Retiring to the Costa Blanca from Belgium

Belgian pensions and the double-taxation treaty

Belgium and Spain signed a double-taxation agreement in 2011 that replaced the older 1971 treaty. The new treaty is generally favourable for retirees: Belgian public pensions (from ONP/RVP or Voorzorgfonds) are taxed in Belgium, while most private and occupational pensions are taxed in Spain. Crucially, the treaty removes the old 'six-month rule' that caused confusion about where tax residency began.

Pension taxation at a glance

Healthcare — the Belgian S1

Belgian retirees drawing a statutory pension are entitled to an S1 form from their mutuelle / ziekenfonds. This entitles you to full Spanish SNS healthcare, with Belgium reimbursing Spain. The process is smoother than for some nationalities because Belgian mutuelles have well-established relationships with Spanish social security.

If you are not yet drawing a Belgian state pension (early retirees, those on private income), you must carry private Spanish health insurance for your first year. After 12 months of padrón you can join the convenio especial and pay into the public system.

The Belgian community on the Costa Blanca

Belgians are concentrated in Albir, Alfaz del Pi, Calpe, Jávea and Torrevieja. Alfaz del Pi has one of the largest Belgian populations per capita on the coast — the local Dutch-speaking school serves Belgian children, and several cafés and clubs are run by Belgian entrepreneurs. The Belgian consular warden network is active; there is an honorary consulate in Alicante.

Belgian social clubs (Cercle Belgique / Belgische Kring) organise monthly dinners, New Year receptions, King’s Day celebrations and charity golf days. French- and Dutch-speaking groups operate separately but often share venues.

Banking and currency considerations

Belgian retirees typically keep a Belgian current account for pension receipts and open a Spanish account (Sabadell, CaixaBank, ING Spain) for daily expenses. Transfers between Belgian and Spanish accounts are free within SEPA, but watch for Spanish bank fees — especially on 'non-resident' accounts opened before you have your TIE and padrón.

Belgian tax authorities require you to report foreign bank accounts (revenus étrangers / buitenlandse inkomsten) on your annual tax return. The Spanish account must be declared even if you are no longer Belgian tax-resident, until your final Belgian tax return is closed.

Bureaucracy checklist

• ✦Notify your mutuelle / ziekenfonds and ONP/RVP of your move at least 3 months in advance.
• ✦Request the S1 form before leaving Belgium.
• ✦Register at the Spanish town hall (padrón) within 90 days.
• ✦Apply for the TIE (non-EU) or Certificado de Registro (EU citizen) at the local Foreigners' Office.
• ✦File Modelo 030 with the Agencia Tributaria to register as Spanish tax-resident.
• ✦Exchange your Belgian driving licence for a Spanish one after 2 years of residency.