Why did it must be so difficult? 10 years since leaving the EU. Credit score: M-Manufacturing / Shutterstock
It has been 10 years since British voters went to the polls on June 23, 2016, however British life in Spain hasn’t disappeared. However residency paperwork, 90-day limits, property transfers, commerce tensions, and worries about caring for relations now form relationships that after felt a lot less complicated.
How the Brexit vote nonetheless shapes British life in Spain
When the UK voted to go away the European Union on June 23, 2016, a lot of the general public debate centered on commerce, sovereignty, immigration, and Westminster politics.
For Brits dwelling in Spain, the lengthy story was extra reasonable. The vote didn’t instantly change every day life, and it was not till January 2020 that the UK formally left the EU. However ten years later, what it means to be British in Spain has modified.
Dwelling, retiring, working, staying with household or caring for aged relations in Spain can now not be assumed by UK nationals in the identical means as EU nationals.
Paul Michael, 67, a British resident of Cadiz who has lived in Spain for greater than 23 years, stated the primary noticeable change was the necessity to show what he as soon as felt was a safe place.
“Regardless of having lived legally in Spain for a few years, I abruptly discovered myself having to cope with altering my standing as a British resident in Spain and processing my residence paperwork,” he stated. euro weekly information.
How freedom of motion grew to become a kind, card, and calendar depend
Earlier than leaving the EU, British nationals may transfer to Spain underneath the EU’s freedom of motion guidelines. Because the finish of the transition interval, UK nationals arriving to stay in Spain are typically handled as non-EU nationals and should meet visa, residency and documentation necessities.
For many who have been already legally resident earlier than the withdrawal, the Withdrawal Settlement protected many current rights. However even protected populations wanted to have the ability to show their case.
Spain’s TIE, Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, or International Id Card, has turn into an necessary doc for UK residents to show their post-Brexit standing.
Paul stated that is one thing that many individuals within the UK do not perceive.
“Some folks underestimate the worth of freedom of motion as a result of they’ve by no means used it themselves,” he says. “The precise to stay and work in Spain modified in a single day. Many thought Brexit was only a matter of commerce offers and politics.”
This distinction is necessary and nonetheless influences who can stay, work, retire or keep long-term in Spain.
How the 90-day restrict has modified second properties, household visits and care
For UK nationals who would not have residency rights or long-stay visas, Spain is inside the Schengen 90-day rule. This typically limits visa-free stays to Spain and most different Schengen international locations to 90 days in a 180-day interval.
Maureen Smith, a British resident who moved to Spain in 1990 and has lived round Sotogrande and Pueblo Nuevo for greater than 30 years, stated the referendum outcome was stunning.
“Brexit was a catastrophe and the end result was unbelievable,” she stated.
For Smith, probably the most apparent sensible modifications is the lack of computerized motion between the UK, Spain and the broader EU.
“The 90-day rule for trip dwelling house owners was dangerous,” she says. “There was no freedom of motion and there was extra trouble on the airport.”
He stated Brexit was additionally affecting the sense of safety amongst some long-term residents who had labored, raised households and constructed steady lives in Spain.
“Regardless that I used to be going to high school full-time and had a pension, I felt anxious,” she says.
Care has turn into probably the most delicate points post-Brexit. Latest experiences have highlighted how British households are struggling to take care of aged relations in Spain, as UK-based relations merely can not keep indefinitely with out residency rights or visas.
Ms Smith, who returned to the UK for household well being causes, stated Spain had been a “great spot to lift kids” however an getting old inhabitants may change the calculus.
“For older folks, shedding a associate can change your life dramatically,” she says.
How the Costas modified with out shedding their British base
The southern and jap coasts of the Iberian Peninsula have lengthy been shorthand for British life in Spain, and British patrons are removed from gone. However after leaving the EU, newly arrived Britons will face a special authorized path than EU nationals shopping for, retiring or working in Spain.
Though there may be proof of change, the numbers don’t merely level to a UK retreat.
Spain’s Basic Council of Notaries introduced that foreigners will account for 18.4% of Spain’s free market housing purchases within the second half of 2025. The 2 largest overseas teams are British and Moroccans, adopted by Italians and Germans.
Mr Paul stated claims that British communities had disappeared could also be exaggerated.
“There’s nonetheless a big British group right here,” he says. “Brexit has made transferring to and dealing in Spain rather more complicated, so there are fewer new British arrivals than earlier than Brexit. Nevertheless, there may be nonetheless a big British group.”
How tourism has remained robust as broader relationships have turn into extra complicated
The figures additionally present that opinions are divided between visiting Spain and constructing a life there.
In accordance with Spain’s Nationwide Institute of Statistics, Spain welcomed a document 96.8 million worldwide vacationers in 2025. Guests from the UK proceed to dominate Spain’s tourism market, with official month-to-month information repeatedly exhibiting the UK as one of many main vacationer locations.
This implies that Brexit has not disrupted journey habits between the UK and Spain. However trip and staycation aren’t the identical.
How Brits dwelling in Spain must plan in a different way now
UK residents topic to the Withdrawal Settlement should preserve their residence paperwork updated, together with their TIE the place relevant. Second dwelling house owners and common guests ought to monitor Schengen dates fastidiously. Households with aged relations in Spain might have authorized recommendation earlier than contemplating their UK-based son, daughter or carer in a position to keep long-term.
For brand spanking new arrivals, the previous thought of attempting out Spain first and checking out the paperwork later is rather more tough than it was.
For Brits dwelling in Spain, the Brexit anniversary marks a decade during which a well-recognized lifestyle has survived, however is now not computerized, much less versatile and extra reliant on paperwork and ever-changing guidelines and rules.
