Newbie with a question

I'm new to the site. My husband and I would like to move to southern Spain as semi-retirees, but we aren't sure how hard it will be to become legal residents.  We don't have family or jobs there, nor an official pension...just some savings and rental income.  Are there any non-EU citizens who can tell us how difficult it was for them to get a visa?   Or, is it better to "fly under the radar" rather than apply for a visa?  Thanks.

As an EU citizen you don't need any permits to live here. When you are actually in Spain you first need to go to the townhall and register as a resident in the area (this is called Empadronamento), for this you will need your passport and the property deed, if you own a property, or a rental contract if not.

Then you just go to local Police Station in your area with your passport and the Empadronamiento Certificate and they will issue you with  a Certificado de of Residencia.

Don't forget to take photocopies of everything with you as well as the originals. (You only need to copy the two pages in your passport the one with your picture and the opposite page).

It's not too difficult, but if you have any problems you can always get a Lawyer to do it for you.

Good Luck

I think the clue to the answer is "non-EU citizens" 

 I should also imagine it would depend on which non-EU country you are from.  Some countries have and easier ride with visas than others.  This is advice given to US citizens by their State Department:

The Spanish Government scrutinizes visitors who overstay their visas or their visa-free entry per the Schengen Agreement. Immediate deportation after spending a number of days in jail is not uncommon. You should leave Spain promptly at the end of the 90-day visa-free travel period or at the end of the time stated on your visa.

So, 90 days without a visa but visa requirements after that period.  They also recommend that you have 6 months left on your passport after leaving Spain although 90 days is the legal requirement.

These rules apply to most non-EU countries under the Schengen agreement.

If you go to this site and enter the country you are from and the country you are resident in, it gives the requirements for visas.  

 Deeeeerrrrrr!!! Didn't notice thatuntil after I'd posted it!!!

!

Thanks for the advice.  We are U.S. citizens, and we know the process for applying for a retirement visa in Spain, but we don't know how likely it is to actually get a visa application approved.  Any stories or ideas about how to find out this type information?