Introduction
After years of questions and uncertainty Brexit was finally finalised with the United Kingdom withdrawing from the European Union on 31 January 2020.
Understandably our clients still ask what it all means for them buying a property in Spain.
Below we will address the questions we currently have the answers to the best we can. The good news is that not a huge amount has changed!
Driving in Spain After Brexit
A majority of people who visit Spain tend to travel by plane and hire a car for the length of their stay. This includes those who own holiday homes in Spain. For those people, nothing has changed. Many people seem to be under the impression that you now require a green card to prove you are allowed to drive in the EU when hiring a vehicle. This is no longer required for most visitors from the UK. All you need is your UK driving licence.
If you are travelling to Spain in your own vehicle from the UK or using a UK hire car, then you will need to ensure that you have a UK car insurance green card if requested by your insurer, as well as a UK sticker (formerly GB sticker). A green card simply proves that your vehicle has the correct insurance to be driven abroad. You can get this from your insurance company. Please allow a few weeks for this.
The other question we have had about driving in Spain after Brexit is whether people need an International Driving Permit (IDP). In most cases, you do not. You can drive in Spain without one for up to 6 months. Again, for most people buying a property in Spain, this will mean no changes for them.
For those who are looking to move to Spain and become a Spanish resident, the rules for exchanging your licence have now been clarified. You must exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one within 6 months of obtaining residency. This involves making an appointment with the Spanish Traffic Authority (DGT).
Visas to Visit or Live in Spain After Brexit
f you are looking to buy a property in Spain as a holiday home, then this is not something you will have to worry about. You will be able to visit Spain for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This means you are able to travel back and forth as many times as you would like without a visa, providing you do not go over the 90-day limit. This equates to 180 days a year. Please note that the 90 days starts from the date you enter any of the Schengen countries, including Spain.
If you spend more than 180 days a year in Spain (again, this can be spread out), then you are classified by the Spanish tax authorities as a Spanish resident. You will need to apply for a long stay visa which gives you Spanish residency. This was also the case before Brexit. The only difference is the process.
If you had not begun the process of becoming a Spanish resident before 31 December 2020, then you will now need to follow the same process as other non-EU countries and apply for a visa which gives you Spanish residency.
Depending on your reason for moving to Spain, there are some residence permits which you can apply for where the process is quite simple. If you are looking to live but not work in Spain, then you will most likely need to apply for a non-lucrative residence visa. If you are a highly qualified professional looking to live and work in Spain, then you may want to apply for a highly qualified professionals visa or a Digital Nomad Visa (introduced in 2023 for remote workers). The Consulate of Spain in London website has some good information about different visas, their requirements and how to apply.
Healthcare in Spain After Brexit
One of the biggest concerns for many is healthcare. Of course, if you are buying a property in Spain, you want and need to know that you will be able to easily access healthcare should you need to. The good news is you do not need to worry!
Your GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card), which replaced the EHIC, can be used in Spain. Like EHIC, the new card covers chronic or existing illnesses and routine maternity care as well as emergencies in Spain. What fantastic news!
Please note that certain visas (but not all of them) require you to have a comprehensive private health insurance policy in Spain as part of the application process.
Your UK Bank Account
Some of our clients have been under the impression that if they move to Spain their UK bank account will automatically be closed. This really depends on who you bank with but most banks have said this is not the case. A majority of banks have said if you are an existing customer they will do their best to continue to accommodate you. Please see below the links to the Brexit Q&A pages of most popular banks in the UK.
Other
There are just a couple more things that you may need to think about.
Before you travel to Spain you will need to make sure that you have at least 3 months left on your UK passport on the date you plan to leave Spain, and that it is less than 10 years old. If not, you may be denied travel.
You should check whether or not your mobile phone provider has changed their mobile roaming charges before travelling. While many providers initially continued free roaming, some have now reintroduced fees, so it is important to check to avoid unexpected charges.
We hope this article has helped to answer your questions about how Brexit will impact your buying journey in Spain. However, please feel free to contact us at Movehappy if you have any additional questions about this or anything else. We are always here to help!
