Boletín de Prensa del Observatorio Europeo de Gerontomigraciones - European Observatory on Gerontomigration Press Bulletin (13 marzo 2026)

 Boletín de Prensa del Observatorio Europeo de Gerontomigraciones / European Observatory on Gerontomigration Press Bulletin, nº 485, de 13 de marzo de 2026. 

 

"Big changes for UK expats: Spain’s new universal healthcare law explained", Euro Weekly News, 12 | 03 | 2026 - Noticia
Spain has introduced a major change to its healthcare system that could affect many UK expats living in the country. Earlier this week the Spanish government approved a new measure through the Council of Ministers aimed at expanding healthcare access, and the reform has now been formally published in the Official State Gazette. The new regulation, Real Decreto 180/2026, appeared in the BOE on March 12 and confirms that access to public healthcare will be based primarily on residency in Spain rather than strictly on legal status or social security contributions.

"Foreigners without legal residence in Spain now have the right to public healthcare", Majorca Daily Bulletin, 12 | 03 | 2026 - Noticia
The Official State Gazette (BOE) published on Thursday the royal decree recognising the right to public healthcare for foreigners who are in Spain without legal residence. To access this right, foreigners without legal residence must provide a sworn statement certifying that they do not have healthcare coverage through any other means.

"El Gobierno aprueba el decreto que garantiza la sanidad pública universal a extranjeros sin residencia legal", RTVE, 10 | 03 | 2026 - Noticia
El Consejo de Ministros ha dado luz verde este martes a un Real Decreto fundamental para la arquitectura del sistema sanitario español. A propuesta del Ministerio de Sanidad y del Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones, el Ejecutivo ha aprobado la norma que regula el procedimiento para reconocer el derecho a la protección de la salud y a la atención sanitaria con cargo a fondos públicos para aquellas personas extranjeras que se encuentran en España sin residencia legal.

"Sánchez didn’t kill the 'British expat dream', Brexit did", The Local, 07 | 03 | 2026 - Reportaje (Alex Dunham)
In this week's edition we look at how recent articles in the British press claiming Spain is directly targeting UK retirees and dashing their hopes of owning a Spanish holiday home have failed to focus on the elephant in the room.

"Safest places in Spain named for British expats to live — full list of 10", The Mirror, 07 | 03 | 2026 - Noticia
Spain is one of the most sought-after holiday spots in Europe and a top choice for expats. ... According to the Global Peace Index, Spain holds the 32nd spot among the world's safest countries. Spanish property website Idealista recently listed the 10 safest cities and towns to visit or move to in 2026.

"How to retire to Spain from the UK in 2026: visa, costs and key considerations", Idealista/News, 06 | 03 | 2026 - Reportaje (Emma Donaldson)
Retiring to Spain remains one of the most popular choices for British expats. If you're planning to retire to Spain from the UK in 2026, it's important to understand... Since Brexit, UK citizens must apply for residency if staying longer than 90 days in any 180-day period. While there is more paperwork than before, thousands of Brits successfully relocate every year. This guide explains everything you need to know about the Spain retirement visa 2026, where to live, living costs, pensions, tax and transferring money from the UK.

"British expats rely heavily on digital home comforts while living in Spain", Euro Weekly News, 06 | 03 | 2026 - Reportaje
For thousands of British nationals who have traded the grey skies of the UK for the sun-drenched coasts of Spain, the dream of a Mediterranean lifestyle is often accompanied by a surprising reality: the need to stay digitally tethered to home. ... the expat experience is increasingly defined by how well one can maintain a virtual presence in Britain. This phenomenon goes beyond simply checking the news or sending an occasional email; it has evolved into a comprehensive reliance on digital infrastructure to replicate the comforts of British culture within a Spanish setting. ... Spain has aggressively positioned itself as a European leader in digital connectivity, recognising that infrastructure is essential for attracting foreign investment and long-term residents. This is obvious in popular coastal regions, where the ... government’s push to roll out fibre optics and 5G networks has transformed these areas into digital hubs, capable of supporting not just retirees streaming TV, but also a new wave of working professionals.

"La Seguridad Social avisa a los jubilados que pueden perder la pensión a partir de abril: presenta este documento si vives en el extranjero", Abc, 05 | 03 | 2026 - Noticia
Este trámite, habitual de cada año y que solo deben hacer quienes residen fuera de España, llega con una novedad en 2026

"Spain rolls out new digital system to simplify immigration applications for foreigners", Euro Weekly News, 05 | 03 | 2026 - Noticia
Spain has introduced a new digital tool designed to make immigration paperwork easier for foreign residents, including thousands of British expats who regularly deal with residency renewals, work permits or family reunification processes. The reform creates an Electronic Register of Immigration Collaborators, allowing authorised organisations to submit immigration applications online on behalf of foreign nationals. The measure, published in Spain’s Official State Gazette under BOE-A-2026-5128, forms part of the country’s broader effort to modernise administrative procedures and reduce the pressure on immigration offices.

"Portugal se planta ante Hacienda y critica que invalide sus certificados de residencia", El Economista, 05 | 03 | 2026 - Noticia
Defiende que los pensionistas españoles que cruzaron la frontera solo deben tributar allí. El fisco español, sin embargo, ignora el cambio de domicilio y regulariza a estos ciudadanos

"Costa del Sol's Danish community gets answers on rights and pensions", Sur in English, 04 | 03 | 2026 - Noticia
Secretary general of Danes Worldwide, Michael Bach Petersen, was on the Costa del Sol this week to meet with the Danish community

"Terry Eiss, jubilado inglés residente en la Costa Brava: "El sistema de salud de Catalunya es genial, me he operado 3 veces en Figueres"", La Vanguardia, 04 | 03 | 2026 - Reportaje (Pau Ortiz)
Residente en Roses desde 2015, se integró entre los vecinos de la ciudad, con quienes comparte hoy una vida tranquila tras la muerte de su marido poco después de instalarse

"Rafa, jubilado mileurista en Tailandia: “En España, llegaba el día 25 del mes y no tenía ni un duro”", El Nacional, 04 | 03 | 2026 - Reportaje (J. Cortina)
La gestión del dinero es la clave para muchos jubilados que han dejado España

"Portugal sale en defensa de los jubilados del Ibex que pleitean con Hacienda", El Confidencial, 25 | 02 | 2026 - Noticia
La Hacienda portuguesa ha confirmado a un contribuyente portugués que como residente no habitual se le debe aplicar el convenio entre Portugal y España.

 

Nota: Este Boletín de Prensa realiza un seguimiento periodístico de los aspectos más destacados del fenómeno de la movilidad transfronteriza de personas mayores estudiado en el Observatorio Europeo de Gerontomigraciones. Mi agradecimiento a la Coordinadora del observatorio, la Profesora Mayte Echezarreta Ferrer, así como a sus miembros, investigadores y colaboradores, por su labor y por permitir su difusión en Conflictus Legum.