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!