Moving to Valencia from the UK: Visas, Housing & Costs

Moving to Valencia from the UK is entirely doable, but it is no longer the "book a flight and sort it out there" move it was before Brexit. You need a visa before you leave, you need to prove income, and you need to do a handful of things in a specific order once you land. Get the order right and the whole process takes two to four months. Get it wrong and you spend your first weeks in Spain waiting for an appointment you could have booked from London.

This guide to moving to Spain from the UK and settling in Valencia is written by people who did it themselves and who now help British families settle here every month. It covers what actually matters: which visa applies to you, how much money you need to show, what the housing market is really like, what Valencia costs in pounds, and the sequence that avoids dead ends.

Is Valencia a good place to live for Brits? The short answer

Yes, for most people who ask the question. Valencia is Spain's third city, with 800,000 residents, a Mediterranean climate with around 300 days of sunshine a year, a city beach, a nine-kilometre park in the old riverbed and a public transport network that makes a car optional. Rents are 30 to 40 per cent lower than in Barcelona and roughly half of what you would pay in London for the same space.

The trade-offs are real too. Local salaries are low by UK standards, so Valencia works best for people who bring their income with them: remote workers, retirees, business owners and anyone on a UK pension. English is common in the international community but not in the town hall or the tax office. And the rental market moves fast: good flats go in 48 hours, and landlords favour tenants with Spanish income and references.

If you work remotely, are retired, or have savings and want a walkable, sunny, affordable city with a large international community, Valencia is one of the best options in Europe. If you need to find a local job on arrival, plan carefully before you commit.

Step 1: Choose your visa (before you leave the UK)

Since 1 January 2021, British citizens are non-EU nationals in Spain. You can visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, but you cannot live here on that basis. To move, you need a residence visa issued by the Spanish consulate that covers where you live in the UK: London, Manchester or Edinburgh. Applications are submitted through the consulate's visa centre.

Two visas cover almost every British move to Valencia.

The non-lucrative visa (NLV): for retirees and people with passive income

This is the visa for people who will not work in Spain: pensioners, people living off savings or rental income, and anyone taking a career break. The current figures (they update each year with the IPREM index):

Income to prove: 400 per cent of the Spanish IPREM index. The IPREM is currently 600 euros a month, so the main applicant must show 2,400 euros a month, or 28,800 euros a year, plus 7,200 euros a year for each family member. A couple therefore needs 36,000 euros a year, shown through pensions, savings or passive income.
Health insurance: a private policy with an insurer authorised in Spain, with full cover and no co-payments. Travel insurance does not count.
Documents: a criminal record certificate (ACRO in the UK) with an apostille and sworn translation, a medical certificate, and proof of income.
Timing: the consulate takes two to three months to decide. The initial residence permit is valid for one year and is renewed for two years, then two more.
The catch: you cannot work, not even remotely for a UK employer, and you must spend more than 183 days a year in Spain to renew, which also makes you a Spanish tax resident.

The digital nomad visa (DNV): for remote workers and freelancers

If you work remotely for a company outside Spain, or you are self-employed with foreign clients, this is your visa. The thresholds are tied to the Spanish minimum wage and update every year:

Income to prove: 200 per cent of the minimum wage, which means 2,442 euros a month, plus about 916 euros for the first family member and about 305 euros for each additional one.
Your job: you must have worked for your employer, or had your freelance activity, for at least three months, and the company must have existed for at least a year. You need a university degree or three years of professional experience.
Two routes: apply at the consulate for a one-year visa, or enter Spain as a tourist and apply directly to the Large Companies Unit (UGE-CE) for a three-year permit. The UGE must answer within 20 working days and silence counts as approval.
Tax: DNV holders can opt into Spain's special expat tax regime, a flat 24 per cent on employment income up to 600,000 euros. Confirm eligibility with a tax adviser before relying on it.

What about buying a property?

Buying no longer gives you residency. Spain's Golden Visa was abolished on 3 April 2025. Owning a home helps prove accommodation for a visa application, but it does not replace one.

We do not process visas. The application is made by you at the consulate, or through an immigration lawyer of your choice. Our immigration consultancy starts once you land: TIE, NIE, padrón, bank and everything else in Spain. What we can tell you from experience: start the visa three to four months before your planned move date.

Step 2: Money and healthcare before you go

Prove income the way the consulate wants it. Bank statements for the last six months, pension letters and, for the DNV, your employment contract or client invoices. Get anything in English translated by a sworn translator.

Healthcare. If you receive a UK state pension, you can register an S1 form and access Spanish public healthcare once you are a resident. Everyone else on an NLV needs private insurance for the visa, and DNV workers are usually covered through social security once registered. Private cover in Valencia for a healthy adult in their forties costs roughly 60 to 120 euros a month.

Tax. The UK and Spain have a double taxation agreement, so you will not pay twice, but once you spend more than 183 days a year here you are a Spanish tax resident and declare your worldwide income in Spain. Talk to an adviser who knows both systems before you move pensions or sell a UK property.

Driving licence. The UK and Spain have an exchange agreement. Once you are a resident you have six months to swap your UK licence for a Spanish one without a test.

Step 3: Housing. How renting in Valencia as a foreigner really works

This is where most British moves stall, so it deserves detail.

Current prices. A one-bedroom flat in central Valencia rents for roughly 1,000 to 1,300 euros a month, about 850 to 1,100 pounds. A two-bedroom goes for 1,300 to 1,700 euros. Prices drop 20 to 30 per cent in neighbourhoods like Benimaclet, Patraix or Campanar. For a detailed breakdown by area, read our rental prices by neighbourhood.

Speed. Good flats are rented within 48 hours of appearing on Idealista or Fotocasa. Landlords rarely hold a flat for someone who is abroad, and many will not sign remotely.

What landlords ask for. A passport or NIE, proof of income and a deposit. The legal deposit is one month's rent, and landlords may ask for up to two extra months as a guarantee. Since 2023 the landlord, not the tenant, pays the agency fee. Under Spain's Urban Leasing Law you have the right to stay five years, even if the contract says one.

Renting without Spanish income. It is possible, but you will be competing with local applicants. Some landlords accept several months paid in advance, a bank guarantee or rent guarantee insurance. We explain the options in our guide to passing the solvency check as a foreign tenant.

Renting before you arrive. Doable with someone on the ground. We visit the property, check the contract and can sign on your behalf with power of attorney, so you land with keys in hand. Our apartment search service charges one month's rent, paid only when you get the keys. See also how to rent an apartment in Valencia before you arrive.

Buying. Wait. Rent for six to twelve months, learn the neighbourhoods, then buy. If you do want to purchase, our buyer's agent service represents only you, never the seller.

Step 4: The first 30 days in Valencia, in order

The order matters because each document unlocks the next.

Collect your TIE (residence card). You have one month from entry to apply at the National Police. In Valencia, cards are issued at the Patraix police station (Carrer dels Gremis 6). Book the fingerprint appointment online as soon as you have a Spanish address.
NIE. Your foreigner identification number is printed on your visa and on the TIE. You will use it for everything: bank, contracts, utilities, tax. Read our NIE guide.
Padrón (empadronamiento). Register your address at the town hall. You need your rental contract and passport. The padrón unlocks public healthcare, school places and the residency clock. Here is the complete registration guide.
Bank account. Most banks open a resident account with your NIE and padrón. A few accept a passport before that, which is useful for paying the rental deposit.
Phone and utilities. A Spanish mobile number is needed for almost every appointment system. Electricity, water and internet contracts go in your name once the lease is signed.
Healthcare registration. With the padrón and either your S1 or social security number, register at your local health centre (centro de salud) and choose a GP.

Our immigration consultancy handles the appointments and accompanies you to each office, which is worth it if your Spanish is limited.

Step 5: Cost of living in Valencia in pounds

A single person currently needs about 1,800 to 2,300 euros a month, roughly 1,550 to 1,950 pounds, including rent for a one-bedroom flat. A couple spends around 2,800 to 3,500 euros, and a family of four 4,000 to 5,000 euros.

Compared with the UK, groceries, eating out, public transport and utilities cost 30 to 40 per cent less than in London and 15 to 25 per cent less than in most of England. A menú del día lunch is 12 to 15 euros. A monthly public transport pass is around 40 euros. Private health insurance, as noted, is 60 to 120 euros. The things that are not cheap: central rent, running a car in the city, and international school fees.

The full breakdown, with current prices for every category, is in our cost of living in Valencia guide, and our budget calculator tells you in seconds whether your savings cover the move.

Where Brits settle in Valencia

British residents are spread across the city rather than concentrated in one enclave, which is one of the reasons people choose Valencia over the Costa Blanca.

Ruzafa for cafés, nightlife and a younger international crowd.
Gran Vía, Cánovas and Pla del Real for elegant, quieter central streets; popular with couples and retirees.
El Cabanyal and Patacona for the beach.
Benimaclet for value and a village feel inside the city.
Campanar, Alboraya, Godella and L'Eliana for families, larger homes and proximity to the international schools.

Our guide to the best neighbourhoods to live in Valencia ranks them by budget and profile.

The mistakes Brits make most often

Arriving on a tourist entry and planning to "sort the visa here". For the NLV that is not possible; it must be applied for from the UK.
Renting sight unseen from abroad. Scams targeting foreigners are common on the portals.
Underestimating how fast flats go. If you see a good one, decide the same day.
Skipping the padrón because it seems optional. It is the key to healthcare and schools.
Assuming English will get you through the bureaucracy. It will not. Bring a translator or a service that does it for you.
Forgetting the 183-day rule. Spend most of the year here and you are a Spanish tax resident, whatever your visa says.

We wrote a longer piece on the seven mistakes people make when moving to Spain.

How Raíces Valencia helps

We are not an estate agent and we do not work for landlords. We work for you: we search the whole market, visit flats on your behalf, negotiate, review the contract and handle the NIE, padrón, bank and utilities. For rentals we charge one month's rent, only when you receive the keys. If we do not find your home, you do not pay.

Start with a 30-minute call. We will tell you honestly whether Valencia fits your plans, which visa applies, and what order to do things in. Book your initial consultation.

Frequently asked questions

How difficult is it for a UK citizen to move to Spain after Brexit?

Since Brexit, British citizens need a visa to live in Spain, like any non-EU national. The non-lucrative visa and digital nomad visa are the main options. Applications go through the Spanish consulate in London, Manchester or Edinburgh and take around two to three months. The Golden Visa closed in April 2025.

How much money do I need in the bank to move to Spain?

For the non-lucrative visa, Spain requires proof of roughly 28,800 euros a year for the main applicant plus about 7,200 euros per dependant, shown in savings or passive income. Beyond visa requirements, budget 5,000 to 8,000 euros for deposits, agency fees, first month's rent and setup costs.

Is it a good idea to move to Valencia from the UK?

For most remote workers, retirees and families, yes. Valencia combines a Mediterranean climate, walkable neighbourhoods, public healthcare and living costs about half those of London. The main challenges are the visa process, lower local salaries and the language. With local support, most newcomers settle within three to six months.

Can a foreigner rent an apartment in Spain without residency?

Yes. You do not need residency or a visa to sign a long-term lease in Spain. Most landlords ask for a passport, proof of income and a deposit. Some request a NIE, but it is not legally required to rent. Raíces Valencia handles the search and negotiation before you arrive.

Can I rent an apartment in Valencia remotely, before I arrive?

Yes, but it is risky without someone on the ground. Scams targeting foreigners are common on portals, and landlords rarely hold a flat for someone abroad. Raíces Valencia visits the property, checks the contract and can sign on your behalf with power of attorney, so you arrive with keys in hand.

What are the biggest mistakes people make when moving to Spain?

Common mistakes: renting sight unseen from abroad, underestimating how fast good flats disappear, choosing a neighbourhood without visiting, arriving without a residence appointment booked, assuming English is widely spoken, and skipping the padrón registration, which unlocks healthcare and schooling. A relocation service prevents most of them.

Can I use the NHS or do I need private insurance in Spain?

UK state pensioners can register an S1 form and use Spanish public healthcare as residents. Everyone else needs private insurance for the non-lucrative visa, and digital nomad workers are usually covered through Spanish social security once registered. Private cover for a healthy adult costs roughly 60 to 120 euros a month in Valencia.