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British in Marbella: owning, living here and the paperwork since Brexit
Since Brexit, Britons count as non-EU nationals in Spain, and what that means for you in Marbella turns on two things: when you arrived, and how you use your home here. Residents protected by the Withdrawal Agreement hold a TIE, owners of a second home rely on their NIE, and those moving now apply for a visa like other non-EU nationals.
Enquire about thisIf you lived here before Brexit
British citizens who were already living in Spain under EU rules are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. Their residence document is a TIE bearing a reference to the agreement. Those who still hold the older green certificate can exchange it for that card, through a toma de huellas like any other TIE.
If you own a second home
Owning a property in Marbella does not give a right to live in it. British owners visit under the short-stay rules that apply to non-EU nationals, and the NIE they obtained to buy remains their reference for taxes, utilities and the community of owners.
If you are moving now
A British national moving to Marbella today applies as other non-EU nationals do: usually for a visa at the Spanish consulate in the United Kingdom, such as non-lucrative residence for those who will not work, followed by the TIE fingerprints after arrival. A purchase alone no longer opens a way to residence, since the golden visa ended in 2025.
In Marbella
British owners live all along Marbella, from the Golden Mile to Nueva Andalucía and Elviria, and many divide their year. Whether you need a TIE appointment at the Comisaría on Avenida Arias de Velasco or only a NIE for a purchase, we begin by working out which of the three situations above is yours.
Policía Nacional · Marbella
Comisaría de Marbella
Avenida Arias de Velasco 25, 29600 Marbella (Málaga)
NIE certificates and assignment, EU registration (régimen comunitario), TIE issuance, return authorisations, letters of invitation, nationality reports.
- Telephone
- 952 867 241
policia.es gives 952 867 241 for its foreigners’ unit and 952 762 600 in the general police directory. It publishes no opening hours: the time on your cita previa confirmation is the one to follow.
Open in Maps (Comisaría de Marbella) Its entry on policia.es
Questions
I bought before Brexit. Do I need a new NIE?
No. The number assigned to you stays yours for life, whatever your status. What may change is the document that shows it.
Is my old green certificate still enough?
Spain has encouraged Withdrawal Agreement residents to exchange it for the TIE, which is simpler to use day to day and when crossing borders. We can prepare the exchange.