It is a big step to decide to move to another country and the key to doing it successfully is to put a little thought into the process.
The first thing you need to think about is where exactly you want to move to, and in order to answer that question you need to consider just why you are moving. After all, the needs and requirements of young married couples with children could be quite different from more senior people dreaming of a sunshine retirement in Spain.
For this reason it is important to sit down and make a list of what you need from the area in which you will settle—is the proximity of schools more important to you than a vibrant nightlife? Do you want to be near the beach and shops or in a more secluded countryside location? Do you enjoy dining out and like to be near golf, tennis and bowls clubs around which to base your social life?
Fortunately in Marbella it does not really matter which of these preceding points is the most important to you, as the town has it all covered. Whether you want to buy a villa, apartment or townhouse, there is one available to suit every taste in every imaginable setting, from town centre to beachside or in the nearby hills away from the coastal hustle and bustle.
In Elviria, for instance, there is a fine selection of real estate, all benefitting from the wide range of amenities to be found within a few minutes. Read more about this leafy area here.
Once you have decided upon your destination, the next step is to arrange for a home to suit your needs. Should you select Marbella, Greenlife Estates is well placed to help you in your property search, so please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Below is a list of what you need to do. Don’t be put off—it may look like a lot of work but in reality much of it is common sense and not too difficult to do. For newcomers—especially those who do not speak Spanish—it is advisable to find professional help in dealing with the paperwork. A small investment in a ‘Gestor’, or administrative professional, can save you a lot of time. Many of these advisors speak English and can handle all the bureaucratic hurdles; look for the sign saying Gestoría.
Before you leave your home country
- Make sure your driving licence and passport are in date. It is often cheaper and easier to renew such documents before you leave and means there is one less worry as you settle into a new life.
- For citizens of EU countries ensure you have an EHIC card to make sure you have health service coverage on arrival. This is generally for holiday coverage only and you will need to register with the Spanish authorities as soon as possible.
- Start thinking about a removals company. Packing up all your belongings for a move takes time. Think about what you really need or want to take with you on your new life. Search for a reputable company and ask their advice. If you are moving to a furnished home in Spain you may prefer to initially put your existing home’s furniture into storage.
- Do you want to rent or buy? Greenlife Estates can help you with your property search whatever you decide. Some people like to try out an area first by renting for six months, others have already set their heart on a particular house they want to buy. Whichever your choice, have somewhere to move into lined up before you arrive to avoid panic decisions at the last minute simply to get a roof over your head. This may mean a short trip to view properties and sign contracts first.
- If you want to drive to Spain, decide what you are going to do with your car. If you want to keep an existing car and use it all year round bear in mind that you will need to legally register it in Spain. This can be a complicated and fairly costly process, and we would advise you to use a professional Gestor to guide you through the red tape. The price of second hand cars in Spain can be relatively high compared to some other countries, so it may be worth doing. If not, start thinkingabout selling your car first and looking at what you can get for your money in Spain.
- There are a lot of people in your home country that you need to inform you are leaving—like the gas company and other utilities, post office, local council etc. You do not want to get stuck with bills after you have left the country. Make a list of everyone you need to inform and give them a leaving date for cancelling contracts etc.
- Think about finance. Make sure you have online access to your existing bank account.
- Get in touch with the local education authority in Spain to see what is needed to enrol your children in school. If you wish to use a private school contact it directly to discuss the matter well in advance of making the move.
- Tell your home country’s tax authorities you are leaving. This can save a lot of trouble later.
- Think about your state pension. For example, in the UK you can keep entitlement to your state pension by making voluntary contributions. It is worth checking with your nation’s pension providers to see what options are available.
Once you arrive in Spain
- If you didn’t manage to follow step four above (rent or buy) rent a place ASAP. You will need some form of documentation with an address, name and passport number on it saying you live there (for instance a rental contract).
- Find a Gestor who speaks your language. The first thing you will need is an NIE number, usually from the National Police station. You will need this for just about any paperwork, including opening a bank account.
- Open a bank account. It is worth investigating bank charges as some offer better deals than others, particularly if you register direct debits and incoming salary or pension with them.
- Foe EU citizens, you will need to get a green certificate, again from the National Police, registering you as living in Spain. This document has replaced the old identity card that was once required and it is an obligation to carry one. Generally, non-EU citizens will need a Spanish identity card.
- Register with your local town hall on the padrón, or municipal register. This will entitle you to many of the local services and discounts available to residents at municipal facilities.
- Register with the Social Security department. If you do not have a state pension you will need to be in the social security system, either by receiving a salary with ‘nomina’ (NI contributions) paid or be registered as self employed and paying ‘autónomo’ (self employment contributions). If you are married with children, your partner and dependents can be included under your contributions
- Register for health care. If you are retiring here many nations have a reciprocal health care agreement with Spain for those in receipt of a state pension. In some regions of Spain you can also buy into the state system for a set monthly fee if you are not working or in receipt of a state pension.
- You will furthermore need to register your driving licence with ‘tráfico’ (DGT). For EU citizens, and in the case of some other countries, it is not a requirement to exchange it for a Spanish licence, but on expiry it usually isn’t possible to renew it in your home country if you no longer live there. In this event, you may be able to swap it for a Spanish licence subject to a medical (particularly for citizens of EU countries).
Phew! You can now sit back and enjoy your new life in Spain. Whatever your reason for moving to Marbella, you can be assured of a warm welcome in this cosmopolitan town. We look forward to meeting you!
Massimo Filippa
