By Expats, for Expats. 30+ Years Experience
De Expats, para Expats. +30 años de experiencia.
Moving to Spain from UK has never been more popular. British interest in relocating has surged to its highest point in years and the data bears this out. According to Google Trends, UK searches for ‘moving to Spain from UK’ are up 60% over the past five years, while ‘move to Spain from UK’ has risen 110% and ‘how to move to Spain’ is up 60%. Searches for ‘Spain visa’ have increased 250%, and ‘can I move to Spain from UK’ is up 100%.
This is not simply lifestyle curiosity. The pattern of searches heavy on visa routes, residency requirements, and practical logistics suggests Brits are not just dreaming about Spain. Many are actively planning.
The wave is being driven by a familiar mix of climate, lifestyle, and cost of living, but also by a growing awareness of post-Brexit visa pathways and Spain’s expanding options for remote workers and early retirees. The question many Brits are now asking is not whether to move, but where.
Málaga, joint second most popular destination for British buyers in Spain. Source: Google Trends, United Kingdom, past 5 years.
Research analysing property ownership across 50 Spanish cities and regions reveals where British and international expats are concentrating and Alicante leads by a significant margin.
Foreign buyers account for an estimated 43% of property transactions in Alicante province, a figure consistent with data from Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE). Its enduring appeal is easy to understand: mild winters, coastal living, affordable prices relative to other coastal regions, a large English-speaking community, and an international airport with direct UK routes.
The Balearic Islands and Málaga share second place, each with 31% of properties in foreign hands. The Balearics, covering Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza, attract buyers seeking premium coastal living, while Málaga draws professionals and families with its blend of beach life, urban energy, and growing remote-work infrastructure.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife follows in fourth with 26%, sustained by year-round sunshine and strong digital nomad appeal. Girona ranks fifth at 25%, offering a quieter residential alternative with easy access to Barcelona. Murcia rounds out the top six at 21%, continuing to attract buyers prioritising space and value.
| Rank | Location | Foreign Property Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alicante | 43% |
| 2 | Balearic Islands | 31% |
| 3 | Málaga | 31% |
| 4 | Santa Cruz de Tenerife | 26% |
| 5 | Girona | 25% |
| 6 | Murcia | 21% |
| 7 | Las Palmas | 20% |
| 8 | Almería | 17% |
| 9 | Tarragona | 16% |
| 10 | Barcelona | 15% |
Post-Brexit, British nationals need a visa to live and work in Spain. The right route depends entirely on your situation, your income sources, and your plans once you arrive.
“The right visa is not always obvious and getting it wrong at the start creates problems that are difficult and expensive to unpick later. Most British nationals we speak to initially assume the Non-Lucrative Visa is their only option. In most cases it is not the right fit”.
Marcus Taylor, Founder
For remote workers and freelancers with income sources outside Spain. Introduced in 2023 under Spain’s Startup Act, it gives you up to five years of legal residency and is the fastest growing route among the British professionals we work with. It also opens the door to the Beckham Law tax regime for employed applicants.
For those who want to live in Spain without working. Requires proof of sufficient passive income to support yourself and any dependents without employment. Popular with early retirees and those with investment income. Important: this visa is incompatible with the Beckham Law and does not permit any form of remote work.
For freelancers and business owners who want to operate officially in Spain as autónomo. More complex to obtain than the Digital Nomad Visa and comes with full Spanish Social Security obligations from day one. Better suited to those planning to build a business within Spain rather than those continuing to work for foreign clients.
For employed British professionals relocating for work, Spain offers something genuinely compelling. The Beckham Law allows qualifying individuals to pay a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish income for up to six years, rather than the standard progressive rates that climb to 47%.
For a British professional earning €150,000 per year, the difference between 24% and 47% is not marginal. It is transformative. Combined with Spain’s relatively low cost of living compared to London, the financial case for relocating is strong.
The key word is qualifying. The Beckham Law has specific eligibility requirements, a strict six month application window, and no tolerance for late or incomplete submissions. It needs to be handled correctly from the outset.
At Inevista, we’re seeing the same trend first-hand. UK enquiries are at their highest in years, and the profile of people asking has shifted, it’s no longer just retirees. Professionals in their 30s and 40s, remote workers, and business owners are increasingly exploring Spain as a permanent base, not just a holiday home.
What’s changed is the level of preparation people are arriving with. The most successful relocations we see are those where visa strategy, tax residency, and healthcare coverage are planned before the move, not after. For most British nationals this means choosing the right path from the outset, whether that’s the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers, or exploring Beckham Law for those relocating for work who want to benefit from a favourable flat tax rate. Spain offers genuine long-term advantages for British residents, but the structure has to be right from day one
Marcus Taylor, Founder & Expert Business Advisor in Spain
Most “autónomo vs SL” guides quote the same €60,000 breakeven number. That figure only tells half the story.
16,500 millionaires left the UK in 2025, more than any other country. Most looked at Dubai or Italy. Spain barely got a mention.
Spain’s Beckham Law lets qualifying expats pay a flat 24% tax rate for up to six years. But eligibility is strict and one mistake can cost you the benefit entirely.
© 2026 Inevista. All Rights Reserved. Jaleo group
© 2026 Inevista. Todos los derechos reservados Jaleo group