Spain is the long-standing favourite for Britons seeking sunshine, a relaxed pace and a short flight home, but moving to Spain from the UK changed after Brexit — free movement is gone and you now need a visa to live there. Relocating to Spain from Britain today means choosing a residence route such as the Non-Lucrative or Digital Nomad visa, getting an NIE and TIE, and shipping household goods by sea from Southampton or Portsmouth into Valencia, Barcelona or Algeciras. This guide covers the post-Brexit practicalities for UK movers.
Moving to Spain from the UK: overview
Brits move to Spain for the climate, lower cost of living outside the big cities, good healthcare and just a two to three-hour flight back to the UK. Since Brexit, the difference is that you are now a third-country national and need a visa to stay beyond 90 days in any 180 — so the planning starts with which residence permit fits your situation.
On the money side, once you spend more than 183 days in a calendar year in Spain you typically become a Spanish tax resident on worldwide income, so coordinate your departure with the UK Statutory Residence Test and take advice on the UK–Spain double tax treaty before you go.
Visa & residency basics
Since Brexit, British citizens need a national visa to live in Spain. Apply at the Spanish consulate in the UK before you move, then exchange it for a TIE card after arrival.
- Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) — for those with sufficient passive income or savings who will not work locally; popular with retirees.
- Digital Nomad Visa — for remote workers and freelancers employed by companies largely outside Spain.
- Work Visa — sponsored by a Spanish employer against a job offer.
- Golden Visa — residency through a qualifying property investment (confirm current status and thresholds).
- NIE and TIE — you will need an NIE number for almost everything and a TIE residence card once approved.
Shipping household goods to Spain from the UK
Spain is close, so you have options: a dedicated road move by lorry across the Channel, or ocean freight from Southampton, Portsmouth or London Gateway into Valencia, Barcelona or Algeciras. Sea freight typically runs two to four weeks port-to-door. FCL suits a full home; LCL groupage or a part-load road service works well for smaller moves to the costas.
As a third country now, your UK goods need a customs declaration on entry to Spain even though the journey is short. A mover experienced on the UK–Spain lane will prepare the paperwork so your furniture is not held at the border or port.
Customs clearance for personal effects
New residents can usually import used household goods free of duty and VAT under the transfer-of-residence relief, provided you have owned and used the items, are deregistering from the UK and registering as resident in Spain, and apply within the set timeframe. You will need a detailed inventory, proof of the move (such as your visa and padrón registration) and passport.
Vehicles, new items and goods bought shortly before the move are treated differently and may attract duty or Spanish IVA, so flag anything recent to your coordinator before shipping.
Banking in Spain for newcomers
You can open a Spanish bank account (Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank, Sabadell) as a non-resident before you move and convert it to a resident account once you have your TIE and padrón. You will need your NIE for most financial steps. Use a currency specialist for the GBP-to-EUR transfer rather than the bank's default rate.
Tax-wise, Spanish residents declare worldwide income and may owe wealth tax and the Modelo 720 overseas-asset report above certain thresholds. UK pensions and ISAs are treated under Spanish rules once you are resident, so take cross-border advice before drawing on them.
Schools in Spain for expats
Spain has free state schools, semi-private concertado schools and a large network of British international schools — especially along the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and around Madrid and Barcelona — that follow the English National Curriculum through to A-levels and IGCSEs. British-curriculum schools ease the transition for older children, while younger ones often integrate quickly into the local system. Confirm fees and places directly and apply early for popular international schools.
Housing & where expats live
- Costa del Sol (Marbella, Estepona, Málaga) — the largest British community, golf, beaches and international schools.
- Costa Blanca (Alicante, Jávea, Torrevieja) — affordable coastal living long popular with UK retirees.
- Valencia — a big, well-priced city with beaches, growing with remote workers and families.
- Barcelona & Madrid — the strongest job markets and most cosmopolitan living, at higher rents.
- Rent first before buying so you can test the area and neighbourhood through a full season.
Bringing your pet from the UK
Dogs, cats and ferrets travel from the UK to Spain on an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an APHA-authorised vet within ten days of travel, with a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination. As Spain is in the EU, the process is well established but the AHC is single-use, so plan each trip. Many families drive across with pets or use a DEFRA-compliant pet transport service.
Destination charges explained
Even on a short UK-to-Spain move, your quote should separate origin packing and freight from Spanish destination costs — port or terminal handling, customs clearance and final delivery, plus any access or shuttle fee if your property is hard to reach by a large lorry.
Ask for an itemised written quote covering UK collection, transport and estimated Spanish destination charges so you can compare movers fairly. Our destination charges guide explains each line.
Plan your move to Spain from the UK
Tell us your destination region in Spain and what you're shipping from Britain. A coordinator will reply with a verified written quote and a clear breakdown of destination charges within one business day.
Request relocation guidanceFrequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to move to Spain from the UK after Brexit?
Yes. Since Brexit, British citizens are third-country nationals and need a national visa — commonly the Non-Lucrative or Digital Nomad visa — to live in Spain beyond 90 days in any 180. Apply at the Spanish consulate in the UK before moving and exchange it for a TIE card afterwards.
How long does shipping from the UK to Spain take?
Sea freight typically runs two to four weeks port-to-door from UK ports to Valencia, Barcelona or Algeciras. A dedicated road move can be faster door-to-door, while LCL groupage may take a little longer as it consolidates with other loads.
Will I pay tax in Spain on my UK pension?
Once you spend more than 183 days a year in Spain you usually become a Spanish tax resident on worldwide income, and most UK pensions become taxable in Spain under the double tax treaty. Government service pensions are treated differently. Take cross-border tax advice before drawing on UK pensions.
Can I bring my used furniture to Spain without paying duty?
Generally yes, under transfer-of-residence relief, if you have owned and used the goods, are moving your main home to Spain and apply within the allowed timeframe with a detailed inventory and proof of residence. New items bought just before the move may attract duty or Spanish IVA.
How much does it cost to move to Spain from the UK?
It depends on volume, whether you choose road or sea freight, FCL vs part-load, access at the Spanish property and insurance. Request a verified written quote based on a confirmed inventory rather than a generic online estimate.
Can I take my dog to Spain from the UK?
Yes. Dogs, cats and ferrets need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an Animal Health Certificate from an APHA-authorised vet issued within ten days of travel. The certificate is single-use, so plan each crossing or use a DEFRA-compliant pet transport service.