Making the move
Only you can decide if Spain is for you. Whether you are looking at a permanent move or to split your time between Spain and the UK, it’s a big decision and not one to be taken lightly. The hot weather may be an obvious attraction but there is more to life than bright blue skies and balmy nights, don’t let the weather be the only reason for your move.
Here are a few more reasons which make Spain a very attractive option:
  • High annual economic growth rate
  • 3rd lowest cost of living in Europe (behind Portugal and Greece)
  • World Health Organization ranks Spain as having the 7th best healthcare system in the World
  • Easy (and cheap) travel to most UK airports
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    Once you have decided on which part of Spain you are going to, you need to decide on the best way of getting there. See here for more information on motoring matters
    Budgeting
    Moving costs can accumulate quickly and people are often caught out as many expenses are overlooked. Here is a basic checklist to help you remember what you might need to include in your moving budget:
  • Removal costs
  • Storage
  • Fuel, ferry/eurostar, overnight accommodation and tolls if driving from the UK
  • Mail redirection
  • Temporary accommodation upon arrival (hotel, apartment etc)
  • Car rental
  • Deposit for a rental property
  • 1st months’ rent
  • Car buying and insurance costs
  • House and contents insurance costs
  • Utility connection / transfer
  • Buying new appliances, furniture etc for the house
  • School Fees
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    Before You Go
    To make sure you don’t forget something vitally important, follow this guide for matters that need to be dealt with before you leave the country:
    Home and travel
  • Decide which possessions you want to take with and which items you can sell before you leave.
  • Obtain estimates for the move from at least three removal companies.
  • Purchase boxes, labels and bubble wrap. When you pack boxes, list the contents on a label.
  • Make sure you have nothing on loan such as videos, dvd’s, library books etc.
  • Have you anything at the dry cleaners?
  • Arrange moving date and confirm at least twice.
  • Check all the details of your Spanish purchase. Confirm mortgage and lawyers.
  • Make sure you have some cash for your journey and arrival in Spain.
  • Notify authorities, banks, building societies etc of your new contact details.
  • Check any schooling arrangements for the children. See more about Spanish education here.
  • Make arrangements for your pets travel and arrival. See more about pets here.
  • Check passports, travel tickets and car documents.
  • Have you got travel insurance ? Have you a green card for your car insurance ?
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    Personal
    You’ll need to consider your pensions, tax, life assurance, investments and healthcare arrangements in your new home. Members of EU countries such as a UK national, a Dane, a Swede or Norwegian has the right to live in Spain by virtue of their countries’ membership of the European Economic Area.

    If you are retiring abroad, you can continue to receive your UK State pension. If you are moving permanently to Spain, you should get yearly increases in your pension. Read more about Pensions here.
    Tax
    Personal circumstances vary greatly but you may cease to be liable to UK tax if you cut all ties with the UK and become domiciled abroad. However you will technically be a UK resident if you spend a requisite number of days in the UK and will consequently be liable for UK tax on your income. Obtain more information on tax and your domicile status from the Inland Revenue’s document called IR20. If you do change you residency cash held offshore may still be liable to tax in Spain depending on local tax rules. Please note that Spain imposes a wealth tax on your world-wide assets. However, as Spain and UK have a double taxation treaty you should be given relief for double taxation. Please remember that if you are proposing to rent out your UK property this will attract a UK income tax charge. See here for more information on Taxes.
    Making the move
    Once you have decided on which part of Spain you are going to, you need to decide on the best way of getting there. If you decide to drive, make sure you read our section on driving in Spain.

    You can catch a car ferry at many English ports and buy a one way or return ticket. Look out for promotional offers for day trips to France, they offer great value and you can simply choose not to return at the end of the day! A point to note is that if you bring a caravan over with you, most ferries will not sell you a one way ticket so you must use the tunnel. Consider carefully the cost of a crossing to Calais and the additional cost of petrol and tolls as opposed to a crossing to Santander or Bilbao. Be warned, this is a long crossing in what are often rough waters so if you don’t have the best sea legs, then this might not be for you. Driving through France can work out to be quite pricey as the toll fees can be high and on some routes there are a lot of them. However, there are alternative routes with very few tolls and the roads are still good quality motorways, we’re not talking country lanes!
    Flying over is a cheap alternative if all you have are a couple of cases. There are many budget airlines operating various routes to and from the UK and Spain. Time it right and you can fly for as little as a penny!
    Whichever way you decide to get to Spain, there are several things you must bring with you. Driving licences/Car insurance papers, Birth/Marriage certificates, Passports, Bank books/cheque and credit cards, national health card (See here for further information on Spain’s Healthcare System) and remember, make several photocopies of all your documents!
    Arriving in Spain
    Upon arrival, one of your first ports of call should be to your local town hall to “empadronar”. This registers you with the local council and you will be given the right to vote should you want to. It is important not to underestimate the importance of doing this, not only will you need it for your NIE application, but it is also the only way that the population an be monitored and therefore has an immediate impact on local council budgets and facilities.

    For further information on the empadron, NIE’s and residencia, click here.
    And Remember......
    If you are finding adjusting difficult, maybe things aren’t going your way to start with, you can’t get used to the slower pace of life and find it frustrating then stop. Moving abroad doesn’t mean that you are never going to have a bad day in your life ever again. Just smile, enjoy yourself and whatever happens do not ever say “it’s not like this at home”.
    You left the UK behind for a reason remember?