Last Updated on July 8, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Moving to Spain over 60 is one of the most emotionally charged decisions a retired couple can face, and it recently sparked a long, honest discussion in a Spainguru Facebook group. A member approaching 70 explained that her husband dreams of relocating to Spain, but making it happen would mean selling the UK home she loves, and the uncertainty was overwhelming her.
Her post struck a nerve. Dozens of members who had already navigated the same choice replied with practical advice on renting before selling, the 90-day trial run, non-lucrative visa income requirements for pensioners, capital gains tax, healthcare, and the reality of Spanish summers.
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The Original Question About Moving to Spain Over 60
The original poster shared her dilemma with the group. Her question is reproduced below exactly as written, with only her name and identifying details removed.
“Hi I’ve not posted in a long time… My husband’s dream is to move to Spain but it would mean selling our beautiful bungalow to provide the money we would need to do it. We both get our state pension and a couple of work pensions.”
“The main stumbling block is my anxiety, the what if’s? The whole thing petrifies me, I can’t be the only one can I? No one has a crystal ball, I’m 70 soon and hubby 68 (my toy boy), should I make his dream come true or stick to holidays?”
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Moving to Spain Over 60: Answers from the Community
The responses were overwhelmingly encouraging, but far from uniform. The single most repeated piece of advice was to rent before selling anything, and to treat the move as an experiment rather than a leap.
“Come over to Spain and rent for a few months to see if it is for you both.”
“Rent first to make sure it’s what you want.”
“Rent for a few months perhaps both summer and winter, we did and after the first winter we knew it was where we needed to live. Write a list of pros and cons of your life now. Write a list of your top 10 needs and in the cold light of day score the locations you like.”
“My advice is just do it. My regret is not doing it sooner.”
“You are a long time dead, go for it and enjoy yourselves.”
“When we get older, we tend to regret the things we haven’t done.”
Not everyone was unreservedly positive. Several members urged caution.
“I’d be extremely cautious. It’s so many people’s dream but the reality is different, often things don’t go the way you plan in later life and trying to go back is usually very challenging.”
Moving to Spain Over 60: Should You Sell Your Home or Rent First?
The clearest consensus in the thread was to resist selling a cherished home too quickly. Members who had sold up and later regretted it were especially vocal.
“My advice is definitely try Spain for an extended period, but do not sell your home. That’s my one big regret and to do it all over again I would not have sold my home. If you sell your house and decide to go back at any point, the prices and rent will be so much higher.”
“Rent your house out in the UK and rent in Spain. Don’t fall into the trap of selling up and then wanting to move back in the future and not being able to buy back.”
A recurring idea was to keep the UK property as a financial safety net, or to let it out and use the rental income to fund a trial period in Spain. Others raised the house swap the original poster mentioned as a low-commitment way to live in different areas. For couples exploring that route, Spainguru’s guide to home exchange in Spain is a useful starting point, and the broader Move to Spain planning guide helps map out the whole process before any property is sold.
Moving to Spain Over 60: Testing the 90/180 Rule Before You Commit
Because the original poster and her husband hold UK passports, they can already spend time in Spain as visitors without a visa. Members repeatedly pointed to this as the safest way to test the move.
“You can always just come for 3 months. You’re allowed to be here for 3 months on a tourist visa. Check it out and see how you like it before you make a big move.”
“Come over for the 90 days in the summer and then come for the 90 days in winter. Do it slowly so that you get a good idea of what it’s like.”
As non-EU visitors, UK nationals can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Several members suggested using two separate trips, one in summer and one in winter, to experience both the heat and the quieter off-season before committing to a permanent move to Spain over 60.
The Non-Lucrative Visa for Pensioners: Income Requirements When Moving to Spain Over 60
For a permanent move, the most common route for retirees is the Spain non-lucrative visa, which is designed for people who can support themselves from passive income such as pensions without working in Spain. Several members felt the couple’s pensions would comfortably qualify them.
“You both have state pensions and private pensions too, so it’s very likely that those alone will qualify you for the NLVs. Because you are over 65 you don’t necessarily need to rush into selling your UK home. You could move over, have a year in Spain, then decide whether Spain is for you.”
The non-lucrative visa requires proof of sufficient regular income or savings, with the main applicant’s threshold set as a multiple of Spain’s IPREM index and an additional amount for each dependent. Exact figures change each year, so confirm the current requirement in the Spain non-lucrative visa guide and, for a deeper dive into the process, at SpainNonLucrativeVisa.com. Here you can find Spainguru’s recommended NLV related services: https://spainguru.es/services-for-spanish-visas/.
Selling Your Home and Capital Gains Tax After Moving to Spain Over 60
One financial point several members flagged is capital gains tax. If you sell your UK or US home after becoming a tax resident in Spain, Spain may tax the gain, even on a former main residence abroad.
“Make sure you check the CGT liability if you sell your UK home after becoming resident in Spain.”
“They are both over 65 and therefore typically exempt from the capital gains tax in Spain.”
“It’s still worth their while getting professional advice to ensure they don’t inadvertently do something that excludes them from that exemption.”
Spain does offer a capital gains exemption on the sale of a main home for residents over 65, but the conditions are specific and depend on residency status and timing. Because a mistake here can be expensive, this is one area where members strongly recommended professional guidance. Spainguru’s guide to taxes in Spain for expats explains how residency changes your tax position.
Healthcare When Moving to Spain Over 60
Healthcare was one of the most practical concerns in the thread, especially for a couple in their late sixties and seventies. UK state pensioners have a particular advantage here.
“We are from the UK and would qualify for Spanish healthcare via the S1.”
The S1 form entitles UK state pensioners to access the Spanish public healthcare system, with the cost effectively covered by the UK. For those who cannot use that route, private insurance is normally required, and members warned that it becomes harder and more expensive with age and pre-existing conditions.
“We are getting S1 health cover as we can’t get commercial cover for my husband due to age and pre-existing conditions not being covered, which are precluded on visa applications.”
Language also came up repeatedly, with members noting that navigating medical appointments without Spanish can be difficult. If you are comparing policies for a visa, the dedicated site Health Insurance for Spanish Visas breaks down which providers and plans meet the requirements.
Heat, Seasons and Location: The Reality of Moving to Spain Over 60
Enthusiasm was tempered by honest warnings about the climate. Members living in the south described summers that increasingly reach 40C and beyond.
“Winters are great, summers are getting hotter, and you currently cannot leave Spain for the length of the summer. Many end up just sitting in their homes with the air conditioning on.”
“Summers now hitting 40+C.”
Several suggested looking beyond the busy southern costas. One member wrote to consider the north of the country where it is greener, wetter and more bearable in the summer, while another had relocated inland to Granada, up in the Sierra Nevada, to escape the worst of the heat. A common warning was to integrate rather than isolate, and not to move to a British enclave. Choosing the right area matters enormously, and tools like the Spain city finder can help narrow down where a move to Spain over 60 makes the most sense. Members with dogs also cautioned that hot pavements in summer can burn a dog’s paws, forcing very early or very late walks.
Moving to Spain Over 60: Conclusion and Takeaways
The overwhelming message from the community was that anxiety about a big move later in life is completely normal, and that the antidote is testing rather than gambling. Spend time in Spain first, across more than one season, using the 90-day allowance or a longer rental before selling anything.
The practical framework that emerged was consistent: confirm that your pensions meet the non-lucrative visa income requirements, keep your home or rent it out as a financial safety net rather than rushing to sell, plan ahead for capital gains tax and healthcare, and choose a location and altitude that suit your tolerance for heat. For a wider range of honest perspectives, this discussion complements Spainguru’s earlier collection of community advice on moving to Spain.
Start planning your move with Spainguru’s Move to Spain planning hub, and explore Spainguru’s vetted service providers for legal help, health insurance, and tax advice.
Join Spainguru’s Spain Non Lucrative Visa Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spanishnlv. For more community channels, visit the Spainguru Community Hub.
This article is based on personal opinions from the Spainguru community and is not legal advice. For expert help with your move, see Spainguru’s recommended immigration and tax services.
Moving to Spain Over 60: FAQ
Can I move to Spain over 60 on a pension?
Yes. The Spain non-lucrative visa is designed for people who can support themselves from passive income such as state and private pensions without working in Spain. Many retirees find their combined pensions meet the income threshold, though exact figures are updated each year.
Should I sell my home before moving to Spain over 60?
The community’s strong consensus was not to rush. Renting first, or keeping and letting out your home as a financial safety net, gives you the option to return without having to buy back into a more expensive market.
How long can I stay in Spain without a visa to test it?
UK and other non-EU nationals can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period as visitors. Many members suggested using two trips, one in summer and one in winter, before committing.
Do I pay capital gains tax if I sell my home after moving to Spain?
If you sell after becoming a Spanish tax resident, Spain may tax the gain. There is an exemption on a main residence for residents over 65, but the conditions are specific, so professional tax advice is strongly recommended.
Can UK pensioners get healthcare in Spain?
UK state pensioners can usually access the Spanish public healthcare system using the S1 form, with the cost covered by the UK. Those who do not qualify for the S1 route typically need private insurance, which becomes harder to obtain with age and pre-existing conditions.
Is it too hot to move to Spain over 60?
Southern Spain increasingly sees summer temperatures above 40C. Many older residents cope by staying indoors with air conditioning, travelling in summer, or choosing cooler, greener regions in the north or at higher altitude.
What is the best area for older expats moving to Spain?
There is no single answer, but members recommended visiting in different seasons, considering cooler inland or northern locations, and avoiding isolated expat enclaves so you can integrate with the local community.
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