Can I retire to Tenerife from the UK?

Yes, you can retire to Tenerife from the UK, but post-Brexit, you must apply for a visa (typically a Non-Lucrative Visa) to reside there long-term. You will need to demonstrate sufficient savings or income (approx. €27,115–€30,000/year for individuals), private health insurance with no co-payments, and a clean criminal record.

Can you retire to Tenerife from the UK?

Apply for your Spain residence visa

While applying for legal residence in Spain now involves stricter requirements and more paperwork, UK nationals can generally still move to Spain if they can support themselves without working. Retirees can apply for a Spanish non-lucrative visa and residency permit.

How much do I need to retire in Tenerife?

The average monthly cost of retirement in Spain ranges from €1,500 to €2,500, depending on location and lifestyle. An EU citizen can live, work, study, and retire in Spain without restrictions. If you are a non-EU or US citizen, you need to have a residence permit, which is a Non-Lucrative retirement visa.

How do I move to Tenerife as an UK citizen?

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 much money do you need in the bank to retire to Spain?

The retirement visa income requirement remains €28,800 (~$31,050) annually, with an extra €7,200 (~$7,763) per dependent. Spain's tax rates for 2025 range from 19% to 47% for ordinary income and 19% to 30% for savings income.

🔥THIS is my OPINION on BRITISH PEOPLE that live in TENERIFE/SPAIN

Can I retire in Spain and collect social security?

Normally, persons who are not U.S. citizens may receive U.S. Social Security benefits while outside the U.S. only if they meet certain requirements. Under the agreement, however, you may receive benefits as long as you reside in Spain regardless of your nationality.

What is the 2 year rule in Spain?

The new regulation defines and broadens five forms of arraigo: Social arraigo – requires a minimum of 2 years' stay in Spain and a job offer or proof of financial means. Labour arraigo – for those who have worked at least 6 months and resided in Spain for 2 years.

How long can I stay in Tenerife if I own a property?

If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you are required to register, and this process is called “empadronamiento”. You can get it for free, usually via the local town hall, it is quite easy and quick to do. If you reside in Spain continuously for 5 consecutive years, you then have the right to permanent residence.

Can Brits still retire to Spain after Brexit?

Yes, you can still retire in Spain after Brexit, but you'll need to apply for a visa and meet financial requirements. As a British retiree, you're now considered a non-EU national, meaning you must secure a residency permit and follow specific legal obligations for long-term stays in Spain.

Which is the best Canary Island to retire to?

More than 80% of the archipelago's residents live on these two islands. Grazi says that Gran Canaria and Tenerife “are the most common retirement places for expats, because they are quite beautiful and laid-back,” and though they are popular with tourists, they have proper cities where locals live and work.

Can I live permanently in Tenerife?

A temporary visa will allow you to stay in Spain for anywhere from three months to five years, depending on your circumstances. And, if you find yourself not wanting to part ways with Spain after five years of living there, you can apply for a permanent residence visa.

What is the easiest country for Brits to retire to?

The easiest countries for UK retirees often include Portugal, Spain, and Greece due to their warm climates, lower cost of living, established expat communities, and straightforward residency options like Portugal's D7 Visa or Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa, offering good healthcare access and simple driving license exchange, with Portugal frequently cited as a top choice for its affordability and lifestyle. Other strong contenders are Malta, with favourable tax, and Costa Rica, offering low costs and no foreign pension tax. 

How much money do you need in the bank to emigrate to Spain?

Therefore, as an individual, you will need to have €2,400 as a regular guaranteed monthly income or a yearly income of €28,800. If you have dependants that will move with you to live in Spain, 100% of the IPREM is required for each; this amounts to €600 monthly or its equivalent in foreign currency.

What are the rules for living in Tenerife?

EU citizens can move to Tenerife without a visa thanks to freedom of movement laws. But if you stay longer than 90 days, you must register as a resident with local authorities. The registration process includes getting a NIE number, which is your Foreign Identification Number used for all official transactions.

Where are Britons moving to avoid tax bills?

Brits are moving to tax-efficient locations like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (especially Dubai) for zero income tax, while Malta attracts many with EU access and favorable remittance-based tax schemes. Other popular spots include Portugal, Greece, and Cyprus, offering tax incentives and lifestyle benefits, with some also considering the Bahamas, BVI, and Jersey for nil/low-tax environments, according to migration advisors. 

Where can you live permanently with a British passport?

British citizens can live permanently in many places by obtaining residency or citizenship, with popular options including Commonwealth nations like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand (often via skilled/retirement visas) and EU countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy (through specific visas like Non-Lucrative or long-term permits after 5 years). Other destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, and the UAE also offer pathways, but securing permanent residency or citizenship depends on meeting specific criteria, points systems, or visa requirements. 

How long can I live in Tenerife?

No residency or visa application is required to enjoy the said 90 day window(s). You simply need a valid UK passport with more than 6 months validity remaining. However, to stay for longer in Tenerife/Spain, you currently need to apply for a VISA (detailed above).

How much money do you need to move to Tenerife?

Depending on your lifestyle, you can live comfortably in Tenerife with the following approximate budgets: Single person: €1,200 – €1,500/month. Couple: €1,800 – €2,300/month. Family with children: €2,800 – €3,500/month.

What are the pitfalls of buying property in Tenerife?

Critical Considerations When Buying Property in Tenerife

A common mistake is not considering all the costs associated with the purchase, over and above the sale price. This includes transfer taxes, notary fees, and registration costs, which can add up to a considerable amount.

What is the Beckham loophole in Spain?

The "Beckham Loophole" (or Beckham Law) in Spain is a special tax regime for skilled foreign workers, named after David Beckham, allowing them to pay a flat 24% tax on Spanish income (up to €600k) for six years, treating them as non-residents to avoid higher progressive rates and generally exempting foreign income, with recent updates expanding eligibility to remote workers and entrepreneurs. This "loophole" allows expats to significantly reduce their tax burden by paying non-resident rates on Spanish income, while foreign earnings remain untaxed in Spain, a major advantage over standard resident taxation. 

What is the new law in Spain in 2025?

The reform of the Aliens Act, ratified by the Spanish Council of Ministers, will come into force on 20 May 2025 and promises to simplify the procedures for obtaining residence and work permits.

Has anyone been fined for staying over 90 days in Spain?

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.