Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain
By Johanna Gardener •
Updated: 31 Oct 2024 • 13:08 • 4 minutes read
If the reasons to retire in Marbella have convinced you, it s time to start planning the logistics and how to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Embracing retirement in this Mediterranean paradise in Marbella, Málaga, means you can look forward to all the support you might need for a seamless transition. However, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind to ensure your new life begins as smoothly as possible.
Am I eligible to retire in Marbella?
You may be asking: “Am I eligible to retire in Marbella? Or, “Will I fit in?” The short and long answer is quite simply: Yes. Marbella is renowned for its diverse expat community and for its significant proportion of retired residents coming from Europe, North America, the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, and even the US and Canada. Marbella has a unique cosmopolitan vibe and within this buzzing expat community, the common language tends to be English. The area has seen a rise in retired residents in recent years due to developments in infrastructure and the excellent weather to be enjoyed over 300 days a year.
Let’s consider residency. Spain does offer various residency options for retirees even for non-EU citizens post-Brexit. These include:
the Non-Lucrative Visa allowing non-EU citizens to live in Spain without working. For this, It is necessary to dispose of financial stability and private health insurance for those planning to settle down in Marbella or any part of Spain.
the Golden Visa (available through property investment). This is available for those investing €500,000 (around £420,000) or more in Spanish real estate and allows full residency.
All paperwork can be obtained through a usually painless procedure with the help of a consultant (gestor/gestora) who can manage your documentation and any payments.
For EU citizens, the process is straightforward. All EU and EEA (European Economic Area) citizens and their family members are granted the right to visit, live or work in Spain with a Spanish residency certificate.
More good news. Spain has tax agreements with a long list of countries, so that expats are not charged double tax rates. This is a relief for those receiving pensions, yet to discuss Spanish tax law and how best to maximise finances and pension income, it is best to consult a financial advisor.
How to navigate house-buying in Marbella for your retirement
House-buying options in Marbella are endless with a stunning range of properties to choose from and a booming real estate market. However, being unfamiliar with the Spanish system can feel like a headache for anyone. Working with local real estate agents, who can often recommend legal experts, is an easy solution to avoid pitfalls and allow peace of mind. Even better: many are English-speaking!
Will I be entitled to health insurance as a retired resident?
Health insurance when you are entering mature years is a must. All EU and EEA pensioners living in Spain are entitled to the same provision of healthcare as Spanish pensioners, by applying for an S1 form for the SNS (Sistema Nacional de Salud, otherwise known as the National Health System). For British pensioners, they can also apply for an S1 form from the Department of Work and Pensions in the UK if they are eligible for a state pension. A further option includes paying into a Convenio Especial, a public health insurance scheme, available after one year of residence in Spain. However, be aware that English-speaking public health services are not commonplace. Getting everything set up can be challenging during the first few months, but don’t worry—EU and EEA citizens are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for the initial three months, and UK residents can use a UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). These cards provide essential coverage and can help ease the pressure in those early days.
Retiring in Marbella : plan well in advance
One final thing left to say: plan in advance. Decisions may be the exciting part but the planning can be timely and sometimes, tedious. Nevertheless, it is essential to plan conscientiously and meticulously to better navigate any issues before they escalate. Taking regular trips to the area in advance of your final move should certainly be on your to-do list. It is crucial to familarise yourself with new settings before throwing yourself in at the deep end. It also provides opportunities to scour the real estate market to make well-informed decisions at peak investment times.
Speak English in Marbella or learn Spanish
Make sure that you have financial stability, now and for the upcoming years. Savings and bank accounts need to be well-managed and easily accessible from abroad. It is a great idea to start exploring ways of managing your income / pensions, bank accounts and the tax system in Spain, before you make the final move. Starting to learn Spanish might seem unnecessary when moving to an expat hub like Marbella, but it can massively help with culture transition and more importantly, facilitate a greater appreciation for the culture that will accompany you in your retirement years. It can boost confidence and help you to feel integrated and part and parcel of real Spanish life.
With everything in place, it s clear that with thorough preparation, informed decisions, and a growing enthusiasm for a vibrant retirement lifestyle in Marbella, this move could very well be one of the best decisions you ll ever make. Welcoming and warm, Marbella is a true gem—a place where luxury and elegance seamlessly blend with convenient amenities and outstanding healthcare options.
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Written by
Johanna Gardener
Originally from Manchester, UK and with a degree in English with Modern Foreign Languages, she has been a permanent resident in Spain for the past 12 years. Many of these years, she has spent working as a secondary school teacher, as well as in journalism, editing and marketing. She currently lives in the historic centre of Malaga, where she enjoys writing, walking and animals.
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