Beyond BREXIT, option of retiring in Spain - Page 2

Thanks Chris,

As this is of no financial benefit to EU, i wonder if they might loosen this at some time in future.

Well it’s not about financial benefit, it’s about a rules based system. EU countries subscribe to those rules, which as Dario pointed out existed even whilst the U.K. was part of the EU. You can stay 90 days as a visitor but to stay six months you need to obtain residency. ‘twas ever thus!

Chris

Thanks Chris,

However, it doesnt seem to stop individual member states bending 'rules' to suit their own domestic situation.

For example, i was in the audience at the British Council in Luxembourg in 2018 when Xavier Bettel , Lux Prime Minister, stated that he 'foresaw no change' to the way UK citizens are treated in terms of employment or residency in Lux post Brexit. 

It makes no sense for Spain to make it hard for Brits to spend their money in their country, especially now after the virus has decimated the economy. they are going to want to encourage tourism as much as possible. After all, Germany wont make it hard for you to buy VWs and BMWs, yet Spain would appear to be penalised because of their geographical reliance on tourism as a key income generator.

Just an observation.

Each member state has their own requirements regarding permanent residence, yes.  Just because Luxembourg has chosen to go one route, doesn't mean Spain has to follow suit.

Everyone always goes on about how much money Brits spend here - but it's really not that true.  UK spending in Spain only forms around 0.5% of their GDP, so the threat of reduced UK tourism, whilst unfortunate, is not going to drive Spain into a hole.

That aside, Spain poses no barriers to tourists spending their money here - none at all.  However, as a sovereign State it quite rightly places certain requirements on those intending permanent residence who aren't members of the EU - they are in fact from a "third country".   It means simply that post-transition period, UK nationals will have to jump through the same hoops as currently do nationals from USA, Australia, South Africa etc.

In the next couple of years we were hoping to to get a little bolt hole to visit a few days at a time . Hope we can still do this been waiting so long to do it 🤔

Gail. 

You will still be able to do this and can stay for up to 90 days at a time. Might be best to do it in 2121 though, given the pandemic.

Chris

I'm hearing that post Brexit, Portugal will allow dual residency for Brits with land/property in Portugal. So you could buy some land in the North , cheap as chips, and get residency allowing no restrictions.

Cheers Derek,

However, there are conflicting things that emanate from a quick Google search, which suggests that if you are retiring to Portugal, then tax isnt a problem, not is Visa, however, as is always the case, time will tell...

"A 10-year tax break on most foreign-sourced income, including dividend, interest, rental and pension income, as well as real estate capital gains, under the so-called Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax status, which is granted to new residents

Portugal's tourism government agency, Turismo de Portugal, has launched a campaign saying "Brelcome" to the thousands of British visitors who choose the country as a holiday destination every year. "Portugal will never leave you" is the main slogan of the campaign, featuring a series of videos on its beaches, golf courses and wine cellars, which will always welcome Brits as holidaymakers and those considering moving to Portugal after Brexit. "We thought this was the right opportunity to tell a very good friend that we will never leave them", Luis Araujo, President of Turismo de Portugal, told Reuters, noting that the two countries are the World's oldest allies, an alliance initially forged through a treaty dated 1386.

Portugal has confirmed that British tourists will not need a visa even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, and that some airports (at least in the Algarve and Madeira) would open separate customs lanes after Brexit for British visitors, so as to ease their entry. Those looking at moving to Portugal after Brexit will still need to follow one of the entrance routes available to British Citizens. We are confident that moving to Portugal from the UK will remain an incredibly attractive proposition to British Citizens long into the future, deal or no deal."

Sounds promising to me.