Useful information for moving to Spain

Visa information

Before moving to Spain it is wise to check if you require a visa or residence permit. Foreign nationals are freely permitted to buy a property in Spain, and most can use it for three months in succession, and for a maximum of six months each calendar year (unless you are touring the country and staying in several different areas for short periods) - if you wish to stay longer you would need to apply for an extension or a residence permit.

All foreigners require a residence permit to live permanently in Spain, and most non EEA nationals will require a visa just to enter the country. if you plan to reside permanently or work in Spain - it would be wise to contact the Spanish consulate for further information.

Working in Spain

If you wish to work in Spain - your first port of call should be the Spanish consulate. An EEA resident technically does not need a work permit to work in Spain, but you would require a residence card (usually granted for periods of five years), whereas a non EEA resident would require both a work permit and residence card.

Starting a business

First of all, unless you speak fluent Spanish you will find this task a difficult one, and you should firstly consider employing a translator. Non EEA nationals must make an investment of around $100,000 to obtain a work permit, and may be conditional of he employment of a minimum number of EEA nationals.

Please be very careful when setting up a business in Spain - there are many companies and individuals who have fallen into the trap to conmen claiming they can help the process through a lot quicker than usual. It is wise to appoint the help of an established Spanish lawyer who understands the processes.

Traveling with pets

If you plan to take a pet to Spain, it is important that you check to make sure you have the correct papers, information and ensure that you understand the process (and do remember, if traveling via another country - you will need to adhere to their regulations as well). The good news is that restrictions have now been lifted on traveling with pets in certain countries, and "passports" can be obtained providing the animal has undergone a health check with satisfactory results. Your pet will need to be vaccinated from Rabies, have a blood test, and be fitted with a microchip. There are limitations which you will need to investigate such as maximum number of pets, age, registration, area regulations and so on.

Regular "re-checks" are necessary, and there are certain restrictions from which destination you can leave from to go overseas. Information about this can be found from the Department for Environment.

Home entertainment

Television in Spain is of course mainly broadcast in the native language, so unless you have a good command of Spanish, the chances are you will be looking at other ways to receive British television programmes. The system used is Spain is PAL - the exact format we use in the U. K., however the sound is carried on a different frequency - so you will need to check with the manufacturer to see if your television set supports this. If not, do not worry too much, as conversion sets are available at quite a low price.

The rules above may differ however if you are looking at using a decoder to watch satellite TV - the rules about satellite usage in Spain are changing at this moment in time, and I suggest strongly you speak to your current satellite subscriber, or contact on e of the many English owned satellite installation companies based in Spain.

Finance & Wills

Opening an account in Spain is a fairly straight forward process, and both residents and non residents can apply. It is always better if you have a friend or relative who can take you to a branch and introduce you, as usually this can be set-up while you wait. If not application forms can be obtained, or you could opt to apply for an account using communication methods such as post or fax.

It is a fact of life that most people need a will to ensure their loved ones receive what they are entitled to in the event of a death. This is of particular importance if you are looking to reside in Spain, because if a foreigner dies intestate in Spain (without a will), under Spanish law the estate may automatically disposed of. A will from the native country can suffice, but the process is considerably slower as that country's regulations (such as probate, and communication overseas) has to take place.
It is highly recommended to get a Spanish will to prevent complications and speed up the process.

Cost of living
There are so many myths and exaggerations made about the cost of living in Spain - and this is just a guide to help you understand some of the basic costs associated with living in Spain. There is no average salary in Spain, as this dramatically changes from region to region - and can range from €8000 to €12,000 per annum.
Overall, the cost of living in Spain is less than that of countries like France, Germany and of course the U. K. It would be fair to say that a couple with two children should have an income of circa €1400 per month to cover costs (allowing for rent, food, entertainment, utility bills, insurance & clothing).

Electricity & Gas

In Spain, one of the most important factors about your electricity usage is that you have to determine what you will actually use on a day to day basis. Once you have calculated this - you need to obtain a contract from the local electricity supplier for the correct amount of electricity to be passed to your home (power rating). This of course has an effect on cost - but please do not deliberately under specify - as these supplies are supplied with an automated cut-off if exceeded for a period of time.
Spanish electricity is generated at 220 volts - Most U. K. appliances with be compatible with this supply and by utilising adaptor plugs to convert the Spanish electrical sockets will suffice (and of course these are relatively inexpensive and widely available) - but if your move is a permanent one, it may be just as well to have your electrical items re-wired.

In Spain, power cuts can be quite frequent, and a UPS for computers users, or surge protectors for most electrical items could be worth investigating.

There are not many mains gas supplies in Spain - these are usually only found in major cities, so gas is usually obtained from "gas cylinders or bottles". If you are fortunate to have a mains gas supply, you will need to contact the company to arrange for contracts and to get it switched on. using a gas bottle is pretty straight forward, and can last a family of four up-to 6 weeks, but remember that they are heavy and tend to run out at the most inconvenient times - so plan ahead.

Postal services

There is one domestic mail rate in Spain, and most cost are quite low. If you reside in a apartment - the likelihood is that your mail will be deposited into your mailbox (and do make sure that it is secure). Most areas do have a door to door postal services, but in some of the more remote regions, t may be necessary to collect mail form the local post office.

Post boxes in Spain are typically yellow, and can be found mostly anywhere - in some cities there will be two slots, one for domestic and another for international. At the post office - you can find special delivery mailboxes (usually red) which can offer a speedier delivery service (this you should check beforehand, and find out the costs). In the more rural areas, it may be more difficult to find a post box, a good rule is that most post boxes can be found at the post office or railway station.

As in the UK, services such as recorded and registered mail are widely available. Parcels can be sent internationally as well, however there are weight restrictions which should be checked beforehand. It is advisable to send parcels via postal exprés EMS service, not only is this service one of the most reliable - overseas packages usually arrives in 2-3 days, and domestic parcels within 24 hours (with international delivery -check if this applies to your particular destination first)

Local & social customs

When you are formally introduced - you should greet the other party with buenos dias (good day), buenas tardes (good afternoon) or buenas noches (good evening) if you are going to bed or leaving at night and shake hands.

If you are having a meal and are offered a glass of wine, wait until your host makes a toast (salud!) before taking a drink.

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Information correct at time of publishing - for up to date information please visit the British Consulate website