Spending Money in Spain|Spanish Currency Transactions

Moving to Spain - Money and Currency Transactions in Spain

The Currency in Spain is the Euro

Banks in Spain
As a general rule, banks in Spain are open from Monday to Friday from 9.00am -14.00pm and on Saturdays from 9.00am to 13.00pm; however, in summer they may close a little earlier. Nevertheless, in my experience, many Spanish banks will be willing to stay and deal with your queries after closing time, as long as you have arrived there before 14.00.

Many banks in major Spanish cities have employees who speak English and can cope with all international transactions. You can choose to wait to talk to these employees if you find the Spanish language a problem. However this is not always the case. If you are moving to Spain, it would be well worth asking your local estate agent or gestor which local banks provide this service as this could save you a lot of problems later on. Learning Spanish is one thing; learning Spanish banking language and regulations can be quite another!

When you move to Spain it is good to note that most Spanish banks offer an internet service, where you can choose your language of transaction and undertake most transactions on the internet. Many Spanish expats find this service invaluable.

When using Spanish banking services, please remember that you will need to show your passport to the bank cashier, so have it with you at all times. In fact, it is mandatory throughout Spain to carry your passport (or, if you are living in Spain, your residencia) at all times.

If you wish to change foreign currency for Spanish Euros, you will be charged a commission on the transaction. Together with the cost of exchange rates, this can prove expensive. However, in many Spanish tourist areas you can find shops and offices who will exchange currency. Often the exchange rate and commission is favourably comparable to those offered by Spanish banks, so it’s a good idea to bear this in mind if you are staying in or moving to a tourist area in Spain and have brought foreign currency with you.

Being Paid in Spain
When moving to Spain, you may still be employed by a UK, or other nation company or have a foreign pension paid into your Spanish bank account. This can also prove costly, especially if you are paid by cheques in foreign currency, as you will not only be subject to the vagaries of the exchange rate, but foreign currency cheques can carry an extra charge in Spanish banks. It would therefore be a good idea before moving to Spain, to ask your employer, or pension company, if they could pay you in Euros. This is often not possible, but it is certainly worth asking.

Using Credit Cards in Spain
Most major credit cards are accepted throughout Spain, however, as in many countries, the establishment where you pay using your card may put a limit on the amount you can pay or charge you extra for the transaction.

Using Cash Machines in Spain
Most towns in Spain (and even many villages) have ATMs (cash machines) and, although you will be charged for each transaction, it may be worth using these rather than your credit card on some occasions. Most ATMs have instructions in a number of different languages as well as Spanish, so they are easy to use.

One thing to note about ATM machines in Spain. Some of these are in locked cubicles just inside the lobby of the bank when accessed outside of Spanish banking hours. You will need to swipe your card across the door lock to open it. Some Spanish banks accept all cards in their locks, but others only accept cards belonging to the banking company in question. When moving to Spain it would therefore be a very good idea, not only to ensure that you know where to find a nearby external (unlocked) ATM machine which accepts all credit cards, or where the nearest locked cubicle is which will take your credit card. This is really important, as Spanish banking hours are not only short, but Spanish banks also close for many public holidays and local fiestas and it could be many days before you find a bank open again.

Taxes on Purchases Made in Spain
As in the UK, tax is charged on most purchases in Spain. Spanish purchase tax is known as IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado) and varies between 7% and 33%, depending on the purchase made. Food, wine and basic living necessities are taxed at 7%, most other goods and services are taxed at 16% and luxury items including jewellery and cigarettes are taxed at 33%. As I write, the Spanish Government is considering lowering the tax on fuel in Spain, owing to nation wide protests, but it’s early days on that one...

Buying Property in Spain
When considering moving to Spain and purchasing Spanish property, you need to be aware that you can be hit by fluctuating exchange rates. As I write, the value of the Pound is lower in relation to the Euro than it has been for a long time (1 Pound will get you 1.248 Euros). If you have already planned how much your property is gong to cost, you need to take account of this. If Stirling falls any more against the Euro, your Spanish property will cost you more. Of course, if the opposite occurs, your Spanish house will cost you less.

It is obviously better to err on the side of caution and allow more money for your purchase of property in Spain to cover fluctuating exchange rates. It would also be a good idea to use a currency specialist to find you better exchange rates. I you think you can judge the market, or your currency specialist is able to do so, it would be profitable to buy your property when rates are best for you, or agree a fixed price based on an exchange rate with the Spanish estate agent or with your Spanish bank.

I hope all this has helped you iif you are considering living in Spain or travelling to Spain. A little foresight about Spanish currency, banking, purchasing and exchange rates, can make Moving to Spain so much easier.

Driving in Spain

When you are thinking About Moving To Spain you need to consider how you will get around, either when you visit Spain to view property, or when you finally make your Spanish move. This is why this post on Driving in Spain will try to give you as many details as possible.

Spain is a very large country and, although Spanish transport is good considering the area it has to cover, it is often infrequent and it will severely limit your ability to travel around Spain, or even get to the shops in the next village, if you do not have use of a car.

Spanish Car Hire Companies:

When you visit Spain to view Spanish property, you will probably wish to opt for a hire car. Prices on these vary, but you can usually pick up some good deals, either when you book your flight to Spain, or separately, via the internet. Some Spanish car hire companies expect you to pay for a full tank of petrol or diesel as well as the hire fee before you can take the car, others will charge you only the hire fee, but will expect you to return your Spanish hire car with a full tank of gas.

If you are not sure about where to find a Spanish hire car at a reasonable cost, you can always look at Spanish expat forums; the members on these often post the latest details on car hire companies.

Driving in Spain:

If you are flying to Spain from the UK, then you will need to get used to driving on the right. Once you have driven a few miles, this will be ok, but take it easy when you first embark with your Spanish hire car, until you get used to this.

If you are moving to Spain or driving over to Spain and travelling by ferry, you can bring your own car. However, there are some rules you must follow:

All EU citizens and all tourists in Spain who are driving foreign registered vehicles, must carry with them at all times:

• Your passport (others travelling in Spain with you must also carry theirs). If you are driving in Spain as a tourist, your passport must be current until after your return home.

• Your current driving licence. It appears that the EU type licence is accepted easier if you are stopped by the Spanish ‘trafficos’ (traffic police) (and drivers of foreign registered vehicles in Spain are often stopped...).

• Two EU approved red warning triangles. If your vehicle breaks down while you are driving in Spain, you will have to place one of the warning triangles 100 metres behind your car and one 100 metres in front.

• Reflective ‘High Visibility’ Jackets or vests. At least 2, and if you intend to carry more passengers with you while you are driving in Spain, you will need to carry one for each passenger. If you have a breakdown, or have to leave your vehicle at any time while you are driving in Spain, all those who step outside the car, at any time of day, Must Be Wearing Their Reflective Vest. The vests must also be visible to any Spanish traffico who inspects your car from the outside, so make sure they are in the glove compartment or the back seat pocket. These jackets to carry while you are driving in spain are inexpensive and can be bought at most supermarkets. (If you hire a Spanish rental car, this will be fitted with two reflective jackets as standard).

• You will need to carry a set of spare lamps or bulbs for your car and the tools to change them if necessary.

• If you wear corrective glasses for driving, the law in Spain says you must also carry a spare pair.

• The number plate of your foreign registered car should be an EU one with the ring of stars containing your country code. If not, a small plate or sticker with your country code (GB, for example) should be secured to the rear of your car.

• When driving in Spain (and anywhere else in the EU for that matter) you will need to carry valid insurance documents with you.

• In fact, while driving in Spain, all vehicle documents relating to your car must be carried with you at all times.

• Although it is not always considered mandatory, you should carry a First Aid Kit and a Fire Extinguisher with you, for travel in Spain or anywhere else.
  

• If you do not live in the EU, but wish to drive in Spain, you will need an International Driving Licence issued by the correct authority in your home country. For using this licence in Spain, at least one page of information must be in Spanish.

However, although you can drive in Spain as a ‘tourist’, this is only for a three month period as far as driving insurance is concerned. So you will need to sort out insurance cover if you intend to use your foreign car for driving in Spain for any length of time. This may involve Spanish import duties, so you will need to discuss this with an insurance broker. I would also recommend checking out details on Spanish expat forums to check the latest regulations on this as they do change from time to time and from vehicle to vehicle.

Spanish Roads:

Many of the roads in Spain are excellent. Over recent years, new motorways have been built in many Spanish regions and Spanish ‘A roads’ are often of good quality too. However these can vary. As to other roads in Spain, some are very poor (and sometimes dangerous). Spain is a large country and maintenance of local roads, although an important part of Spanish Local Government work, is a massive and ongoing task. So please take care when driving in Spain, looking out particularly for signs which say “Peligroso! Carretera Muy Estrecha” (danger! very narrow road ahead), or any Spanish road sign which has “Peligroso!” or “Peligro!” in the wording. Sometimes it is fine, but at other times these Spanish local roads can be dangerous for the unwary visitor.

Roads in Spain are classified as follows:

Autopista (motorway) - A or E - prefix to road number: these can be toll roads Maximum speed 120 kph (73 mph).
Autovia - dual carriageway, not necessarily with a central reservation. Speed limits vary from 80 to 110 kph.
Carretera Nacional - N or CN - prefix to road number, main roads. Speed limits 100 to 60 kph
Carretera Local (highway). Speeds vary considerably, from 20 kph or less through Spanish villages, to up to 100 kph on better, straight roads (there are not many of these though).
As in many parts of Europe, speed restrictions in Spain also vary according to the type of vehicle driven, so watch out for this too, especially if you are driving a motor home or a large van in Spain.

Other things about Driving in Spain:

Spanish Traffic lights (semaforas): In Spain these are often situated only at the stop line of a junction for the driver in front to see only. Traffic lights warning of a junction are usually placed overhead.

When you are driving in Spain, watch out for Spanish pedestrians. Many will hold up their hand and step out in front of you, expecting you to stop.

Also watch out for Spanish scooter drivers. Although they are expected to obey Spanish driving laws and remain in the slow lane unless overtaking, Spanish scooter drivers take many risks. You could be in a traffic queue and a scooter driver will come up on your blind side to ‘squeeze in’ the queue. Always watch out for Spanish scooter drivers when you move off or pull out to overtake.

Watch out for ‘no overtaking’ signs when driving in Spain. As everywhere else, they are there for a reason. In Spain you will find many of these because of the winding roads. Do not ignore them. The outcome of doing so on a high Spanish mountain road is not worth the risk.

When you are driving in Spain, all people in the car must wear seatbelts if fitted, and children must be in specially approved (EU) seats situated only in the rear. If you are driving in Spain with dogs in your car, they must be in the back of the vehicle, with a barrier between them and the driver.

Using a mobile phone while you are driving in Spain is now illegal. You can be fined by a Spanish traffico even for using your phone when you are parked at the side of the road. So please do not do this.

The use of Navigation aids (GPS) are still a ‘grey area’ in Spain as I write this. A Spanish traffico can stop you if he thinks your use of a GPS is making your driving dangerous. Best to pull over or ask your passenger to check instead.

Do not break any traffic laws when driving in Spain. For most Spanish traffic offences there are on the spot fines and you will not be able to leave Spain until you have paid them.

Moving to Spain with your foreign registered car:

If you intend to use your foreign registered car to drive in Spain, you must remember that you are only allowed to do this for six months out of any year. Your car must be road worthy, insured and taxed. However, you cannot renew your Tax or MOT on a foreign registered car in Spain. You must do this in the country in which it is registered.

If you are considering bringing your foreign registered, right hand drive car when you move to Spain and register it under Spanish plates, the general consensus seems to be, it really isn’t worth it. It is very difficult and expensive to get a right hand drive car registered with Spanish number plates. Most drivers moving to Spain permanently prefer to sell their old car before they move to Spain and purchase a Spanish registered car on arrival.

When moving to Spain and purchasing a Spanish registered car, you will need the following:

Passport.
NIE Number.
Drivers Licence from your home country.
Official proof of your address in Spain. This could be the Escritura on your Spanish property, your rental agreement, or Certificado de Empadronimiento (registration with your local Spanish authority).

There are many more details about Driving in Spain you may wish to know. You can find these out by looking at the website for the Spanish Traffic Authority (DGT.es). Spanish expat forums are often helpful too, as are magazines you can buy at your local bookstore and books published by the RAC and AA which you may be able to find at your local library.

But I hope the above details about driving in Spain will help you with moving to Spain and living here some time soon.

About Moving to Spain – Spanish Dentists and Farmacias

Dentists in Spain

When moving to Spain you will find that Spanish Dental Practitioners are usually excellent. There are many working in towns, cities and many health centres in villages throughout Spain. You can find a long list of dentists (dentistas) by looking in the Spanish Yellow Pages (Paginas Amarillas) or simply by asking your neighbours or looking along your local town street. In fact, you will often find a dentist in the large Spanish supermarkets.

You will often find much better dental care in Spain than with NHS dentists in the UK. However, Dentists in Spain are not part of the Spanish National Health Service with regards payment. They often work within the Spanish health system, but when it comes to paying them, they are paid as private practitioners. Nevertheless, the cost of private dental treatment in Spain is considerably lower than in the UK and compares well to NHS charges.

You can get emergency dental treatment in Spain at your local hospital, but expats have had mixed reactions to the practitioners who work in the Spanish dental emergency profession, but this, I suggest, is not different from reactions to emergency dental treatment in the UK.

If you prefer, you can go to a private Spanish dentist for your treatment. You can find many private practitioners in most Spanish Cities and large towns. It will cost you a little more than at your local health clinic, but prices are still lower than in the UK.

Spanish Farmacias (Chemists)

When moving to Spain, one of the first things you will notice is the abundance of Farmacias. You will notice them by the large green crosses displayed outside (many with additions of time and local temperature). You can find farmacias on most major streets in large Spanish cities and at least one in almost every town and large village in Spain. Even if you live in a remote Spanish village, you should be able to get to a farmacia without too much difficulty. In many ways they are the backbone of the Spanish health service.

The law in Spain states that farmacias must operate on a rota system so that there is always one open. Your local Spanish press will carry details of the duty farmacia. Details are also posted on the door of the farmacias and often outside your local town hall.

Spanish farmacias will give you basic medical advice and prescribe some forms of medication as they are trained to do so.

When you move to Spain, what you will also notice about Spanish farmacias is that they dispense many medicines without prescription which are not available under the same terms in the UK. For instance, if you arrive in Spain and have forgotten to reapply for a prescription for an inhaler or for birth control pills, if you take the item along to your local farmacia, they can often either find the medication for you, or find a medication very similar. Antibiotics are also usually dispensed by the Spanish farmacia without prescription as are some forms of pain killers which are not available without prescription in the UK.

If you suffer from any health problems, it is most advisable to consult your doctor before you move to Spain. He or she can give you a prescription to cover you for your first month in Spain at least, and can also write down the generic name of the medication you are taking, so that you can show this to the Spanish farmacia and local doctor and the Spanish equivalent can be found quickly. It is also advisable to take old copies of your prescriptions with you when you move to Spain, so that these can also be referred to by the farmacia if necessary.

The cost of medication in Spain is usually lower than in the UK when sold privately by the farmacia, and if you are registered under the Spanish Social Security system, you can take along your prescription and get a substantial discount on the cost (or pay nothing if you are a pensioner).

Alternative Health Care in Spain

There are also alternative chemists such as Chinese clinics and herbal clinics. They are rapidly growing in popularity and most of them speak English. If you look along the streets of most Spanish cities and some major towns, you should find a range of alternative health practitioners.

Overall, when moving to Spain you will find that the healthcare here is excellent and offers you a variety of choices. So, as long as you make sure you are prepared with paperwork or private insurance, you should find no problems here. And so you can get on with all the good things about moving to Spain, without worrying about how you will deal with your health.

About Moving to Spain – Spanish Healthcare

Moving to Spain is a serious step to make, but it can be enjoyed as long as you follow sensible precautions, so here are a few to help you on your way:

Spanish Water:
Nowadays, Spanish tap water is usually safe, but does vary in quality from town to town, so it would be best to at least start out drinking bottled water until you are more acclimatised. Many Spanish villages have a source of drinking water called a ‘canyon’ (often from a tap in the village square), this is usually pure, but again, get acclimatised first. The last thing you want to begin you move to Spain with is an upset tummy from drinking water which is unfamiliar.

The Spanish Heat:
Be prepared for the heat when you move to Spain. Your holidays on the Spanish Costas will not have prepared you for the every day searing heat which occurs in most areas of Spain throughout the summer months. Do not try to sunbathe or over exert yourself during siesta hours – the Spanish people do not. If you do not take precautions when first moving to Spain you could end up with prickly heat or even a bad attack of sunstroke, which could be avoided with a little care. Stay inside as much as you can in the air conditioning when it is too hot, drink plenty of bottled water, and make sure you have enough salt in your diet (no need to overdo it though).

Stray Animals in Spain:
Just like when you go anywhere (or even when you live in the place you now call home), take care when moving to Spain with wild animals and even those you think may be pets. There are many stray cats and dogs in Spain. Despite intense efforts by the Spanish Government, some of these strays carry diseases. You do not want to get a bite from an infected animal, so best to avoid strays wandering around your Spanish village if possible. You will find that this is what most of the Spanish villagers do anyhow.

Nevertheless, however careful you may be, when moving to Spain emergencies can happen and one of the most important things you need to know is the telephone number to call in case of health or other emergency.

The emergency phone number in Spain is 112

The Spanish Healthcare System

The Spanish healthcare system is usually excellent, although it differs slightly from that in the UK. Most Spanish hospitals are modern and well-equipped and Spanish Medical Practitioners are excellent.

Spanish Nurses are highly qualified also, but the emphasis on nursing care is more in line with the ‘nurse practitioner' system growing in the UK, in that Spanish nurses deal with medical care, but do not perform basic care duties, such as feeding, changing and washing patients. The Spanish emphasis on families extends to hospitals in Spain and family members usually carry out these duties.

In line with this policy, a member of the patient’s family will be allowed to be with the patient twenty four hours a day, in order that they can carry out this care. Of course, this may come as a shock to someone moving to Spain and used to UK hospital visiting hours.

When moving to Spain you must also remember that, even in areas where there are many expats, hospital staff often do not speak English, but the hospital may be able to give you details of a translator who can help you with urgent medical matters.

Spanish Health Care has its emphasis firmly placed on ‘prevention’ rather than waiting until a cure is necessary. Therefore nearly all villages in Spain will have a Centro de Salud, where the doctor will not only see patients who are ill, but also give recommendations on eating and lifestyle.

You Spanish Centro de Salud will often be busy and the doctor may often be late, but the care is usually excellent with an emphasis on following up the treatment to ensure that the patient’s health has progressed well.

Entitlement to free Healthcare in Spain

All visitors to Spain from the EU, whether moving to Spain or not, should carry the European Health Insurance card (EHIC). This has replaced the old form E111 which used to entitle you to emergency healthcare in Europe. If you do not have one of these already, you should apply to your local post office or the UK Department of Health website.

But when moving to Spain you must remember that the EHIC is for Emergency Healthcare Treatment in Spain. It will not cover you for long term treatment and you will not be able to sign up with your local Spanish doctor with this.

When planning on moving to Spain, you therefore have to consider what type of health care you want for yourself and your family – the Spanish national healthcare service, or private healthcare.

If you are moving to Spain and retiring there, you will be entitled to free healthcare under the national system. In order to apply for free Spanish healthcare as a pensioner (over 65 years), you need to apply to the Department for Work and Pensions (Newcastle) for a Form E121. As a pensioner, your immediate dependants (including your partner) will also be entitled to free Spanish health care.

If you are not working when you move to Spain, but have accrued national insurance benefits, you will be entitled to free healthcare under the Spanish national system for a period up to two years depending on the benefits outstanding. In order to apply for free Spanish healthcare in these circumstances, you need to apply to the Department for Work and Pensions (Newcastle) for a Form E106. As with being a pensioner in Spain, the dependants of a holder of a form E106 are also entitled to free Spanish health care.

When you move to Spain with either of these forms, you will still need to register yourself and all of your family at the department of social security (Seguridad Social) in your local Spanish area, taking these signed and completed forms with you. After this has been fulfilled, you can register to see a doctor at your local Centro de Salud (Health Centre). However, as this process can be delayed, you still need to carry your emergency health cards (EHIC) with you to cover any eventualities happening in your new life in Spain while the bureaucratic process is completed.

Private Health Insurance and Health Care in Spain

Spain has a very good national health service that works alongside a very good private sector, so you can blend the two if you prefer.

When moving to Spain you may prefer to pay for Private Health Insurance, this will cover you for treatment from a Spanish local doctor without you having to have a social security number. Depending on the amount paid, private insurance for health care in Spain will also entitle you and your family to some health care at local private clinics. However, not all areas in Spain have these facilities

You can purchase private health insurance for when you live in Spain either from an English or American company, or from a local Spanish Insurance company. Policy prices vary considerably (as do the benefits offered – ranging from emergency only to full scale care), with those which are not Spanish tending to be higher in cost. On this I recommend you do your homework, because insurance for expats living in Spain can vary a great deal and the price you pay does not always reflect the benefits you acquire.

The best way to find out about private health insurance for when you move to Spain is to look on the internet and also ask anyone using this already, perhaps in an expat forum or an expat you have met while negotiating your house move.

The more options you have for health insurance cover when moving to Spain, the less likely you are to get a bad deal.

Is now the right time to buy Spanish property?

If you are living in Spain or in the UK, you most probably will have read that Spanish property is declining in value and that the Spanish housing market is at a standstill right now. How should that affect your decision about moving to Spain and buying property here? In fact, is now the right time to buy Spanish property?

Well, if you are thinking about selling up in the UK, investing all your money in Spanish property and moving to Spain, then you need to be absolutely certain that you have thoroughly researched all you can about Spanish life and culture and that you, and all of your family who are moving out with you, will not only be happy moving to Spain, but that you will have enough cash (and/or a steady job) to provide for them when you all live here.

If you plan on keeping your house in the UK, but have some spare cash to buy a holiday home in Spain, or a home for your future retirement, then the option is still open to you to buy Spanish property.

What you do need to think about, however, is that the prices of property in Spain may still fall for a while and it could take several years for the property market to pick up again.

This is why, whatever your reasons for moving to Spain, you do need to think very carefully about all aspects of living and working here, particularly the cost of living in Spain (not much different to the UK) and whether you can honestly afford it, plus other details about Spanish life and culture, which have been discussed in previous articles on About Moving to Spain.

I say this because, if you sell up everything to move to Spain, or use all the spare cash you had put by for your retirement home in the sun, you may not be able to sell that property at a profit for a number of years. You do not want to be stuck in Spain without a job or income and without enough money to move back to the UK.

Many expats living in Spain love Spanish life and would never want to go back, so this would not be a problem for them, but you do have to take these considerations into account.

But the fall in housing prices in Spain is not all bad news for people who want to move here and live as expats, particularly if you have some spare money to invest in Spanish property.

If you take a look at property markets over the years, house prices rise for some time, then you have a recession and property values drop. This is happening in Spain right now. But property markets are cyclical. When house prices fall, they rise again. It is just that this time, in Spain as in other countries, they may take longer to rise than they did in the past.

If you want to move to Spain in the future, wait a few months in case property values fall a little more, and then purchase your Spanish home for future use or holiday lets. You will get it at a very good price and if your Spanish home needs renovating, as many do, you should be able to negotiate a good price with a Spanish (or perhaps a good expat) builder, as they will be looking for work.

In fact, for anyone thinking of investing in Spanish property, a few months from now could be a good time to buy your villa in Spain at a very good price. And when Spanish property prices rise in a few years time, you could have a very good investment on your hands and a home in the sun which cost you a lot less to buy and to renovate than it would have done a year ago.

Buying property in any country takes research and a great deal of thought. Property speculation is always a gamble and Spanish property is no exception. But it seems to me that this is a gamble that could well pay off. But only if you have the spare cash to do so after all other savings for the future are accounted for.

And even if you do not have the spare cash to invest in Spanish property right now, but still want to move to Spain, then why not keep your home in the UK, let it out to pay your mortgage costs, and rent a house or apartment in Spain?

Rental property in Spain is cheaper than in the UK and you will have a good choice of Spanish villas, houses and apartments to rent. This will give you the time to see for sure whether you and your family want to move to Spain permanently or whether, after experiencing your life in the sun, you are not so sure that Spain is still your choice.

Even when property prices fall and markets are unstable, with research and consideration, you can still make your move to a new Spanish lifestyle. It's just that you have to be even more careful at these times when you make your decisions about moving to Spain.

Working in Spain as an expat

When you are thinking About Moving To Spain, you must consider very carefully how you are going to pay your bills. Despite what you may think, the cost of living in Spain is not that much cheaper than in the UK or USA and some things (electricity, electrical goods, some food items) are actually more expensive. So that 'little bit of money' you put by to live your Spanish 'life in the Sun' probably won't be anywhere near enough.

Unless you are moving to Spain as a retired person from the UK (in which case you will then get your pension paid to you wherever you live in the EU), you will need to work.

If you move to one of Spain's popular coastal areas, you will probably be able to get a job in the summer months working in a bar, restaurant or hotel, but this is seasonal work. Winters in Spain see many expats out of a job. So what else could you do?

This is where your options of finding work in Spain become limited. It will not only depend on how much Spanish you speak (without being able to speak fairly fluent Spanish you will stand hardly any chance at all of getting decent paying work), but also on the fact that Spain has very high unemployment rates.

The work that may be suitable for someone who speaks little Spanish (cleaning for example), will most likely go to 'someone who knows someone else'. The grapevine in local villages in Spain will get to the residents first.

Many people come to Spain thinking they can teach English to Spanish students. In the larger cities, with big universities, this could be the case. Even if you do not have the correct (TEFL) qualifications, you should be able to find some work. However, the rates of pay will be low and the hours will be long if you want to make enough money from teaching to live comfortably in Spain.

Teaching English to people in your local Spanish village or town could also be an option, but do not expect very high wages for this. You will, of course, also have to pay tax and national insurance as a self-employed business person so that you can sign up with a doctor under the national insurance scheme. And these rates are quite high for the self employed.

Many people either move to Spain with the idea of setting up a business, or soon decide that is the best way for them to work out here. There are now so many bars and restaurants in Spain, particularly along the coast, run by expats, that they are all in high competition with each other. Nevertheless, with hard work and lots of determination and good business sense, this could be a way of making a reasonable living when you move to here.

If you are a builder, plumber, electrician, carpenter or decorator, then you can probably find work in Spain. However, this will most likely be for an expat employer, as Spanish regulations require strict qualifications for all craftsment working for Spanish building firms. These will be as well as the qualifications you may already have, so you will either have to take them (and pay for them) when you move to Spain, or work for that expat employer, who will probably be less choosy about this.

Whatever work you do in Spain, if you work for an employer - Spanish or expat - you must try to ensure that your contract is for at least 6 months. This will protect you and give you the same rights as a Spanish employee and your employer must deduct payments from your wages for Spanish national insurance and tax, because without this you are working illegally and cannot claim health benefits.

If you are really stuck for finding a job when you move to Spain, don't give up. Think about what you can do to make your lifestyle still possible.

For instance, can you paint? Are you a good photographer? Are you good at sewing or another craft? If so, use those skills and show your goods around your local Spanish bars and restaurants, or set up a stall at a car boot sale (many large Spanish towns have these on a regular basis). Many expats in Spain find they can make a reasonable living this way. Again, it entails hard work, but who said that living a life in the sun would be easy?

When you think about moving to Spain and working here, it pays to 'think outside box'. Everyone has something to offer and enterprise, in Spain as in most countries, can pay off.

Moving to Spain - Being an Expat

As you research all you can about moving to Spain, you cannot fail to notice the term 'expat'. If you look for information about Spain on the net, many of the places you will end up at will be forums for 'Spain expats'. These can be very helpful places. You can browse for help on everything from Spanish customs to what you do with your pets when you move. But until you actually move to Spain and live here, you will not know exactly what it means to be an expat.

The term 'expat' (or expatriate) can usually mean someone moving away from their country of residence, where they are citizens. The decision to move to Spain and be an expat can be taken for a number of reasons: to find a 'place in the sun'; to find somewhere to live where you think the cost of living will be cheaper (it isn't really); to retire; to work for an employer; or just because you want a change of pace and Spain, with its slower lifestyle, to someone living in the busy UK or USA could look ideal.

But reasons and definitions of the word expat can not really sum up how you will feel as an expat in Spain.

Until we moved to Spain I never really gave the word expat much thought. It always seemed to relate to the affluent middle classes retiring to their Spanish villas, rather than a normal family moving to Spain to live and work. But after living in Spain for some time, I now realise that, like it or not, I am 'an expat'.

Being an expat in Spain means, that although you may try really hard to learn Spanish and all about Spanish history and try your very best to assimilate into the local culture, you will still often be at a loss, because you were not born in Spain. This does not have to be a negative thing, it's just that you need to realise that there are some things the Spanish take for granted that you will have to learn, most likely every day.

Until you actually move to Spain and have lived here for some time, all your Spanish language training will not have prepared you for the local dialect or special words and phrases people use in your village. In time you will pick these up, but for a long time you will be lost when someone tells a joke, not only because you probably won't know who or what they are referring to, but you will also be at a loss to understand the terms they are using to describe them.

Until you have lived in your local area in Spain for a while, you will not know the local customs regarding shop opening times, delivery times for bread and all the other essentials of daily Spanish life. You will not know where you can buy cheaper logs for your stove, or that the local market comes on certain days, but not when it's a particular stall holder's birthday. It could take you an age to find your local drycleaners or the cheapest supermarket. You may even have problems finding a good dentist, or the cheapest farmacia, because, helpful as they will most likely be, the locals in your Spanish village have grown up knowing these things; they don't think to tell 'new comers' until you ask them for their help.

As an new expat in Spain you will spend some time most days asking advice from your neighbours about things you took for granted in the country you grew up in. The good thing about this is that you will soon get to know them well, and in time you will even pick up more of the local Spanish dialect, or at least when the villagers remember to talk slowly enough for you to pick it up.

It is when you realise how little you know about the place you live in and are always having to ask questions, that you will feel like an expat.

Being an expat in Spain can have its advantages. For instance, when a Spanish salesman knocks on your door and you do not want to buy his wares, you can always say 'lo siento, soy inglesa y no hablo mucho espanol' (sorry, I am English and I do not speak much Spanish). He will usually not bother to push you any further (However, this will not allow you to escape a speeding ticket from the Spanish police; they are very used to this excuse).

Being an expat in Spain may also mean that the locals in your village think you are rich or mad. They assume you are rich because they saw you spending money getting your Spanish house renovated and they think you are mad to move to Spain when they have heard that people are so much better off in the UK or USA.

Being an expat in Spain and an animal lover could mean that your house will be the local children's first point of call when they have found a stray dog in need of housing. It will also mean that any 'foreign stranger' will be directed to your door because 'you are bound to know all the other foreigners in the neighbourhood'.

And being an expat living in Spain can be confusing, even exasperating at times and can also get lonely.

Even when your Spanish is fairly fluent, you will not be able to enjoy a completely meaningful conversation with the locals without having to translate in your head some of the phrases used and this can detract from the conversation. Some times you will just wish there was someone (apart from your family) who you could talk to in your native tongue.

And I think this is why so many expats living in Spain have regular meetings. They say it is to share advice, but it is often, I think, for the chance to speak English for a while in company. When you live in Spain every day, speaking Spanish can be exhausting. Speaking your own language will seem like a way to relax!

As an expat in Spain you will suddenly find other expats are usually very friendly. You will find yourself getting to know people who you would have been unlikely to meet in the UK or USA. Spanish expats come from all walks of life and all social classes. In their country of birth they may not even have wanted to know each other, but when living in Spain, they seem drawn together by circumstance.

However, the mistake some expats make is to stick together, rather than getting to know the Spanish people. Along the Spanish coastline there are whole enclaves where English is spoken as much as Spanish, and where the whole culture appears to have been taken over by expats. Moving somewhere like this isn't really about moving to Spain; it's more like moving to Blackpool, only with sun.

If you truly want to move to Spain and live the Spanish lifestyle you really need to get to know the locals. They are usually friendly and helpful, and as long as you ask questions, get to know the local customs and apologise if you get things wrong, then you won't need to live in an 'expat enclave'.

Nevertheless, the expat culture in Spain isn't all bad. There are friendly people, in the same boat as you and often willing to help you out. And just remember, when you think about moving to Spain, you are going to be an expat. It will be good to know that there are others in Spain feeling just like you.

Moving to Spain - Mañana

I guess that, if you are serious about moving to Spain, then you will have read that life in Spain is slow and this is true in many senses.

The heat during the long Spanish summers ensures that things are never done at a rush. The siesta period (usually from about 12noon/1.30pm until around 4/5.30pm) is essential. When you first move to Spain you will find that you can do very little between those hours as the heat can be exhausting. It is then you will have great respect for the Spanish Siesta.

However, siesta time means that nearly all work in Spain comes to a halt and things can be delayed as a result. Work begins again after siesta and continues until around 8 or 9pm, but to the expat, newly living in Spain, this can seem like time wasted.

If you want work done on your Spanish renovation project, you may find that your builders work through part of the siesta to save daylight hours, but delivery drivers, electricians, surveyors, telephone engineers or any other service you may call upon will not. This can be very frustrating for someone unused to Spanish culture and who wants to get on with living their life in the sun as quickly as possible, as everything in Spain can appear to move in slow motion.

And when you couple this with the Spanish 'mañana', the new expat can find their patience driven to the limits.

It is likely that many people studying the Spanish language will assume that mañana means 'tomorrow'. Well yes, it does, but the term also means an awful lot more.

When, for example, you call a plumber or a telephone engineer, you will most likely be told that they will call 'mañana'. Don't hold your breath. There is an old saying 'tomorrow never comes'. People living in Spain don't exactly mean that when they tell you 'mañana', nevertheless, it can be a long time coming.

When moving to Spain you have to be prepared to live with this. Getting upset when you've waited in all day for the plumber to arrive will only get you stressed. And your Spanish telephone engineer will definitely be arriving at your villa 'mañana', but it may not be tomorrow. It could be next week or next month. Take a guess... And it is quite often not the fault of the Spanish worker. He could be waiting for special materials to arrive so that he can do his work. And he will have been told these will arrive 'mañana'.

The word 'mañana' can be as frustrating to Spanish people as to those who move to Spain. The difference is that they tend to shrug their shoulders and except this. The only way an expat can cope is to do exactly the same.

And in some ways the culture of 'mañana' is to be recommended. After all, when you planned on moving to Spain one of the things that probably attracted you was the slower pace of life here. So remember this when you are told something will be done 'mañana'.

And while you are waiting, why not go and soak up the spanish sunshine and try not to get too stressed?

Moving to Spain With Your Pets

Many familes have pets, so it's only natural that one of the first things they ask about moving to Spain is, "What do we do about our pets?" Most families decide to take them with them, so this post is about the best way to move your pets with you to Spain.

First of all, I must say that I am talking mainly about taking dogs and cats from the UK to Spain. For information on more 'exotic' animals or other countries you really need to research these individually. I will try and make another post later to discuss these.

Taking pets to Spain from the UK - what to do before your move:

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows dogs and cats from the UK to visit certain other countries and return to the UK, without quarantine, provided that certain conditions are met. These conditions are imposed to prevent diseases being spread from one country to another. All airports and ferry services will require that these conditions be met. These are the conditions for taking your pet with you when moving to Spain:

• Dogs and cats must be microchiped. This will be done by your vet. You must tell him or her that you intend to move to Spain with your pet to ensure the correct (scanable) microchip is fitted.

• Your pet must be over 4 months old. This is because it has to have all vaccinations done and tested before your move to Spain.

• In order to take your pet with you when you move to Spain it must be vaccinated against Rabies. This cannot be done until the animal is 3 months old.
  

• If you want to bring your pet back from Spain to the UK it will have to undergo a blood test 30 days or more after the injection to make sure the rabies vaccination worked. If it fails the test, it will have to be vaccinated and tested again.

• However, unless your pet was vaccinated and tested before the year 2000, it will have to spend at least 6 months in Spain after the 'all clear' blood test before it is allowed to return to the UK.

• Having a pet blood tested in the UK is not cheap. If you intend to move to Spain permanently with your pet, it is well worth considering getting it vaccinated, but waiting until you get to Spain before getting it tested. Vets in Spain are a lot cheaper. You will, however, still need to get the test done, because Spain is very strict about tackling rabies and you will have to keep full health records on your pets when you live there.

When moving to Spain from the UK with your pet you will need to take the following:

• A certificate from the vet saying that your pet has had full tapeworm and tick treatment. This must be done between 24 and 48 hours before your departure. the same applies if you want to bring your pet back from Spain. It will need the same treatment 24 to 48 hours before departure from Spain. There are vets at major airports and ferries in Spain and France to carry out this treatment.

• An Export Health Certificate, saying that your pet is in good health. This is usually given at the same time as the tick and flea treatment. Spain insists that your pet has one before it is allowed to enter the country.

• If you wish to bring your pet back from Spain after 6 months, you will also need a Pets Re-entry Certificate signed by your vet to say that all vaccinations and blood tests have been carried out and confirmed.

• If, after moving to Spain, you decide to go back to the UK with your pet, you will also need a Declaration of Residence which confirms that your pet has not been outside of certain countries for 6 months prior to its return to the UK.

Taking your pet with you when moving to Spain from the UK:

Travel to Spain by Air:

• You may decide that it would be best for your pet to travel by air when you move to Spain. There are a limited number of flights to Spain which carry pets, most of these go from London Heathrow. You will need to check with the airport or your travel agent for further details on flights to Spain.

• Dogs and cats will need to be in a special crate for travel to Spain by air. You can purchase these through the airport itself or from your local vet or pet store. Tell them that the crate is for travel to Spain to ensure it is the correct one.

• You will need to arrive at the airport about 4 hours before the flight to Spain, as all pets have to be placed in a special area ready for boarding in the hold and for extra checks on their health and welfare.

• When you arrive in Spain, expect some delay in retrieving your pet and getting on with your new life, as your pet will have to go through microchip and document checks before officially entering the country.

Travel to Spain by Ferry:

• Only certain ferry companies will allow you to take pets with you and these insist they are securely crated. At the time of writing, there are no ferries going from the UK directly to Spain which allow pets onboard, so you will need to travel to one of the French ports and then continue your journey into Spain by car (most trains and buses in Spain will not allow you to transport pets so a car or van is usuallythe only option).

• When you drive onto the ferry you can have your pet in the back of the car or van with you. The ticket inspector will check the pet's documents and will scan the animal to ensure that the microchip is in place.

• Once aboard the ferry, your pet must be in a crate in a designated holding area. If your journey is long, then please leave your pet some water and possibly a little food, although it is unlikely he will eat it. Most ferry operators allow you to visit your pet while onboard the ferry, as long as you are accompanied by a member of staff. When we moved to Spain we had a 6 hour journey, but we only visited our pets the once as they had actually settled down quite nicely until we arrived and they thought we were taking them home. So think of this as well.

• When you arrive at your destination you will be asked for your pet's papers. Please keep the pets crated or in a secure area of your car and van while this takes place.

Travelling through Spain by car with your pets:

• Once you are out of the ferry area, your dogs can come out of their crate, but you need to be aware of regulations on the transport of pets in Spain by car.

• Cats must be in a crate for safe travel.

• Dogs must be in an area where they cannot affect the driver. The regulations in Spain say that the pet should be behind a barrier, but the back of a hatchback with a high back seat will usually be seen as ok. We have actually been stopped by Spanish traficos with our pets in the back of our hatchback and nothing was said apart from "what unusual dogs", so we were either lucky or the rules appeared to have been met.

• There are 'ares' throughout France and Spain along most major routes. These are areas where drivers can stop for a rest. Many contain picnic areas, shops and restaurants and nearly all have open spaces where you can exercise your dogs. You will certainly need to take advantage of these on the long drive down and through Spain with a pet.

Living in Spain with your pet:

When you move to Spain with a pet that is a breed not usually seen there, expect people to stare. The Spanish are quite open about staring, so don't get upset. They are just interested in your pet. Many Spaniards will come over and ask you about your dog (cats are not usually seen as anything special at all in Spain). The Spanish like animals, but their attitude is rather different than you will find in the UK.

Dogs in Spain are seen either as working animals (hunters or guard dogs), or household pets, the latter usually being quite small. Dogs in Spain are often fed and let out in the morning and brought in again at night, so expect to see many dogs wandering around your local Spanish village. Some will be strays, but most will be pets.

There are, however, quite a few stray dogs in Spain and pet lovers may have their heartstrings tugged many a time when they see some of these pathetic scraps. Strays seem to have an inner sense which tells them when an English person is in the area; they will follow you looking hopefully for some food and a warm bed.

Most people moving to Spain end up taking in at least one stray pet - usually a dog. This can entail great expense. The dog is usually suffering from malnutrition and tick ridden. We have addopted one stray to join our other two dogs. Her vets bills (although cheap in spain) have still been pretty horrendous. We live and learn.

Exercising your dog when you move to Spain isn't quite as easy at it might appear. The Spanish countryside is vast, with many open fields. However, most of these are owned by Spanish farmers who sometimes will not take kindly to your pet running across their crops or through their olive groves. It is best to ask the farmer and watch how the Spanish residents exercise their dogs. You should be ok then.

The Spanish also like hunting - usually with rifles aimed at small animals. They use dogs to pick up the kill. When you move to your new home in Spain, try to find out the dates and times of the hunts. You would not want your pet to be mistaken for prey.

Some areas of Spain are notorious for trapping. This is illegal but still goes on. Please ensure that any area you let your dog run free is well checked out by you first and if anything looks suspicious, keep away.

The ground is usually very dry in Spain. You may well find that when your dogs first run here they will cut themselves on sharp stones and gravel. Also watch out for sudden sheer drops. This is a mountanous country and you could even find the odd gorge in the middle of someone's field.

Many beaches in Spain also ban dogs; more each year, but there are still plenty of open beaches available for dog running if you live in a coastal area.

If this sounds off putting to a pet lover thinking of moving to Spain, it isn't meant to be. I'm just giving you a few warnings. With a bit of research of the countryside around your area of Spain most of you will be able to find somewhere to let your dogs run free, and the good thing is that many areas are far away from roads which is an added bonus for your pet's safety.

Overall, moving to Spain with your pet will entail lots of careful planning, some unavoidable trauma for your pet, some expense (mainly in UK vets bills), and a careful scouting of the local area when you get here, but if you have a family pet and are serious about moving to Spain it is worth it. Our dogs seem very happy to be here, especially considering the fuss they get from every Spanish person they meet because they are 'bonitas'.

Just remember that when you are thinking about moving to Spain, to think of the right way to do this for your pet.

About Moving to Spain - Buying Property in Spain

Anyone thinking of moving to Spain has to think about where they are going to live. Are they going to rent a Spanish house, flat or villa, or are they going to invest in Spanish Property. When you ask expats how they went about moving to Spain they will give you different advice.

Some will tell you to begin by renting property in Spain. This makes sense if you are not sure about the area you have chosen to live in or just want more time to look around Spain before you make up your mind.

Renting a property in Spain is also an excellent idea if you haven't purchased your Spanish property yet. It gives you time to get to know some Spanish builders (most Spanish houses will need some form of renovation, unless you are prepared to pay a great deal of money for something that has been renovated just for sale).

Renting a property in Spain is also an excellent idea if you have purchased a Spanish property which is undergoing renovation. By living nearby you can keep an eye on the renovations and make sure that the work is being carried out to your satisfaction. You will also be on hand to deal with any little glitches in Spanish bureacracy will may well occur along the way.

However, the majority of people moving to Spain are still buying Spanish property as their first move. House prices in Spain are on the increase, but they are still much cheaper than in many other places in Europe, the UK or USA, so buying your Spanish house, flat or villa does make sense. So what are the best ways to do this?

Things to look for when buying property in Spain:

• Take your time looking at Spanish properties.
  

• If you are doing your search for Spanish property from outside Spain, one of the best places to look is on the internet. The website Kyero is very good. It has thousands of Spanish houses, flats and villas and many places to rent as well. You can also find many Spanish properties for sale or to rent at your local estate agents. Some even specialise in this. However, you will find inflated prices here. Nevertheless, if you prefer to have most of the viewing arrangements done for you and are prepared to pay a great deal more for this service, then this could be your best bet.

• Whichever way you chose to buy your Spanish property you will need to spend some time in Spain on the purchase. You will also most likely find that you need to spend more time looking at property than you had estimated. So set yourself some dates when you and your family can visit Spain for several days and then make your arrangements to view the properties you have chosen before you arrive there. Many estate agents - Spanish and foreign, will be able to make accomodation arrangements for you if you wish, but this of course will mean you are expected to spend your time viewing their properties. It is often better to make accomodation arrangements yourself.
  

• When you arrive in Spain you will most probably be shown a whole host of properties as well as the ones you expressed an interest in. Spanish estate agents often advertise a small number of their properties on the foreign market but have a lot more on their books. Some will be well worth viewing; others will not. I would say it is worth viewing all that is on offer, as the bargains have often not been advertised. So, take time to view as many different Spanish houses, flats and villas as you possibly can.

• Use a number of different Spanish estate agents. You may find that the Spanish villa you have set your heart on is up for sale with a number of different agents at different prices. You can strike up a reasonable bargain this way.

• Have a list ready of things the property must have. For instance, if you have pets and young children you will most likely want to have a garden where they can play. Many Spanish houses do not have this luxury, so if you need that outdoor space, you will either have to buy a Spanish house with a garden or have this as part of your renovation plans.

• Have a list ready of all the things you consider essential for the area you live in. For example, to live in rural Spain you will need a car, but you need to consider other members of your family who do not drive, so check out the local bus service. That Spanish mountain villa may seem perfect in its isolation, but what happens if there is no access to public transport? Would your whole family be able to cope with this?

• Do not be pushed into purchasing your Spanish property too quickly. The house may have been on the market for months or even years, but it is very unlikely the estate agent will tell you that. In most cases you can take a few days to make up your mind.

• Make sure you have your NIE numbers and your Spanish bank account before you even begin your search. In order to sign official property purchase forms you will need both.

• Get yourself a good lawyer, but look around first. There are many English speaking lawyers in Spain, but some will charge you the earth for their service. Ask around - perhaps on expat forums, there are many on the net. If you are already renting a Spanish property, ask your neighbours. It's surprising just how helpful Spanish people can be (especially if you try to communicate with them in Spanish). In my experience they are much less likely to rip you off than a local expat businessman, so it's definitely worth a shot.

• When you find the Spanish property you want to buy, make sure your lawyer checks out all the property details. He or she has to ensure that the vendor has the sole right to sell the property. You do not want to find yourself with his relatives on your doorstep demanding their Spanish home back.

• If you are buying a newly built or extended Spanish property, ensure that your lawyer checks that all building works have been carried out according to local and government regulations. New properties in particular have been cause for concern in Spain for the last couple of years. Many companies have built whole estates on land which was not regulated for building. People have lost their homes as a result. Your lawyer will know this. Make sure he does a thorough check and shows you the details. You do not want bulldozers to come along and ruin your Spanish life in the sun.

• If you are buying a Spanish property to renovate you will probably need to employ a builder or project manager. Check him or her out. Ask about him on expat forums. Ask him about work he has done in the area and go and talk to the house owners when he is not about. Ask the locals if they have seen him around the area. Spanish village gossip can tell you almost anything you need to know. If this seems unnecessary, let me tell you it is not. There are many builders and project managers in Spain (mainly from the UK) who are not legit and will rip you off. Personally, I would employ a Spaniard to do the work, they are usually more reliable and they know the local building regulations and materials. However, I realise this may be daunting if your Spanish isn't very good. Either way, please check them out, or else you could regret it.

If all of the above seems like a daunting task, but you still have your heart set on moving to Spain, then please don't let this put you off. Spain is a great place to live. Most people are very friendly and helpful here, but moving to a different country always has its risks. If you are well prepared, these can be diminished quite a lot.

I hope these have been some helpful tips about moving to Spain and if you have read this far then I guess you are keen on making the move. From my personal view it is well worth it, so I wish you luck in your move to Spain and great joy in your Spanish property. And for now, hasta luego.

About Moving to Spain - Things You Need to Know

Spain is a beautiful country. The sun shines most of the year. The summers are long and hot. Life in Spain is much more relaxed than in the UK or USA. It is no wonder more and more people are thinking about moving to Spain each year. So what do they need to know before they make their move? And should they even try? About Moving to Spain has been set up to help you make your decisions. So let's make a start.

Moving to Spain - Questions you need to ask yourself:

• Is your family (who will be moving with you to Spain) in agreement about your move?

• Have you any pressing family committments where you are now that may make your move difficult?

• Will you be able to get a job in Spain if you need to work?

• Do you think your children will benefit from your move to another country?

• Do you know much about Spain? (for instance, the culture, language and traditons)

• Can you speak any Spanish? (and if not, are you willing to learn?)

• Will this be permanent move, or are you planning to keep on your property in the country you live in now?

• Do you have any pets? How do you plan to move them to Spain?

• Do you think you will be able to cope with the heat? (Summers in Spain can get very, very hot)

• Do you have enough money to make this move?That last question is probably the most important one. Life in Spain isn't cheap. Petrol and cigarettes may be cheaper than in the UK; dining out is certainly cheaper, but the cost of some food items is dearer as are many electrical goods and services.

If you think you have worked out how much money you would need to live in Spain, I would suggest you almost double that, because, even with the best planning in the world, there will be things you have left off your list.

If you are still determined that moving to Spain is right for you and your family then you will need to do quite a few things before you move.

Things to do before you move to Spain:

• Get an NIE number. An NIE is a 'Numero de Identidad de Extranjeros' or 'Identity Number for Foreigners'. You will need one for each adult member of your family.

• Once you have your NIE you can (and if you are buying Spanish property you must) Open a Spanish Bank Account.

• Look carefully and don't make rash decisions when you are buying Spanish property. Employ a solicitor. Do not use the same solicitor as the vendor of the property you are buying and ensure that he or she knows all current land and building regulations (ifshe or he appears unsure, look somewhere else).

• I would also recommend employing a Gestor to help you deal with all the baffling aspects of Spanish bureacracy. A Gestor is a general consultant who can act as an intermediary between you and government officials. Many speak English, which can be a great help, even if your spanish is quite fluent. Gestors usually charge a reasonable fee and are well worth the extra cash.

• If you are moving permanently to Spain you will need to apply for Residencia within your first three months in the country. This is a relatively cheap process (about 7 Euros at the time of writing) which requires visiting your local national police station. A gestor can help you with all these details if you want him to.
  

• You will need to arrange for you and your family to join the Spanish Social Security System (Seguridad Social) so that you can register with a doctor. If you wish have private health care when you move to Spain, you will need to find out about this also. In order to join the Seguridad Social, you will need to be employed in Spain and paying natinal insurance through your wages, or pay self-employed national insurance. If you are a UK pensioner you will need a form E121. There are different forms to use depending on your employed status. A good website to look for more information on this is The Pension Service where you can follow the link to the International Pension Centre.

• If your driving licence is about to expire, you will need to renew this in plenty of time.

• Ensure all of your passports are up to date and not due to expire. If they are, it's best to renew them now rather than after moving to Spain (it's easier and quicker this way).

• If you have children you will need to look at schools in the area you are moving to so that you can get them registered as soon as you move in. This is essential under Spanish law.
  

• If you have any dogs or cats, they will need to get each of them a pet passport and up to date vaccinations, including shots for rabies before they can leave the country.

• Learn Spanish. You do not have to take an advanced course, a beginners course will do for now. But when you are moving to Spain you have to know at least some of the language. Even in areas where there are many expats, you will still need to use the local tongue. If your car breaks down or you need to phone about an accident, not being able to speak Spanish will make your experience a very frustrating one.

• Make sure that you tell all of your friends and family who are not moving with you to Spain that you are moving and when you are going. This will save a few awkward phone calls later on.

• Be prepared for a slower pace of life in Spain. This sounds ideal, but it can get frustrating when you are waiting for a workman to arrive. You will just have to learn to live with this. Just be forewarned.

These are just some of the many things you need to know about moving to Spain. I'll post some more very soon, plus some things to avoid when moving to Spain. But for now, hasta luego!