It is estimated that there are around 300,000 British residents in Spain.
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According to estimates, there are approximately 300,000 British residents currently living in Spain. This makes Spain one of the most popular destinations for British expatriates, with many choosing to retire or enjoy their golden years in the Mediterranean country.
As highlighted in an article by The Guardian, the historical connections between the UK and Spain, as well as the pleasant climate and affordable cost of living, make it a desirable location for UK citizens to settle down in. However, with the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the possibility of losing access to healthcare and other benefits, some have expressed concern over the future of British citizens in Spain.
Despite this, the allure of Spain continues to draw British expats, with many opting for popular destinations such as the Costa del Sol, the Balearic Islands, and Barcelona. In fact, according to a table from Statista, the Balearic Islands rank as the top destination for British expats living in Spain, followed closely by Andalusia and Catalonia.
Overall, the presence of British expatriates in Spain has had a significant impact on the country’s economy and culture, with many Brits embracing the local way of life and adding to the rich tapestry of Spanish society.
As author Tim Parks once said, “Living in a foreign country is a challenge, particularly when you don’t know the language. But I’ve always found that such challenges add more to life than they take away.” The same sentiment can certainly be applied to the many British residents who have chosen to make Spain their home.
TABLE: Top Destinations for British Expats in Spain
|Destination|Percentage of British Expats|
|—|—|
|Balearic Islands|17.9%|
|Andalusia|16.5%|
|Catalonia|14.6%|
|Valencia|11.2%|
|Canary Islands|8.6%|
|Madrid|7.5%|
|Murcia|7.0%|
|Galicia|2.1%|
|Basque Country|1.9%|
|Castile and Leon|1.5%|
(Source: Statista)
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The no-deal Brexit has become an immediate concern for the British expats living in Spain who fear losing their EU privileges, which included free healthcare entitlements. The healthcare of over 100,000 expats, mainly pensioners, would stop if no deal is agreed, which has left many feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their future. Many expats are worried that private medical insurance will be their only option, while others fear being left out of sight and mind. Even Dave, a British expat who voted to leave the EU, now regrets his decision as the uncertainty of a no-deal Brexit has left many feeling uneasy about their freedom of movement. The lack of clarity from both the UK and Spanish governments has only made the situation even more difficult, leaving expats back under the cloud of uncertainty they sought to escape through their relaxed lifestyle in Spain.
There are other opinions on the Internet
316,000 residentsBritish-born population initiated a slight decline from 2013 to 2018, growing again from then onwards and standing at nearly 316,000 residents as of January 2022.
According to official Spanish figures, there are more than 360,000 British residents registered in Spain. In 2019, there were approximately 302,020 British citizens living in Spain.
In total, there are now more than 360,000 British residents registered in Spain, according to official Spanish figures.
In 2019, there were approximately 302,020 British citizens living in Spain, with a further 293,061 in Ireland and 176,672 in France.
I’m sure you’ll be interested
Also, What part of Spain has the most British expats?
Answer to this: While British expats can be found in multiple cities across Spain, they are especially drawn to Costa de Sol, Barcelona, Madrid, and Serville.
Where is the biggest British community in Spain?
The reply will be: Andalusia
It might not come as a surprise to discover that in early 2023 the biggest number of Brits in Spain lived in the southern region of Andalusia, with a total of 92,180. This was followed closely by the Valencia region with a total of 87,699, and then the Canary Islands with 29,631.
In this way, Are Brits selling up in Spain? As a response to this: British buyers in Spain hit nearly 10,000 in 2022
These figures, just released by the Spanish land registry, confirms the fact that Spain really is our favourite place for a home in the sun – and that we are still very actively buying there. We bought 9,837 properties in Spain during 2022.
Why do so many British live in Spain?
The reply will be: British people started to move to Spain’s coasts looking for a better way of life during the 1970s. This triggered something of a mass movement during the 1980s and 1990s and by 2010 there were almost a million British living in Spain. They were (and perhaps still are) Spain largest migrant group.
Correspondingly, How many British people live in Spain?
The answer is: British-born population initiated a slight decline from 2013 to 2018, growing again from then onwards and standing at nearly 316,000 residents as of January 2022. During the same period, the Region of Valencia was Britain’s second favorite autonomous community to live in Spain. Statista Accounts: Access All Statistics.
Secondly, Which region in Spain has the most Brits?
The reply will be: According to Spain’s national stats agency INE, the two autonomous regions with the most Brits are Andalusia, where they number almost 77,000, and the Valencia region, where there are 78,422. Trailing behind are the Canaries (25,500 British residents), Catalonia (20,350) and the Balearics (14,870).
Accordingly, Why are so many Britons not registered as Spanish residents? The response is: Many Britons in Spain were not officially registered as Spanish residents, O’Reilly said, partly because different Spanish local authorities have interpreted free movement policies differently. The situation is exacerbated because Spain does not allow dual nationality for Britons.
Keeping this in view, Is the British community in Spain a ‘long-term tourist’? For years, the British and Spanish authorities have treated the British community in Spain as “long-term tourists”, O’Reilly said, adding “Neither the UK government, nor the Spanish government, nor the EU are taking proper responsibility for these people. They suffer from a triple absence.”
People also ask, How many British people live in Spain?
British-born population initiated a slight decline from 2013 to 2018, growing again from then onwards and standing at nearly 316,000 residents as of January 2022. During the same period, the Region of Valencia was Britain’s second favorite autonomous community to live in Spain. Statista Accounts: Access All Statistics.
Subsequently, Why are so many Britons not registered as Spanish residents?
The response is: Many Britons in Spain were not officially registered as Spanish residents, O’Reilly said, partly because different Spanish local authorities have interpreted free movement policies differently. The situation is exacerbated because Spain does not allow dual nationality for Britons.
Simply so, Is the British community in Spain a ‘long-term tourist’? Response will be: For years, the British and Spanish authorities have treated the British community in Spain as “long-term tourists”, O’Reilly said, adding “Neither the UK government, nor the Spanish government, nor the EU are taking proper responsibility for these people. They suffer from a triple absence.”
Likewise, How many expats live in the UK? France is second with 157,000 and Ireland next with 112,000. Spain is again top of the list: an estimated 310,000 UK-born people lived there in 2017. Ireland is second with 280,000 and France third with 190,000. Those 1.3 million people place the UK fifth among EU countries for the size of their expat population in other EU member countries.