So, you’ve decided it’s time. Time for more blue skies, slower afternoons, and that perfect villa in Spain. But as a British citizen in 2026, you might be asking: "Is it still possible?"
The short answer is YES. While Brexit changed the paperwork, it didn’t change the beauty of the Alicante mountains or the warmth of the local communities. At Casabien Inlandvillas, we help British families navigate this new landscape every day.
Whether you are eyeing a penthouse on the Alicante Coast or a rustic retreat in Sax, here are the legal paths to making it happen.
1. The "Holiday Home" Route (The 90/180 Day Rule)
Best for: Part-time residents.
The Rule: Stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Requirements: No visa needed. You only need a NIE Number (which we help you get) to buy your property and pay taxes.
2. The "Retiree’s Dream" (Non-Lucrative Visa – NLV)
Best for: Retirees or those with savings who do not intend to work in Spain.
2026 Financial Requirements (based on 400% of the IPREM):
- Main Applicant: ~€2,400 per month (€28,800 annually).
- Additional Family Member: +€600 per month (€7,200 annually).
- Example: A couple needs approx. €36,000 per year in passive income (pensions, dividends) or equivalent savings.
Health Insurance: Must be a Spanish policy with zero co-payments.
- Casabien Note: Our HLA Hospital partnership connects you with ASISA policies that are 100% consulate-approved.
3. The "Digital Nomad" (Remote Work Visa – DNV)
Can you work from a laptop? Then the Spanish inland is your new office.
- The Requirement: You must work for a company or clients located outside of Spain.
- Income: You need to prove an income of roughly €2,500 – €3,000 per month.
- The Perk: The Digital Nomad Visa often comes with significant tax breaks (often referred to as the "Beckham Law") for the first few years. Imagine answering emails by your private pool in Elda or Sax!
4. The Investor Route (Golden Visa)
Note: As of 2026, the Spanish government is continuously reviewing the thresholds for the Golden Visa.
Please Note: As of April 2025, the Spanish government has abolished the Golden Visa for real estate investment. You can no longer gain residency simply by spending €500k. The focus has shifted to the Digital Nomad and Non-Lucrative routes, which prioritize living and contributing to the community.
The "Paperwork" Checklist
Before you book your one-way flight, you will need to gather a few things from the UK:
Making the move is a process of checking boxes. We are here to help you tick every single one of them:
- 1. NIE Number (The Legal Key)
- What it is: Your Spanish Tax ID. You need this to sign the deeds (Escritura), open a bank account, and connect utilities.
- How to get it: We recommend applying at the Spanish Consulate in the UK (London, Manchester, or Edinburgh) as soon as you start your search.
- The Link: Official Consulate NIE Instructions
- Casabien Support: We provide the necessary property-related documents (like a reservation contract) to justify your application.
- 2. ACRO Certificate (The Background Check)
- What it is: A police certificate from the UK showing a clean criminal record.
- Important: It must be an original (no PDFs) and it must be Apostilled (legalized for use in Spain) by the UK Foreign Office.
- Validity: Most Spanish consulates only accept certificates issued within the last 3 to 6 months.
- 3. The Medical Certificate (Health Declaration)
- What it is: A letter from a registered doctor stating you do not suffer from any diseases that could pose a risk to public health (according to the International Health Regulations 2005).
- Requirement: It must be on the doctor’s official letterhead, signed, and stamped. Like the ACRO, this also needs an Apostille and a sworn translation into Spanish.
- 4. Health Insurance (The Residency Requirement)
- The Rule: For a visa, your insurance must have no co-payments and cover all medical risks in Spain.
- Casabien Support: We connect you directly with our partners at HLA Hospitals / ASISA. They provide a specific policy that is "Visa-Ready," ensuring your application isn’t rejected due to the wrong insurance fine print.
Next Steps for You:
- Book your NIE appointment in the UK now – slots fill up fast!
- Request your ACRO certificate once you are serious about a property.
- Talk to us about the HLA/ASISA insurance options to get a quote tailored to your age and needs.
Why Casabien Inlandvillas?
Moving to a new country is about more than just finding a house; it’s about finding a home and a community. At Casabien, we specialize in the "Inland" lifestyle—where you get more space, more peace, and more value for your money.
From helping you understand the 2% building rules to introducing you to English-speaking lawyers and our partners at HLA Hospitals, we are with you every step of the way.