Spain is one of the most amazing places on earth to live. Known as one of the most spectacular destinations, Spain attracts people worldwide. Famous for the laid-back lifestyle and alluring c, living in Spain comes with some drawbacks. There are specific facts you must know while relocating to Spain from the UK. Apart from the language spoken there are several advantages of moving to Spain. If you are thinking about if relocating to Spain could be a good idea, then you have bumped into the right place.
- Reasons people move to Spain: Work-life balance is essential for a person as it can rejuvenate you throughout. You will enjoy a comfortable climate and rich sunshine throughout. You can enjoy the winter with just a jacket on and the summer sunbathing at the beach. Forget the biting cold, you will enjoy a favorable climate throughout the year. Starting from Andalucia and Catalunia, you will enjoy the kiss of the sun. Spain has a rich and varied history. You will enjoy the Moorish influence and some mention-worthy places like Alhambra and Granda that are a treat to the eyes. You will have excellent access to quality healthcare all over the country, and that’s complimentary. You will get a great Mediterranean diet full of olives and vegetables to help you keep healthy. Spain is known to have a cheaper living cost than any other European country. Getting a visa here is relatively easier. A digital nomad visa will help you work remotely in Spain. Many expats live in Spain, and you can enjoy a vibrant nightlife. Enjoy life while you cherish the wine and tapas in Spain. So, if you are thinking, ‘ Can I move to Spain.?’ The answer is ‘ yes.’ There are lots of honey you can cherish upon.
- Be prepared and avoid common mistakes: If you are pondering to yourself, ‘ What do I need to move to Spain?’, you must follow some suggestions. You might be fascinated by holding a property in Spain that would cost 500,000 Euros or beyond. But, you better not jump over such a situation and initially rent a home. This will allow you some time to settle and think before investing. Know about the new culture: There are a number of expat communities. You must know about the new culture before plunging into an active social life. Know your community mates and peers before committing to a long-term relationship. Spain is where you will get everything you choose. So, you shouldn’t carry everything, just certain essential things. When you stay in a country, knowing the local language is essential. You will have to interact will the shopkeepers, vendors, and suppliers. Spanish people love when you interact with them in their language. So, learning a few words or phrases would make you advantageous. Brexit, you must abide by many rules. So, if you feel you can]t fit well into the culture apart from bagging up a job, know the immigration rules. You can consult a lawyer for this purpose. Pick the right good removal company if you decide to shift to Spain. They should know the integrities well and guide you on what to carry. Never carry things that are available at a cheap price in Spain.
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Never repeat these seven big mistakes while moving to Spain:
While Spain offers a lot of perks like free healthcare and a congenial atmosphere to work, there are many things you are required to see before you finally make a move.
1. Not researching enough:
If you are moving to a country, you must thoroughly research it. Spain is not about the beaches and tapas. Get an idea about the present job market. Do a detailed analysis of the customer’s behavior if you are all into setting up a business there. If you prefer hot and humid places, try settling on the beaches. If you love hilly and colder places, the Northern side of the country would be a better choice. Spanish is the country’s language, but Spain doesn’t speak a unified language. There is variation in every corner of the country.
2. Not going through the immigration laws:
If you have an EU residence permit that would be enough for you to migrate. If you are from Britain, there might be specific fixes, especially after Brexit. If you are not, you must abide by the present immigration rules. Refer to the present website, if you have to be aware of the recent happenings and law changes in the country. The best solution for you could be to consult a lawyer who can guide you meticulously.
3. Unnecessary investment:
There is a widespread belief that if you can buy a property in Spain, that could help you in settling. Well, the cost of the property might be lower than that of the US, UK, and other European countries, but you have to count taxes before you become a proper citizen. Purchasing a property in Spain involves paying between 8 % to 11.5 % taxes. The property could be a newly built one, resold by the bank or even the owners. The capital gains tax ranges anywhere between 19% and 24%. You can check the nonresident property tax slab; a redemption of up to 700.000 Euros. Renting a property before outright purchase could be a good idea. You will become adjusted to the neighborhood and the prevailing fluctuations in the realty market.
4. Language barrier:
As you all know, Spain is not English-speaking. If you come from counties like the UK, USA, and Canada, the first thing you might face is a language barrier. Knowing the local language is very important. Otherwise, you might face hurdles interacting with supermarket owners, restaurant owners, and government officials. Not knowing the language can anywhere make you into a pitfall. You can either use Google- translator or pick up some common salutations. The local people feel comfortable when a foreigner tries speaking their language, however imperfect it could be.
5. Laidback life:
People near the beaches are generally fun-loving and lethargic. They love to have food and wine and have a relaxing lunch break. If you come anywhere from the busiest cities, you will feel unaccustomed to this rule. But, slowly you will see yourself adjusting and getting into this culture. Peak business hours do not include recess hours. You will observe a laid-back culture during August as people are holidaying. There will be a slow bureaucracy, and people will prefer late meals. Enter the shops from 2 PM to 5 PM and never be offended by the shopkeeper’s lazy attitude as that is their siesta time.
6. Cultural differences:
There is a vast difference in culture. People greet each other with a kiss or two on the cheeks. Various languages are spoken here like Valencian, Catalonian, Basque, Galician, and more. Life is mostly about wine and tapas. If you have come from a fast-moving country, you will get a culture shock and time to get adjusted to prevailing customs.
7. Paying taxes meticulously:
There are separate tax slabs for the resident and non-resident people in the country. Savings taxes are composed of the dividend and income generated by the companies. Capital gains are generated from the transfer of assets. There are several income allocations for various categories. There is a distinction between the taxes paid by individuals in the case of EU and non – EU residents. So, be clear of all these when you are finally migrating to Spain.
Tips to know before immigrating to Spain:
Spanish territory is regarded as the ideal place for people to migrate worldwide. There are some tips you should know before finally making a move.
- You must choose the residence permit or visa ideal for you. Refer to the relevant website and get all the details from there.
- Check the specific requirement and see what fits you.
- Understand certain things very well. You can apply for a permit while in or more from your resident country/ Laws are different in all situations. So you have to abide accordingly.
- Follow the general procedure to move to Spain. After getting a job offer, you have to visit the Embassy or consulate in your resident country. The consulate will issue you a visa, and you must travel within 90 days from the date of receipt. Once you enter the country, you must apply for the NIE number, and you will be granted residence authorization. Once you renew your permit for ten years, then you can apply for citizenship.
- If you do not belong to the EU, you will not be allowed to enter the country without a proper visa. You have to check if you are the right fit to be an entrepreneur in order to be in the country.
- You can apply for the non-lucrative visa provided you have sufficient economic means for sustenance.
- Bringing your family to the country is relatively easy once you obtain a work permit. You can easily bring your parents, spouse, and children below 18 years.
Conclusion:
So, if you have decided to shift to this beautiful country, you must research how to get there without many hazards. Studying the market and consumer behavior would be instrumental in setting up a business. Get accustomed to the culture and prepare your mind to fit in nicely. Do an extensive study on the living standards and compare the prices before you step in. Make your financial plan, and then you will be better. Take the help of an immigration lawyer for legal integrities. Before you ask yourself, ‘ Can I move to Spain? ‘, make sure you have all the answers and are better equipped for an environment shift. Best of luck to anybody planning a move to Spain and have read this article!
