Emigrating to Spain is a dream for many people who want a better quality of life. Spain was, and is, a common destination for many retired British people and those from other countries, but in recent times it has also become popular with young families who want to get out of the rat race and give their children a better life.

Reasons for emigrating to Spain include:

• The lower cost of living in Spain.
• The lower crime rate.
• The climate – mild winters and lovely hot summers.
• The outdoor life.
• Low property prices.
• The more relaxed and laid back lifestyle.
• Work – some people emigrate to Spain because of their job.
• Health – The Spanish climate has long been recommended for being good for sufferers of arthritis, asthma and rheumatism.

All these reasons are great reasons to emigrate to Spain but out of those who move to Spain every year, a significant proportion end up moving back home.

Why?

• They didn't like Spain.
• They can't make an income to meet their cost of living.
• The language barrier.
• Trouble at home – family problems or business problems back in their home country.
• Health problems.

Most of these issues could have been resolved by good planning, research and adequate preparation.

Your first step in emigrating to Spain is to make sure that it can actually be done legally. If you are from the European Union, you have the right to live and work anywhere in the EU. However, US citizens and others from outside the EU will need to make sure that they have the correct paperwork – visas, permits etc. Check with the Spanish Consulate in your home country for up to date information on what documentation is required.

You will also need to check that you have some kind of health cover through either the social security system or through private health insurance. This will avoid heft medical bills.

One you know that you can legally move to Spain, you need to do make sure that you will have an income to live on. Many pensioners move to Spain because they know that their pension from their home country will meet their living costs. Another group of people who move successfully to Spain are those who work via the internet and can therefore work anywhere in the world and so keep the same job or business. Some buy a business in Spain – bar, restaurant, internet cafe, estate agency or kennels and those who have researched the market carefully can do very well.

Please don't assume that it will be easy to get a job or that you can live off your savings, you'll end up in trouble.

Research is the next step. Visit Spain at different times of years and choose an area and search for property. Even better, rent in an area to make sure you like it before you buy. Find yourself a god abogado (lawyer) so that when you find the perfect property, you have a good lawyer to check the legality of the property and to help you with the purchase.

While you do your research into areas and properties, learn Spanish. There are many resources – the BBC website has a few Spanish courses and the Michel Thomas audio sets are very good. Better still, hire a tutor. Emigrating to Spain and living in Spain will be much easier if you can speak a little Spanish.

Spain is a wonderful country and many people are perfectly happy with their decision to emigrate and enjoy a great new life. These are the people who plan their move carefully.