The questions everyone asks before they move.
Property after the Golden Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa, retiring on the Non-Lucrative Visa, NIE versus TIE, and moving from the UK or US after Brexit — answered straight, by topic, and updated for 2026.
Property & the Golden Visa
Can I still get residency in Spain by buying property after the Golden Visa was abolished?
Short answerNo. Spain permanently ended the Golden Visa on 3 April 2025, so buying property no longer grants residency. You can still relocate to the Costa del Sol through the Non-Lucrative Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa or family routes — and owning a home actually strengthens those applications.
Under Organic Law 1/2025, Spain closed the investor "Golden Visa" on 3 April 2025. There is no replacement scheme and no grace period: a €500,000 property purchase no longer leads to a residence permit. Existing holders keep their rights and may renew under the old rules.
For new buyers in Marbella, Estepona or Sotogrande who want to actually live in Spain, the path is now a standard residence visa rather than an investment visa. The good news is that owning or renting a home helps, because every residence application requires proof of accommodation. The most common routes today are the Non-Lucrative Visa for retirees and the financially independent, and the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers. EU and EEA nationals can register freely and simply buy where they like.
Key requirements
- A valid residence route (Non-Lucrative, Digital Nomad, family or work) — property alone is not enough
- A NIE number to complete any purchase
- Proof of sufficient income or savings for the chosen visa
- Private health insurance with full Spanish cover
- A Spanish bank account and notarised title deed (escritura)
Visas for living & working
How do I get the Spain Digital Nomad Visa in 2026?
Short answerSpain's Digital Nomad Visa lets non-EU remote workers and freelancers live on the Costa del Sol while working for foreign companies. In 2026 you must prove roughly €2,850/month (200% of the minimum wage), can apply from abroad or in Spain, and approval typically takes about 20 days.
The Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), created under Spain's Startup Act, is the leading route for remote workers, freelancers and online entrepreneurs settling in Málaga, Fuengirola and Benalmádena. Following Royal Decree 126/2026, the minimum income is now about €2,850 per month for a single applicant — 200% of Spain's minimum wage (SMI) — plus roughly €1,070 for the first family member and €355 for each additional dependent.
You must work remotely for clients or an employer based outside Spain; freelancers may invoice Spanish clients for up to 20% of their income. A key 2026 change: you can no longer convert a Non-Lucrative Visa into a DNV from inside Spain, and the authorities now verify a genuine six-month minimum physical stay. The DNV also unlocks the Beckham Law — a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-source income up to €600,000 — a major draw for higher earners settling in Marbella or Mijas.
Key requirements
- About €2,850/month (200% SMI), evidenced over 3–6 months
- Remote work for non-Spanish companies; relevant degree or 3+ years of experience
- Apostilled clean criminal-record certificate and valid passport
- Private health insurance and proof of social security coverage
- NIE and a Spanish address
What is the Non-Lucrative Visa, and can I retire to the Costa del Sol on it?
Short answerYes. The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is Spain's main route for retirees and financially independent foreigners who don't need to work. In 2026 you must show passive income or savings of €28,800 per year (€2,400/month), plus €7,200 per family member, and hold full private health insurance.
The NLV is ideal for retirees, pensioners and self-funded individuals who want to enjoy the Costa del Sol without working in Spain. You prove financial self-sufficiency through pensions, rental income, dividends, savings or investments. For 2026 the threshold is 400% of the IPREM index (frozen at €600/month), giving €28,800 per year for the main applicant and €7,200 for each dependent.
The visa is granted for one year and renewed in two-year blocks; after five years of legal residence you can apply for permanent residence. Note that NLV holders cannot work remotely — those who want to keep earning should choose the Digital Nomad Visa instead. In 2026 consulates are scrutinising the stability and liquidity of funds more closely, so clean, well-documented finances are essential.
Key requirements
- €28,800/year income or savings, plus €7,200 per dependent
- Private health insurance with full cover and no co-payments
- Clean criminal-record certificate and medical certificate
- Proof of accommodation in Spain (purchase or long-term rental)
- A commitment not to undertake any work in Spain
NIE, TIE & paperwork
What is the difference between an NIE and a TIE in Spain, and how do I get them?
Short answerThe NIE is your Spanish foreigner identification number, used for taxes, property and contracts. The TIE is the physical residence card proving your right to live in Spain. Tourists and buyers may only need an NIE; anyone staying long-term as a non-EU resident needs a TIE.
These two terms confuse almost every newcomer. The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is a lifelong tax and identification number you need to buy property, open a bank account, sign a lease or pay taxes. It is just a number, not a residence permit. The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the physical biometric card issued to non-EU nationals who hold a residence authorisation — it proves your legal status and is renewed as your permit renews.
EU citizens don't receive a TIE; instead they register on the Central Register of Foreigners and obtain a green certificate. The usual sequence is: secure your visa or residence approval, get your NIE, then book biometrics at a Foreigners' Office or police station in Málaga or Fuengirola to collect your TIE within 30 days of arrival.
Key requirements
- NIE: passport, EX-15 form, a justified reason (purchase, work, study), fee
- TIE: approved residence permit, EX-17 form, passport, photos, padrón
- Empadronamiento (town-hall registration) in your municipality
- An appointment (cita previa) — often the hardest step to secure
- Biometric fingerprinting for the TIE card
Moving from the UK or US
How can UK and US citizens move to the Costa del Sol after Brexit, and how does healthcare work?
Short answerSince Brexit, UK citizens are treated as non-EU nationals and need a visa to live in Spain — most choose the Non-Lucrative or Digital Nomad Visa, the same routes used by Americans. Healthcare is covered through private insurance at first, with access to Spain's public system once you contribute or register.
British and American families are among the largest groups relocating to Marbella, Estepona and Alhaurín el Grande. After Brexit, UK nationals lost free movement and now apply exactly like US citizens: the Non-Lucrative Visa for retirees and the self-funded, or the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers. Both can bring spouses and children through family routes, and after five years of legal residence the family can seek permanent residence; Spanish citizenship is possible after ten years — just two for nationals of Ibero-American countries.
On healthcare, every visa applicant needs comprehensive private health insurance with no co-payments. Once you are a legal resident working and paying social security — or through the "convenio especial" pay-in scheme — you can access Spain's excellent public health system. Many expats keep private cover for speed and English-speaking clinics even after gaining public access.
Key requirements
- A valid visa route (Non-Lucrative, Digital Nomad, or work/family)
- Private health insurance approved for residency
- Proof of income or savings appropriate to the chosen visa
- NIE, TIE and town-hall registration
- Apostilled and sworn-translated UK/US documents
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