Top Five Things You Need To Know When Moving To Spain

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Top Five Things You Need To Know When Moving To Spain

With its incredible natural scenery, energetic yet historic cities and vibrant culture and architecture, Spain may just be an expat’s dream country for an international move. Whether you’re teaching English on a gap year or relocating with your company, Spain is a wonderful country for newly minted expats or seasoned international travelers. Here to make your transition easier, we’ve rounded up the top five things you need to know while moving to Spain.

Written exclusively for Expat Network by Kevin Gardner

1. Get a Visa

First things first, as is with most countries, you’ll need a visa to stay longer than three months if you’re a U.S. citizen or citizen of non-EU countries (EU citizens do not have this problem and can work freely). Before moving to Spain, you’ll need to visit the nearest Spanish Embassy and apply for a visa. After you’ve arrived in Spain, you’ll need to apply within three months for your permit with the Ministry of Interior. If you find yourself staying in Spain for years and years, there is a path to citizenship! Once you’ve been living in Spain for five years, you can apply for permanent residence (which applies to EU as well) and if you make it to ten years, you can apply for Spanish citizenship.

2. Find a place to live

So you’ve got your visa, now you need some place to sleep at night! Unfortunately, finding rental agents may be difficult if you don’t already speak fluent Spanish. While there are some agencies that have English-speaking agents, they can be few and far between. Do your homework and keep calling, until you’ve found someone who you can communicate with. If there are absolutely no English speaking agents in your city, try using WhatsApp or Google to translate. Communication is vital when finding and renting a rental in another country! Make sure you’ve vetting your landlord’s reputation, always see your rental in person, and comb through any paperwork before signing.

3. Find a job

While most people will already have a job lined up, if you’re an adventurous gap year student or backpacker, you might be looking for something on the go, especially if you’re already an EU citizen and don’t need special visas to work. Popular options for jobs for expats in Spain include teaching English and working seasonal jobs in tourist areas where they need English speakers. Why not try freelance English teaching? Or make your way to your favorite seasonal tourist destination and market your English skills.

4. Get Healthcare

Spain is a great choice for expats looking to relocate due to its excellent health care! Spanish health care is run by the state and free for its residents. If you’re an expat living and working there, you can also get free state healthcare! While you may have to pay for certain medical work if it’s extremely specialist, in general your health care should be free while working in Spain, so check that off your list! You’ll just need to be a resident in Spain who is either employed or self-employed and paying social security contributions. You can also get free healthcare from the state if you’re temporarily staying but have an EHIC card. Either way, you’ll need to register to get access to the public health care system. You’ll do this by registering with the social security office in your province. To register with social security you’ll need a valid ID card, residency certificate, and proof of registering address with the town hall. Once you get your social security number, you can then apply for the national health card.

5. Adapt to local culture

So you’re all set up with your paperwork, apartment, job, and health care card. Now it’s time to adapt to the local culture! Spanish culture and habits have their own rhythm and sensibility. A rhythm that may be way off your old schedule. Did someone say dinner at 9:30 pm? A three-hour siesta in the middle of the day when all the shops close down? Rather than fighting your new schedule (and the schedule of the entire village or city you’re living in), embrace your new living rhythms. This is a new culture, with new rules, and unless a rule completely conflicts with your value system, try to take the new rules and adapt them as your own. After all, who doesn’t appreciate an afternoon rest? Embrace your new relaxed pace and culture.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.