Many foreigners considering relocating to Europe decide to buy properties in Madrid or another up-and-coming Spanish city. This sunny country on the Iberian Peninsula attracts expats thanks to its breathtaking scenery, versatile cuisine, laid-back atmosphere, and low cost of living.
Below you can find a checklist with the necessary tasks that may occur when foreigners plan to move to Spain.
Choose location
Spain, like any other country, has cities that will suit everyone perfectly. When choosing a place for relocation, future expats should start with factors like potential lifestyle, habits, financial capabilities, and personal desires. Most frequently, their choices fall on the following three locations:
- Madrid. The Spanish capital is well-known for its vibrant nightlife and rich culture. There is always something to do, starting with visits to theater performances or visiting a local cocktail bar. Last year, Madrid took tenth place among the world’s best cities for expats.
2. Valencia. This is a great choice for expats with tight budgets. The cost of living is much lower here than in other major cities like Madrid. Local cuisine is the main pride of the Valencians. Many foreigners come here to enjoy traditional Spanish fresh seafood dishes.
3. Barcelona. Barcelona combines modern urban infrastructure and well-maintained sandy beaches. With this, local residents can maintain a perfect balance between work and recreation. Besides beaches, one of the safest cities in the world, offers great weather, delicious Catalan cuisine, art museums, busy nightlife, and a thriving expat community.
Do your research
The thought of living under the Spanish sun conjures up a number of images in people’s minds. Some instantly think of traditional flamenco dancers and matadors, others imagine the sun, sand, and sangria. Some people will remember local dishes like paella and tapas. But the soon-to-be expat should delve deeper into the issue of what his or her life will be like in a new country.
The research should cover everything about a new home, from the quality of local education and real estate to the overall cost of living and grocery prices at a nearby supermarket. The best way to get this kind of information is to find a reliable source. If a foreigner has acquaintances residing in Spain, he can ask them. Another option is to connect with the local expat community on online forums or social media groups.
After selecting a location and researching it, a future expat can start house hunting. A huge database of Spanish properties is presented on the official Spain-Real.Estate website. The specialists working in the company properly check the agencies and developers aiming for cooperation with the aggregator before adding their offer to the catalogue.
Acquire a home
So, home buyers do not have to worry about the possible fraudulent scams. They can contact the representatives of Spain-Real.Estate to get:
- Assistance with selecting a residential unit according to their financial capabilities and preferences;
- Full support during a real estate transaction;
- Comprehensive advice on any issue connected to the transaction;
- After-sales service.
Apply for a Spanish visa
Like other EU-countries, Spain has a two-level immigration system. EU/EEA citizens have the right to reside and work in the country. Others must apply for a visa. It allows foreigners to live, work, and travel to Spain.
The requirements largely depend on the foreigner’s nationality and various individual circumstances, for example, his plans and stay time in the country. To stay in the country for more than 90 days, expats need to apply for long-term visas.
The Golden Visa programme is popular among foreigners. For this, they should make real estate investments worth 500,000 euros in local properties. In addition to the right to work, reside, and study in the country, as well as the right to obtain Spanish citizenship after 10 years, they also receive the following benefits:
- The opportunity to visit any Schengen country without a visa;
- The possibility to obtain a residence permit for family members;
- The possibility to keep the residence permit without permanently staying in the country.
Move your stuff
Any expat will tell you that one of the most difficult aspects of relocating abroad is moving your belongings to your new home. If a foreigner plans to take the essentials with him and buy the rest in Spain, he will be able to do everything on his own. Otherwise, he should contact an international company that helps with the transport of personal items, for example, Crown Relocations or The Relocator.
Get an insurance policy
One of the most important things to do before moving to another country is to take care of health insurance for him and his family. The country offers both a public and private health care system. Locals prefer to use the public system. However, many expats choose to take out private health insurance before their arrival in Spain.
Some of the most popular global health insurance providers include:
- Allianz;
- April International;
- Signa Global.
By dealing with medical insurance beforehand, foreigners can rest easy from the first second after landing.
Get your finances sorted out
Expatriates should keep a close eye on their financial situation throughout the entire relocation process. This helps deal with any unexpected expenses that may occur. In spite of the fact that Spain is more affordable than other European countries in many ways, try to save money when possible.
An easy way to save money when moving abroad is to use online money transfer platforms. These services allow you to avoid additional bank fees. Some platforms even offer multi-currency accounts that help get by until they get their first paycheck.