Retiring to Scotland

lunadoggy2014 New member

Member since 21 March 2025

lunadoggy2014New member21 March 2025 10:17:06

I am a British Citizen (Scottish) and have been living in Germany since 1992. I am looking into retiring (back) to Scotland with my German wife (we were married in Scotland in 1988) who currently has no form of visa or British citizenship. We both lived and worked in the UK between 1985 and 1992. We also currently jointly own a property in Scotland, having purchased is in 2019. We are currently paying council tax and utility bills in Scotland for this property whilst living in Germany and are currently using the property as a type of holiday home, although my wife stays for longer periods through the summer. Which rules should be observed in our case, particularly for my wife, if we retire there?

Cynic UK/Netherlands Expert

Member since 15 September 2015

CynicUK/Netherlands Expert22 March 2025 11:40:14

7822

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

The UK doesn't offer any kind of retirement visa. However, the fact she is married to you means she can apply for a family visa; the UK government website has all the details, this link will take you straight there.

I hope this helps.

Cynic

Expat Team

lunadoggy2014 New member

Member since 21 March 2025

lunadoggy2014New member24 March 2025 15:08:06

Hi Cynic,

Thanks, yes I have seen the gov.uk website. There is however no mention of property ownership in the website, as far as I have seen. It seems rather strange that my wife can jointly own a property in the UK but can only stay in the UK up to 6 months on a tourist visa or pay quite a lot of money to be "tolerated" on a family visa, before applying for the next visa (EU Settlement, Neutralisation ?) before finally applying for British citizenship.

Best regards

Ewan

Cynic UK/Netherlands Expert

Member since 15 September 2015

CynicUK/Netherlands Expert26 March 2025 07:41:07

7822

Hi Cynic,
Thanks, yes I have seen the gov.uk website. There is however no mention of property ownership in the website, as far as I have seen. It seems rather strange that my wife can jointly own a property in the UK but can only stay in the UK up to 6 months on a tourist visa or pay quite a lot of money to be "tolerated" on a family visa, before applying for the next visa (EU Settlement, Neutralisation ?) before finally applying for British citizenship.

Best regards

Ewan - @lunadoggy2014

Hi again. It's probably not mentioned as property ownership has no link to residency in the UK, you don't have to be a UK resident in order to own property here. I believe indefinite leave to remain is the next stage after a tourist visa; if your circumstances are difficult, then the UK Gov website does provide advice on getting professional advice; this link will take you straight to it. My daughter and her husband were in a similar situation to yours, but they managed to sort it without paying for advice.

I hope this helps.

Cynic

Expat Team