Pros and Cons of Spanish Residency

Are you thinking about moving to Spain? It is a sure thing to have several apprehensions about the process. With the immigration policies being in a continuous flux state, you are undecided about your next move. One of the things that should concern you the most must be Spain’s citizenship and residency rules.

Before taking the plunge and making this huge decision, you should find out whether you will be eligible for residency and citizenship in Spain. You may also want to know about any unique benefits of residence in Spain or citizenship. The immigration policies and laws are different across the world, which should affect your decision to relocate. Without knowing about those policies, you should not decide to move to Spain. You should move to Spain if it best suits your interest and situation.

We are a team of immigration experts that help people understand the immigration policies and consult them about the best choice for relocation. Relocating to a new country can be tremendously rewarding for you, given that you make the right decision. In this blog, we will provide you a comprehensive overview of relocating to Spain, which will guide you towards the best conclusion that you must make. We will help you understand the pros and cons of Spanish residency.

The Living Expenses

There are specific pros and cons of Spanish residency when it comes to finances. In some ways, it is economical to live in Spain. Other conditions may create problems for which you must come prepared.

Pros:
This is your foremost concern when moving to a foreign country. You will be happy to know that the average cost of living in Spain is lower than in certain other western European countries. It is generally cheaper to have a meal outside, and specific bills also cost less, for instance, the local property tax (IBI) is usually lower than UK council tax. The cost of housing in Spain is also less in comparison with certain other countries in Europe.

Cons:
Some items and services are more costly in Spain. If your plan is to work in Spain, you will find out that the average salaries are markedly less in Spain than in other countries in Europe. The cost of electronics and particular gadgets is more. Electricity costs about the same per kWh as the EU average, but air conditioning in summer can push your bill up.

Another disadvantage is unemployment. It has fallen to 9.87% (INE, Labour Force Survey, second quarter of 2026), but it is still well above the EU average, so plan your finances carefully before you go. Ideally, you must have finances for yourself, for a situation where you cannot find work. So, you should have a fixed amount in your bank account or a pension.

Also, you must try to get a job in Spain before going to Spain if you want to work there. Alternatively, you may plan to get self-employed in Spain; for instance, you may think about doing business there. Either way, keep enough savings in the bank to cover your move and your first months here.

Schooling of Children

Cons:
Now, this is important if you plan your trip with family accompanying you or if you want to live there for long. There are three main types of school in Spain, and each has its advantages and disadvantages.

The three options are free state schools, state-funded private schools (concertados) and fee-paying private or international schools. International schools are expensive, so they are hard to justify if money is tight. Homeschooling is not a recognised alternative: school is compulsory in Spain from age 6 to 16.

The Weather

There are pros and cons of living in Spain when it comes to weather.

Spain has all four seasons of weather. Whether or not you appreciate a temperature depends on your area of residence’s climate conditions and personal preference. Even if you are used to heat, an inland Spanish summer can be hard going. And if you come from somewhere warm, you will usually cope fine with a Spanish winter. The climate conditions in Spain are sure to impress you.

The weather is human-friendly, so this gives you the luxury of moving anywhere, traveling, and exploring the country, visiting any place you want. We understand that communication and technology have not decreased the zest for tourism and Spain has the perfect weather so you can plan a trip any time during the year. Because of the cozy weather conditions, there are several opportunities for exciting outdoor opportunities in Spain. But summers in Spain can be hard going if you do not like the heat, especially inland.

Pros:
One of the best aspects of living in Spain is the nice weather. Unlike other regions in Europe or the USA, the climate of Spain is pleasant. This means that you do not have to restrain yourself from going outside and having a good time. Compare this with frosty winters in other countries, where temperature below the freezing point inhibits movement and challenges life. In Spain, you will experience the most pleasant winters, autumn, and spring, which enable you to travel and have a good time outdoors.

Spain’s season contrast is one of its unique features that makes it more habitable than several other regions in Europe. Winters are mild on the Mediterranean coast and in the Canary Islands, while Madrid and the inland plateau get cold, frosty nights. If the country’s climate condition is a point of decision-making for you, then Spain is a good option for relocating.

Cons:
If you do not like the summer season, this must be a disadvantage. Summers are warmer in Spain, in comparison with other regions. You will likely have to spend more on air conditioning in your home. Inland Andalusia is the hottest part of the country: in Seville and Córdoba, days above 40 °C are common in July and August. The northern coast stays much cooler.

Limited Access to Welfare Benefits

Con: Most residence permits for people who do not work in Spain, such as the non-lucrative visa, require you to prove you can support yourself, and many welfare benefits depend on having paid Spanish social security or on years of legal residence. The minimum income scheme (Ingreso Mínimo Vital), for example, asks for at least one year of legal residence in Spain first. Plan to be self-sufficient, especially in your first years.

Bringing a Right-Hand-Drive (RHD) Car to Spain

Cons: Driving a right-hand-drive car in Spain is legal, but it is awkward: Spain drives on the right, so overtaking and paying at toll booths are harder from the wrong side. If you live in another EU country, you can use your own car here for up to six months in any twelve. Once you live in Spain, you have one month to register the car on Spanish plates, and it has to pass the ITV inspection first. You may also owe registration tax, and a car coming from outside the EU, such as the UK, has to clear customs, where import VAT can apply. The transfer-of-residence exemption can remove those taxes if you lived abroad for at least 12 months and used the car there for at least six months before the move. Many people still find it easier to sell the RHD car and buy a left-hand-drive one here. Our team can tell you which costs apply to your car.

Cultural Heritage

Pro: Spain is a country with a different past that sets it apart from other countries. There have been several different rules in the region during the past that influence its present dynamics. You will find Roman, Moorish and medieval sites all over the country. The historic buildings are well-preserved and must-visit sites for tourism-buffs.

Family

Pros:
Spain is perfect if you plan to visit it with your family. The culture is very welcoming for children.

Cons:
This is a general practice that children generally go to sleep late during the night in Spain.

Diversity and Variety of Languages

Here we tell you the pros and cons of Spanish residency in terms of cultural and social integration.

Pros:
There are diverse cultures and languages in Spain. There is so much difference between different regions of the country as they have unique traditions. Spain is a country that you would love to explore. The diversity and landscapes are intriguing and sure to surprise you. This is not a fact that should make you apprehensive of Spain. You will still find many similarities among different regions in Spain. So do not get anguished in anticipation of cultural shock.

Cons:
In some regions of Spain, you can get by without learning the local language; however, in other areas, you will face inconvenience if you do not know at least the basic conversation in it. So, it is advisable to learn the basics of the local language so that you can visit and consult with a physician or shop at stores.

In some regions, far fewer people speak English, especially outside the big cities and tourist areas, so do not expect everyone to speak it. It helps to learn basic Spanish before you move. For official paperwork, our team arranges the sworn translations you need.

The difference in Rules and Regulations Across Regions

Cons:
As you already understand and appreciate the cultural and linguistic diversity in Spain, this also means that rules and regulations may also vary across different regions. Taxes, school places and some residence paperwork depend on the region, so our team checks the rules that apply where you plan to live.

Ease of Travelling

Pros:
From the UK, most of mainland Spain is two to three hours away by air.

Extensive Paperwork for Residency

The process of getting a residency is a hassle, as it involves piles of paperwork. Many applications can now be filed online, but you still need certified documents, translations and in-person appointments, such as the police appointment to have your fingerprints taken for your residence card (TIE). Additionally, this may also require you to visit several administrative departments to get several kinds of papers. So, this process might get daunting and tedious for you. There is an intricate system of bureaucracy at every level of governance in Spain.

Bureaucratic Culture

Con: Things move more slowly in Spanish public offices than in the UK, and you will need patience.

Many procedures can now be started online, but plenty of them still need an in-person appointment and paper copies. So, a lot of times, you will experience that doing simple things takes longer in Spain. You will need more patience when availing services in Spain, as the bureaucratic culture will be cumbersome, require more effort from you, and take more time. Expect yourself to be patient in all such circumstances and keep your cool.

The August Month

Cons:
Do not plan to get things done during August in Spain. This is when the climate is hottest in the country, and for that reason, this is the favorite time for Spaniards for taking vacations. So, several businesses discontinue their work at this time and shut their shops. This can indeed become a hindrance in several tasks that you might have planned for this month. It is best to prepare for this month differently, to not get disappointed later.

Vegetarian Food

There are some pros and cons of Spanish residency if you happen to be a vegetarian.

Pros:
You will find several shops in Spain that sell different types of vegetables. There are ample vegetables and vegetable shops everywhere in Spain, so you can get any fresh vegetables any time you want.

Cons:
The problem is that you will still not find enough vegetarian restaurants in Spain. So, if vegetarian food is your choice, or if you want to have a more balanced diet, you will most likely have to cook that food yourself, as there are very few restaurants that offer vegetarian food in the country.

Before You Travel to Spain-Keep These Things in Check

Visa Requirements

If your country is not in the EU, then in several cases, you will require a visa to travel to Spain. To get the visa, you will have to fulfill specific requirements, such as providing proof of finances. The consulate can also call you for an interview. If you have an active employment offer from a company in Spain, you must make sure that you know the relevant visa details.

For those who want to live in Spain without working, such as retirees or people living off passive income, the most popular route is the passive income visa, which requires proving a minimum income of €2,400 a month (€28,800 a year) in 2026 and does not require any investment or job offer.

Buy a Health Insurance Plan

Before you move to Spain, sort out your health insurance. For the non-lucrative visa, the law accepts public or private cover, but it has to match what Spain’s public health system covers. Most applicants cannot join the Spanish public system, so in practice this means a private policy with an insurer authorised in Spain, full cover and no co-payments. On the digital nomad visa, public cover through Spanish social security also counts. Our team helps you choose a compliant policy.

Don’t Sell Your Property or Close Your Bank Accounts

When moving to Spain, if you intend to live there permanently, you might think about selling your property and closing your bank accounts in your home country. This is not the best option, as you should be sure about your intentions of living in the new country permanently. This is what you will learn the best when you will relocate to the new location. For that matter, you should alternatively rent out the property in your home country and keep your accounts intact.

Carefully Choose Lawyers, Real-Estate Agents, Gestor or Accountant

If your plan is to relocate to a new country, you will have to avail yourself of the professionals’ services mentioned above. Our lawyers handle the immigration side, and for property, tax and accounting we work with trusted gestores, accountants and property lawyers, so you do not have to find them yourself.

Expat forums are useful for everyday tips from people who have made the same move, but check anything legal or tax related with our team before you act on it.

Living in Spain-What to Expect and Do?

Buying Accommodation

If you plan to buy a living area in Spain, our best advice will be to first live on the rented property for six months before deciding to purchase real-estate for living. This will give you time to decide whether permanently shifting to Spain is the right decision for you. This way, you will also be sure about relocating to a particular location in the country. Some ex-pats move inland only to realize that living on the coast suits them more and vice versa.

Tax Liabilities

You become a tax resident in Spain if you spend more than 183 days in the country in a calendar year, if your main business or economic interests are here, or (unless you prove otherwise) if your spouse and minor children live here. After becoming a resident of the country, you are responsible for paying different taxes, such as the capital gains tax, income tax, and wealth tax, to name a few.

You must make sure that you thoroughly research the relevant types of taxes that will become applicable to you. Our tax advisors can work out your position before you move.

Get an NIE Number

Suppose you plan to undertake any financial transaction in Spain, such as that for purchasing a car or buying a house, you should get an NIE number at your earliest. If you live in Spain long-term, then getting an NIE number is inevitable, so you should get it soon as possible. Our team can apply for it on your behalf.

Immerse Yourself in the Culture

We already highlighted how Spain has a diverse culture and languages. But this is something that will increase your exploration spirit, making you plan several trips across the country. What we advise you is to integrate yourself into the new culture. This means, ideally, you should learn a few phrases of the local language and get to know about the people in your nearest surroundings. Learn the language so that you can conveniently go shopping, ask for directions, and so on.

Understand When They are Not Rude

It is a norm in Spain not to say Thank you and sorry that frequently. This can be uncomfortable for you if you come from the UK or any other place where uttering these words is typical. So, this should not make you perceive Spaniards as rude. This is just their norm, and there is not a specific reason for not doing so. But it is still acceptable if you keep using “por favor” and “gracias” in Spain, as people will not be concerned about it if you do so. What you should understand is that it is their culture not to use these phrases frequently.

Driving in Spain

Learn about the difference between driving in Spain. Before embarking on to drive in Spain, familiarize yourself with the markings, roads, and road signs. You will have to drive the car on the right side of the road in Spain, as all Spaniards do so. We suggest that you practice the new modes of driving in Spain, with friends or a guide, and practice a few trips. After practicing sufficiently to drive on the right side of the road in the new environment and conventions, you should start to drive in your routine.

Learn the Norms of the Place

Relocating to Spain should not be a cultural shock, as the place is warm and friendly for the expats living in Spain and tourists. But you may experience how several things are done differently in Spain, and this is what you should not take as a shock; instead, you should know that those are the same things just being done differently.

Many small shops close from about 2 pm to 5 pm, although supermarkets and big chains in cities usually stay open all day. This is just their culture, their way of doing things. You will also find out that the Spaniards are calm and relaxed most of the time; you will not see them impatient or in any hurry. You will also find out that it is common for people to stop their vehicle chatting with someone, even when other cars wait behind them. This is normal for them, though it may seem out of routine to you. But you should learn to experience life their way soon.

Learn About Your Eligibility for Spanish Residency

Your eligibility and chance to obtain the residency of Spain depends on a variety of factors. Here we help you learn where you stand in the queue for getting Spain’s residency and what you can do to increase the possibility of getting it.

Your Present Nationality

Citizens of EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland have the right to live in Spain. For stays of more than three months they register at the Central Register of Foreign Nationals, and if they will not work here they need enough money to support themselves and full health insurance. Since Brexit, UK nationals who move to Spain are treated like any other non-EU citizen and need a residence permit, unless they were already living here before 1 January 2021. Americans, Canadians and Australians also need a residence permit, such as the non-lucrative visa or the digital nomad visa.

If You are Living in Spain

If you presently live in Spain, then your eligibility for Spanish citizenship or residency will be based on the time duration you stayed in the country. After five years of legal and continuous residence, you can apply for long-term (permanent) residence, which lets you live and work in Spain indefinitely. After ten years of legal and continuous residence, you can apply for Spanish citizenship.

Exceptions

If you are married to a Spanish citizen, or you are the child of a Spanish citizen and under 26, you do not have to wait, as long as you live together: you can apply straight away for a residence permit as the family member of a Spaniard. It is granted for five years and lets you work.

Citizenship versus Residency-Pros and Cons

There are some pros and cons of Spanish residency in comparison with Spanish citizenship.

After five years in Spain you can move to long-term residence, and after ten you can choose between keeping it or applying for citizenship. Here we have highlighted some of the main differences between them.

Spanish Residency

Pros:
This document is more accessible than citizenship. The main advantage is that with this document, you can still retain citizenship of your home country. For any reason, you may still want to keep the nationality of your home country. When you become Spanish by residence, Spain asks you to renounce your previous nationality (Civil Code, art. 23). Nationals of Ibero-American countries (Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking Latin America), Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, people of Sephardic origin, and French nationals under a 2021 treaty do not have to. Whether your home country actually treats you as having lost your nationality depends on its own law.

If you want to preserve your status as a national of your home country, then the best option is to apply for Spain’s residency. Residency in Spain gives you almost the same everyday rights as Spanish citizens, but each permit comes with its own conditions. On the non-lucrative visa, for example, the most important one is supporting yourself and your family. The money does not have to be a salary; it can also be a pension, savings or other independent means. You will also need public or private health insurance.

Residency in Spain entitles you to benefit from the social services and benefits offered by the country. With your Spanish residence card (TIE) and passport you can travel in the rest of the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It does not give you the right to live or work in another EU country.

Cons:
Though you will have almost the same rights as the citizens of Spain if you have residency in Spain, you will be subject to certain conditions.

Spanish Citizenship

Pro:
If you get Spain’s citizenship, then you have the same rights as other Spaniards and EU citizens. You can vote in every Spanish election and in European elections, and you can live and work anywhere in the EU.

Con:
Unless you are from one of the exempt countries, you have to declare that you renounce your previous nationality when you become Spanish. It is also more difficult to obtain citizenship of Spain than the residency of Spain.

Brexit and the Residency Process in Spain

Brexit did change the residency process for British citizens. UK nationals who were legally living in Spain before 1 January 2021 kept their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, and their residence card (TIE) mentions that agreement.

Anyone moving from the UK since then is a non-EU national for immigration purposes. As a visitor you can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area, and to live here you need a residence permit, most often the non-lucrative visa if you are retiring or the digital nomad visa if you work remotely for clients or an employer abroad.

Cons:
New arrivals from the UK now face the same income, health insurance and paperwork requirements as Americans or Australians. The EU Blue Card is only for highly qualified employees with a Spanish job offer, so for most British retirees it is not the route.

Application Process for Residency of Spain

When applying for a non-lucrative residence visa, you will have to submit proof of finances for supporting yourself and your family. You will also have to provide evidence of a genuine private or public health insurance policy. Alongside this information, you will be required to submit a valid passport.

Moreover, you will have to submit a medical certificate and a criminal record certificate from every country where you have lived in the last five years. If your spouse or children come with you, add your marriage and birth certificates.

Application Process for Spanish Citizenship

If you have stayed in Spain for ten years and opt to apply for Spanish citizenship, you must know that this process is more demanding. You will need ten years of legal and continuous residence, good civic conduct, a clean criminal record and proof that you are integrated into Spanish society. Additionally, you will have to pass two Instituto Cervantes exams: the DELE A2 Spanish test and the CCSE test on the Spanish constitution and society. Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries do not need the DELE.

Applications are filed with the Ministry of Justice, usually online, and once approved you take the oath before the Civil Registry or a notary. If you are between 14 and 18, you apply with the help of your legal representative, and children under 14 apply through their legal guardian. The application fee is €104.05 (form 790, code 026). This fee is non-refundable, which means that you will not get it back even if the application gets rejected. Add the exam fees (€85 for the CCSE and €138 for the DELE A2 taken in Spain in 2026), plus translations and certificates for your file.

Exceptions to the 10 Year Rule

Refugees can apply for citizenship after five years of legal residence in Spain. Nationals of Ibero-American countries (including Brazil), Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and people of Sephardic origin, can apply after two years.

People born in Spain can apply after just one year of legal residence.
A person who has been married to a Spanish citizen for at least one year, and is not separated, can apply after one year of legal residence in Spain. A widow or widower of a Spanish citizen can also apply after one year, if they were not separated when their spouse died. In every case, the residence must be legal, continuous and immediately before the application.

The disadvantage of Tax Residency

Once you are a Spanish tax resident, Spain taxes your worldwide income, not only what you earn here, and you may have to report assets abroad worth more than €50,000 (Modelo 720). Double tax treaties stop you being taxed twice on the same income, and our tax advisors can plan this with you before you arrive.

Visa Process for Non-European Union Citizen

Citizens of the US, UK, Canada and Australia do not need a visa for short trips: they can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Those days cannot be used to switch into most residence permits. The non-lucrative visa and most work visas are applied for at the Spanish consulate for the country where you legally live, before you travel. A few routes, such as the digital nomad visa, the entrepreneur visa and the highly qualified professional permit, can also be requested from inside Spain while you are here legally. A non-lucrative permit is granted for one year and then renewed for two years at a time, and after five years you can apply for long-term residence. To renew it, you must have lived in Spain for more than 183 days in each calendar year, which also makes you a Spanish tax resident.

The Investment Residency Option, and what replaced it

This route closed. Spain ended the investor residence permit on 3 April 2025, so buying property no longer leads to residency on its own. Permits granted before that date remain valid and can still be renewed, under the rules that were in force when they were issued. Anyone arriving now normally uses the entrepreneur visa if they are building a business here, or an income-based permit if they are not.

If you already hold one of these permits, renewals are handled under the old rules, which means keeping the investment in Spain that got you the permit. Time on it only counts towards citizenship if Spain is really where you live: nationality needs ten years of legal, continuous residence.

We hope this helps you choose where to build your life. Contact our team of experts to get answers to any of your further queries regarding the visas and application processes.

Thinking about Andorra instead, where income tax is capped at 10%? We cover the pros and cons of living in Andorra.