Thinking of moving your UK pension to Spain?
Moving or restructuring a UK pension once you live on the Costa del Sol — including whether a QROPS makes sense — is a regulated decision, not a form to fill in. Sometimes transferring is right; often leaving it in the UK is better. It depends on your scheme, the tax and your plans. We introduce you to regulated advisers who look at it honestly.
What to weigh up
A pension transfer is easy to do and hard to undo. These are the things a proper, regulated review looks at before anyone recommends anything — and often the conclusion is to leave it exactly where it is.
Transferring is not always right
A QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme) can suit some people and be the wrong move for others. Depending on the scheme, its guarantees and your plans, leaving the pension in the UK is often the better answer. Only a regulated review of your actual arrangements can tell.
It depends on the scheme
Defined-benefit (final-salary) schemes, defined-contribution pots and the State Pension all behave differently, and some carry valuable guarantees that a transfer would give up. The starting point is always what you already hold — never a product someone wants to sell.
Tax sits on both sides
How a pension is taxed once you are a Spanish tax resident, how the UK–Spain double-taxation treaty applies, and how drawing an income interacts with your wider position all matter. These are questions for a regulated adviser and, on residency itself, our Tax Residency service.
Your plans change the answer
Whether you intend to stay in Spain for good, keep a foot in the UK, or move again later all bear on the decision. There is no single correct route — only the one that fits your circumstances, which is exactly why the advice has to be personalised.
Closely tied to this is where you are tax-resident — see our Tax Residency service.
Delivered by regulated financial advisers
Pension transfers are regulated advice. Globalium does not give investment or pension advice. What we do is introduce you to regulated partners who are authorised to carry out this work — the recommendation, and the responsibility for it, sits with them. We will never tell you to transfer, quote you a return, or promise an outcome.
The questions we get first
What is a QROPS?
A QROPS — Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme — is an overseas pension scheme that meets HMRC conditions and can, in some cases, receive a transfer from a UK pension. It is one option among several, not a default. Whether it suits you depends entirely on your scheme, your tax position and your plans, which is why it needs a regulated, personalised assessment.
Should I transfer my UK pension to Spain?
There is no general answer, and anyone who gives you one without reviewing your specific arrangements should be treated with caution. For some people a transfer makes sense; for many others, leaving the pension in the UK is better, particularly where a scheme carries guarantees that would be lost. A regulated adviser weighs it up on your facts — we do not, and would not, tell you to transfer.
Does Globalium give the financial advice?
No. Pension transfers are regulated advice, and Globalium does not advise on investments or pensions. What we do is introduce you to regulated partners who are authorised to carry out this work, so you deal with the right people from the start rather than the wrong ones. The advice, the recommendation and the responsibility sit with the regulated adviser.
How does the introduction work?
We have a quick conversation about your situation in plain English, then connect you with a regulated adviser suited to it. You are never under any obligation, and any recommendation about your pension comes from the regulated firm after a proper review — not from us.
Reviewed by a lawyer
Reviewed by Alberto García López
Immigration lawyer · ICA Málaga, reg. no. 11.441
We check every page against current Spanish law. This is general information, not advice on your individual case.
Globalium is an independent law firm, not a government agency, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any public administration. Visas, permits and identification numbers are granted solely by the Spanish authorities, and you are free to apply to them directly yourself. Our fees pay for legal advice and representation, and are separate from any official fee or tax.
Tell us the pension. We'll point you to the right adviser.
A quick, no-obligation chat in plain English about what you hold. Then an introduction to a regulated partner who can look at it properly — including telling you to leave it in the UK, if that's the honest answer.