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Moving
to Spain - a simple
guide
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C-Squared Trucking
-
EFFICIENCY
IS MOVING WITH
C-SQUARED
TRUCKING!
Click the web link
for all the
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C-Squared Trucking
more efficient for
all transport to
Spain and
for our Web
Gateway where
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very latest
independent Press
reports on
extraordinary new
removals ideas
from the
service innovator
for Europe,
C-Squared
Trucking!
www.simonmarshall.co.uk/trucking.html |
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Moving to Spain?
This new DVD guide
has interviews
with people who
have already moved
to Spain. We show
the good and the
bad. Over 1
hour of unique
information. This
DVD is delivered
direct to your
door for just
£5.99 ! Money well
spent. |
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Advance Moves
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Based in Spain we
are a British run
removals and
storage company
that prides itself
on high levels of
service at rock
bottom prices. We
specialise in
relocations
between the
United Kingdom
and
Spain
with storage
available in both
countries. |
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Recruit Spain
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The leading
recruitment
company for jobs
in Spain and
Gibraltar cover
most fields
including sales,
IT, accountancy,
marketing and
administration.
For job listings,
relocation
information and
for CV
applications see
www.recruitspain.com
or contact (0034)
952 667 986. |
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Easyguide
Spain
- Property and
Businesses for
sale in Spain,
Business
Directory, Hotel
Bookings, Jobs,
Classifieds and
more |
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Costa Blanca Business Sales
- If you want to purchase your dream
business on the fabulous north Costa Blanca. We will
be happy to show you businesses to suit your
requirements. We have a well established efficient
legal team to guide you safely through the process. We
look forward to meeting you. Give us a call. |
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1st Line Couriers and Removals
- Moving to Spain/back home? We can offer you a
great price for
moving. FREE
insurance and we
will beat any
genuine quote ! |
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Sanitas Health
Plan Complete
- In safe hands in
Spain - Whether
you're escaping to
the sun during the
winter months or
working in the
country for the
whole year,
Sanitas Health
Plan Complete will
help you take
advantage of the
highest quality
health care
options.
Visit this link
for further
information. |
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Buy or Sell
Property
Commission Free
-
Everything
you need for
moving to or
living in Spain.
Lawyers,
Mortgages, Spanish
Postage, Spanish
rail timetables,
Route Planning,
Pets abroad,
Free Hotel
Accommodation,
Free Spanish
Course,
more free offers |
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Spanish Mortgage
from NatWest
- The Spanish
Mortgage from
NatWest offers a
service designed
for UK nationals
requiring
finance to
purchase
property in
Spain |
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The Xpat.com
- the
online version
of Spain's
biggest selling
English-language
magazine, The
Xpat. We provide
a quality look
at Spain,
including
entertainment,
news,
information,
what's on,
places and
people, and the
best blog ever. |
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Step
#1 Making the decision
If
you want to settle in Spain either long or short term then you
have to have drive, determination and patience. The hot weather
may be a major attraction to you - don't move for this reason
alone. The sun is nice for a while but if you need to work in
it to survive, its not quite so attractive. If you are one
of those who like everything done straight away then Spain is
not for you. Be prepared for a slower lifestyle where things
take a little longer to get done. Living in Spain is not a holiday
in any way. Still convinced that you want to move ? Then read
on and do it ! Assuming you have cleared up any mess and tied
up loose ends in your own country you are almost ready to move.
Maybe you have a home to go to in Spain, maybe you want to
find one when you get there. Maybe you have work to go to or
maybe you will look for work when you get there. If you have
no arrangements don't worry, there are plenty of both,
depending on what area of Spain you are going to. For
relocation
services see here. |
Step #2
Here’s a
final checklist before you leave
Home and travel
- Decide which possessions you
will take to Spain, which you will leave in the UK and which
items you can sell before you leave.
- Obtain estimates for the
move from at least three removal companies.
- Purchase boxes, labels and
bubble wrap. When you pack boxes, list the contents on a
label.
- Make sure you have nothing
on loan such as videos, library books and if so, return them.
- Have you anything at the dry
cleaners or cobblers?
- Arrange moving date and
confirm at least twice.
- Check all the details of
your Spanish purchase. Confirm mortgage and lawyers.
- Make sure you have some cash
for your journey and arrival in Spain.
- Notify authorities, banks,
building societies etc of your new contact details.
- Check any schooling
arrangements for the children. See more about schools
here.
- Make arrangements for your
pets travel and arrival. See more about pets
here.
- Check passports, travel
tickets and car documents.
- Have you got travel
insurance ? Have you a green card for your car insurance ? See
about driving in Spain
here.
Personal
You’ll need to consider your pensions, tax, life assurance,
investments and healthcare arrangements in your new home. Please
note that members of EU countries such as a UK national, a Dane,
a Swede or Norwegian has the right to live in Spain by virtue of
their countries’ membership of the European Economic Area.
If you are retiring abroad, you can continue to receive your UK
State pension. If you are moving permanently to Spain, you
should get yearly increases in your pension. Contact the Social
Security Office to complete the correct forms.
- Before you leave the UK work
out your retirement income by obtaining and completing a form
BR19 from the Retirement Pension Forecasting and Advice Unit (RPFA)
on 0044(0) 191 218 7585 and ask for a state pension forecast.
This is available up to four months before you reach the UK
pension age. The forecast you receive subject to your general
entitlement will tell you what your pension is at the date
received and whether or not you will get more by the time you
reach UK pension age. Note that if you have already moved, and
are paying local Spanish social security payments, that this
forecast will not include your local contributions.
- You should write to The UK
Pensions Service informing them that you are moving to Spain
and give them your new address. Their address is International
Pension Centre, Tyne View Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 218 7777; Fax: +44 (0) 191 218 3836.
- Note that the state pension
age and entitlements may vary between Spain and the UK. To
check on your pension rights in Spain we suggest that as a
first step you should look at
www.ukinspain.com/english/. This
is a UK government website dedicated to providing information
for those re-locating to Spain from the UK.
- To obtain your UK State
pension in Spain you will need to complete a claim form from
the Pensions Service. This is also normally available four
months before you reach the UK pensionable age. It asks you if
you want to claim a UK retirement pension and for details of
any periods of residence and state insurance you have in other
countries. If you are living in Spain and claim a pension from
that country, the UK Pension Service will pass details of your
claim to the Spanish authorities who will process you pension
in Spain. Personal and company pension schemes can usually be
paid anywhere. The experience of others has shown that some
company schemes, for example, will pay a pension only to a UK
bank. Further, some annuity companies levy charges for each
overseas payment, although others do so for free. You may
consider transferring your pension fund abroad. This would
eliminate the Euro/Sterling exchange rate risk if your fund
were maintained in Euros. Please note that all such
international transfers must receive the prior approval of the
Inland Revenue and specialist advice should be obtained from a
pension’s expert.
Tax
Personal circumstances vary greatly but you may cease to be
liable to UK tax if you cut all ties with the UK and become
domiciled abroad. However you will technically be a UK resident
if you spend a requisite number of days in the UK and will
consequently suffer UK tax on your income. Obtain more
information on tax and your domicile status from the Inland
Revenue’s document called IR20. If you do change you residency
cash held offshore may still be liable to tax in Spain depending
on local tax rules. Please note that Spain imposes a wealth tax
on your world-wide assets. However, as Spain and UK have a
double taxation treaty you should be given relief for double
taxation. Please remember that if you are proposing to rent out
your UK property this will attract a UK income tax charge. |
Step
#3 Making the move
Once you have decided on where in Spain you are going to,
you need to decide on how to get there. You will decide which
way is best for you, depending on what you are taking with
you. If you decide to drive, make sure you read the section
on driving in Spain. You can
catch a car ferry at many English ports and buy a one way
or return ticket. [we were once told that a cheap day return
to France can be bought cheaper than a one-way ticket]. A
point to note is that if you bring a caravan over with you,
most ferries will not sell you a one way ticket so you must
use the tunnel. Consider carefully the cost of a crossing
to Calais and the additional cost of petrol and tolls as
opposed
to a crossing to Santander or Bilbao. Driving through France
can be a long nightmare and very expensive on tolls. Flying
over is a cheap alternative if all you have are a couple of
cases. Cheap flights can be booked over the internet at as
little as £50 each ! But, consider how you are to get about
once you get here. Spain is a big country and a car is a must.
Whichever way you get here, there are several things you must
bring with you. Driving licences/Car insurance papers Birth/Marriage
certificates Passports Bank books/cheque and credit cards
Enough money to get home Important medication Form E111 and
remember to make several photocopies of all your documents
!
Step
#4 Travel documents (see
here for Spanish Tourist Office Guidelines)
Because
Spain is part of the EU, if you live in an EU country, you
do not require a visa to enter the country. You have almost
equal rights in Spain as you do in your own country. Make
sure you have a full ten year British Passport well before
you leave. Make several photocopies of it and make sure you
keep at least one copy in a safe place. Losing your original
passport in Spain would be a bad move. Losing all record of
it would be worse. Consider taking out travel insurance for
your journey over. its money well spent if your luggage vanishes
or your car is stolen with all your belongings inside. Make
sure children have their own passports. its also a good idea
to go the post office in England and collect a form for renewal
of a passport and a form for replacement of a lost/stolen
passport. These are forms you can't get in Spain. Make sure
you have all your birth/marriage certificates with you and
again, make sure you have several photocopies of each which
you should keep separate from the originals.
Step
#5 On arrival in Spain - N.I.E. Number
As
a foreigner living and/or working in Spain, the first thing
you MUST do on arrival is obtain an NIE number. This is a
simple process providing you follow the guidelines. You can
get a Gestor to apply for you but it will cost you about 100€.
To do it your self, go to the National Police station and
collect an application form, or you can download
the form here. You can complete the form in English and
it is FREE. You will need Adobe Acrobat to download the form.
Download this program, free of charge,
here.
HOW
TO FILL IN THE N.I.E. APPLICATION FORM
1
DATOS PERSONALES means PERSONAL DETAILS
1er
Apellido: Surname
2º Apellido : (second Surname) Write three chiffons instead
(---)
Nombre : Christian Name (make sure to use same as in passport)
Fecha de Nacimiento: Date of birth (use two digits for day
and month)
Lugar de nacimiento: Place of birth
Sexo : Gender “H” for Male (Hombre) and “M”
Female (Mujer) . X cross the one applicable
Estado Civil: Status. S for single C for married. V for widow
and D for divorced
País de nacimiento: Country of Birth
País de nacionalidad: Current Nationality
Nombre del padre: Father´s name
Nombre de la madre: Mother´s name
Domicilio en España: Address in Spain (if you have
one, otherwise leave blank) - Localidad: Town, CP: Postcode,
Provincia: Province
SECTION
2
Reasons
for application:
Economic, Professional or Social (Tick professional for work
reasons or social for house purchase)
3) DOMICILIO A EFECTOS DE NOTIFICACIONES
Leave blank
Sign
the form at the bottom, under 'firma de solicitante'.
Complete
the form and take it back to the National Police station,
along with a photocopy. You also need to provide your original
passport and a photocopy. That's it ! You will then be told
to return in approx. 4 weeks time when your number will be
ready to collect. You need this number to do anything fiscal
in Spain such as open a bank account [this can also be done
with your passport number].
Social Security
How to get a Social Security Number:
The
process of getting a social security number is now very easy.
Simply go to any social security
office, with your original passport and
copy of the passport.
You will have to fill in a form, which is in Spanish, but its
quite easy as the normal questions are asked like, name,
address, names of parents etc. They
issue the number there and then and give you a temporary card.
They send on the plastic card at their leisure. It is not
necessary to have a job, or even a NIE to get a social
security number.
Why do you need a Social Security Number?:
-
You need a social security number to work in Spain. I am
sure that you are aware that if you are self-employed you
have to pay into the social security, but also if you are
employed you pay and this should be deducted by your
employer before payment.
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You are entitled to social security benefits, but pro rata
to what you have paid in.
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You also are entitled to medical care i.e. you can sign on
with your local doctor.
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You only have to pay if you are earning money in Spain, i.e.
not on any pension from the UK.
Step
#6 Looking for work
If
you have not already found work or intend to work for your
self, you will now need to start job hunting. See more about
working in Spain here. Or
you may wish to buy
a bar or similar business in Spain.
Step #7 Residencias
A residencia is a form of permit for those who intend
to reside in Spain on a permanent basis. It is NOT compulsory
for EU citizens, however, there are advantages. They are issued
by the National Police dept. You may wish to employ the services
of a gestor for your application. Failing this, visit your
nearest police station and collect the application forms.
Your
application forms must be returned to the Police along with
several important items, as a minimum these will include;
3 photographs (passport style - in colour) A full passport
(original and 2 photocopies) Title deeds or a rental contract
stating where you live A work contract (min 6 months long
- original and a photocopy) The fee (aprox. £4.00) is paid
into the bank, as instructed by the police. You then produce
the receipt as part of your application. A certificate from
a bank in Spain may be required, proving that you have sufficient
money in the account, or a regular income coming in to support
you.
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Moving to
Spain with
Children
Lotteries in
Spain
including
scams
Rogues Gallery
Spain
Media in Spain
(News, Radio
and TV)
Take your pet
to Spain
Shopping in
Spain
The cost of
living in
Spain
Driving in
Spain
The culture in
Spain
A guide to
buying
property
A guide to
buying a
country
property
Practical
matters of
Spanish life
Working in
Spain
Guide to
buying a
business
in Spain
Finding a
school in
Spain
State school
registration
Property for
sale in:
Costa Blanca
Costa Almeria
Costa Brava
Costa Calida
Costa del Sol
Costa de la
Luz
Costa del
Azahar
Costa Tropical
(Granada)
Costa Dorada
Moving to
Spain?
Here
you will find
lots of help
and advice
The cost of
living in
Spain
explained
Ask for advice
on mortgages
Find a bank in
Spain |
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Really useful Websites:
The British Embassy's website -
For information on moving to and
living in Spain - medical cover, employment, education, pets,
cars, benefits, getting married and so much more. |
Useful
addresses in London
Spanish
Embassy, 39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB
Cultural
Office, Tel 020 7201 5522 fax 020 7259 6487
Press
Office, Tel 020 7235 7537 fax 020 7235 2263
Labour
Office, 20 Peel Street, London W8 7PD Tel: 0202210098 - email:
spanlabo@globalnet.co.uk |
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