A guide for moving to Spain

It’s never an easy feat to move to a new country, and while the process can be streamlined by your new company, doing your own research and preparation is essential. With that in mind, here are some pointers we thought would get you started:

Moving your belongings

In order to ship your belongings to Spain, you’ll need the following documentation:

• Passport
• NIE
• Residence certificate
• Letter from your employer confirming you have work (if you are not retiring)
• Application for duty free import
• Your house deeds for your Spanish home or a rental contract
• A full inventory of the goods in Spanish

Learning the Language

If your Spanish speaking skills aren’t entirely up to scratch, a useful idea would be to try a language course before moving, you never know what this will come in handy. If you are living around a large number of expats from the same country as you, you may be reluctant to learn however, you will have an easier time dealing with the legal and admin side of things as well as boosting your job search and making new friends amongst the locals.

Healthcare in Spain

Spain has a national healthcare service which is free or at a very low cost for all EU citizens. Be sure that you are properly registered to work in Spain and that you are paying National Insurance contributions, in order to be eligible for the state-run health care just like a Spanish national. If  you would prefer private healthcare, double check the T’s and C’s of your current health insurance in the UK, which will most likely only cover you for a small amount of time outside of the UK.

Set up a Spanish bank account and phone contract

It is mandatory for you to have a Spanish bank account, this will allow you to receive your payments and pay your bills. If you can sign up and register for a bank account before arriving in Spain it will be easier for you to move any funds from your old account to your new one. The main benefit is that it will make all services regarding rent, bills and expenditures much more efficient and simplified in comparison to using a non-Spanish account. Furthermore, carry out research on which banks have the ideal accounts and you should consider factors such as the international transfer costs and rates.

Familiarise yourself with the cost of living and renting

You should keep in mind when looking for an area to live whether you would prefer larger vibrant city areas with a thriving night life, or quieter towns and beautiful scenery. Although it may be true that living costs are much lower in Spain than other European countries, the average wages are recognised as being lower. With this, it is important to consider the exact type of role that you would be working in and how compatible your new lifestyle will be in Spain. Consider transportation costs and how long the commute is to the town/city area surrounding your workplace. These are all key components to whether you will acclimatise being in a new environment.