Beta
Park Güell overlooking Barcelona

🇪🇸  Retiring in Spain

Excellent healthcare, a large expat community and many affordable cities beyond Madrid and Barcelona. The non-lucrative visa asks for more income than Portugal (€2,400 a month in 2026), and English is less common outside cities and the coast.

Last reviewed · official reputable estimate

Capital

Madrid

Currency

EUR

Languages

Spanish

Time zone

UTC+1

Daily life

  • Climate: Varies by region: hot, dry summers and cool winters in Madrid and the interior; milder Mediterranean winters on the coast (Valencia). Summer heatwaves and wildfires are increasingly common.
  • Safety: Low violent crime. Pickpocketing and distraction thefts in cities, airports and on public transport are common, per official travel advice.
  • English: common in cities and among younger people
  • Expat community: large

Sources: UK travel advice: Spain, safety and security (checked 2026-10-22) · EF English Proficiency Index 2025 (checked 2026-10-22) · AEMET climate values (checked 2026-10-22)

Cost of living

Monthly, EURMadridValencia
SingleCoupleSingleCouple
Rent1,0401,3509501,230
Food470840430770
Utilities200220170185
Transport33663570
Health cover130260130260
Leisure240420210370
Total2,1133,1561,9252,885

Rent: a one-bedroom flat outside the centre for one person, between one and three bedrooms for a couple. Health: private insurance at 65–74, needed for the non-lucrative visa. Utilities include internet. Many regions offer cheap transport passes from 65.

Sources: Numbeo: cost of living in Madrid (updated Oct 2026) (checked 2026-10-22) · Numbeo: cost of living in Valencia (updated Oct 2026) (checked 2026-10-22) · ECB reference rates, 21 Oct 2026 (checked 2026-10-22)

Visas and residence

Non-lucrative residence visa

For people who will not work in Spain. You show 400% of IPREM, €2,400 a month (€28,800 a year) in 2026, plus €600 a month per family member, private health insurance covering everything the public system covers, and a criminal record certificate. The first permit lasts 1 year, then 2-year renewals if you lived in Spain more than 183 days a year; long-term residence after 5 years.

  • Minimum income: 2,400 EUR a month
  • Valid 12 months, renewable; permanent residence possible after 5 years
  • A couple needs €3,000 a month. Working is not allowed.
  • Spouse can be included
  • Official page

Golden visa (investment) closed to new applicants

Closed to new applications since 3 April 2025 (Organic Law 1/2025). Visas already issued stay valid until they expire.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: registration

No visa needed. Within 3 months, register for the EU citizen certificate at the foreigners office or police, with proof of resources and health cover.

Trying it first: United States passport: 90 days in any 180 without a visa; United Kingdom passport: 90 days in any 180 without a visa; Canada passport: 90 days in any 180 without a visa.

Sources: Spanish consulate: non-lucrative residence visa (2026 figures) (checked 2026-10-22) · Ministry of Inclusion: renewing non-lucrative residence (checked 2026-10-22) · Spanish government: abolition of the investor visa (checked 2026-10-22) · European Commission: Schengen visa policy (90 days in any 180) (checked 2026-10-22)

Healthcare

Spain's public system is excellent, but non-lucrative visa holders are not covered at first: they need private insurance. After a year of residence you can buy into the public system through the convenio especial.

  • Public system: Convenio especial with your region's health service: €60 a month under 65, €157 a month from 65. You must be registered at the town hall (empadronado) and, in most regions, have lived in Spain for at least a year.
  • Private insurance, monthly (EUR): age 55-64: 90 · age 65-74: 130 · age 75+: 180
  • Pre-existing conditions: varies by insurer

Sources: Ministry of Health: convenio especial (checked 2026-10-22) · Redacción Médica: health insurance prices after 65 (checked 2026-10-22)

Taxes

Residents are taxed on worldwide income: pensions at state plus regional progressive rates, savings income (interest, dividends, gains) on a separate scale. Spain also has a wealth tax and an inheritance and gift tax, both largely set by each region, and foreign assets over €50,000 must be declared each year (Modelo 720).

  • When you become tax resident: More than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, or Spain is the main base of your economic interests, or your spouse and minor children live in Spain (article 9 of the income tax law).

Coming from United States

The US keeps taxing its citizens wherever they live (the treaty's saving clause); foreign tax credits are what prevent paying twice. Ask an adviser who knows both systems before you move.

  • Tax treaty: yes
  • Public pension: US Social Security may be taxed by the US (treaty Article 20(1)(b)); Spain can also tax it as your country of residence and must give a credit for the US tax. Practice varies, so get advice.
  • Private pension: Private pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals are taxable only in Spain as your country of residence (Article 20(1)(a)).

Sources: US–Spain income tax treaty (IRS) (checked 2026-10-22)

Coming from United Kingdom

Spain taxes your UK pensions at its progressive rates; declare UK assets above €50,000 (Modelo 720). Your UK State Pension rises each year while you live there (EEA country or social security agreement).

  • Tax treaty: yes
  • Public pension: Taxable only in Spain (pensions or other income article of the 2013 treaty).
  • Private pension: Taxable only in Spain (Article 17). Most UK government pensions (such as civil service pensions) are taxed only in the UK.

Sources: GOV.UK: Spain tax treaties (checked 2026-10-22) · GOV.UK: countries where the State Pension is increased each year (checked 2026-10-22) · GOV.UK: tax on your UK income if you live abroad (State Pension, Personal Allowance, government pensions) (checked 2026-10-22) · HMRC International Manual INTM343190: pensions and annuities (State Pension under tax treaties) (checked 2026-10-22)

Coming from France

Spain taxes your French pensions, except civil-service pensions, at state plus regional rates.

  • Tax treaty: yes
  • Public pension: Basic state pension: Taxable only in Spain, as your country of residence (pensions for past employment). (Article 18). Civil-service and military pensions are taxed only in France, unless you are Spanish and not French. (Article 19)
  • Private pension: Taxable only in Spain, as your country of residence (pensions for past employment). (Article 18).

Sources: Spanish Ministry of Finance: Spain–France tax treaty (1995), Articles 18 and 19 (checked 2026-10-22) · economie.gouv.fr: income tax for residents abroad (minimum rates, non-resident withholding on pensions) (checked 2026-10-22)

Coming from somewhere else? The general rules above apply; check your home country's tax treaty with Spain or ask a licensed advisor.

Sources: Spanish income tax law (Ley 35/2006), article 9 (checked 2026-10-22) · Agencia Tributaria (Spanish tax agency) (checked 2026-10-22)

Housing

Foreigners can buy freely once they have a foreigner tax number (NIE). Resale homes pay a regional transfer tax (ITP): 6% in Madrid, 9–11% in the Valencia region. New homes pay 10% VAT plus stamp duty instead. Notary, registry and agency fees come on top.

  • Can foreigners buy? Yes
  • Purchase costs: about 10% of the price (taxes and fees)
  • Renting: Rents in Madrid, Barcelona and the coast have risen fast; cities such as Valencia remain cheaper (see Cost of living).

Sources: Comunidad de Madrid: transfer tax (ITP) 6%, 10% rebate on a main home up to €250,000 (checked 2026-10-22) · Guía fiscal: ITP Madrid 2026 (checked 2026-10-22) · Guía fiscal: ITP Comunidad Valenciana 2026 (checked 2026-10-22)

Settling in

Once you choose Spain, the settling plan takes you through 9 steps, from a year before the move to your first year there. The first ones:

  1. Take out private health insurance: A policy from an insurer authorised in Spain covering everything the public system covers; consulates usually want no co-payments.
  2. Get your criminal record certificate: Covering the last 5 years from every country you lived in, apostilled and translated; it is valid for 6 months.
  3. Apply for the non-lucrative visa: At the Spanish consulate for where you live, with proof of €2,400 a month (2026), the insurance and the criminal record. The visa is valid for a year.
  4. Register at the town hall (empadronamiento): Registering your address is needed for most later steps, including public healthcare.

The full plan, with costs, delays and official links, is in your personal space (coming soon).

Rules and figures change and we can make mistakes: confirm with the official source or a licensed advisor before acting.