Moving to Spain can be an exciting, life-changing experience for many people seeking adventure or a fresh start. With its warm beaches, laidback lifestyle and vibrant culture, Spain offers an appealing option if you’re looking to relocate abroad. But in order to ensure the smoothest possible transition, it’s critical to steer clear of some common mistakes and pitfalls that others before you have made. Learning from their errors and tribulations will help stack the odds in your favor for a successful move.
Mistake 1: Rushing to Buy Property
It can be incredibly tempting when you first arrive in Spain, dazzled by sunshine and swaying palm trees, to hurriedly purchase your dream home or investment property. After all, housing prices in many parts of Spain are still quite affordable compared to other European countries. But experts strongly advise renting a place for at least 6-12 months before you commit to purchasing real estate. This allows you time to get well-acquainted with the different cities, villages and neighborhoods to determine which area best suits your lifestyle and needs. Renting first grants you that flexibility to move around and explore before settling down for the long haul.
Keep in mind that the real estate buying process in Spain is complex, with many bureaucratic nuances and legal considerations. Working with a knowledgeable Spanish real estate attorney can help guide you through the intricacies. Be sure to thoroughly research neighborhoods and market trends. Review what types of properties and locations offer the best rental income potential if you plan to use your Spanish real estate as an income generator at some point. Taking your time to becoming an informed buyer ultimately allows you to make the soundest investment.
Mistake 2: Disregarding Cultural Differences
It’s easy when relocating abroad to underestimate or minimize the impact that underlying cultural differences will have on your experience. But seamlessly integrating into a new country requires taking the time to understand regional customs, communication norms, values, etiquette, traditions and the overall Spanish way of life. Speaking with expats who have already made the move to Spain can provide invaluable first-hand insight that guides your own transition. Staying open-minded, flexible and respectful of cultural practices will ease your adjustment.
For example, it’s key to realize that Spain generally operates at a more relaxed, slower pace with less emphasis on rigidity and strict planning. Siestas are still a prominent mid-day ritual. Patience is required when dealing with bureaucratic matters like securing residency permits or opening bank accounts, which tend to move at a snail’s pace. Make sure you educate yourself on important cultural traditions like Semana Santa and Las Fallas that profoundly shape local communities.
Also, be aware that the Spanish are generally more reserved initially until a deeper relationship develops. Loud, brash behavior is frowned upon. Once you demonstrate genuine interest in the culture, locals will greatly appreciate your efforts to understand their way of life.
Mistake 3: Overloading Your Belongings
When relocating to a new country, it’s incredibly tempting to pack up your entire household and bring everything along – especially large furniture and accessories that you invested in. But international moves require paring down and bringing only essential belongings. This prevents you from accumulating exorbitant shipping fees and customs charges. It also minimizes hassles, since finding a residence in Spain equipped to handle oversized American furniture can be challenging.
Your move is an opportunity to declutter and become more selective. Make an inventory of your most valued items that have longevity. Furniture, in particular, is quite reasonably priced in Spain, so you may want to sell bulky pieces and restart fresh. If selling or donating excess furniture before your move isn’t feasible, affordable self-storage facilities are worth researching.
Pro tip: When shipping belongings via sea transport, arrange your surface move months in advance for the lowest rates and best service. Only pack items you know you’ll need immediately in air freight shipments.
Mistake 4: Disregarding the Language Barrier
It’s easy to assume that you’ll get by fine in Spain knowing just English. After all, many Spaniards in major cities and tourist areas speak at least conversational English. But in reality, failing to learn Spanish will greatly limit your integration into local communities. Smaller towns and rural areas have far fewer English speakers. Life becomes much easier when you can comfortably handle day to day activities like shopping, banking and dining without relying on others to translate.
Even if you pick up just key Spanish phrases and vocabulary, locals will appreciate you making the effort. Enroll in lessons a few months before your move, invest in language apps like Duolingo or Babbel, and consider hiring a private tutor for one-on-one sessions after you arrive. Immerse yourself by reading Spanish books, watching movies and TV shows, and following Spanish social media accounts. Locals will likely overlook minor language gaffes when your intentions are good.
Mistake 5: Blindly Assuming You Can Secure Employment
Some expats mistakenly presume that they’ll land their dream position shortly after arriving in Spain. In reality, the job market can be quite challenging, particularly for non-EU citizens needing company sponsorship. While unemployment rates have improved in recent years, Spain still lags behind many other western European nations.
Highly skilled tech and finance workers are in demand, but most other fields require networking, diligent research and laying groundwork before relocating. Reach out to headhunters and companies in your industry months in advance to get a sense of opportunities. Thoroughly explore visa/work permit requirements and qualifications needed for your profession. Join industry associations and LinkedIn groups to connect with other professionals in Spain. Being proactive and strategic in your job hunt is key.
Mistake 6: Delaying Bureaucracy Requirements
When undertaking an international move, it’s crucial not to underestimate the administrative red tape involved in getting situated in a new country. From securing residency permits to obtaining social security numbers and opening bank accounts, tackling bureaucracy is unavoidable. Given the notoriously slow-paced Spanish systems, it’s best to begin researching requirements for your situation early.
Work closely with your immigration attorney to submit residency applications well in advance of your move, since approval can take months. Keep painstakingly thorough records of all correspondence and paperwork. Schedule appointments for obtaining documents like NIE numbers and empadronamiento certificates as soon as possible after arriving. Accept that things move slowly in Spain and come prepared with ample patience and your best bureaucratic navigation skills.
Mistake 7: Selecting the Wrong Removal Company
When undertaking an international relocation, choosing a reputable, experienced removals company you can trust is mission-critical. The stakes are high, since losing or damaging your belongings or having items held up in customs can immediately derail your move. Yet with removals industry being unregulated, horror stories abound of unvetted movers misrepresenting services and ripping off unsuspecting clients.
Do diligent research to find an established international removals firm with extensive experience handling Spain/EU moves, not simply domestic relocations. Get at least three quotes comparing service terms and costs. Read reviews and ask for referrals from people who have moved from your home country to Spain. Validate needed licenses, insurance coverage and accreditations. While cost is a factor, quality should be the top priority for this critical service provider. Removing uncertainty makes for smooth sailing.
In Closing: Be Proactive for a Successful Relocation
Moving your life abroad comes with inherent challenges, but many hurdles can be avoided by learning from previous expats. Refrain from rushing into home-buying, take time to absorb cultural nuances, purge unnecessary belongings, learn some conversational Spanish, get the lay of the job landscape, give bureaucracy its due diligence, and take great care in selecting your removals firm. With proper diligence and planning, your move to Spain can absolutely be the adventure of a lifetime you’ve dreamed of. Just be sure to take a thoughtful, informed approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some disadvantages of living in Spain I should consider?
While sunny Spain boasts many advantages, potential downsides exist too. These include communication struggles for non-Spanish speakers, notoriously slow bureaucratic processes for getting paperwork handled, economic woes like higher-than-average unemployment, and difficulty getting hired without local job connections. There’s also the adjustment required to adapt to a foreign culture. Proper expectation-setting and preparation helps overcome these hurdles.
How do I decide whether it’s better to live in the UK vs Spain?
There’s no universal ‘right’ answer on where is best – it depends entirely on your personal priorities. Spain boasts the desirable trifecta of warmer climate, lower cost of living, and more relaxed pace of life. But for some, the UK offers advantages like a more familiar native culture, geographical proximity that eases visits home, and stronger job market, especially in certain fields. Carefully weigh factors like climate preferences, career options, language learning commitment, easing homesickness, healthcare systems and more.
What changes have been implemented in the rules for moving to Spain post-Brexit?
After Brexit resulted in the UK leaving the EU, migration rules for Brits and other non-EU citizens moving to Spain have tightened considerably. Depending on your circumstances, you’re now likely to face more stringent visa and residence permit requirements, as well as harder hurdles being approved for legal employment. Consulting frequently with Spanish immigration attorneys and officials to ensure you meet qualifications is essential in the post-Brexit landscape.
Realistically, what’s the easiest immigration pathway for Americans moving to Spain today?
For US citizens, obtaining a self-employment or remote work visa may be among the more straightforward options, since you can demonstrate independent income while living in Spain. Investor visas are another possibility if you have substantial assets to invest in Spanish businesses or real estate. Attending university or language school in Spain enables you to gain temporary residency as a student. Marrying a Spanish citizen or pursuing ancestry-based citizenship are other potential avenues. An immigration lawyer can advise on the best current options.
