Guides to plan your move
Independent English-language guidance on retiring in Spain: visas, healthcare, housing, taxes and the practical steps in between.
Where would you like to start?
- Visas & LegalResidency permits, the Non-Lucrative Visa, paperwork and the steps to get legal status in Spain.
- HealthcarePrivate insurance that meets visa requirements, public cover, and finding English-speaking doctors.
- HousingLong-stay rentals, buying property, and senior residences across the Spanish coast and cities.
- Finance & TaxPensions, double taxation, residency thresholds and moving money between countries.
- Living in SpainCost of living, climate, communities and the day-to-day reality of life as a retiree in Spain.
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- Residency
- Tax
- Healthcare
- Property
- Insurance
- Moving
Latest guides
How to retire in Spain from the US: the legal steps that actually matter
Moving from the US to live in Spain sounds romantic until you face the paperwork. This guide walks through the visa, arrival and residency steps you’ll actually do, what papers to prepare (and apostille), how long each stage takes and what costs to budget for.
How to retire in Spain from the USA: the practical legal steps
Yes—you can retire in Spain from the USA. This guide walks you through the visa you’ll most likely use, the paperwork, realistic costs (health insurance, movers, first-year living), and the exact next steps once you land.
Spain retirement visa: how to get a non‑lucrative visa and what to expect
A practical, step‑by‑step guide to applying for the Spain retirement visa (non‑lucrative): forms, insurance, proof of funds, timelines and how to recover from the mistakes most people make.
Can you retire in Spain with a visa? A clear how-to for the non-lucrative route
If you’re not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen the usual way to retire in Spain is the non-lucrative (no-work) visa. This guide explains what it actually lets you do, the exact documents you’ll be asked for (EX-01, medical certificate, criminal record, private insurance), the money proof you’ll need and the practical problems people only notice after they arrive.
Spain non-lucrative visa: the step-by-step guide for retirees (NLV)
You must prove financial means equal to 400% of the IPREM for the main applicant (plus 100% for each dependent) to get a Spain non‑lucrative visa. This guide shows the forms, the documents your consulate will actually check, timelines and the tasks worth paying a professional for.
Retiring to Spain: step-by-step legal guide for non-EU retirees
If you’re not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, expect to show private health insurance plus roughly €24,000–€36,000 a year (varies by consulate) and to file form EX‑01 at your Spanish consulate.
Moving to Spain from the US: legal steps, costs and first 90 days
Yes—you can move to Spain from the US, but how you do it depends on whether you’ll retire, buy property or work. This guide walks the visa choices, what to do in the first 30–90 days, realistic costs and the precise documents consulates want.
Gestor vs tax advisor in Spain: who retirees actually need
If you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year you become a Spanish tax resident — that single fact is what decides whether a local gestor will do or you truly need a tax advisor (asesor fiscal). Practical comparison, costs, traps and who to hire for the first year.
Nota simple in Spain: checking a property before you buy
Before you hand over a deposit, get — and read — the nota simple. This short extract from the Registro de la Propiedad tells you who legally owns the finca, any registered mortgages or embargos, and the formal description. Ask for a fresh one, know the red flags, and insist on a certified copy if anything looks off.