Moving to Europe After Brexit: Best Routes for UK Citizens 2026

As a visitor, you can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area, according to the UK government's travel advice. Anything longer, or any work, needs a national visa or residence permit from the country you move to.

This guide covers the EU countries Transita tracks: Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands, plus Ireland. Greece, Cyprus and Malta are popular with British movers too, but Transita does not cover them, so they are not compared here.

Ireland: no visa at all

Under the Common Travel Area, the UK government's guidance says British and Irish citizens can move freely and reside in either country, and work there, including on a self-employed basis. If you want to stay in Europe with no paperwork, Ireland is the only option. The Ireland guide covers the practical side.

If you are retiring

Retirees use passive-income visas. The Portugal D7 ($250, 2–6 months) and Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa ($130, 1–3 months) are the usual starting points. Italy's Elective Residence Visa asks for EUR 31,000/yr (≈ $35,526/yr) of passive income, and France has the Long-Stay Visitor Visa ($107).

Route	Government fee	Processing	Salary floor	Leads to PR
Non-Lucrative Visa	$130	1–3 months	None set	Yes
D7 Passive Income Visa	$250	2–6 months	None set	Yes
Long-Stay Visitor Visa	$107	1–2 months	None set	Yes
Elective Residence Visa	$125	1–3 months	EUR 31,000/yr (≈ $35,526/yr)	Yes

None of these allow local employment. If you plan to do some paid work, look at the remote-work visas below instead.

If you work remotely

Spain, Portugal and Italy each run a digital nomad visa for people employed by, or contracting with, companies outside the country. Income floors are where they differ.

Route	Government fee	Processing	Salary floor	Leads to PR
Digital Nomad Visa	$80	1–2 months	EUR 34,188/yr (≈ $37,504/yr)	Yes
D8 Digital Nomad Visa	$250	2–6 months	EUR 3,680/mo (≈ $50,607/yr)	Yes
Digital Nomad Visa	$125	1–3 months	EUR 24,789/yr (≈ $28,408/yr)	Yes

Spain's floor is EUR 34,188/yr (≈ $37,504/yr) and Portugal's D8 is EUR 3,680/mo (≈ $50,607/yr). Our Spain vs Portugal digital nomad comparison goes through them side by side.

Which European visa fits your situation?

Transita checks your income, work and family situation against every route in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland. Answer 8 questions and your routes, documents and dates are set up for you. Free.

Build my workspace

If you are taking a job

With an EU job offer, the skilled-worker routes are fast and cheap. Germany's EU Blue Card costs $120 and needs EUR 50,700/yr (≈ $58,102/yr). The Dutch Highly Skilled Migrant permit ($380) has a floor of EUR 5,942/mo (≈ $81,714/yr).

Route	Government fee	Processing	Salary floor	Leads to PR
EU Blue Card	$120	2–4 months	EUR 50,700/yr (≈ $58,102/yr)	Yes
Highly Skilled Migrant	$380	1–2 months	EUR 5,942/mo (≈ $81,714/yr)	Yes
Talent Passport (Qualified Employee)	$243	1–3 months	EUR 39,582/yr (≈ $45,361/yr)	Yes
Highly Qualified Professional	$200	1–2 months	EUR 41,356.36/yr (≈ $47,394/yr)	Yes

The long game: residence and citizenship

Citizenship timelines vary a lot. Our country data records about 5 years of residence for Portugal, 5 for France, 8 for Germany, 10 for Spain and 10 for Italy. If an EU passport is the end goal, that difference matters more than the visa fee.

Open to moving outside Europe?

A British passport still carries advantages outside the EU, such as working holidays in Australia, New Zealand and Canada and English-test waivers on Australian skilled visas. The ranking of the best countries to move to from the UK covers every destination Transita tracks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can UK citizens still move to Europe after Brexit?

Yes, but with a visa. British citizens lost EU freedom of movement, so living or working in an EU country now needs a national visa or residence permit, the same as for other non-EU nationals. Ireland is the exception, under the Common Travel Area.

How long can a British citizen stay in Spain or France without a visa?

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, according to the UK government's travel advice. Time spent on a residence permit or long-stay visa does not count toward that limit.

What is the easiest EU country for British retirees?

Portugal and Spain are the usual starting points. Portugal's D7 costs $250 and Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa costs $130 in Transita's data. Both need proof of passive income and neither lets you work for a local employer.

Can I work remotely from Spain or Portugal as a British citizen?

Yes. Spain's Digital Nomad Visa has a floor of EUR 34,188/yr (≈ $37,504/yr) and Portugal's D8 a floor of EUR 3,680/mo (≈ $50,607/yr). Both are designed for people working for clients or employers outside the country.

Do UK citizens need a visa to live in Ireland?

No. Under the Common Travel Area, British and Irish citizens can live and work in either country, including on a self-employed basis, without a visa or permit.

Compare your European options in one place

Transita ranks the routes you qualify for across the European countries it covers, using your income, job and family details. Answer 8 questions and your routes, documents and dates are set up for you. Free.