Retiring in Galicia: The Complete Guide for Foreign Pensioners

Why Galicia is the ideal retirement destination

Galicia offers a unique combination of low cost of living, spectacular landscapes, and quality healthcare infrastructure. While the Costa del Sol is saturated and expensive, the Costa da Morte and the Rías Baixas still offer coastal properties at unmatched prices. A townhouse in Corcubión can cost from €80,000, while a similar apartment on the Mediterranean coast would exceed €250,000.

Galicia's oceanic climate, with mild temperatures year-round (12-25 °C), is ideal for those fleeing northern Europe's cold but preferring to avoid the scorching southern summers. The region boasts over 1,200 km of coastline, four international airports, and excellent motorway connections to Portugal and the rest of Spain.

Cost of living compared to other European destinations

Living in Galicia as a pensioner allows you to maintain a high standard of living for a fraction of what you'd spend in your home country. These figures are based on 2024-2025 averages for a retired couple:

Item	Galicia (€)	UK (£)	Germany (€)	France (€)
Rent 2-bed	500-700	1,200-1,800	900-1,300	800-1,200
Monthly groceries	300-400	600-800	450-600	450-600
Electricity + gas	80-120	200-300	150-250	150-200
Private health insurance	80-150	200-400	200-350	150-300
Restaurant set menu	12-16	25-40	18-25	18-25

A retired couple can live comfortably in Galicia on between €1,500 and €2,200 per month, including rent, food, healthcare, and leisure.

Healthcare: access for European and non-European pensioners

If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you have the right to Spanish public healthcare with your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). By registering on the municipal census and obtaining your Social Security number, you can access Sergas, Galicia's health service, recognised as one of the best in Spain.

For non-European citizens, there are several options:

• Spanish private insurance: from €60/month for over-65s with full coverage
• Bilateral agreements: some countries (such as Argentina or Ecuador) have Social Security agreements with Spain
• Spanish Social Security: if you have contributed at least 15 years in Spain

Reference hospitals like the University Hospital Complex of Santiago (CHUS) and the University Hospital Complex of A Coruña (CHUAC) have international departments and translation services.

Best towns and cities for pensioners

We've analysed factors such as access to medical services, transport, expat community, and affordability to recommend the best locations:

1. Corcubión — Historic town on the Costa da Morte with a seafront promenade, health centre, and prices from €70,000 per property. Growing international community.
2. Santiago de Compostela — Cultural capital with a university, reference hospital, and excellent transport. Rents from €600/month.
3. Cee — Neighbouring Corcubión with all basic services, supermarkets, pharmacies, and direct access to the AG-55 motorway.
4. Baiona (Rías Baixas) — Coastal town with a national parador, beaches, and an active community of British and German retirees.
5. Pontevedra — Model city for urban mobility, pedestrianised historic centre, and one of the best climates in Galicia.

Residency requirements and taxation for pensioners

As a foreign pensioner, you must meet certain legal requirements:

EU/EEA citizens: You only need to register at the Central Register of Foreigners within 3 months of arrival. You need to demonstrate sufficient income (your pension usually suffices) and health insurance.

Non-EU citizens: You'll need to apply for the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), which requires demonstrating income of at least €28,800 annually (400% of the IPREM) or an equivalent pension, plus private health insurance.

Regarding taxation, if you reside more than 183 days per year in Spain, you'll be considered a tax resident and must pay tax on your worldwide income. However, Spain has double taxation treaties with over 90 countries that prevent you from paying taxes twice on your pension.

Pension type	Taxable in Spain	Typical treaty
Public pension (EU)	Taxed in country of origin	Bilateral treaty
Private pension	Taxed in Spain	Partial exemption possible
UK state pension	Taxed in Spain	UK-Spain treaty

Practical tips for your move to Galicia

Planning your retirement in Galicia requires some logistical preparation. We recommend:

• Visit in winter before deciding: Galicia's climate is rainy between November and March, averaging 150 rainy days per year on the coast
• Open a Spanish bank account before moving: banks like Santander, BBVA, and CaixaBank offer non-resident accounts
• Hire a bilingual tax advisor: it will save you thousands in tax optimisation
• Learn basic Spanish: although English is spoken in cities, Galician is the primary language in villages
• Register your vehicle: you have 30 days to change plates if bringing your EU car

The biggest mistake foreign pensioners make is not visiting Galicia in the low season. The November-to-March weather is very different from July. Come at least twice before committing.

A glimpse of daily life on the Costa da Morte

Imagine waking up to the sound of the Atlantic Ocean, having coffee with churros for €2.50 in the village square, and walking along coastal trails that follow ancient lighthouse keepers' paths. On the Costa da Morte, life moves at a different pace. Municipal markets offer fresh daily fish at unbeatable prices: turbot at €12/kg, goose barnacles at €25/kg in season, and spider crabs from €15 each.

The expat community in the area grows every year. In Cee municipality alone, the foreign population has doubled in the last five years, with Britons, Germans, and Dutch leading newcomer statistics.

Take the first step towards your Galician retirement

If you're considering retiring in Galicia, we recommend starting by renting a property for 3-6 months to get to know the area before buying. This will give you a real perspective on daily life, leisure options, and the local community.

Ready to make the leap? At Vázquez Inmobiliaria we help you find the ideal home for your retirement on the Costa da Morte and surroundings. Over 15 years of experience advising international clients. Contact us today for a free personalised consultation.