Can I transfer my UK State Pension to Spain?
Sarah Scott
Updated on May 10, 2026
As one of the benefiting nations, citizens can claim UK pensions in Spain, with agreement rules stating you will only be taxed in your residing country except under certain circumstances. Put simply, it is possible to essentially transfer a UK pension to Spain.
What happens to my UK state pension if I move to Spain?
You can carry on receiving your UK State Pension if you move to live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension from these countries. Your UK State Pension will be increased each year in the EU in line with the rate paid in the UK.Can I get my UK state pension in Spain?
Claim State Pension abroad. You can claim State Pension abroad if you've paid enough UK National Insurance contributions to qualify. Get a State Pension forecast if you need to find out how much State Pension you may get.Can I draw my state pension in Spain?
Who can claim a state pension in Spain? To qualify for the minimum state pension, you must have worked and paid Spanish social security contributions for at least 15 years. Additionally, at least two of these years must be within the 15 year period immediately preceding the pension claim.Can I draw my UK pension in Spain?
This applies both to those who lived in Spain before the withdrawal agreement deadline on December 31 2020 and to those who arrived in Spain after January 1 2021. Anyone who is eligible to benefit from a UK state pension, regardless of their nationality, can claim that pension while living in Spain.QROPS in Spain. How to transfer your UK pension.
Can I live in Spain on my pension?
Yes, Americans can retire in Spain. Technically, you can enter the country and stay there for 90 days with an American passport. However, if you wish to spend more than 90 days there, you must get a visa. The best visa option for that is a Residence Visa without the right to work.What are the pitfalls of retiring to Spain?
Why Does Relocation To Spain Go Wrong?
- Missing Family and Friends. It is the experience of many estate agents that the impulsion to move back to a home country comes from the female in a relationship. ...
- Marital Issues. ...
- Unrealistic Expectations. ...
- Cheaper Way of Life. ...
- Finding Work. ...
- Property Problems.
What happens to my state pension if I move abroad?
What happens to my State Pension if I move abroad? As long as you've paid enough National Insurance, you can claim your State Pension while living abroad. The main difference is that if the State Pension increases, you may not benefit from the extra amount if you're living in certain countries.How much is the Spanish state pension per month?
How Much Do Spanish Pensioners Get? Nowadays, the average pension is about 900 euros a month. The contributory retirement pension (Pension por Jubilacion Ordinaria) represents the main source of retirement income for approximately 8.75 million pensioners in Spain.Do you still get UK State Pension if you move abroad?
If you are retiring abroad, you can continue to receive your UK State Pension. You can get pension increases yearly if you live in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or a country which has a social security agreement with the UK.How much tax will I pay on my UK state pension in Spain?
However, if you're wondering 'Do I pay tax on my UK pension in Spain? ': Under the DTA, tax on UK pensions for expats in Spain will not be taxable in the UK as income, but it will be subject to Spanish income tax at rates up to 53%.Can Brits retire to Spain after Brexit?
Will I Be Able to Retire in Spain after Brexit? Definitely yes. You will be among the thousands of non-EU citizens who have been retiring to Spain long before Brexit first existed. There are 195 countries in the world - of which - only 27 countries are EU members.Can a UK pensioner live in Spain?
If you wish to stay longer than 90 days you will need to get a visa appropriate for the purposes of your stay in Spain. Thus Brits or other Non-EU citizens wishing to retire to Spain will generally need to apply for a Golden Visa or a Non-Lucrative Visa if they wish to stay long term in Spain.Is my state pension taxable in Spain?
You state pension income is taxed in the country in which you are a tax resident. If you move to Spain permanently and have been in residence for over 183 days in their tax year you will generally be considered tax resident in Spain.How many years do you need for full state pension in Spain?
The retirement age for a full pension benefit (without actuarial reduction) is 65 years and six months in 2018 if an individual has less than 36 years and six months of contributions. The legal retirement age will be 67 years for both men and women in 2027.How do I retire to Spain from UK?
From 2021 onwards, any British citizen who wishes to move to Spain for longer than 3 months must apply for a regular residence permit (even though they could just apply for a tourist visa, which would allow them to stay for a maximum of 90 days every 6 months).What happens to my pension if I move to Spain?
Rates of state pensionYour state pension will rise annually, even if you live in Spain as it is within the European Economic Area (EEA).