Moving to Spain from the UK: The Complete 2026 Checklist

Moving to Spain from the UK in 2026 involves significantly more paperwork than it did before Brexit — but it is absolutely achievable with proper planning. This guide provides a month-by-month checklist covering everything from visa applications to pet transport, structured around a realistic 6-month timeline.

This is specifically for UK citizens planning a permanent or semi-permanent move to the Costa del Sol or wider Andalucía. For buying property as a non-resident (holiday home or investment), see our buying process guide instead.

6 Months Before: Planning and Visa Application

Choose Your Visa Route

Post-Brexit, UK citizens need a visa to live in Spain for more than 90 days in any 180-day period. The main options:

Visa Type	Who It Suits	Key Requirements
Non-lucrative visa	Retirees, financially independent	Proof of income (~EUR 2,400/month for applicant + EUR 600/dependent), private health insurance, no intention to work in Spain
Digital nomad visa	Remote workers employed by non-Spanish company	Employment contract with non-Spanish company, minimum salary ~EUR 2,520/month, professional qualifications or 3 years' experience
Golden visa	Property investors	Property purchase of EUR 500,000+, clean criminal record, health insurance
Work visa	Employees of Spanish companies	Job offer from registered Spanish employer, employer handles most paperwork
Self-employed (autónomo) visa	Freelancers, business owners	Business plan, proof of qualifications, sufficient funds

Gather Core Documents

• Passport: Valid for at least 12 months beyond your planned move date
• Criminal record check: Apply for an ACRO Police Certificate (takes 2-4 weeks)
• Apostille: Your criminal record check, marriage certificate, and birth certificates need apostilling by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Apply online — takes 4-6 weeks
• Sworn translations: All apostilled documents need translating into Spanish by a traductor jurado (sworn translator). Budget EUR 50-80 per document
• Financial evidence: 12 months of bank statements showing sufficient income/savings for your visa type
• Private health insurance: Required for most visa types. Must be with a Spanish insurer (or one operating in Spain) with no co-pays. Sanitas, Adeslas, and ASISA are the main providers. Budget EUR 80-200/month per adult depending on age and coverage

Submit Visa Application

Apply at the Spanish Consulate covering your UK postcode (London or Edinburgh). You will need an appointment — book early as slots fill up 4-8 weeks in advance. The consulate typically takes 4-8 weeks to process the application. If approved, you receive a visa valid for 90 days to enter Spain.

5 Months Before: Property and Finances

Property

• If buying: Ideally, have your purchase underway or completed by now. See our buying guide for the full process. Use our cost calculator to estimate total costs
• If renting: Begin searching for long-term rental accommodation. You will need a rental contract for your empadronamiento (town hall registration). Budget EUR 800-1,500/month for a 2-bed apartment on the Costa del Sol depending on location
• Temporary accommodation: Book 4-6 weeks of serviced apartment or Airbnb for your arrival period while you finalise permanent housing

Finances

• Open a Spanish bank account: Some banks (Sabadell, CaixaBank) allow non-residents to open accounts remotely. Having an active account before arrival simplifies everything
• Currency transfer: Set up an account with a specialist currency broker (Wise, Currencies Direct, etc.) for ongoing transfers. Better rates than high street banks
• UK tax position: Notify HMRC of your departure date. You may need to complete a P85 form. Understand your obligations for the split tax year
• Pensions: UK state pension can be paid into a Spanish bank account. Private pensions — take advice before making any changes, especially regarding QROPS

4 Months Before: Schools and Healthcare

Schools (If You Have Children)

• State schools: Free, but taught in Spanish (with some bilingual programmes). The application period (Escolarización) for September starts in March — timing your move around this is important
• International/British schools: The Costa del Sol has 15+ British curriculum schools. Fees range from EUR 4,000-12,000/year. Apply early — popular schools have waiting lists. Aloha College, Laude San Pedro International College, and the British School of Málaga are well-established options
• Homeschooling: Legal in Spain but not explicitly regulated in Andalucía. Some families use this as a bridge while children adjust

Healthcare

• Private insurance: Already arranged for your visa (see above). This is your primary healthcare for the first year
• State healthcare (after residency): Once you have your TIE and are registered with Social Security (either as an employee, autónomo, or via the convenio especial at ~EUR 60/month), you can register at your local centro de salud for a tarjeta sanitaria (health card)
• Prescriptions: Arrange a 3-month supply of any regular medications before moving. Spanish equivalents are usually available but brand names differ
• UK healthcare: Your NHS entitlement ends when you become resident in Spain. Ensure your S1 form (if retired) or GHIC/EHIC is in order for any transitional period

3 Months Before: Logistics

Removals

• International removals company: Get 3 quotes. A typical 3-bed house to the Costa del Sol costs GBP 3,000-6,000 for a full container, GBP 1,500-3,000 for a part-load. Door to door takes 7-14 days
• Inventory: Create a detailed list of everything you are shipping. Spanish customs may request this
• Electrical items: Spain uses 230V/50Hz (same as UK) but Type F (Schuko) sockets. You will need adaptors or can re-wire appliances. Most modern UK electronics work fine with a plug adaptor

Pets

• Microchip: Must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant (standard UK chips are fine)
• Rabies vaccination: Must be at least 21 days before travel and within validity (1-3 years depending on vaccine)
• Animal Health Certificate (AHC): Required post-Brexit instead of the old EU pet passport. Must be issued by an OV (Official Veterinarian) within 10 days of travel. Costs GBP 100-200
• Tapeworm treatment (dogs only): Must be administered 24-120 hours before arrival in Spain

Driving

• International Driving Permit: Useful for the transition period, available from Post Office (GBP 5.50)
• UK licence validity: Valid in Spain for 6 months after becoming resident. After that you must exchange it
• Vehicle: If bringing your UK car, you have 6 months to re-register it in Spain (matriculación). This involves an ITV inspection (equivalent of MOT), import duty, registration tax, and converting to Spanish plates. Costs EUR 1,500-3,000+. Many expats find it simpler to sell in the UK and buy locally

2 Months Before: Final UK Arrangements

• HMRC notification: Complete form P85 (if employed) or notify HMRC directly (if self-employed/retired)
• Council tax: Notify your council of your departure date
• Electoral register: Register as an overseas voter if you wish to maintain UK voting rights (available for 15 years after leaving)
• UK property: If keeping a UK property, arrange management. If selling, coordinate completion timing with your move
• Mail redirection: Set up Royal Mail redirection (up to 12 months, from GBP 35)
• Subscriptions and services: Cancel or transfer utilities, broadband, TV licence, gym memberships, insurance policies
• Medical records: Request copies of your full medical history from your GP. You are entitled to these free of charge
• Dental: Get a check-up and any treatment done on the NHS before leaving

1 Month Before: Pre-Departure

• Confirm removals date: Final walkthrough with removals company
• Travel arrangements: Book flights. Málaga Airport (AGP) is the main hub for the Costa del Sol with frequent direct flights from most UK airports
• First-week essentials: Pack a suitcase with 2 weeks of essentials that travels with you (not in the removals van). Include all original documents — passport, visa, apostilled certificates, insurance policies
• Spanish SIM card: Order online from Movistar, Orange, or Vodafone Spain before departure, or buy at the airport on arrival
• Notify UK bank: Tell your bank you are moving abroad so they do not freeze your cards for "suspicious" Spanish transactions

Week 1 in Spain: Immediate Priorities

1. Empadronamiento: Register at your local ayuntamiento (town hall). You need your passport, rental contract or property deed, and a completed solicitud form. This is the foundation document for almost everything else
2. NIE (if you do not already have one): Apply at the Extranjería or police station. Essential for all financial and legal transactions
3. TIE application: Within 30 days of arrival, apply for your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (foreigner identity card) at the Extranjería. Bring: passport, visa, empadronamiento certificate, 3 passport photos, Modelo 790-012 tax form (paid at bank), and completed EX-17 form
4. Spanish bank account: If not already opened, do this immediately. You need your passport, NIE, and proof of address (empadronamiento)

Month 1-3: Settling In

• Driving licence exchange: Book an appointment at the DGT. Bring your UK licence, TIE, medical certificate from a centro de reconocimiento (EUR 30-50), passport photos, and completed form
• Healthcare registration: Once your TIE arrives and you are registered with Social Security, register at your centro de salud for a tarjeta sanitaria
• Tax residency: If you arrive before 2 July, you will spend 183+ days in Spain during the calendar year and become Spanish tax resident. This has significant implications for worldwide income declaration (Modelo 100) and overseas asset reporting (Modelo 720 for assets over EUR 50,000)
• Utilities: Set up or transfer electricity (Endesa, Iberdrola), water (municipal), gas (if applicable), internet (Movistar, Orange), and community fees
• Ongoing Spanish classes: Even basic conversational Spanish dramatically improves your daily life. The Escuela Oficial de Idiomas offers affordable courses, or find private tutors through local language schools

Moving to Spain is a significant undertaking, but thousands of UK families do it successfully every year. The key is starting early, getting professional advice on visa and tax matters, and being realistic about timelines — Spanish bureaucracy works at its own pace.

If you are still at the property search stage, visit our property platform to explore listings on the Costa del Sol. For a full breakdown of purchase costs, use our interactive calculator. And for more on the legal and financial aspects, browse our costs and taxes guide.