I’m wanting to make the move to Spain but I’m solo and terrified of not knowing what to do. Has anyone used an agency who is by their side every step of the journey to advise, and help along the way. I don’t think I could do it without knowing I had that.
Suziwithaspirations
749 posts · ed 2023
Welcome to the forum.
Some questions for you to help us answer your post.
What are you afraid of?
Where are you based?
Where do you want to live?
What is your nationality?
Edit I have just looked at your posting history. I have lined through the question that is answered in that previous post
Some questions for you to help us answer your post.
What are you afraid of?
Where are you based?
What is your nationality?
Edit I have just looked at your posting history. I have lined through the question that is answered in that previous post
1,193 posts · ed 2018
Suzi, it takes research, planning and quite ait of elbow grease before you move.
When you get to Spain expect a lot more uncertainty that you have to navigate through. Anyone who has moved to Spain continues to experience situations they haven't experienced before, throughout their lives, regardless of how long they've been in Spain. That could be trying to figure out everyday life, Spanish government procedures or whatever. It is something we take on when we move to another country, the acceptance that we'll face challenges. That is what makes this forum super, that you can learn from the experience of other by simply ively reading the posts of others or enquire how to others managed particular issues.
However, your starting premises is that you want the entire process of moving managed for you, before you get here, which really doesn't bode well, for how you're going to cope when you do get here. Will you also want that managed by someone else?
3,847 posts · ed 2012
Honestly, the wake up and go idea was never really realistic anyway. We moved over 20 years ago (UK to Spain) when it was "easy", and spent two years planning in the UK, then around 9 months in Spain before we had the correct paperwork, jobs and a flat.
It took another 2 and a half years to get my UK qualifications recognised and about 10 years to get to a comparable professional situation to the one I left in the UK.
Of course with large amounts of money I guess a lot of that could have been reduced or even unnecessary, but there are certain things that even money can't buy.
It took another 2 and a half years to get my UK qualifications recognised and about 10 years to get to a comparable professional situation to the one I left in the UK.
Of course with large amounts of money I guess a lot of that could have been reduced or even unnecessary, but there are certain things that even money can't buy.
1,137 posts · ed 2014
We had similar to 'overandout' ....we came here in 2014 but had already spent 2 or 3 years planning income and healthcare, where we wanted to live, buy or rent, researching all the paperwork required, bank s etc, etc.....
It's certainly much harder now since brexit.
I wish you good luck.
Steve
It's certainly much harder now since brexit.
I wish you good luck.
Steve
1,418 posts · ed 2012
I wonder how many times you have actually been here and what research you did while here to be honest.
An agency will only charge you for doing the job you will be doing for them anyway. You can give them permission to gather some stuff but YOU alone have to go to the appointment for the Visa.
As with some of the others we moved here in 2020 (August but it should have been April) but had previously looked at houses in 2012 and again in 2016.
Im lucky as my job sent me here there and everywhere and Id been to various parts of Spain. My wife's father moved here in 2002 and we spent holidays here, two or three times a year.
I didnt actually want to move to this part of Spain (and if I am honest I wanted to go a totally different part of the world) but with brexit looming we plumped for the village we are now in and purchased in 2019.
The only reason we ended up here is the fact we have family and lots of friends who we made over the years.
You wont have the same luxury and we have found that these friends have helped with translations, finding tradespeople, general stuff like a good car mechanic etc.
Moving on your own with zero backup will present many issues for you.
have you researched the visa you may require at all??
This is what the Uk gov say
www.gov.uk
And this is the Spanish requirement for an NLV (you wont be able to work) but with limited Spanish you wont get a job anyway these days.
www.exteriores.gob.es
I know its says Manchester but all Uk consulates should require the same stuff (and this will be your first dose of Spanish paperwork)
Are you retired?? If so one of your hurdles has been overcome in that you can apply for the S1 and the Uk will pay for your medical needs. If not at retirement age you WILL need private cover and that should be the first thing you look into.
I hope you make the move but please consider all the requirements and what would you do if you didnt actually like the move a year or so in??
An agency will only charge you for doing the job you will be doing for them anyway. You can give them permission to gather some stuff but YOU alone have to go to the appointment for the Visa.
As with some of the others we moved here in 2020 (August but it should have been April) but had previously looked at houses in 2012 and again in 2016.
Im lucky as my job sent me here there and everywhere and Id been to various parts of Spain. My wife's father moved here in 2002 and we spent holidays here, two or three times a year.
I didnt actually want to move to this part of Spain (and if I am honest I wanted to go a totally different part of the world) but with brexit looming we plumped for the village we are now in and purchased in 2019.
The only reason we ended up here is the fact we have family and lots of friends who we made over the years.
You wont have the same luxury and we have found that these friends have helped with translations, finding tradespeople, general stuff like a good car mechanic etc.
Moving on your own with zero backup will present many issues for you.
have you researched the visa you may require at all??
This is what the Uk gov say
Living in Spain
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Spain, including guidance on residency, healthcare and ports.
And this is the Spanish requirement for an NLV (you wont be able to work) but with limited Spanish you wont get a job anyway these days.
Non-lucrative residence visa (NLV)
www.exteriores.gob.es
I know its says Manchester but all Uk consulates should require the same stuff (and this will be your first dose of Spanish paperwork)
Are you retired?? If so one of your hurdles has been overcome in that you can apply for the S1 and the Uk will pay for your medical needs. If not at retirement age you WILL need private cover and that should be the first thing you look into.
I hope you make the move but please consider all the requirements and what would you do if you didnt actually like the move a year or so in??
883 posts · ed 2019
I agree with what people say. If you feel nervous and worried just at the thought of the initial process of moving etc then it's likely you will always feel a bit concerned even once here. It a foreign country with a foreign language. Even after being here 25 years I would never think this is " home" in the sense of feeling safe, comfortable and sure of my place. There are always things that unsettle you now and again and unfortunately the older you get you more you worry. Only yesterday my router stopped working. I went to the shop to be told that technical problems are only done by phone. In UK that would be easy but even with good Spanish I still find it hard dealing with phone conversation where you have to deal with technical issues and people will find your accent and style hard to follow. Anyway the point is that it was a stressful day trying to sort through something I could have dealt with in minutes in UK.
1,193 posts · ed 2018
Kaipa, that is exactly the point that these challenges that in the UK would not have been an issue, suddenly can become big issues and a lot more difficult to resolve in Spain.
I came to Spain with the mindset, bring it on and I will either go through (or around) whatever problems come my way, but this takes perseverance and determination. Yes, I can learn from the experience of other, but ultimately it falls to me to resolve these issues. Even though I have been in Spain many years, both this year and last I was again reminded how challenging it can sometimes to live in a Spain, as I had to navigate some official processes. Moving to another country, especially a non-English speaking one, is not for the faint-hearted! Then trying to earn a decent living here set a whole new set of challenges!
The other big challenge which is a recurring theme on this forum is folks who have an idea of how they can earn a living in Spain, be it running a B&B, bar, being a handyman/jack of all trades or starting a small business. Basically, the core activity of the service you provide in any of these will be the same, but the businness regulations, taxes, work hours etc are very different in Spain, and these 'brainwaves' to fund a new life in Spain, are basically unviable.
I came to Spain with the mindset, bring it on and I will either go through (or around) whatever problems come my way, but this takes perseverance and determination. Yes, I can learn from the experience of other, but ultimately it falls to me to resolve these issues. Even though I have been in Spain many years, both this year and last I was again reminded how challenging it can sometimes to live in a Spain, as I had to navigate some official processes. Moving to another country, especially a non-English speaking one, is not for the faint-hearted! Then trying to earn a decent living here set a whole new set of challenges!
The other big challenge which is a recurring theme on this forum is folks who have an idea of how they can earn a living in Spain, be it running a B&B, bar, being a handyman/jack of all trades or starting a small business. Basically, the core activity of the service you provide in any of these will be the same, but the businness regulations, taxes, work hours etc are very different in Spain, and these 'brainwaves' to fund a new life in Spain, are basically unviable.
1,193 posts · ed 2018
I do blame programs like, 'A New Life in the Sun', which tend to make the whole process of relocating to Spain (or elsewhere) seamless.
It tends to focus on the property search criteria, viewing, and 'interviews' with the buyers throughout, and there is nothing wrong with that, but it is a gross over simplification of what is involved in moving to a new coutry, and being able to afford it long term, in a sustainable way.
It usually starts with what the buyers budget is, at their ideal location (on the beach, close to shops, restaurants, and bars) and the presenter comes up with a compromise at their ideal location that they can afford, but they don't like. After being disappointed with that they go inland for a larger property, but it is typically in the middle of nowhere or in a village half way up the mountains somewhere. After that sobering experience they then either up their budget or start to be more realistic about what they can actually afford on the coast (less bedrooms or bathrooms, no swimming pool or less outdoor space). Where these programs about a new life in the sun fall down is they don't mention the costs of buying above the purchase price (i.e. taxes etc), visas, residency or limits on the number of days you can Spain, that these places are like ghost towns quite often for most months of the year. The visits to appartments are typically off season, so they see all the facilities, but come summer they are packed with people all competing to get into the pool, screaming kids, drunk and loud neighbours into all hours of the night.
Having said all that I do enjoy watching 'a place in the sun', but it does have a lot to answer for...
It tends to focus on the property search criteria, viewing, and 'interviews' with the buyers throughout, and there is nothing wrong with that, but it is a gross over simplification of what is involved in moving to a new coutry, and being able to afford it long term, in a sustainable way.
It usually starts with what the buyers budget is, at their ideal location (on the beach, close to shops, restaurants, and bars) and the presenter comes up with a compromise at their ideal location that they can afford, but they don't like. After being disappointed with that they go inland for a larger property, but it is typically in the middle of nowhere or in a village half way up the mountains somewhere. After that sobering experience they then either up their budget or start to be more realistic about what they can actually afford on the coast (less bedrooms or bathrooms, no swimming pool or less outdoor space). Where these programs about a new life in the sun fall down is they don't mention the costs of buying above the purchase price (i.e. taxes etc), visas, residency or limits on the number of days you can Spain, that these places are like ghost towns quite often for most months of the year. The visits to appartments are typically off season, so they see all the facilities, but come summer they are packed with people all competing to get into the pool, screaming kids, drunk and loud neighbours into all hours of the night.
Having said all that I do enjoy watching 'a place in the sun', but it does have a lot to answer for...
1,013 posts · ed 2014
We used this agency 17 years ago when we first moved to Spain. They did for us exactly what you are asking for (arranged NIEs, arranged house viewings, provided architect's report on property we decided to buy, translated documents, negotiated purchase price and held our hands at the Notary's office). I'm surprised to see that they are still going after all these years and that the co-founder, Manolo (an architect), is still active. They are based in Calpe, on the Costa Blanca.
www.searchandsurveyspain.com
Search and Survey Spain - Professional & Trusted Home Buying Advisers
We’ll accompany you at every step to ensure you buy your dream home without worry – from outset to purchase completion. +1.500 Happy clients!
www.searchandsurveyspain.com
45 posts · ed 2016
For our visa application (NLV) we went through a service, 9 years ago. It seemed expensive at the time, Eu 5000, but I did not mind paying it as I did not know what I had to do, and I was not in Spain I was in the Middle East. And I was making a lot of money at the time so it was almost like spare change.
After spending some time in Spain, I think I could do it all on my own, but it does take some research. And it would probably take longer than if you pay someone to do it.
What are the sticky issues?
1) Getting a NIE; I'm not sure how one gets one outside of Spain like from a consulate. But in Spain, it is fairly easy once you know how.
2) Getting a bank . That's fairly easy even from outside Spain
3) Medical insurance. That was easy, done via internet. We are still with the same company we started with.
4) Residence. Now that is a trick! We settled this by going on a exploratory visit to the city we thought we wanted to live in. That went well, so on that same trip, we signed a lease on an apartment. Since we did not move for 6 months, 1/2 year of rent was thrown away. This is really what you will want to finesse. And I do not think a visa service company will be able to help with this.
5) The rest of the stuff, medical clearance, financials etc are straight forward.
So really, the only problem out of all that is really getting a NIE. If you needed to go to Spain to get one, with airfare and hotel that could come to a couple of thousand Eu, not Eu 5k.
After spending some time in Spain, I think I could do it all on my own, but it does take some research. And it would probably take longer than if you pay someone to do it.
What are the sticky issues?
1) Getting a NIE; I'm not sure how one gets one outside of Spain like from a consulate. But in Spain, it is fairly easy once you know how.
2) Getting a bank . That's fairly easy even from outside Spain
3) Medical insurance. That was easy, done via internet. We are still with the same company we started with.
4) Residence. Now that is a trick! We settled this by going on a exploratory visit to the city we thought we wanted to live in. That went well, so on that same trip, we signed a lease on an apartment. Since we did not move for 6 months, 1/2 year of rent was thrown away. This is really what you will want to finesse. And I do not think a visa service company will be able to help with this.
5) The rest of the stuff, medical clearance, financials etc are straight forward.
So really, the only problem out of all that is really getting a NIE. If you needed to go to Spain to get one, with airfare and hotel that could come to a couple of thousand Eu, not Eu 5k.
45 posts · ed 2016
The other stuff would be: the medical clearance and financials, as listed, and filling out the visa application form and submitting it at the consulate/embassy. As I noted, straight forward.
And by residence I mean a place to live. I believe a requirement is that you have to show a residence.
Residence is different from residency
And by residence I mean a place to live. I believe a requirement is that you have to show a residence.
Residence is different from residency
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