Applying for residency

Start at the Spanish Consulate in London, for real clear free advice as to what you need, before you start paying lawyers.

@JohnIbiza01

Great idea, Spain is lovely, innit. :-)

With rental income and a good stash of savings, your best bet is probably the NLV - No Lucrativa Visa. This is a non-working visa for those who are retired or have other passive income. You need to show either 2,500 euros per month of income OR 30k euros in savings (sounds easy as you plan to spend 200k).

If your partner has this evidence too (easy if 30k of that 200k is in her account), then she can get her own NLV. Otherwise, get yours, then do Family Reunification later. However, the ease of this depends on exactly what "partner" status she has. Easiest is married or civil partnership. Cohabiting (for more than 2 years) is possible (we did it), but can be more tricky. But I would grab the NLV first, and figure out this step later.

Residence applications typically need proof of address and proof of health insurance. The latter is usually a private Spanish health insurance with zero copago. The proof of address is usually deeds/Nota Simple (if you buy a place) or an LT rental contract... plus the Padron certificate (registration at your local town hall). You need to read the requirements to figure out exactly when/if you need these items.

Note, there are 2 things you need: the NLV (the LT residence visa) and then your TIE (biometric residence permit for non-EU citizens). The first you apply for at your local Spanish embassy, the 2nd you apply for inside Spain after getting your NLV. The TIE is the card (Tarjeta de Identidad), the NIE is your number (Numero de Identidad). You need your NIE too as part of this residence process (and you need NIE to purchase your Spanish property).

Additional items medical certificate and criminal record check (ACRO, not DBS).

Your criminal past sounds far behind you, so best option is to try. They might deny you, but you can appeal.

Official NLV guidance

https://www.inclusion.gob.es/en/web/migraciones/w/autorizacion-inicial-de-residencia-temporal-no-lucrativa

Immigration lawyer info on NLV

https://balcellsgroup.com/non-lucrative-residency/

Official TIE guidance

https://www.inclusion.gob.es/en/web/migraciones/w/tarjeta-de-identidad-de-extranjero-tie-hi92-

Thank you for the very helpful replies above.   

We are torn between buying a property or another surprising alternative would be to buy a blue water cruiser and living on board!! I could keep a base in the UK and do 90 days on and 90 off.

@JohnIbiza01

Ah, so many choices. :-)