Page 3 | Moving at 62 to Spain after death of husband

digitalisation · 26/10/2025 12:27

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I’m not really understanding your point? Hopefully that’s not aimed directly at me? I live in the UK. I still working in the Uk as have a young family, and have no intention of moving to Spain. We do visit them occasionally as I would like my children to keep in contact with their grandparents. when we visit we generally plan an escape during our stay to try and emerge ourselves in the culture as it is a beautiful country and the people are lovely.

the point of my post was to clarify that I have witnessed first hand how it is entirely possible to settle there in retirement and not engage fully in a Spanish way of life. Their life choices are not mine, but they are happy.

Chewbecca · 26/10/2025 12:30

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

It's not unusual, haven't you ever seen Bargain Loving Brits In The Sun?!

People don't actually want to stop living amongst Brits/start living with the Spanish, they just want a better climate and lower cost of living.

Londonismyjam · 26/10/2025 12:31

mondaytosunday · 26/10/2025 12:04

Interesting as I am in the early planning stages of spending a year in Spain with my two young adult kids once my DD leaves uni. Even though we only plan to go for a year the rules are the same as if we were moving permanently. We are getting Irish passports to make it easier but if you are British it’s still doable.
First, why and where? How well do you know Spain? Are you looking for big city life (Madrid or Barcelona for example), or coastal village or something in between? North is very different from southern Spain. Do you want an ex pat community? Are you willing to learn the language? Are you comfortable in your own company and are you proactive enough to go out and make new friends?
Will you need to work is the second question. If non EU you can get several visas. One is the non lucrative visa which is for retirees or those who don’t need to work, and you have to demonstrate you have funds to support yourself, about €30k/year, and that can include pension payments. This visa you apply for before you go, and any proof of fund documents may need to be translated to Spanish. Your £200k pot is good enough for this, at least for a few years, but you will need to renew the visa and still prove sufficient funds.
There’s the digital nomad visa where you are working remotely, 80% of which has to be for a non Spanish firm. You have to prove your earnings which have to be twice Spain’s minimum wage, so around €2800/month. You can’t include your pension for this. I think there’s a way of going on a non lucrative visa then eventually being able to work but you can investigate that.
You will have to get private health insurance that covers any pre-existing conditions. If you have none this may just be a few hundred pounds a year, if you do it’s thousands. You will have to become a resident of Spain after X days, and there are tax implications with that. Taxation in Spain is higher and it will be on your worldwide income. There’s a reciprocal agreement so you don’t pay double tax, but if you were to sell your home AFTER you became a tax resident there you are subject to capital gains, even on your main residence, which is exempt here. So you need to be aware of that.
If you need a car either take your own or buy when out there. You can swap your English license for a Spanish one without retaking a test. You need to register your English car in Spain and that costs a bit (€500 I believe), and of course they drive on the opposite side so your car will be that way too.
If you don’t want to do the paperwork of becoming a resident then you can only stay for 90 days out of every 180, so you will probably have to do it (the 90 days includes any time spent in any Schengen country and the clock doesn’t restart so can’t just nip over to another country and come back).

Will you rent or buy? Spain is no longer a cheap alternative. Unless you live in a rural town where you may get a bargain property you will be spending quite a bit of your £200k on a home. Renting obviously totally depends on the area. We are looking in Costa Almeria and for a three bedroom it’s €1000-1800/month, cheaper than the Costa del Sol.
Many only want to rent off season too, though
this may not be the case in larger cities. The average two bed in Barcelona is over €1200/month.
There is plenty of advice online- check out YouTube. There are also moving to Spain experts who will walk you through the process, but they cost quite a bit, up to you if your Spanish is poor it might be worth it - Spain loves its red tape!
Good luck to you. It’s an exciting adventure, but do your research and perhaps visit different regions first to see if you like the area, and remember that there’s a long off season where things really quiet down if going to a touristy town. And it does get a bit chilly in the winter!

Such useful info.

Noodledog · 26/10/2025 12:34

GCAcademic · 26/10/2025 11:15

If you don’t have EU citizenship you can only spend 90 days in 180 in the EU.

It's not always the case. A visa for UK retirees is actually fairly easy to get - much easier than a working visa. But you do need an annual minimum income - I've just googled and it's currently €28800 a year. You also need health insurance. Regarding medical treatment in Spain, I've used it quite a bit in the past (I used to live in Spain) and I found it to be excellent - much better than the NHS (IMO obviously)

Noodledog · 26/10/2025 12:39

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 26/10/2025 12:02

You know, I suspect the OP knows we've left the EU. Call it a hunch.

@Harbans - there are two principal routes for retiring to Spain.

The first - which will likely be beyond your means - is by what's known as a 'golden visa'. However, this requires you to buy a property (or properties) in Spain for €500,000 . Given the likely sale value of your property - and unless you have significant other resources - this sounds outside your reach.

The second route - which will likely be more appropriate to your financial circumstances - is what's called a 'Non-Lucrative Visa' - ie where you can't work/do business in Spain but you can live in Spain providing g you can support yourself financially. The Spanish authorities currently set this amount as at least €27,115.20 per year.

Use Mumsnet to pick your way through the tangled relationships you may have with your family but for the practicalities of such a move, including the availability of care in later life, I would suggest you head to specific expat websites.

Hope this helps

Show quote history

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the golden visa scheme has been abolished.

Catwalking · 26/10/2025 12:40

1 of our neighbours bought herself a super camper van, she just ups & does tours in europe whenever she feels like…. I’m sort of jealous but love my pets!

Existentialistic · 26/10/2025 12:52

OP - Unless your adult children are step-children, I’m really confused as to how they’ve inherited whilst you’re still alive. You don’t have a duty to “keep” them, and should do what you want to with your own life. You may live to a grand old age and need anything you have for your living costs. Like many of us, state pension won’t kick in until 67. Good luck with everything whatever you decide to do.

JosephineBoneApart · 26/10/2025 12:54

digitalisation · 26/10/2025 12:14

Very common. My in-laws moved to Spain a few years ago and have settled into a lovely Irish-Scottish-English-Welsh community. They have regular events, weekly bingo, barbecues and loving life. They’ve not met a single Spanish person that they would consider a good friend, just passersby and waiting staff/shop assistants. They’ve don’t speak Spanish, have no need. They don’t even eat in Spanish restaurants.
it’s a wee mini Britain. And they are very happy.
I should add that the visa application process took about two years and they didn’t proof of funds etc

Show quote history

Sounds ghastly. Blackpool with extra sun.

What's the point moving and living with other ex-pats and not integrating with the local community?

mindutopia · 26/10/2025 12:54

Keep in mind that NHS care is based on your residency. If you move abroad and then get cancer, it’s generally not as simple as just flying back home and being able to receive treatment once you have changed your residency status.

JosephineBoneApart · 26/10/2025 12:55

Existentialistic · 26/10/2025 12:52

OP - Unless your adult children are step-children, I’m really confused as to how they’ve inherited whilst you’re still alive. You don’t have a duty to “keep” them, and should do what you want to with your own life. You may live to a grand old age and need anything you have for your living costs. Like many of us, state pension won’t kick in until 67. Good luck with everything whatever you decide to do.

People use 'inherit' loosely.
OP's husband died and it's possible he left them money OR she's been generous and given them an early inheritance after she downsized.
It' s very common amongst the 60+ generation.

InfrontOfK · 26/10/2025 12:57

GCAcademic · 26/10/2025 11:15

If you don’t have EU citizenship you can only spend 90 days in 180 in the EU.

And @Sparkletastic There are visa’s available for full time stay but with strict criteria. OP would need to see if she meets the criteria.

Zov · 26/10/2025 12:57

@Harbans

Why Spain? Why do you think life will be better (for you) than it is in the UK?

Cyclebabble · 26/10/2025 12:58

I think you need to very hard headed before you consider moving abroad and you need to take into account all of the practicalities. I lived abroad for a number of years. Despite what I read occasionally on Mumsnet, the UK is still a great place to live, and whilst other places have their charms and advantages, my conclusion is that the UK was the best place to be for me. Consider missing family, friends, food you can get in the UK. Free healthcare, the freedom we enjoy to hold any view and do what we want. It is not to be sniffed at. It does sound though like you have some issues with freeloading family. I would sort those. Moving is a bit drastic.

JosephineBoneApart · 26/10/2025 13:00

I think the crux of this is -

1 Do you really want to live in Spain? Have you always hankered after moving there when you could retire (or work in Spain)? Does Spain have some special attraction for you apart from the sun? Do you speak Spanish?

2 Is this a 'running away' decision because you don't want your adult children living at home?

(You can give them an ultimatum. If they already have £45K and your house cost £200K it looks as if you're living in a cheapish area and they could start to think about buying themselves. In my area £200K would buy a 1-bed flat.)

strawgoh · 26/10/2025 13:00

Moving abroad to escape your adult children is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut if you ask me. They'll just want to come and stay with you for extended free holidays instead.

Just move elsewhere in the UK to a one-bed flat. You should be able to get a really nice one for £200k.

Zov · 26/10/2025 13:01

Exactly @Cyclebabble You couldn't pay me to leave the UK. People often bash it, and it does have its flaws, but you know these UK bashers will NEVER leave, because they know which side their bread is buttered. They're all bluster, hot air, and wind; bashing the UK, but never leaving.

I would never move abroad, and definitely NOT as a lone/single woman. If others would do so, then crack on. I would not.

JosephineBoneApart · 26/10/2025 13:02

Can I ask- you said you have 5 children.
You've given them £45K- is that EACH? That's £225K

Had to downsize my children have each had their inheritance over £45,000 each and I bought a small property,

If so, have you limited what you can do next with your life?
Why didn't you hold onto the £225K to allow you to move somewhere - UK or overseas- and allow yourself to retire in some comfort?

Are you in receipt of a good pension from your late H- or your own employment?

Zov · 26/10/2025 13:02

strawgoh · 26/10/2025 13:00

Moving abroad to escape your adult children is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut if you ask me. They'll just want to come and stay with you for extended free holidays instead.

Just move elsewhere in the UK to a one-bed flat. You should be able to get a really nice one for £200k.

I like that saying. Never heard it before. 'It's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut!'

JosephineBoneApart · 26/10/2025 13:04

Zov · 26/10/2025 13:02

I like that saying. Never heard it before. 'It's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut!'

Show quote history

It's a very well known saying.

InfrontOfK · 26/10/2025 13:08

digitalisation · 26/10/2025 12:14

Very common. My in-laws moved to Spain a few years ago and have settled into a lovely Irish-Scottish-English-Welsh community. They have regular events, weekly bingo, barbecues and loving life. They’ve not met a single Spanish person that they would consider a good friend, just passersby and waiting staff/shop assistants. They’ve don’t speak Spanish, have no need. They don’t even eat in Spanish restaurants.
it’s a wee mini Britain. And they are very happy.
I should add that the visa application process took about two years and they didn’t proof of funds etc

Show quote history

Yep! My parents too. The urbanisation committee were appalled that a SPANISH couple had purchased a house on their estate…in SPAIN. 🤯

And look at the criticism of immigrants in the UK...own shops/food, no/little English, only socialise with ‘their own’, only speak their native language, exclude locals.
Some people in the UK are very hypocritical.

Cherrysoup · 26/10/2025 13:11

Why did you allow 2 of them back and why on earth don’t they contribute? That’s outrageous.

LoveSundays · 26/10/2025 13:19

JosephineBoneApart · 26/10/2025 12:54

Sounds ghastly. Blackpool with extra sun.

What's the point moving and living with other ex-pats and not integrating with the local community?

Show quote history

Most of them are not moving to integrate, and experience the culture. They don't want to live alongside the Spanish (and I image there's quite a lot of Spanish who don't want to live alongside them, so it probably works out quite well).
They move for the sun & a more relaxed way of life. Sounds ghastly to me as well 💁‍♀️💁‍♀️💁‍♀️

Imanautumn · 26/10/2025 13:21

Tent out your house and use it to rent for a few months in Spain

Alondra · 26/10/2025 13:21

Spaniard here...

I hope you have an EU passport because otherwise you have a problem with getting a visa to reside in Spain at your age. You can apply for a non lucrative visa as long as you have an income of 2,400 pounds a month, plus extra financial resources to support yourself.

Howmanycatsistoomany · 26/10/2025 13:21

Harbans · 26/10/2025 11:02

I would love to move abroad to Spain, have raised 5 children 3 grandchildren. Worked 2 jobs now it was time to enjoy life , my husband of 36 years has passed. Had to downsize my children have each had their inheritance over £45,000 each and I bought a small property, now 2 have moved back and we are constantly arguing as I work for a educational agency and earn enough to pay bills and shopping no contribution from them . I have enough after I sell my property worth £200,000 to move to Spain would am on my own and have no idea where to begin.

Sorry OP but unless you have significant other saving or investments as well as the 200k from your house sale, you can't afford to move to Spain permanently.
You need to kick your freeloading adult children out.

Moving at 62 to Spain after death of husband

Interested in this thread?