to live and work freely within member states. Therefore, one of the biggest Brexit concerns for British expats in Spain is their residency status. To live in Spain, residents have to obtain the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) card. The TIE not only solidifies one's residency status but is also essential for accessing various services and benefits within Spain. This replaced the NIE, which residents for all other EU countries continue to hold.

The biggest change Brexit has meant for a British expat in Spain, is that now they need to obtain a visa to enter the country for longer than the permitted tourist visits, in order to stay, live and work in Spain more permanently. This working visa needs to be obtained in advance of entry to Spain and requires providing various paperwork such as the visa application form, photograph, valid unexpired passport, a work contract – stamped by the Foreign national office, a criminal record check and medical certificate, a medical certificate. For full details on this check the Spanish Ministry visa application webpage. Once you have entered Spain using this vias you can continue to complete the required residency paperwork including obtaining your “empadronamiento” and TIE.

Driving:

After 6 months of living in Spain, if you want to drive you need to change to a Spanish licence. In my case, for example, because I was living here before Brexit, I just needed to apply to the driving authority (Directorate-General for Traffic, DGT) and I was able to swap my licence for a Spanish one. However, now you must sit your test again. You can do the theory part in Spanish, which is useful, but it is still an arduous and costly process. You need to sit through the course for the theory part for example, not just do the test. Read my article about driving in Spain here.

Healthcare:

Access to healthcare is a significant consideration for expatriates, and Brexit has brought changes to the healthcare system for British residents. Previously, British expatriates enjoyed access to healthcare services through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This is no longer the case.

To ensure continued access to healthcare in Spain, British expatriates are encouraged to register for the Spanish National Health System (SNS) or secure private health insurance. Registering with the SNS involves obtaining a social security number and fulfilling certain residency requirements. Private health insurance, while an option, may come with associated costs, making it imperative for expatriates to carefully consider their healthcare needs and make informed decisions. You can get a free quote for a private insurance in less than a minute by clicking here.

Financial Considerations:

Brexit has also introduced financial implications for British expatriates in Spain. Changes in currency exchange rates, potential alterations to pension arrangements, and modifications in tax regulations are aspects that expatriates need to navigate. Seeking professional financial advice becomes crucial in managing these uncertainties and ensuring financial stability.

For those receiving a UK pension, the way payments are made may have changed post-Brexit. Consulting with a financial advisor can help expatriates understand the implications for their specific circumstances and make informed decisions about their financial future. Additionally, staying informed about any tax implications, both in the UK and Spain, is vital for financial planning.

Other considerations 

There have been some important changes to everyday services such as telecommunications and the postal service as a result of Brexit. When Britain was part of the EU we could take it for granted that “roaming” was free within the EU. That meant you could use your mobile to call numbers from your home country (Spanish numbers from your Spanish phone or British to British), and use data at no extra cost while abroad. Although with some providers this remains the case, it is not always. Check with your mobile provider before you travel. 

Import tax from the UK to Spain or Spain to the UK is now added by Customs or Aduanas. You may find yourself having to hand over cash to the postie before being given your items. This can happen if you buy something from a British retailer, including if you use the UK Amazon site instead of the Spanish one, so be careful. I was recently caught out when receiving a lovely gift from a family member. Someone was thoughtful enough to send my wife and I advent calendars for Christmas. I received a note in my postbox saying I needed to go to the post office because import tax was due on the items (which they won’t show you or give you any info about until you have coughed up the dough). I ended up paying the value of the gift again in tax. My relatives had actually written ‘Gift’ on the packaging, which we’d been told would make the gift exempt from import tax, but it wasn’t the case. (The chocolates were worth it though!)

So, you can see, there are various implications, big and small, that have to be considered now that we live in a post Brexit Europe. Living in Spain is still a great option and something I would encourage anyone to try. Yes, it is more complicated than it used to be, but through good investigation and planning it’s certainly possible. There is a bigger demand than ever for native English speakers in many sectors, notably Education. British Expats in Spain still enjoy a high standard of living and there are still strong networks of English speakers in Spain.

If you need more info you know that Typical Non Spanish blog is a great place to find it. For general information read my write-up on Brexit and moving to Spain.