If you've decided to move to Spain, determination
and patience is the key. The weather may be a huge attraction
for the Spanish lifestyle but don't move for this reason alone.
The sun is great when you're on holiday but if you need to work
in it to survive, it's very different. Be prepared for a pace
a lot slower than in Britain, things seem to take a little longer
to get done over there. Trust me, living and working in Spain
full time is not a holiday in any sense of the word.
Emmigrating to Spain is a lot easier if you
have a home to go to and a job waiting for you in Spain, although
finding employment in Spain is relatively easy provided you have
a skill and can prove you were trained in the UK.
If you are planning to house hunt after you
have emmigrated, there are plenty of very affordable places to
rent, especially if you go out of season. Holiday villas are usually
standing emtpy out of season and owners are willing to let them
out for very generous rates just to have them occupied in quiet
periods. When it comes to buying, Spanish relocation services
are more than happy to deal with Expats and can usually find exactly
what you're looking for a lot quicker than you could on your own.
Once you've taken the plunge and decided to
go, here's some things to think about.
Decide which possessions you will take to Spain.
The less you take, the cheaper the removals costs will be.
Obtain estimates for the move from at least
three removal companies. Get quotes from companies from both ends.
Once you've chosen a company to provide your
removal to Spain, make sure you confirm the date at least twice
and get written confirmation of the collection and delivery dates.
Moving to Spain means your goods are in transit for a long time.
Make sure everything is boxed and wrapped safely and clearly labelled.
Make sure you have some cash for your journey
and arrival in Spain.
Notify the DVLA, banks, building societies etc...
of your new contact details. Most banks will allow you to keep
your bank account open with them even though you are out of the
country.
Remember though, If you use a UK bank, you will
have to pay UK taxes on any savings you have. Check you have passports,
travel tickets, car and insurance documents and your Spanish NIE
to hand. The last thing you want is to realise at the last minute
that your passport is on it's way to Spain in a box without you!
For more information, check out: http://moving-to-spain.wiop.co.uk
Dave Lewis: Aspiring author, web designer, full time transport
manager, part time coach driver and all round nice guy, has a
wealth of experience in all things computer related, travel, keep-fit
and many more. He is currently busy expanding his website: http://www.wiop.co.uk
WioP: The World In One Place
