Moving To Spain: Some Things You Should Know

Spain is a large country – twice the size of the UK - although less densely populated at 46 million people. In the South of the country down by the Mediterranean it can get very hot while in the central region it can vary from very hot to quite cold. The North has a temperate climate with warm summers and relatively mild winters.

One thing that you will find very helpful if you are going to live in Spain is to learn the language if you don’t already speak it. It is true that many ex-pats do live there without speaking Spanish, but it is not a difficult language to learn and it is extremely useful to be able to deal with the bureaucracy and to converse and make friends with the locals. Furthermore, if you are planning on getting a job in Spain you will need to be able to speak Spanish. You could take a course online, or you can get an audio course.

As an EU citizen (at present, anyway) you don’t need a work permit in order to get a job, but you do have to get a social security number which is obtainable from the local Oficina Seguridad Social. (Incidentally, you can see from the title of the Social Security office what we mean by Spanish not being too difficult to learn). It is best if you can get a job sorted out before you actually move, but if not you will need to be certain that you have enough to live on until you find work.

The cost of living in Spain is pleasantly less than it is in the UK and if you have a UK pension you will be able to live quite comfortably. However, you do need to be aware that the exchange rate can fluctuate and nobody can predict what will happen after Brexit. Housing is also far more reasonable than in the UK, but utility costs can be high, especially if you need bottled gas which is necessary in many areas. Housing is more expensive in the cities and tourist areas than it is elsewhere.

While you don’t need a visa to go to Spain, what you will need is an NIE number. This is applicable to anyone working in the country, anyone who wants to buy or sell a property or car, and anyone who wants to open a bank account. In other words, the vast majority of people require an NIE number, which is issued by the police. You have to go to the Comisaria General de Extranjeria office to get one, and they are not in every town. However, you can get the address of the nearest one from the police national website. You will need to take your passport and a copy, some passport photos, a letter stating why you need an NIE, and an EX-15 form which you can find online.

It is also possible to arrange for your NIE through your nearest Spanish Consulate here in the UK, and in addition there are firms online who will act as your representative to arrange it for a fee. It is a good idea to get a gestor to help you in dealings with Spanish Administration. This is a person who is not actually a lawyer or accountant, but can carry out some of their functions. It will save you a considerable amount of time in dealing with admin and is well worth the fees they charge. You can find some information about gestors online.

When moving to Spain, even if you are only involved in small removals to Spain, you will need some documentation. This includes your passport, your NIE, a residence certificate, the deeds of your home in Spain or a rent contract, an application for duty free import, and a full inventory of the goods you are shipping – in Spanish! If you have a job you will also need a letter from your employer confirming the fact.

As you can see, there is quite a bit to do when moving to Spain, but if you get a good removal company that is familiar with all of the necessary documentation they will be able to help you with it.

Movers International is a highly experienced company when it comes to removals to Spain and can help you with all aspects of your move. The company has offices in Malaga and Alicante.