Retiring to spain

Absolutely yes, retire to Spain and come and live in a warmer relaxed country. We have been retired in Spain for 10 years.

I expect that you have looked throughly at the financial and healthcare requirements for the NLV.

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/losangeles/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-residencia-no-lucrativa.aspx

If you do get an Irish passport it will be far easier to get residency.  See below for all the information you need for registration on the foreigners register, Income and healthcare requirements to gain residency:

https://administracion.gob.es/pag_Home/en/Tu-espacio-europeo/derechos-obligaciones/ciudadanos/residencia/obtencion-residencia/inscribirte-residente.html

Steve 

Come over and explore,ask locals etc before you commit but with permanent residency in mind 

Research tax especially lump sums on pensions which 25 % tax free in Uk NOT IN SPAIN Also what to do on any private pension. ,timing on selling Uk property 

Look at costs involved in selling Spanish property unless retain as is 

Pros 

Warmer climate , lower cost of living , good health care 

Good transport network HST  

cons 

Summers can be too warm and may extend global warming 

Water droughts
Noise

Language - better to learn Spanish 

Dealing with red tape

I’ve owned a house in Spain for 9 years. I hate leaving it (the people, culture, pace of life) but I never contemplate applying for residency because of the prohibitive personal taxation regime which combines both State and Regional levies. At this time the State and Andalucía have identical tax rates

Eg. the mid-point earnings: tax band of € 20,200 - € 35,200 pa attracts a Region rate of 15% + State rate of 15% Total tax 30% (UK 20%)

The top rate is Regional 22.5% + State 22.5% Total 45% for > € 60,000 pa (UK £50,270 - £125,000 40%)

Personal tax allowance for 65+ years is a paltry € 6700 (UK £12,570)

Your Irish status is a blessing in respect of healthcare costs

Of course you should move here! Try to get your Irish passport first as it will make life so much easier. Good luck!

I've never really noticed any big increases in taxation on our UK and private pensions here in Spain. I doubt we have paid more than we would have paid in the UK. My wife has hardly paid any taxes since living here. Anyway if taxes are slightly higher then that will be offset by lower council taxes (IBI) , no tv licence,  cheaper water rates, lower heating costs etc, etc, etc.

Steve 

What ever you decide to do, make sure correct 'qualified advice', remember your home in UK will always be a good asset due to the extreme shortage of homes, about 4 million.  https://www.centreforcities.org/housing/#:~:text=Centre%20for%20Cities'%20latest%20piece,of%204.3%20million%20missing%20homes.&text=and%20Anthony%20Breach-,Compared%20to%20other%20European%20countries%2C%20Britain%20has%20a%20backlog%20of,missing%20from%20the%20housing%20market. 

In spite of what you might read, Spain has a large surplus, in spite of the 'hype' and recent rise in prices Spain due to large number of empty properties it could be a bubble, somewhat of a paradox.   https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/malagas-real-estate-paradox-leaves-more-than-20240617083244-nt.html#:~:text=In%20the%20country%20as%20a,m%2C%20to%20be%20precise).

With an Irish passport you would be an EU citizen which gives you lots of flexibility and are not subject to the 90 in 180 day Schengen rule, just the six month tax residence rule, however, many EU citizens move freely between states and many choose to retain their tax residence, as many Brits did before Brexit. Those good old days have gone, 'the luck of the Irish' unless you invest in Spain and buy a Golden Visa. 

If you sell you UK home and take up residence in Spain there are some advantages, for example inheritance tax.

'After the latest changes 90% of people inheriting in Andalucía will not pay inheritance tax' . 

,   https://www.daviessolicitors.com/inheritance-tax-revolution-in-andalucia-it-is-now-one-of-the-best-places-in-the-world-for-inheritance-tax/  

There is a host of pros and cons, but you need to do a lot of research and get the very best of advice, to include the timing when you move and sell any property. Southern Spain a great place to live, if all things in place and from October until June the weather is fantastic,3 months of the year July August & September can be tough for many Brits. 

This a link to a firm who can give you plenty of financial advice and will give a free consultation. 

    https://www.blevinsfranks.com/where-we-are/spain/la-cala-de-mijas/

If you already own a property you must have the financial set up to pay the running costs?

Get your Irish passport and you will be free to come and go as you please, it is pointless getting a NLV which will be expensive, frustrating, and a introduction to the Spanish tax authorities to rinse you of money.

The Irish passport is a godsend, you are free to come and go at your leisure, you do not need to complicate things at this moment in time, simply come and spend as little, or all of your retirement as you wish, and when you like, .......residencia has little or no benefit for you, but if it something you want to do it will not be difficult with your Irish EU passport.

Even with an Irish passport  you are not "free to come and go at your leisure" if you intend to stay in Spain for more than 90 days in one period you will be required to sign on the foreigners register at the National Police station and prove that you have the income and healthcare requirements as required by Spanish law. 

Steve 

The Spanish authorities will not trouble you with a EU passport, I know many, many Irish people who come and go as they please with no problems whatsoever, and have done for years. 

Many come for the winter months (Oct/Nov to Mar/Apr or even longer, with many preferring to go back to Ireland in the very hot months.

These are people I know personally and never ever heard of a problem, many owning properties and Spanish cars.