Special Offers -
Moving to Spain -
Living in Spain
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Working in Spain
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English schools Spain
A special thankyou goes to Strong Abogados for their useful & detailed content on a variety of legal subjects.
www.strongabogados.com
Lawyers specialising in real estate transactions, zoning & construction law
Moving to Spain - an introduction
The Expat's Guide to Living in Spain - A report on moving to Spain, the most popular option for the majority of northern Europeans. Fine properties, excellent food and culture, and with some of Europe's best islands and beaches, Spain is an extremely worthy consideration as an expat destination. This information section provides the details needed when considering Spain as a destination. Real estate / property in spain, Employment, Contacts, Legal info & links, Citizenship and much more information covering all aspects of living and working in Spain & southern Europe. An Expat's Guide to Living in Spain will answer your questions, save money and prepare you for a life in Spain.
Moving to Spain
www.escapeartist.com/spain4/spain4.htm
Removals to Spain - UK Removals to Spain moving Spanish house and home
moves door to door service England to Spain removals to Costa Blanca Alicante
Costa del sol Malaga Costa Brava Almeria Fuengirola
www.nicksremovals.co.uk/spain-removals.htm
Relocation Expert - Expert advice on planning your big move. Relocation
Expert contains over 70 articles all written by our team of experts and we add
around 3 new articles each month.
www.relocationexpert.co.uk/home.htm
Art & Culture - Spain: Art & Culture
www.escapeartist.com/spain/links.html
Articles
on Living and Investing in Spain
www.escapeartist.com/Articles/Articles_11.html
Banks in Spain - Banks in Spain
www.escapeartist.com/banks28/banks28.htm
Economy & Business - Economy & Business for Spain
www.escapeartist.com/spain/ecoanomy.html
Education Resources for Spain - Education Resources for Spain
www.escapeartist.com/spain/links.html
Embassies & Consulates for Spain - Embassies & Consulates of Spain
www.embassyworld.com/embassy/spain.htm
Government & Country Information - Spain
www.escapeartist.com/spain/country.html
Hospitals
in Spain - Hospitals in Spain
www.escapeartist.com/Offshore_Health_Care/Europe.html
Jobs in Spain - Jobs in Spain
www.escapeartist.com/jobs19/nether.htm
Links, links & more links - Links, links & more links
www.escapeartist.com/spain/links.html
Moving to Spain - Maps of Spain
www.embassyworld.com/maps/Maps_Of_Spain.html
A large number of differing Spain maps, including city maps.
Moving to the Balearic Islands - Moving to the Balearic Islands
www.escapeartist.com/spain2/spain2.htm
Newspapers & Media for Spain - Newspapers & Media for Spain
www.escapeartist.com/media8/media8.htm
Real
Estate In Spain
www.escapeartist.com/spain1/spain1.htm
Travel & Tourism for Spain - Travel & Tourism for Spain
www.escapeartist.com/spain/travel.html
Real Estate in Spain
www.escapeartist.com/efam20/buying-in-spain.html
Spain offers infinite variety, magnificent beaches for sun worshippers, spectacular unspoiled countryside with magnificent vistas and peaceful mountain landscapes. There are also an abundance of facilities for sports fans and a vibrant night-life for the jet set. For those who are comfortable living in cities, there are bustling sophisticated metropolises. The Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol have the highest percentage of retired persons in the world, when both Spaniards and foreigners are included. If you're
seeking a second home, which may be used for long weekends or for lengthier stays, Spain is the place! Looking for property in Spain ?
Living in Spain
Spain is one of the most attractive options in Europe, indeed the world. It offers year-round sunshine, one of the lowest costs of living in Europe, and many cultural and entertainment options. It's residency requirements are very simple, read on for details on how to become a Spanish citizen, there's more than just good weather to look forward to in Spain.
Citizens of Spain's former colonies can apply for a Spanish passport after only 2 years of residence Ordinarily, you must first be a resident in Spain for a staggering 10 years before you can be naturalized. Refugees are granted citizenship after only five years residence. And citizens of some of Spain's former colonies can apply for a Spanish passport after a period of only two years of residence. As there is no shortage of citizenships available from the former Spanish colonies, this can prove an easy path into the EU. Former Spanish colonies include most of Central and South America, except Brazil, which was a colony of
Portugal. It is worth noting also that those of Spanish Jewish descent can also apply for a Spanish passport after two years of residence. Purchasing a home is not a requirement for obtaining citizenship. And with or without citizenship you'll likely have the legal right to work, though you may have to prove six months of residence.
To become a citizen, you will be expected to become a reasonable Spanish speaker and to maintain a real presence in the country. However, during your period of residence, which will be between 2 and 10 years depending on which category you fall under, your travel will be totally unrestricted. No one will count the days you are away, and, because you will be living in the EU, your movements through member countries will be entirely painless.
Working in Spain
If you're a permanent resident of Spain, you'll be taxed on your worldwide income at rates in excess of 50 %. Income is established by authorities based upon your home, car, and lifestyle. It's not surprising that many wealthy Spanish passport holders establish legal residence in tax havens.
Spain has tax treaties with many non-EU countries, including the US and Switzerland. These treaties tend to allow individuals to pay taxes in the country where the rate is lower. Wealthy foreigners are therefore advised to consider Spain as a fine place to spend some leisure time but not as a place to live tax-free after acquiring a passport.
Taxation on income and capital gains for nonresidents extends from 20 percent to 50 percent. Tax laws effective since 1992 state that individuals will be considered resident if they stay in the country for longer than 183 days annually or if their main center of professional or business activities for economic interest is in Spain. If your
spouse or dependents remain resident, you will be considered a resident unless you can prove you were a resident for more than 183 days in another country. Temporary absences will be included in the authorities' calculations.
Income obtained by nonresidents is deemed to be earned on the date it became claimable or when it was effectively collected. Unless you have a permanent establishment, you must appoint a fiscal representative in Spain and notify the tax authorities. Nonresidents that own only one holiday home need not worry about this requirement. Tax-haven corporations that own villas are charged with a special tax of 5 percent of each villa's value per year.
Despite these tax implications, a Spanish passport is a very good one to hold. A Spaniard can travel visa free to a dozen more places than an American can. In addition, Spain has a superb relationship with its former colonies in the same way the UK does with the Commonwealth. And remember, Spain does not tax its
nonresident citizens.
Annual taxes - Once you've bought a home, annual rates and property taxes aren't overwhelming. The municipal tax, payable at the local town hall, is currently 0.7% of the value of a property Annual rates are typically as follows: village houses, approximately 8,000 pts; ($52) per annum; two-bedroom apartments, 25,000 pts ($164) and three-bedroom villas, 37,500 pts ($246).
Residency requirements
EU nationals can remain in Spain without a residency permit for six months, non-EU nationals for three months. Basic requirements for obtaining a permit are the following: four passport photos, a residency visa from the Spanish Consulate in your home country, proof of income or pension, the form El 11 endorsed by Spanish health authorities or proof of private medical insurance, a certificate that you are registered with your own consulate in Spain, an escritura or a rental contract. The fee is 935 pts ($6.15).
Step-by-step buying in Spain
Most
property agents will guide you through the tangled web of red tape. Note that legal transactions, fees, purchase taxes, and local taxes will increase the initial price by between 8% and 10%. Completion of the entire purchase process normally takes between four and six weeks.
A property buyer also needs to open a Spanish bank account and obtain a fiscal identity number.
It's vital to ensure that all previous taxes and utility bills have been paid and that there are no debts outstanding against a
Spanish property - you'll be liable for them. Records may be checked against a property register in the local town hall. If your agency doesn't have its own legal department, you can undertake a search yourself or engage a notary to act on your behalf.
If you haven't engaged a notary to conduct a search before parting with your holiday deposit, you will certainly require one to set up a contract and draw up
the title deeds. A non-refundable 10% deposit is normally paid then, on exchange of the initial private contract. Notary expenses are officially controlled, and the minimum fee is 15,000 pts ($198) for transactions below 1 million pts ($6,578).
During the ensuing 30-day period and prior to the signing of the public deed (the escritura), have a lawyer check the contract. His duties also include taking the title deed and receipt of all taxes paid to the tax office. The fee for inserting the property in your name in the official register is charged when full payment has been made.
Taxes are equal to 7% of the value of the property plus 0.5% for a legal-proceeding fee if you buy through a real estate agency. Otherwise, you must pay a 6% property-transfer fee.
Although it's impossible to give exact figures for additional costs, this is what you can expect to pay in fees and taxes on an 18 million pts ($118,421) home:
Transmission taxes and
Sundry
expenses: 1,466,350 pts ($9,647)
Notary fees: 111,737 pts ($735)
Lawyer fees: 40,600 pts ($267)
Property Register- 54,691 pts ($359)
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1,673,378 pts ($11,009)
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Since Spain is
Europe's primary vacation destination, you can expect a massive inflow of new holidaymakers, new time-share purchasers, new real estate investors, from the UK, Ireland, Germany, the Low Countries, France, and Scandinavia. These folks are desperate for sun, sea, and sand, and perhaps a bit of exotica. So there should be a pickup in tourist numbers and their willingness to spend. We think Spain is due to boom because of European integration, and advise getting your stake there before it happens.
Land development
www.escapeartist.com/San_Cristobal/Land_Development.html
Finding
& Using An Offshore Stock Broker
www.escapeartist.com/efam/40/Offshore_Brokerage.html
How To Disappear In Six Easy Lessons
www.escapeartist.com/efam31/Cartagena.html
Read The Best Of International Living Magazine
www.escapeartist.com/International_Living/International_Living.html
Free Articles From International Living!
www.spainexpat.com
Visas in Spain - If you're an EU citizen, you don't need a visa; you already have the right to residency. You'll probably find it useful, though, to apply for a NIE. If you're a non-EU citizen, and you want to stay in Spain for more than 30 days, you need a visa. If you want to live in Spain, the
process is this: First get a visa from the Spanish Embassy or Consulate closest to your home. When you arrive in Spain, you work on getting residency. After you get that, you can begin work on getting citizenship. Getting residency in Spain allows you to live anywhere in the EC. Likewise, getting residency somewhere else in the EC gives you a right to residency in Spain. That means that if your goal is residency in Spain and you have relatives or ancestors in some other country in the EC, then the easiest way may be to first apply for residency in that other country. The various visas you can obtain are described in these.
Spanish Consulate of New York
www.spainconsul-ny.org
Student Visas
www.spainconsul-ny.org/!consula.doi/!visastu.htm
Tourist and Business Visas
www.spainconsul-ny.org/!consula.doi/!visatou.htm
Residence
Visas
www.spainconsul-ny.org/!consula.doi/!visares.htm
Briefly, in order to get a residence visa: If you're married or related to a Spanish citizen, you apply for the Visa de Reagrupacion Familiar . If you're retired, you apply for the Visa de Jubilados. Note: on arrival in Spain, you may be asked to get medical insurance, so you're not a drain on the Spanish public medical system. This may not be the easiest request for an older person. If you can't prolong the health insurance you had in your country of origin then try some of the companies listed in Health Care. The point is to convince them that you are insured, whether you are or not. If you're wealthy, apply for visas #4 or #5. If you're a Mormon, apply for visa #6. If none of the above, then it gets tougher. You can come for three months, then try to find a company to sponsor you, or you might try to get residence in another EU country
first (do you have an Irish grandmother?). Or if you just love Spain but hate bureaucracies, you can probably live here illegally many years without difficulties, as long as you keep a low profile. Once you have the residence visa in your passport, you have three months after arrival in Spain to go to the nearest Oficina de Extranjeros: www.mir.es/extranje/extdonde.htm
Below are the following documents you will need to bring, based on the experiences of others (we haven't found any official listing). A form called Solicitud de Tarjeta en Regimen Comunitario, Passport and 2 photocopies, 3 passport-sized photos, Medical certificate. If a member of the family is Spanish (or has residency): your Libro de Familia, DNI (or Residency Card) of that family member, Empadronamiento, and medical insurance. If you will be working for someone: a contract of employment. If you will be self-employed: documents that prove you
fulfil
the requirements necessary to undertake that activity. If you won't be working: documents that prove you have enough money to live during your time in Spain, plus medical insurance. If you will be a student: proof of matriculation in an accredited school, plus the requirements of the previous item. You will then receive your Resident Card in a few days or many months. (Each Oficina de Extranjeros processes candidates locally. The time spent both waiting in line at the office and waiting for your Resident Card can vary tremendously, depending on where you do it. If you want to get it done fast, you'll probably find it better to do it in a small town.)
Read this CostaBlancaExpats article
www.costablancaexpats.net/pats/residencia.txt
More Info on residency - ID Numbers in Spain NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero): The immigration service issues this number to you once you obtain residency
(you will find the number on your Resident Card). This is your identification number in Spain. It is needed in order to file taxes, establish a business, open a bank account, and for almost all other forms you fill out. Both EU citizens and non-EU citizens get issued a NIE. DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad): This is the ID number for Spanish citizens. The same number is used for one's driver's license. NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal): This is the tax ID number for all individuals. For Spaniards, it's the DNI plus one letter; for foreigners, it's the same number as your NIE. Once you have a NIE, you do not need to re-apply for a NIF; if and when you have to pay taxes, use your NIE number. If you're a nonresident who has to pay taxes in Spain, you may get a NIF issued to you without having a NIE. This, of course, does not mean you get automatic residency in Spain, nor will it make it any easier to get residency. CIF (Certificado de Identificación Fiscal): This is the the
same as the NIF, but for companies. Social Security Number: Your employer applies for this number when you start your first job in Spain. This number then stays with you for all subsequent jobs. If you are self-employed, you apply yourself for this number. Marriage/Birth in Spain If the spouses (or spouses-to-be) are from different countries, once the marriage or birth takes place, be sure to take the certificate to the expat's consulate, so the marriage/birth can be registered with that country. If you don't, you'll regret it eventually. In Spain, the marriage certificate is called a Libro de Familia.
Also, if you're a Christian-but-not-Catholic foreigner getting married in a Catholic church in Spain, you may find the paperwork is easier than it is for your Catholic partner: you won't need to show a Baptism certificate.
Strong Abogados article and FAQs
www.strongabogados.com
About
legal issues regarding marriage and children. If you're planning to die, then read this Costa Blanca Expats article about Wills and Inheritance www.costablancaexpats.net/pats/wills.txt
Spanish Citizenship After you have been a resident of Spain for two to ten years (depending on the circumstances under which you got your residency), you have the right to apply for citizenship. Once your application is approved, you swear allegiance to the King and to the Spanish Constitution. The public body in charge of citizenship is the Ministerio de Justicia ; the place to apply is the Registro Civil. You must technically renounce citizenship with your country of origin (unless you're from Latin America, Portugal, Philippines, Ecuatorial Guinea, Andorra, or you're a Sephardic Jew). In practice, countries do not generally exchange this information, so as long as you don't show both passports at the airport, you won't get in trouble. Is it worth getting citizenship? The main difference is you
can get a passport and the right to vote, though there are many minor advantages (EU citizen rates for museums, etc.)
www.spanish-living.com
Spain is situated in south western Europe. It occupies the Iberian Peninsula and is bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Cantabrian Sea. It also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla. Its total surface area is 504,788 sq. kms.
Population
39,887,240 Inhabitants.
Languages Castilian Spanish throughout the country: Catalan, Valencian, Basque (Euskera) and Galician in those respective Autonomous Communities
Time Zone
Peninsula and Balearic Islands:
GMT + 1 hour (in summer GMT + 2
The Canary Islands:
GMT (in summer GMT +1)
Religion
The Spanish Constitution guarantees religious freedom.
Electricity
220 volts AC
Measurement System
Decimal Metric System
Passports/Visas
To enter Spain it is necessary to show a valid passport or another document adhering to international conventions and reciprocity criteria that verifies the identity of the traveller. For citizens of Andorra, Austria, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Switzerland and of those countries, belonging to the European Economic Community, the presentation of a national identification document is sufficient. For nationals of certain countries, and in function of the duration of the visit, a visa is required. Inc case of doubt, consultation at any Spanish Consulate is advisable. Travellers arriving by car must have the so- called "Green Letter" that covers insurance costs in case of accident, except for citizens of Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Austria or any EEC nation.
Customs Travellers entering Spain may transport a series of personal items (such as personal jewellery, cameras, viewfinders, musical instruments, portable video and sound equipment, athletic gear, camping articles, etc)
without having to pay customs charges. Upon request, Spanish customs officials will issue receipts to justify the entry into the country of any item.
For certain articles, such as cigarettes, cigars, perfume, wines and liquor, maximum limits have been established, with customs fees required on surpassing quantities.
There is no limit to the amount of Euros (€) tourists may bring into Spain. Also permitted is the entry of cheques or vouchers issued against foreign accounts in convertible Euros, as are travellers' cheques, with no limits. Foreign currency can also be brought into Spain with no limits, both banknotes and coins, providing they are of legal issue.
Currency
The Spanish currency is the Euro (€).
Coins and Banknotes
Banknote fractions are € 5,-: € 10,-: € 20,-: € 50,-: € 100,-: € 200,- and € 500,-.
Coins' fractions are € 0,01: € 0,02: € 0,05: € 0,10: € 0,20: € 0,50: € 1,- and € 2,-.
Currency Exchange All bank
branch offices offer foreign currency exchange services, as do a considerable number of hotels and many travel agencies. Most hotels and restaurants and many commercial establishments also accept the most popular international credit cards and travellers cheques..
Pets
To bring pets into Spain, visitors must present at customs certificates of origin and good health in keeping with international norms on such matters, and signed by officially recognised veterinaries in the respective country of origin. The date and nature of the vaccines administered to the animal, especially anti-rabies vaccine, must appear on the certificate. Many Spanish hotels permit dogs and cats under specific conditions. The entrance of dogs and cats in restaurants is usually prohibited, as is the case with many business establishments.
Retiring to Spain
Many thousands of retired couples have successfully made a new life in Spain, enjoyed some of the happiest years of their lives
here and just wished they'd made the move when they were much younger.
The mild year-round climate, in all but the most northern areas, an active outdoor lifestyle and the company of like-minded couples are among the many attractions which induce so many pensioners to retire to a Spanish property.
Many older people have found that the climate, especially in areas such as the Costa Blanca, has worked wonders for their health and improved various ailments such as arthritis, rheumatism and asthma.
But, as usual, I have some words of caution for those of you now considering retiring to Spain. Without wishing to be always the voice of doom, I must tell you that for every couple who have made a success of life here, there seems to be another couple whose dreams have turned sour.
There are many reasons for this. The main one being a failure to discuss the proposed move in sufficient depth before taking such a dramatic step. I often
talk to retired couples who came to Spain with different hopes and expectations - and very often it's the case that the wife was persuaded to make the move against her deepest feelings and better judgment.
Problems inevitably arise when children are left behind, even if they're grown up "children", and especially if there are young grandchildren. Women usually feel the wrench more than men and in many cases the homesickness is just too overwhelming for the new life in Spain to be a success.
My advice to you, if you think you may be one such couple (or even if you're both convinced that moving to Spain is the right thing to do), is to rent a villa or apartment in your chosen area for at least a few months before you buy anything.
Get a real feel for the place and the way of life - all year round, preferably, not just in high season when resort areas are quite different than in the winter. You may decide that the lifestyle really doesn't suit you at all, that
one or both of you is too homesick or that you like Spain but you've chosen the wrong area. All good reasons for dipping a toe in the water before you take the final plunge.
And consider your own state of health and that of your partner. No-one likes to think about the possibility of a long term illness, much less their own mortality. But these are facts which have to be faced and it's better to do it before you move to a foreign country and culture.
Additional resources
www.spainforvisitors.com/sections/livingandworking.htm
The Timeshare option - What is Timeshare?
Timeshare is a system by which a group of people share the rights to a property by buying specific time periods, often in one-week intervals. The purchase includes a one off purchase fee, plus an annual property management and maintenance fee. The majority of timeshares are resort or vacation type properties.
Why timeshare?
Timeshares are usually purchased as a means to providing long term vacation investment. Usually the cost of purchasing and owning a good timeshare is less than renting similar accommodation for annual holidays. Other advantages of owning timeshares include the option to trade vacations with other timeshare owners. Timeshare exchange programs also exist to destinations all over the world.
Fixed week or floating week?
The primary advantage of a fixed week timeshare is that you are guaranteed the same week and unit every year. Where as, having the option to choose a week
in a specified but varying period each year (the floating system) provides flexibility if preferred. Some timeshare programs use a rotating week system, in which your week varies year to year, permitting owners to stay during the most popular season. Select carefully to ensure you purchase a timeshare plan that suits your requirements.
How popular are timeshares?
Nearly 85 percent of timeshare owners call themselves either "somewhat" or "very satisfied" with their timeshare.
If I wish to sell my timeshare, what happens to the deeds?
It 's possible to take care of such transactions yourself, but just like selling a house, most people don't have the required knowledge or experience to for all the legal aspects. We recommend using a professional company for such transactions.
Buying Timeshares
Take your time, do your research, shop around and try to obtain testimonials where possible before making a timeshare purchase. You will
want to research the potential area and facilities, staying in the area for a holiday is always recommended if possible. Additionally, you should consider the financial implications to determine that your purchase will provide a wise investment.
Selling Timeshares
1 Present a fair offer.
Buyers seek out the best deals, usually a price substantially lower than the developer's. Older units and units in less desirable weeks are likely to sell for much less. If you don't receive inquiries, consider reducing your price.
2 Compare other timeshares on the market.
Check around to see what timeshares similar to yours are being offered for. Also check with developers to make sure you know current prices.
3 Be patient.
Your timeshare is unlikely to sell overnight. Though frequently the price decides how quickly timeshares sell.
The article above was adapted from www.timesharesaver.com, if
timeshare is of interest please visit this excellent resource for the full story.
You may wish to consider mobile home purchase as an alternative to timeshare or property in Spain. This provides all year access or a retirement home.
If you are looking for a good value new property in Spain for less than 100,000 Euros this new Spanish property development is a must. Information on the history and development of mobile homes, park homes and static caravans - The
really cheap holiday property option. We also have a portfolio of Spanish properties / property in Spain The
above information consists of extracts from a variety of resources, these are credited where known with links to original materials & publications. All title & intellectual rights acknowledged.
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About Us: Established 1975