Brexit – What do the Brits Think Now?

Brexit: 10 Years On – How Has It Really Changed Life for Brits in Spain?

Just over ten years after the UK voted to leave the European Union, Brexit continues to shape the lives of British citizens living in Spain, buying property here, or dreaming of making Spain their permanent home.

For many, Brexit isn’t just a political event from the past. It’s something they deal with every time they travel, renew paperwork, buy a property, or try to spend longer in the country they love.

Recent research published by The Local Spain gathered the experiences of British residents and second-home owners across Spain, revealing a mixture of frustration, acceptance, and, for some, genuine heartbreak.

For Long-Term Residents: Protected, But Not Unaffected

British nationals who were legally resident in Spain before 31 December 2020 are protected under the Withdrawal Agreement.

That means they retained many of the rights they enjoyed before Brexit, including the ability to continue living, working and accessing healthcare in Spain.

However, many say life has become noticeably more bureaucratic.

Common complaints include:

More paperwork.
Difficulty obtaining or renewing TIE residence cards.
Longer airport queues.
Customs charges on parcels from the UK.
Losing the ability to move freely across Europe as EU citizens.

Many describe it as a “constant low-level stress” that simply didn’t exist before Brexit.

Moving to Spain Is No Longer Simple

For anyone moving to Spain after Brexit, the situation is very different.

British citizens are now treated as third-country nationals, meaning they no longer have automatic freedom of movement within the EU.

Instead, they must qualify through one of Spain’s immigration routes, such as:

Non-Lucrative Visa
Digital Nomad Visa
Work Visa
Student Visa
Family reunification routes

Each comes with financial requirements, documentation, appointments and waiting periods that simply did not exist before 2021.

The 90/180 Day Rule

Perhaps the biggest change affecting second-home owners is the 90/180-day rule.

Unless you hold Spanish residency, British passport holders can usually spend only 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area.

For many owners who bought homes intending to spend six months each year in Spain, this has completely changed their retirement plans.

Some have even chosen to sell their Spanish homes because the restrictions no longer fit the lifestyle they originally intended.

Property Ownership Hasn’t Changed

One important point that is often misunderstood:

Brexit did NOT stop British citizens buying property in Spain.

The purchase process remains almost identical.

You can still:

Buy property.
Own multiple properties.
Rent them out (subject to Spanish regulations).
Inherit Spanish property.
Sell whenever you wish.

The legal process itself remains largely unchanged.

The biggest difference comes afterwards if you wish to spend long periods living in Spain.

Healthcare and Family Life

Another growing issue involves families caring for elderly relatives.

Recent reporting highlights cases where adult children struggle to remain in Spain long enough to care for ageing parents because the available visa routes do not easily accommodate carers or extended family members.

This has become an increasingly important issue as many British residents who moved to Spain decades ago are now reaching retirement age.

Sending Goods Between the UK and Spain

Many British residents also report higher costs when receiving gifts or parcels from the UK.

Since Brexit, customs procedures and VAT can apply to shipments that previously moved freely between both countries.

These extra costs have become particularly noticeable during Christmas and birthdays.

Has Public Opinion Changed?

Interestingly, public opinion in Britain appears to have shifted significantly.

Recent polling suggests that a majority of Britons now believe Brexit has had a negative impact on the economy and cost of living, while many support closer cooperation with the European Union than exists today.

Whatever people’s political views, there is broad agreement that Brexit fundamentally changed the practical realities of living across Europe.

Our Advice

At SGM Abogados, we have helped thousands of British clients before and after Brexit.

The legal landscape has undoubtedly become more complex, but with the right advice it is still perfectly possible to:

Buy property safely in Spain.
Obtain the correct visa or residency.
Plan your taxes efficiently.
Understand your inheritance rights.
Ensure you comply with Spanish legal requirements.

Brexit changed the rules, but it certainly didn’t close the door on enjoying life in Spain.

If you’re considering buying a home, relocating permanently, or simply want to understand how the current rules apply to your own circumstances, our multilingual legal team is here to help.