Freddy Welsh sold his Glasgow home, gave up his business and relocated to Murcia to start a new life with his family. Then his non lucrative visa was delayed, forcing him back to Scotland to wait. His story shows why patience, preparation and expert guidance are essential when moving to Spain permanently from the UK.
When you decide to relocate to Spain permanently, you expect paperwork. What you might not expect is how long it can take โ or how many moving parts must align at exactly the right time.
Freddy Welsh knows this first-hand.
After years of visiting Murcia, he and his wife made the decision to buy a home there for retirement. The plan gathered pace when his daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren decided to move too. What had once been a future idea became something far more immediate.
โWe were always going to buy and retire,โ he explains. โBut when my daughter and her husband and the three grandkids started looking into it as well, that kind of changed things.โ
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Selling up in Glasgow and accelerating the move
Freddy had built a life in Glasgow, running his own business. But he felt that in the UK, rising living costs made it difficult to slow down. For him, it had become a case of living to work rather than working to live.
Spain represented something different โ and, crucially, it meant being close to his grandchildren as they grew up.
They began viewing properties almost two years ago, initially looking at urbanisations, as many overseas buyers do. But something didn’t feel quite right.
โIt was maybe just a wee bit too Britishy,โ he says. โWe just wanted something more Spanish.โ
They looked along the coast in places like San Pedro del Pinatar and San Javier but found the summer months extremely busy. Eventually, by chance, they discovered a property near Sucina, not far from La Torre Golf Resort but set in the countryside.
It was an older property with 1.5 acres of land, a pool and a separate extension that allowed two generations to live together while still having their own space. His daughter and her family use the three-bedroom main house, while Freddy and his wife have their own self-contained area with terrace access.
โItโs ideal for us to live as a family,โ he says.
They got the keys on 30th May 2025 โ but only after navigating an unexpected obstacle.
The bureaucracy nobody warns you about
Because the property sits on the flight path to Murcia and San Javier airports, they were required to obtain a military background check before purchase. On top of that, the town hall could not initially locate the non-infraction certificate relating to a 14-year-old extension and swimming pool.
Their lawyer explained that reissuing the certificate could take three to six months. Thankfully, approval eventually came through, but the delays were stressful.
And that was only the beginning.
To apply for the non lucrative visa, Freddy had to prove he had sufficient funds and that he was no longer working. He sold his business and obtained formal confirmation from his accountant and HMRC that he had ceased trading. His wife had to wait weeks for her P45 from the local authority, delaying their visa application further.
โYouโve got to show them the funds. Youโve got to sell your house and release equity. Youโve also got to show them that youโre unemployed,โ he explains.
They finally applied in January. They were told it would take between two and three weeks.
Eight weeks later, the visa still had not arrived.
Back in Glasgow โ waiting
Having already sold their Glasgow home, Freddy returned to Scotland temporarily and is currently staying in a friendโs flat while he waits.
โWeโd sold everything here in Glasgow and moved to Spain,โ he says. โThen I had to fly back because my visa hasnโt come through.โ
The most difficult part, he explains, is the uncertainty. There is no clear line of communication and no simple way to chase progress. He knows others who have been waiting even longer.
โItโs a lot more stressful than I originally thought it was ever going to be,โ he admits.
His advice to anyone considering moving to Spain permanently from the UK is straightforward: plan for delays, and build in more time than you think you will need.
Renovations, reality and budgeting properly
The property itself required extensive renovation. What initially looked like straightforward retiling turned into a major project when they discovered the floors had to be dug out and re-concreted.
โIt cost us a lot more money than I initially thought,โ he says.
They are currently extending the kitchen and installing bifold doors to create a larger indoor-outdoor dining area. Fortunately, his son-in-law is a tiler, which helped reduce costs.
His message is clear: factor in contingency funds and do not underestimate renovation work, especially in older Spanish properties.
Why it is still worth it
Despite the setbacks, Freddy does not regret his decision.
โWhen you’re there and you walk out and you see that sunshine, or you sit at night and you see the sun setting, then it’s all worthwhile,โ he says.
Everything you go through to get there is well worth it. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Watching his grandchildren adapt has been the most rewarding part.
โMy two granddaughters โ one’s four and one’s seven โ they’re speaking Spanish already and they only moved there permanently in June. They started school at the end of July.โ
He describes the difference in daily life.
โThey’ve got a freedom over there that you don’t get here in the UK in regard to the weather. They’re out all the time. There are family parks that you can go to.โ
He also values the community atmosphere. โYou can sit and get a coffee or a bottle of beer or even a glass of wine. Thereโs no rowdiness. The kids are just playing away together in the parks at nighttime. The way of life is just superb.โ
After everything, his conclusion is simple.
โEverything you go through to get there is well worth it. I wouldn’t change it for the world.โ
Why preparation and professional support matter
Freddy says that having access to reliable guidance made a real difference. He found Your Overseas Homeโs buying guides and online articles particularly useful in understanding the process, including currency exchange considerations and visa requirements.
For anyone planning a permanent move to Spain, his advice is to prepare thoroughly, seek expert legal and visa advice early and ensure every document is valid and up to date before making irreversible decisions.
Spanish bureaucracy can test your patience. But with proper planning, realistic timelines and the right professional support, it doesn’t have to derail your plans.
