Don't just jump on the bandwagon – you need to make sure that relocation to Spain is the best thing for you and your family and that you don't end up being miserable and moving back. “Can you give me some tips on how to plan my move to Spain?”. Of course I can.
Here are our Top tips for planning a happy and successful move to Spain:
- Visit Spain – Visit a few different areas to narrow down an area. Visit your chosen area a few times at different times of year so that you know what it's like all year round.
- Research – Take your time researching Spain, its culture, the moving process, what paperwork is needed, the property buying process etc. Do not rush. The happiest expats in Spain are those who take their time over their decision and planned everything carefully.
- Rent before you buy – Consider renting in Spain before committing yourself to a property purchase. Renting gives you the chance to do some more research, to get to know an area, to understand the property market, to view lots of property and find the perfect house. If you can, keep a base in your home country so that if things don't work out, you can simply move back home.
- Choose professionals – Having a good team of professionals to offer guidance and advice is critical. A good abogado will help you with purchasing property and writing a will, a gestor will guide you through Spanish bureaucracy and a tax adviser will help you with tax issues and with your tax return.
- Paperwork – Make sure that you can legally move to Spain and that you are legal in Spain. EU citizens do not require visas or permits to live in Spain, but most non-EU nationals, such as US citizens, do. Consult your Spanish Consulate for advice and guidance on moving to Spain. Once you have arrived in Spain you will need to apply for an NIE number and a Certificado de Registro to be legal in Spain.
- Employment – If you need to make an income to live in Spain, sort it out before you move. You need to find employment before you move or have an established business or stream of income that you can rely on. Rent if you need time to establish a business, don't rush into buying.
- Learn Spanish – Learning Spanish will make Spanish life much easier and help you to settle faster. The BBC language website has some online courses and there are also many audio courses and books available. You could even hire a tutor or go to Spanish classes.
- Health cover – Sort out health cover before you move. Consult the social security office in your home country to see if you will be covered in Spain. If your home country does not cover your health care, you must either pay into the social security system or take out private health cover.
- Budget – Make sure you have a budget for your move and that it is realistic. Get quotes for everything and remember to budget approximately 10% of the cost of your Spanish property for fees and taxes.
I hope that this information has answered the question “how to plan my move to Spain?”. Buena Suerte!
