- Visa information
- Before moving to Spain, check to see if you require a visa or a residence permit. Most foreign nationals are permitted to buy a property in Spain, and most are allowed to visit and use it for three months in succession, but there is a maximum (six months each calendar year) - unless you are touring the country and staying in several different areas for short periods. In order to stay in the country for longer period of time - you would need to apply for an extension or a residence permit.
All foreigners require a residence permit to live permanently in Spain, and most non EEA nationals will require a visa just to enter the country. if you plan to reside permanently or work in Spain - it would be wise to contact the Spanish consulate for further information.
Working in Spain
If you wish to work in Spain - your should initially speak to, or contact the Spanish consulate. An EEA resident technically does not need a work permit to work in Spain, but you would do require a residence card, whereas a non EEA resident would require both a work permit and residence card.
- Unless you speak fluent Spanish, you will find this task quite difficult, and you should firstly consider employing a translator to assist you with some of the legal proceedings. Non EEA nationals must make an investment of around $100,000 to obtain a work permit, and may be conditional of he employment of a minimum number of EEA nationals.
Always be cautious in Spain when you are setting up a business as there are many companies and individuals who have fallen into the trap to conmen claiming they can help the process through a lot quicker than usual. It is always wise to appoint the help of an established Spanish lawyer who understands the processes.
- Travelling with pets
- Travelling overseas with pets nowadays is fairly simple - providing the processes are followed correctly. Check to make sure you have the correct papers, information and ensure that you understand this process (and do remember, if travelling via another country - you will need to adhere to their regulations as well). Pet passports can be obtained providing the animal has undergone a health check with satisfactory results. Your pet will need to be vaccinated from Rabies, undergo a blood test, and has to be fitted with a microchip. There are also some restrictions which need investigating such as maximum number of pets, age, registration, area regulations and so on.
- Regular "re-checks" are necessary, and there are certain restrictions from which destination you can leave from to go overseas. Information about this can be found from the Department for Environment.
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- Television in Spain is of course mainly broadcast in the native language, so unless you have a good command of Spanish, the chances are you will be looking at other ways to receive British television programmes.
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- The system used is Spain is PAL, which is the same format used in the U.K., however the sound is carried on a different frequency - so you will need to check with the manufacturer to see if your television set supports this. If not, conversion sets are available at quite a low price.
The rules above may differ however if you are looking at using a decoder to watch satellite TV - the rules about satellite usage in Spain are changing at this moment in time, and I suggest strongly you speak to your current satellite subscriber, or contact one of the many English owned satellite installation companies based in Spain.
- Opening an account in Spain is a fairly straight forward, and both residents and non residents can apply. It is always better if you have a friend or relative who can take you to a branch and introduce you, as usually this can be set-up while you wait. If not application forms can be obtained, or you could opt to apply for an account using communication methods such as post or fax.
It is a fact of life that most people need a will to ensure their loved ones receive what they are entitled to in the event of a death. This is of particular importance if you are looking to reside in Spain, because if a foreigner dies intestate in Spain (without a will), under Spanish law the estate may automatically disposed of. A will from the native country can suffice, but the process is considerably slower as that country's regulations (such as probate, and communication overseas) has to take place.
It is highly recommended to get a Spanish will and lawyer to help complete the process, to prevent future complications.
- There are so many myths and exaggerations made about the cost of living in Spain - and this is just a guide to help you understand some of the basic costs associated with living in Spain. There is no average salary in Spain, as this dramatically changes from region to region - and can range from €8000 to €12,000 per annum. Overall, the cost of living in Spain is less than that of countries like France, Germany and of course the U.K. It would be fair to say that a couple with two children should have an income of circa €1400 per month to cover costs (allowing for rent, food, entertainment, utility bills, insurance & clothing).
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- In Spain, one of the most important factors about your electricity usage is that you have to determine what you will actually use on a day to day basis. Once calculated- you need to obtain a contract from the local electricity supplier for the correct amount of electricity to be passed to your home (power rating). This of course has an effect on cost - but please do not deliberately under specify - as these supplies are supplied with an automated cut-off if exceeded for a period of time.
Spanish electricity is generated at 220 volts and most U.K. appliances will be compatible with this supply, Adaptor plugs can be used to convert to the Spanish sockets, and short term this will suffice (and of course these are relatively inexpensive and widely available) - but if your move is a permanent one, it may be just as well to have your electrical items re-wired.
In Spain, power cuts can be quite frequent, and a U.P.S. for computers users, or surge protectors for most electrical items could be worth investigating.
Mains gas supply in Spain is usually only found in the larger cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. Therefore, gas is usually obtained from "cylinders or bottles". If you are fortunate to have a mains gas supply, you will need to contact the company to arrange for contracts and to get it switched on. using a gas bottle is pretty straight forward, and can last a family of four up-to 6 weeks, but remember that they are heavy and tend to run out at the most inconvenient times - so plan ahead.
- There is one domestic mail rate in Spain, and most cost are quite low. If you live in a apartment - the likelihood is that your mail will be deposited into your mailbox. Most areas do have a door to door postal services, but in some of the more remote regions, t may be necessary to collect mail form the local post office.
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- Post boxes in Spain are typically yellow, and can be found mostly anywhere - in some cities there will be two slots, one for domestic and another for international. At the post office - you can find special delivery mailboxes (usually red) which can offer a speedier delivery service (this you should check beforehand, and find out the costs). In the more rural areas, it may be more difficult to find a post box, a good rule is that most post boxes can be found at the post office or railway station.
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- As in the UK, services such as recorded and registered mail are widely available. Parcels can be sent internationally as well, however there are weight restrictions which should be checked beforehand. It is advisable to send parcels via postal exprés EMS service, not only is this service one of the most reliable - overseas packages usually arrives in 2-3 days, and domestic parcels within 24 hours (with international delivery -check if this applies to your particular destination first)
- When you are formally introduced - you should greet the other party with Buenos dias (good day), buenas tardes (good afternoon) or buenas noches (good evening) if you are going to bed or leaving at night and shake hands.
- Male & female acquaintances kiss each other, usually on both c=cheeks (if a lady expect a kiss from you she will offer you her cheek).
- If you are having a meal and are offered a glass of wine, wait until your host makes a toast (salud!) before taking a drink.
Travelling with a disability
Spain is not at the forefront of providing facilities for the disabled. Many public services outside of main cities have limited or no facilities for the disabled traveller - and this should be taken into consideration before making your journey
The senior traveller is well catered for in Spain, particularly in the south.
Most public museums and archaeological sites offer senior discounts, and also apply to most train networks
Spain is one hour ahead of the UK, six hours ahead of Eastern Standard time and nine hours ahead of Pacific Standard time.
Clocks go forward the last week of March, and are set back again during the last week of October.
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