Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 6:57pm
Hi. For the right individuals this is a good visa - but if you are not intending staying 6 months of the year the standard Schengen Visa waiver that all Uk residents have and it’s length of stay restrictions I.e. 90/180, may be the best option with no bureaucracy
Yes you and all applicants on the visa have to stay for the 183 days in Spain in total over the year or you lose the visas access rights. As it is renewed after the first year and you cannot prove that you spent the required time in Spain you will be refused a renewal and the same in year 3 and final year before full residency when it is further reviewed. It is your responsibility to provide proof of stay for the minimum period
If you were applying as the main person and wished your partner to be on the visa you will need to prove in the first year that you have annual income or savings of approximately 35000€ - again that will be reviewed and probably increased after years 1,3 and 5. Proof of financial support can be a combination of continuous salary in the Uk, state and private pension and individual savings to achieve that annual figure. Bank statements for the last 3 months will be required as evidentiary proof. This total income threshold can be met as a combined total between both applicants - other applicants like children or supported individuals require a further 6k € approx per person
You or any applicant cannot undertake any paid work whatsoever in Spain under this visa.
You will not be taxed on this Uk income as there is an agreement in place to prevent double taxation. You will however have to pay local taxation for utilities and local council facilities etc
If you are of state pensionable age in the uk your UK-gov S1 form covers you for full medical. If you are not of that age band you will all require to take out full private medical insurance (not travel insurance). You will likewise require a letter usually from your GP stating you are not carrying any of the noted diseases that would prohibit residence in Spain Most GP surgeries have this letter template which if the case, will be authorised by the practice manager and stamped
Once you have applied for the visa from your Spanish embassy in the Uk you only have 3 months and 2 weeks to apply for residency otherwise the visa procedure is terminated - as such once the visa is provided for you you will need a Spanish address either rented or purchased within that short period - also prior to submission, your form should be double checked for errors as it will be rejected entirely without mitigation if even slight errors including typos are made - you must have your NIE numbers and certificates in place beforehand The fees to the local embassy will be displayed on line or can be requested
You will need a police report on all applicants clearing you of any criminal convictions in the last 5 years. Your passport needs to have a min 1 year remaining but that’s cutting it fine - 2 years or renewal would be sensible
The application is definitely something an individual can complete and submit by themselves as long as they do the groundwork on timings and Spains’ requirements- a spreadsheet and timeline checklist would be invaluable, however if you are not comfortable with that there are responsible agents that will do the heavy lifting and lead you through the process at a fee of around £2-£3k
Please note this is not legal advice and should not be viewed as such, but from experience only from our own process of inat the time when looking at alternatives to full residency. Best of luck