Question
We own a bungalow in the uk worth around £250,000 with no mortgage, we are aged 69 and 66 and both in receipt of state pension. I get high rate PIP (I know I would lose one part of it). My husband gets a work pension and I also get a small civil service pension (I took a lump sum to pay off the mortgage). It’s my husband’s dream to retire to Spain (Spain non lucrative visa), mine too but I’m far more cautious, doing the research and trying to work out the pros and cons.
We just got back from a week in Estepona (too expensive judging by the prices in the estate agents) but we hope to go back next year to look further afield. We are hoping to rent an apartment and go self catering for a month to get a better idea of living there.
I love my bungalow, spent many years making it perfect for us and to be honest I’m petrified of losing it all whereas my husband is a glass overflowing!
I’m leaning towards “Let’s have lots of holidays but stay in the uk as we are not getting any younger. What if he dies (heaven forbid) and I’m left on my own?”
Answers
These are the answers from Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“We are similar 72 and 68, just doing visa application now, we have an apartment on the east coast of Spain and love it out there, very different from Estepona, much quieter but plenty to do if you want, we live near a Cosum so don’t need the car out and we can walk to the seafront. Just do it. Life’s too short, just go for it.”
“it is yes, similar to tesco, you can go for 90days, maybe rent somewhere for the duration or move around the country to see what it’s like. We also have a large caravan we use from Jan to April on a camping club rally south of Alicante, loads to do and a great social life. We have a better social life in Spain that we do here, also I can play golf twice a week or more if I want.”
“! You can stay up to 90 days twice a year (90/180 rule). There are many properties to rent for several weeks or months. A different experience from a week’s holiday in a hotel. 😎”
“We are just doing the same…70 and 64. You only live once, but I fully understand your trepidation. Estepona beckons 😎”
“We have owned 2 properties in Spain ow and neither were suitable for retirement. But now we know what we need and Murcia is the area
So really committed to making it work in Spain viva la sunshine!!!☀️”
“We are 68 and 64 and have jumped into life in Spain. Moved last November having sold everything and bought our dream villa for cash. Got S1 for our medical needs. Living off one state pension and a small civil servants one till hubby gets his state pension. Most of money gets tied up in Spain non lucrative visa visa application for 5 years. Life is FAB!!”
“you will loose all your pip benefit as it changed with brexit we came over 2 years ago and my husband was on benefits and lost all of them. but still glad we did it we have a great bunch of people great friends who always pull together and we have a social life we live in san pedro murcia”
“that is correct. Only State Pension remains exportable for those who are not protected by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.”
“We are in the same boat but from my experience it’s better to do 90 days, I am always happy to come back to the UK to my house and then look forward to going back to Spain. Best of both worlds. Think it’s a personal choice 🤔”
“sorry should have stated we own a property in Spain. I di know that yes you can rent for 2 – 3 months prices depending on area. Good luck”
“Yes, there are plenty of rentals for a few months as long as it’s outside the peak summer months, when they rent them by the week or the night. But the rest of the year they want longer stays. Next door to me there’s always different people from Finland, staying from a few weeks to a few months”
“La Mata outside Torrevieja”
“Lived here in arboleas in land near Mojacar for 3 yrs retired at 56 and 58 toured around Spain to find our happy place we have children and grandchildren who come and visit regularly and we pop back to the uk too to visit
Quality of life here far outweighs the uk cheaper healthier the weather allows you to exercise more we have a better social life have amazing neighbours and met so many people who chose to do the same we are also lucky enough to own a motorhome and in the cooler months we tour wherever we want life is brilliant wouldn’t change it for the world best thing we did 💯 you only get one life 👍”
“My advice is. Keep your U.K. property. PLEASE. Rent that out if necessary and rent in Spain. You can’t spend more than 90 days as it currently stands unless you go visa route”
“Thing is you aren’t too sure. Hubbie says yes but you are a bit unsure. It’s not as easy as some say. Healthcare wise you’ll pay a high amount in private policy cover U.K. it’s free”
“Costs will start to escalate in Spain. It’s not the cheap place it used to be”
“they won’t be paying for health insurance as they both qualify for the S1”
“I thought for the first year pensioners had to have private insurance in place before they apply for visa”
“nope. If you are of state pension age you can get the S1 straight away. We applied and got ours as part of the Spain non lucrative visa application to prove we had healthcare in Spain”
“my good lady has had to use the Spanish national healthcare. It’s been brilliant so far”
“no the will get the same cover as the Spainish with their s1”
“They won’t pay a penny in healthcare because they would qualify for an S1 as pensioners. That also means getting discounted prescriptions”
“I have just sold my lovely house lived in for 29 years and bought here with new partner husband had. an affair . Big decision but I am 80 years old a it is what we always wanted . I too worried about being left but join groups and mix everybody looks out for everybody when you get to know each other . I felt if I didn’t give it a try I would regret it and always wonder . Good luck”
“Most have the same worries and concerns, we certainly did. Nothing is 100% certain. You either decide that Spain is for you and take the leap of faith, or hesitate for years and then regret not going for your dream!”
“Yes that’s what I have decided to do plenty of holidays in different countries in the sun. I’ve given up the idea of buying ages 68/67 . Just enjoying each day with family close by 👍😘 Maybe rent for longer holidays 👍😘”
“FOR ONE you won’t need any health care as you receive state pension that’s a big saving mine along is €150 a month get an S1
Work out how much pensions you get per year earnings not take home for both as you may not need a lump sum it’s about €35,000~€36,000 a year!”
“I would rent for the first year! And maybe you could rent your own home out!”
“I’ve had a place here in Villamartin for over twenty years it’s just a nice place to live there plenty of single women older that I’ve seen and there out walking cycling And I think the hospital care is far better”
“I live on the La Marina urbanisation, not too far from you. Been here almost 11 years & loving it, whilst recognising that it’s not for everyone.”
“remember health care is good but you need to pay for translators, you also pay tax buying the Spanish property and if it don’t work out you pay tax selling it. . Rent in my opinion go for 3 months to get the feel.”
“No need for a lump sum if pensions are enough, otherwise any shortfall can be made up from savings.”
“where in my reply did I mention a lump sum! I suggested they rent out there home and use there pension that’s why I mentioned how much they require 🙈”
“Appreciate what you have i.e. a lovely home with friends/ family around you when necessary and the means to enjoy trips abroad in different places..”
“There are problems wherever you settle especially in our later years when we are more dependent on a health system that you can relate to without relying on interpreters and family support should you end up in hospital. Have been there and chose to appreciate home with holidays if and when we can..”
“Rent first before you buy in Spain.Buy a smaller property in the UK so you always have somewhere to go back to…Good luck 👍”
“Just take long holidays then rent for a while it works for some people not for others …. It’s a huge gamble. I have a house there and the people are great .. to really benefit you must learn Spanish and integrate with the locals, DO NOT SELL YOUR BUNGALOW.”
“You only live once”
“I might get shouted down, but, unless you are 100% sure, I wouldn’t do it. Its taken us a year to sort everything out in the UK, and move over. Its been hard and stressful at times but we were 100% committed.”
“If you can keep your uk home and rent, it might be a good option. Im aware that the renters rights Bill comes in about now, I would look into the impact of renting your property. Also, tax implications on your income. Having said all that, we are loving it and have got stuck into the Spanish paperwork requirements x”
“Only you know how you’d cope if you relocated and were eventually left on your own in Spain. I know two ladies who live abroad that this has happened to and because they’ve lived abroad for a long time now they’re staying put, but my friends Mum was widowed and decided to move back to the UK having sold up to move to Spain and she’s ended up having to get a council place, my cousin was also in that position having lived in the Canary Islands for 18 years he struggled badly when his relationship broke up even though he had a big circle of friends and still had his business out there he just wanted to come back to the UK in his later years and had just secured a housing association flat when he passed away just weeks from moving back.”
“I’d possibly downsize in the UK to a flat and buy somewhere in Spain and do the 90/180 and rent out the Spanish property when you’re not there because there are so many new rules and regs coming in now for landlords in the UK.”
“Rent out your property, counts as passive income, rent in Spain, see how it is for you”
“I bought 25 years ago as I was working in Gibraltar and Spain. We now live in UK but still have the house. I wouldn’t like to give up on a base in UK without the certainty of continuing to get the Spain non lucrative visa, also, although I’m 68, I still have work that I enjoy. Can’t find a visa to work so 90/180 for us”
“For the Spain non lucrative visa? I’ve seen cases where they didn’t accept U.K. rental income and refused the visa.”
“it’s all too hit and miss for my liking, seeing folks being denied renewals years two and three. Certainly wouldn’t up and leave everything!”
“I understand if you are on an nlv to live in Spain you have to have an agency to rent your property in the UK otherwise it counts as working if you manage it yourself which of course you can’t on the nlv , unless it’s changed in the last year .”
“that’s correct. You can’t manage it you need an agent”
“I acquired the NLV two years ago and had an appointment for the TIE interview. But at the last moment, I decided not proceed. Realising that, although I love Spain and speak Spanish. I would never feel culturally assimilated or fulfilled there.”
“In addition, Spain has become too punishingly hot for me for four months of the year, a situation which is likely only to worsen, whereas Bournemouth where I now live, is paradise in summer. I would reiterate the above advice to rent first and experience Spanish life and culture. For many people, reliable weather is enough, for many others the cultural deficit will be telling.”
“Spain is awfully hot in summer, its not enjoyable at all”
“Estepona is a beautiful area, lots of expats living there. Locals are very friendly.
You say you receive pip but my understanding was you would only receive this if you moved to the EU before December 2020 all pip was stopped after this date!? Maybe I’m wrong.”
“With regards to your fears of being left alone out there…my advice would be to make sure you seek correct legal advice before taking the leap permanently, just do all your homework. Make sure you have a will in place. Spain is not like the uk when a spouse dies.”
“But overall life is way too short so do your homework, have correct things in place and GO FOR IT!! Good luck!! 😊”
“Static Caravan on a complex, go for 90 days twice a year, you will make some lovely friends, it’s the best of both worlds. We love it. PS we are in a lovely Spanish town.”
“We’re aged 70 and 71 we bought a Static Caravan 3 years ago and moved over to Spain in July on NVL, it’s not easy, once you arrive the paperwork continues ie Padron TIE S1 a Spanish phone number, we paid for help with our TIE and registering S1 as we needed a break from it all, good luck”
“I get a high pip and mobility and thought I would loose it all. True or not?” – “I don’t think these are exportable benefits any more .”
“DWP state that you cannot have PIP if you live in EEU countries or Switzerland. The mobility part of PIP is not transferable. If you have just the daily living part of PIP you can keep it if you do not go abroad for more than thirteen weeks at a time.”
“After Brexit ( saying this because I don’t know if there is an agreement in place for people who were living in Spain and claiming PIP) you cannot keep PIP if you go to live in a different country. For those people who say they are still claiming it,they need to know their status. DWP rules currently state that if you go to live in an EEU country and continue to claim PIP they will consider the claim to be fraudulent.”
“Jane this isn’t what the Gov Website states. Only the mobility element of the award is lost immediately https://www.gov.uk/pip/eligibility”
“Sue you will loose the mobility award but, in most circumstances you should keep the care element. Although, I personally think that this will change with the current government and that all overseas awards will be stopped.”
“true you will loose it all.”
“I am having the same dilemma. I am wondering, if I can stay 90 days in any Schengen country, as an example Spain, then come back home or whatever other place outside of Schengen as to comply with the 90 days every 180 days, question is: why making a drastic commitment decision at this stage of our lives? Instead lets go on as sort of nomads and re-set our lives every 90 days. Just a thought.”
“Get professional advice! Contact a real lawyer group who specializes in taxes, relocation ie. real-estate law and count the cost before you uproot your life. Estipona is quite expensive! San Pedro next door, not sure, maybe better? I honestly don’t know.”
Spainguru’s recommended experts.
“But something to consider is transportation options. Perhaps you consider renting one year, see if it’s a fit, then reevaluate. In the end, do your homework because you need to understand your tax implications for a purchase, for your pensions and clearly understand the implications of the areas you choose to live if it meets your future needs as you continue to age.”
“i think you are wise to be careful , especially as you are not as enthusiastic about the huge upheaval .. If he goes before you , you would prob find it hard to be away from family and language and also paper work is a headache . maybe do a bit of dipping on and out with your 90/180.”
“Spanish hospitals are FAR superior to ours. Hardly any waiting times and the care is better. Spanish supermarkets are much cheaper… clearly you’ve never shopped in one or use the tourist ones. Council tax is a whole year what we pay in one month. It’s a no brainer”
“Looked at buying/moving to Almeria got to NLV status then decided the complications of moving (not speaking Spanish although I’ve tried) I decided to stay in the UK and just holiday a lot. Once I made the decision I felt a lot better.”
“You will lose all of your PiP. Only those with Withdrawal Agreement protection can keep any UK state benefit (apart from Pension – & before people start whinging, State Pension IS legally classed as a benefit). So unless you became a resident before 1/2/20 you will lose any UK state benefit I’m afraid.”
“Have you looked into home exchange? I would try that. Lots of long term home exchanges you can do in different regions of Spain.”
“It’s the best time of year to give it a try! Cheaper long term winter rentals. You could come for 90 days and have a good look about. It’s easy to get around spain by Train and fares are not bad.”
“You could even apply for your NLV and give it a try for a year. If you are worried about cutting ties with home, rent out your house in England to pay for your accommodation here. Doing it that way, you will get a good idea if it’s for you, yet still have the option to go back to your house in England if not.”
“Sounds like you don’t want to relocate but you do want to please your husband. If so, maybe it is best for you two to strike a compromise. Keep the bungalow you live for now. You can always change your mind later.”
Conclusion
The community’s main theme was to reduce risk: try Spain first with longer stays, or rent in Spain while keeping a UK base, before making an irreversible move.
Several members suggested using the 90/180 rule for “trial living,” especially outside peak summer months when longer rentals may be easier to find. Others discussed the Spain paperwork timeline (Padron, TIE, S1) and the importance of planning for language support, healthcare logistics, and what happens if one partner is left alone.
If you’re considering the spain non lucrative visa, the most repeated takeaway was to avoid burning bridges: rent first, do your homework on benefits and tax, and get professional advice before selling your UK home.
This article is based on personal opinions from the Spainguru community and is not legal advice.
