Sunny climates, a large dose of fellow expats and an easy way of life are just a few of the reasons so many Brits flock to Spain. A recent report revealed that the British made up the third largest expat group in Spain, numbering 275,817 in total. Moving to Spain is still very popular and Brexit has not put Brits off seeking the sun. Check out our new article on reasons why people move to Spain.
When moving to Spain, expats tend to head to the same areas with many living in the south in Andalucia, close to resorts such as Torremolinos whilst others head to the Balearic island of Mallorca. Brits also settle on the Costa Blanca and in Benidorm. The predominantly warm weather in these resorts is the major draw, with the likes of Torremolinos having temperatures that stay around 20’C for six months of the year. You can see why people flock here. Check out the weather in your favourite region here.
When buying a house in Spain make sure you have a lawyer who specialises in Spanish land law and don’t do business with anyone who wants to cut corners to save time and money. Disputes over land, have in recent years, hit the headlines with many Brits finding themselves homeless. Do your homework and if your Spanish is not of a high level hire a qualified translator. All the legal requirements and recommendations can be found here.
You do not need a visa to enter Spain if you are an EU resident but you will need a valid British passport. The UK basic State pension is payable in Spain. There are different ways to claim this, dependent on whether you have worked, or are working, in Spain. Check out the British governments advice here.
Healthcare in Spain is governed by different rules to the British system. If you move to Spain, work and make national insurance contributions you can claim state-run health care on the same basis as a Spanish national. Other options include purchasing a public health insurance scheme. More information on both options is available from here.
If you are looking to send your children to school there are plenty of options in Spain and what you choose will be dependent on what you feel is the correct place for your child to learn. Spain has a choice of public schools (state education), semi-private schools, private schools and a choice of international options. Short-term expats tend to favour international schools but as in much of the world, competition for good public and private schools is high. Look into all the options before making your final choice.
The cost of living in Spain is clearly linked to where you are choosing to move to. Head to major centres such as Madrid or Barcelona and rentals will be higher as will general food and eating out costs. Smaller cities or indeed villages will offer better value for money. That said, with recent documentation of the Spanish financial crisis, unemployment is high (with about a quarter of the workforce out of work), which has deepening effects on what people can and can’t afford to pay.
As an EU citizen you won’t need a work permit to find a job in Spain but with the aforementioned unemployment, those seeking a role will need to be patient. It is recommended that Brits learn some Spanish before trying to find work. Gaining a TEFL qualification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) so you can teach the Spanish, English is considered a good idea as these courses are popular. Otherwise, tourism and construction offer good opportunities for employment.
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PSS International Removals is a family run company and our desire is to ensure your family receive a friendly, professional and stress free overseas move. We have specialised in international removals for over 32 years, so whether you are planning on sending a full or part household removal, excess baggage or a vehicle we recognise the importance in ensuring that our customers receive the same level of care and attention that we would expect ourselves.
