Short answer: yes, absolutely. Here’s what Brexit actually changed, what it didn’t, and what UK buyers need to know before they start.
If you’ve been putting off looking into buying property in Spain because you’re not sure whether Brexit changed the rules, this article is for you. The short answer is that UK citizens can still buy property in Spain freely — Brexit didn’t change that. What it did change is how long you can stay there.
Can UK Citizens Still Buy Property in Spain?
Yes, completely. There are no restrictions on UK citizens purchasing property in Spain. You don’t need residency, you don’t need a visa, and you don’t need to be an EU citizen. Spain welcomes foreign property buyers from all over the world — UK buyers are no different post-Brexit to buyers from Australia, the US, or anywhere else outside the EU.
What you need is a NIE number — your Spanish tax identification number — which is required for any property transaction. But that’s a procedural requirement that applies to all foreign buyers, not a Brexit-specific restriction.
What Did Brexit Actually Change?
Brexit changed one significant thing for UK property buyers: how long you can stay in Spain.
Before Brexit, UK citizens had the same freedom of movement as EU citizens — you could live, work, and stay in Spain indefinitely. Since January 2021 that no longer applies. UK citizens are now subject to the Schengen Area 90 day rule — a maximum of 90 days in any 180 day rolling period across all Schengen countries combined.
Owning property in Spain does not give you additional rights to stay beyond this limit.
For a full explanation of how the 90 day rule works in practice, The 90 Day Rule in Spain: What UK Property Owners Need to Know covers it in detail.
What Hasn’t Changed?
Quite a lot, actually:
The right to buy — unchanged. UK citizens can purchase any type of Spanish property freely.
Property ownership rights — unchanged. You can own Spanish property indefinitely, rent it out, sell it, or pass it on.
The buying process — unchanged. NIE, arras contract, notary, land registry — the process is the same as it was before Brexit and the same as for any other foreign buyer.
Taxation on rental income — unchanged in structure, though the rates applied to UK owners may differ slightly from EU citizens in some regions following Brexit. Your gestor can advise.
The ability to own through a Spanish company — unchanged. Many UK buyers, myself included, purchase through a Spanish SL company. This is entirely unaffected by Brexit.
What About the 100% Property Tax Proposal?
In early 2025, the Spanish government proposed a 100% tax on property purchases by non-EU buyers — which would have included UK citizens. This caused significant concern among UK buyers at the time and influenced many purchasing decisions, including mine.
As of the time of writing, this proposal has not been passed into law. It remains a political discussion rather than a reality. However it is worth monitoring — the Spanish government has signalled ongoing concern about housing affordability and foreign ownership, and the policy landscape could change.
The 100% Non-Resident Property Tax: What UK Buyers Need to Know covers the background and current status in more detail.
Do I Need a Solicitor or Lawyer Because of Brexit?
No — Brexit hasn’t created any new legal requirement for UK buyers to use a lawyer. The considerations around whether to use a lawyer or a gestor are the same as they’ve always been and are based on the complexity of your transaction, not your nationality.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Buy Property in Spain? covers this in full.
The Bottom Line
Brexit didn’t close Spain to UK property buyers. It changed how long you can stay, not whether you can buy. If you’re a UK citizen considering purchasing in Spain, the process, the costs, and the opportunities are fundamentally unchanged.
The 90 day rule is the main practical consideration for buyers who want to spend significant time at their property. For investment buyers renting their property out, it’s largely irrelevant to day-to-day ownership.
Ready to start the buying process? How to Buy Property in Spain as a UK Buyer covers the complete journey from NIE to completion.