Yes, British citizens can live in Fuerteventura, but post-Brexit, they must adhere to specific, more stringent immigration rules compared to EU nationals. UK citizens are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, requiring long-term, digital nomad, or investor visas to become residents.
Facts for UK nationals visiting or moving to Spain
For all other stays, you'll need a valid long-term Visa or Residency. You to live in Spain as long as you can support yourself. The restriction is that you cannot work or carry out professional activities that generate an income in Spain.
How much money do you need to live in Fuerteventura?
How much does it cost to live in Fuerteventura? A one-bedroom furnished apartment in Fuerteventura costs €600-€1,400/month. Coffee is €1.50, meals €8-€18, and a bus ride €1.50, made cheaper by the Canary Islands' 7% IGIC tax (vs. 21% IVA).
Yes, you can retire to the Canary Islands from the UK, although post-Brexit you'll need to meet certain visa and income requirements. Fuerteventura is especially popular due to its relaxed pace and British-friendly community.
Why You SHOULD Visit Fuerteventura! - Canary Islands
Where do expats live in Fuerteventura?
Corralejo – Popular with British and Irish expats, offering great nightlife, restaurants, and watersports. Caleta de Fuste – A family-friendly area with a quieter vibe, close to the airport. Puerto del Rosario – The capital, with a mix of locals and expats, offering more work opportunities.
If you are moving to the Canary islands from another EU or EEA country, you won't need a visa to enter the islands. If you are staying permanently, you'll need to obtain a residence permit and an NIE card which will be issued by the immigration service and is needed to file taxes, open a bank account, etc.
How long can I stay in Spain if I own a house there?
Owning property in Spain does not automatically grant residency or the right to stay longer than the standard 90 days in any 180-day Schengen period for non-EU citizens; you need a separate residence visa, like the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, or an Employment Visa, to live in Spain long-term, as the Golden Visa (property investment route) ended in April 2025. EU citizens need to register for residency after 90 days, while non-EU citizens must apply for a long-term permit or visa to stay beyond the 90/180-day limit, with property ownership being a factor in some visa applications but not a standalone right to residency.
As soon as you have a NIE number and a Spanish bank account, you can start buying property in Fuerteventura as a foreigner. We recommend that you first sign a reservation contract (contrato de reserva) with the seller of the property.
Teror is the town with the lowest property prices in the Canary Islands. According to idealista data, the average price per square metre in the town is just €1,172. Located on the island of Gran Canaria, in the province of Las Palmas, Teror has a population of 12,799 residents (as of 2024).
Financial Independence: Proof of sufficient passive income, such as pensions, rental income, or savings, is essential. Applicants need at least €2,400 per month (400% of IPREM) for a single applicant, or €28,800 annually.
Subsequent reports from the Spanish Red Cross indicate that since late November the number of migrants arriving in the Canaries has risen dramatically, bringing the number of detainees in the Fuerteventura facility to more than 500 for weeks at a time.
How much money do I need in the bank to retire to Spain?
Below, we'll go over some of the nitty-gritty of retiring in Spain, including visa options, healthcare quality, tax obligations, and more. Let's get started! The retirement visa income requirement remains €28,800 (~$31,050) annually, with an extra €7,200 (~$7,763) per dependent.
The possible consequences for staying in Spain or the Schengen Area for more than 90/180 days include: Fines – Depending on the country and how long you've overstayed, you could be made to pay a fine of anything from 500€ to 10,000€. This penalty may be combined with an entry ban.
These guidelines state that foreigners without a residence permit can travel in Spain for up to 90 days (up to three months) every 180-day period visa-free, but if you're staying for longer, you'll need to apply for a visa.
How much money do you need in the bank to get residency in Spain?
In calculating the proof of income for non-lucrative residency, you must have an annual income of 400% of IPREM in your bank account. The IPREM for 2025 remains at €600 per month. Therefore, as an individual, you will need to have €2,400 as a regular guaranteed monthly income or a yearly income of €28,800.
How much do I need to live comfortably in the Canary Islands?
Overall, a single person living in the Canary Islands can live comfortably on €1,400 to €1,600 per month, while a family of four typically spends between €3,000 and €3,500. In contrast, the same family in Madrid or Valencia might need €4,000 or more to maintain a similar standard of living.
As a resident in Spain you are not entitled to many UK benefits. Only a few are transferable. You should inform the relevant authorities in the UK that you live in Spain or you may be guilty of benefit fraud. This page lists which UK benefits you can claim as a resident in Spain and which ones you cannot.
You are still entitled to your UK state pension if you retire in Spain, provided you have made sufficient national insurance contributions and are of retirement age. As the country is in the European Economic Area (EEA), it will increase in line with any rises in the UK.
How much do you have to spend on a property in Spain to get residency?
You may obtain a residence visa, and afterwards a residence permit, if you invest at least €500,000 in Spanish property (one or more), provided that at least the minimum investment amount is unencumbered (mortgage free).
A good salary in Spain is above the national average of €31,600 per year. A gross annual salary of €35,000 or more is comfortable, especially outside expensive cities. In Madrid or Barcelona, a net monthly income of €2,700 is often seen as sufficient for a comfortable living for a single person.
