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Original poster

Moving at 62 to Spain after death of husband

209 replies

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.

OP posts:
Blablibladirladada · 27/10/2025 18:35

Hmmm..

what about you take a mini break instead of going all out and away?
you could go for a little time and rent your place to provide for you so THEY would have to move out?

I understand it isn’t so much the change of scenery but more your adults kiddos that you want ship away? And understandably! It is a tough one honestly…

AnotherDayAnotherStart · 27/10/2025 18:51

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.

If you don't have EU citizenship, you might be eligible for a "non lucrative visa". You'd need to check though, whether savings alone qualify ypu, or whether you have to prove that you're in receipt of a pension. You are (as the name suggests) not allowed to work on that visa, you have to prove you can support yourself without working and you have to have private health insurance -:and the visa has to be renewed every year or two.

Arlanymor · 27/10/2025 19:35

I'm struggling to understand how two children who each received £45,000 have moved home and pay nothing to you...

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Wildefish · 27/10/2025 19:38

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.

Why are your kids back after being given £45,000 each. They need to move out. Maybe rent your place out first and see how it goes living in Spain first. As others have said check out if you can actually move there permanently. Good luck.

m00rfarm · 27/10/2025 19:43

Sparkletastic · 26/10/2025 11:25

Do you have a Spanish passport? If not you won’t be able to permanently reside.

That is not true. You can get residency without becoming a citizen.

m00rfarm · 27/10/2025 19:46

I have moved to Portugal (before Brexit, so it was easy) but have helped a number of people navigate the visa requirements here since Brexit. It is tedious but not impossible. I would always prefer Portugal over Spain. Most people here speak English and like the English. Not the same in many parts of Spain. There are many places to live where the local Portuguese live comfortably alongside expats. My advice would be similar to others - come and live here for your 3 months, twice a year, avoid July and August - the rest of the time you should be able to find somewhere to live fairly cheaply. I would start in the Algarve, where there are more options for long term rentals and you can get used to the way of life here If you play a sport (tennis, pickleball or padel, for example) then you will immediately get to know a lot of people without making much effort.

Kentcoast · 27/10/2025 20:12

When I retired we spent mid Jan to just before Easter and mid September to November in Spain. We rented lovely apartments at off season rents. We loved it got to make many friends not many English as we stayed in̈ Almuñecar which is a working Spanish time but plenty to do all year I joind the local womans club book club choir and had 7 wonderful years but I after my husband died I 2022 I still went several times a year for 2 weeks but now go to other areas and countries as the pull to go there is gone. I would definitely just do 2 or 3 short rentals of a month off season Would I move there permanently? No? I was just 67 when my husband passed and I travel mostly on my own now but making such a life changing decision as what you said I would not take the risk

NeptuneOrion · 27/10/2025 20:32

Portugal will be more advantageous financially. Look up Setubal.

MTPF · 27/10/2025 21:10

Rent your house in the UK out...and use that in come to rent somewhere in Europe. Would be a safer bet and exactly what I intend to do when it's possible. You are currently only allowed to stay for 90 days, but there must be loopholes.
Even so, if you move ,, even for 3 months , it'll show your dependent adult children that they need to stand on their own feet. You have to do something, otherwise you'll be in a situation you don't want to be in forever. Good Luck

Crikeyalmighty · 27/10/2025 22:07

@Kentcoast this is what I was suggesting earlier - it makes total sense

Laurmolonlabe · 27/10/2025 22:19

Sounds like a good idea, but I think you need £11,000 a year income to move to Spain, you will also need to pay for insurance for healthcare I think- would your pension provide £12,000-£15,000pa? I don't think the idea of getting a job in Spain to cover it is viable, as there is very little work and it is not well paid.
I think you need to do lots of research into the requirements and costs- then look for a region. In the meantime maybe take Spanish classes. Good luck.

InsomniacPumpkin · 28/10/2025 04:29

LetGoLetThem1234 · 26/10/2025 11:07

If you are a UK Citizen (only), you cannot move to Spain without a visa etc. We've left the EU.

Don’t think I’m ever going to stop being angry about this.

Jack80 · 28/10/2025 06:53

Me and my husband both in our 40s now have always wanted to buy a static caravan in Spain. We would probably look at renting first to see if we liked it then move. Ive always said to my husband about the health insurance and no NHS abroad and only our children's homes to go home to as we currently rent here. I think you just need a plan. Good luck, keep us posted.

ForNoisyCat · 28/10/2025 07:14

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.

Stop buying food for your adult children. Tell them they need a solicitor approved rental agreement with you, that they bide by, set up within next few weeks or they are out of your house. You can change the locks and k look wave their clothes etc ready for collection if they won’t agree. It must be horrible for you to be treated this way.

echt · 28/10/2025 07:19

This thread beggars belief.

Trunnyl · 28/10/2025 07:31

DO IT!

Italianmeringuebuttercream · 28/10/2025 07:32

@Harbans my dad moved to Spain (before brexit) he used a company called Costa Difference. They still help people post brexit. The community he lives in have people moving regularly from the UK. It's not a villa, but static caravans, however the park help with the paper work to become a resident etc. Dad's happy there, but a lot move on to a permanent home after a while. Some move back after realising Spain is not for them. It costs a lot less than buying a villa or apartment.

BeaBachinasec · 28/10/2025 07:34

echt · 28/10/2025 07:19

This thread beggars belief.

Why @echt ?

There's been a lot of repetition, misinformation and an absent OP but I've also found it very useful.

Trunnyl · 28/10/2025 07:39

Laurmolonlabe · 27/10/2025 22:19

Sounds like a good idea, but I think you need £11,000 a year income to move to Spain, you will also need to pay for insurance for healthcare I think- would your pension provide £12,000-£15,000pa? I don't think the idea of getting a job in Spain to cover it is viable, as there is very little work and it is not well paid.
I think you need to do lots of research into the requirements and costs- then look for a region. In the meantime maybe take Spanish classes. Good luck.

I’m surprised at this figure tbh - who can live off £11k even as single no dependants ?!

if someone can ,

WE SALUTE YOU!

Laurmolonlabe · 28/10/2025 08:15

Look at the YouGov site different countries it's different- it is often spend 500,000 Euro on a property as well. Remember the figure was zero before Brexit.

Notagain75 · 28/10/2025 08:21

Trunnyl · 28/10/2025 07:39

I’m surprised at this figure tbh - who can live off £11k even as single no dependants ?!

if someone can ,

WE SALUTE YOU!

Show quote history

That figure is much higher now. To get a non lucrative visa fo to live in Spain you have to prove you have an income of at least 28k euro a year

FlyMeSomewhere · 28/10/2025 09:16

LetGoLetThem1234 · 26/10/2025 11:07

If you are a UK Citizen (only), you cannot move to Spain without a visa etc. We've left the EU.

We are not banned though! But it depends if she has stable income from pensions etc to the value of about 30k a year.

FlyMeSomewhere · 28/10/2025 09:19

InsomniacPumpkin · 28/10/2025 04:29

Don’t think I’m ever going to stop being angry about this.

Show quote history

Me too! I'm looking at other parts of Europe that don't have the financial aspect but it's more of a paperwork exercise for a few years until you can apply for residence. Lake Ohrid is a favourite right now.

Missj25 · 28/10/2025 13:34

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.

Hey OP ..
Sorry to hear your husband has passed when it was time to enjoy retirement together…

I wouldn’t move to Spain being honest ..
Your children sound selfish, I’d move to a different part of the UK ..
Posters here saying , time to sit down & have a serious chat with them , I’m sure you have , & they are not listening & that’s why there is constant arguments….
Wouldn’t move countries if I were in your shoes though OP ..
Good luck with it all x

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