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Advice on initiating a move from UK to Spain

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:41am
8 replies397 views11 members subscribed
Blueiti

Posts: 7

3 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 9 Apr 2020

Having decided once the current situation has eased to move lock stock & barrel to Spain can you give me any essential advice of how to go about the move.

Firstly I will be renting and I have exhausted scouring all the property websites for suitable accommodation in Torrevieja, therefore I have a fair idea of properties.

I am due to travel to the Alicante area at the end of June to visit estate agents and look at prospective properties and hopefully tie up as much as I can in the limited time  I'm out there. Outside of what I have done so far and visiting the area, what other things can anyone suggest which I am not currently aware of.

Neil Webb

Kelvin1960

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:10am

Kelvin1960

Super helpful member

Posts: 1488

1767 helpful points

Joined: 5 Mar 2017

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:10am

Set up a local lawyer in Spain - to sort out your NIE number, Spanish bank account, property rental/purchase, preliminary income tax appraisal.

To live in Spain permanently, you need to apply for/be granted Residency. 

Depending on your personal circumstances (age/income/working or retired) you might want to try to obtain Residency before end 2020 (the currently projected end of Brexit Transition). If you are retired, and cannot gain Residency before the end of Transition, it is likely that you will not qualify for reciprocal healthcare. Additionally, you will be required to demonstrate a higher income level than the current figure. In any case, you need to demonstrate that (a) you have bought a house/have a long-term lease, (b) have a qualifying level of income, and (c) have healthcare. Pre-Transition end, if you are >66, you can get reciprocal healthcare. If you are <66 you will need private healthcare. After Transition end, you will probably need private healthcare (the detailed requirements for Residency applications post-Transition are currently unclear). 

Income tax is paid in arrears in Spain, so will not fall due for (up to) 22 months after you gain Residency. That said, depending on your circumstances, income tax in Spain can be considerably higher than in the UK, so it is worth getting the preliminary tax liability assessment to avoid surprises. There is also a cut-over process that entails paying UK tax AND Spanish tax in the same year, and subsequently reclaiming the UK tax. So there is a cash flow to be managed. 

The rules are different if you intend to work here. Perhaps someone on this forum who is better informed can advise on that option.

Cheryl

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:48am

Cheryl

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 2973

3533 helpful points

Location: Albatera

Joined: 8 Jun 2017

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:48am

Click on the "Jim's Guides" tab at the top of the page, it gives all the information you will need.

Find your ideal area first, then look for the house. Assuming you are retiring, think of where your closest supermarket, bar, restaurant, pharmacy, doctor etc are as there may come a day when you can no longer drive. Those beautiful views mostly come with hills. 

Research flash flooding as this is a regular occurrence here but the September 2019 flooding was unprecedented, it is the more regular localised heavy rainstorms that you need to consider.

Spanish homes are not generally built to the same standards as UK ones and have single skin walls and little in the way of heating, insulation or soundproofing. For a smallish apartment, air conditioning should suffice and is cheaper than for cooling in summer but the forum is usually full of questions about heating once the temperatures drop in the Autumn.

Flat roofs leak! Large picture windows will spend most of the time with curtains closed to keep out the sun and then let in the cold in the winter. Solariums can become far too hot to use in the height of the summer.

Think noise. Noise will travel between adjoining properties. See the area in August and say, February before committing. Communal pools will get very noisy in Summer and some areas will be very quiet in winter.
Dogs. I have two of my own and love them dearly but they bark like most other dogs. Some dogs are left on their own all day and possibly most of the week in some cases and it is a regular subject on here. They also need to go to the toilet and the evidence is everywhere.

If you will have a car it would be best to have a garage, off road parking or an allocated space. It is advisable to buy a car here although 2nd hand prices are much higher and don't be tempted to buy a bargain 2nd hand Spanish registered car in the UK (see Jim's Guides).

Most estate agents work together so plump for the one you feel gives the best service and deal just with them. Another poster suggested e-mailing a few to build up a relationship, see how fast and well they answer your queries etc. Casas Manuel, amongst others, get good reviews. NEVER use their recommended Abogado and never give a deposit to the agent. I can personally recommend Uma at getlegalinspain.com for conveyancing, NIE; Residencia, Spanish driving licence, tax etc. You can do it all yourself by following Jim's Guides or the agent may offer some of these services or you can go to a one-stop shop like Uma, just spend this time making contacts and comparing prices.

Bank accounts. Many, many posts on here re bank charges as banking in Spain is not free. Some charge very high fees for the banker's draft when you purchase your property and you can only withdraw cash for free at your own bank's ATMs.

Complimentary Tax. On top of the 10% Purchase tax and then another 3-5% for other costs, beware of bargains and I imagine there will be a lot once this is all over. Much like with the council tax banding in the UK, Spanish properties all have a listed value which doesn't seem to have changed for many years and if the taxman, a couple of years down the line, notices you have paid less than the listed value, you will be sent a demand with very limited appeal time given. Always ask your abogado for this value and factor in this extra tax or get the valuation appealed before you buy.

Deeds. Make sure that the property is exactly as described, so pack a tape measure. If something is described as an Almacen, or storage, or garage and it is now a bedroom with en-suite, or an open terrace has been glazed in or the swimming pool is not mentioned then this needs to be rectified at the seller's cost.

Habitacion Certificate. A whole other subject which may have the potential to cause huge problems.

Photocopies. Make sure you have a printer and plenty of paper, you will need it.

Feel free to ask further questions as there is a wealth of knowledge on here including a handy guide by Jim on how to search for existing info.

Edit: A gestor will be cheaper than an abogado to sort out NIE, transferring utilities etc.

Casco

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:36am

Posts: 82

22 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 25 Jan 2020

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:36am

Hi Neil, 

Me and my husband came here last August and we bought a property through Casas Espania and dealt with Julie and Gareth and they were brilliant so I would recommend them. Then we dealt with a translation company who got us our NIE Numbers, Residencia and our Spanish driving licences they were also brilliant. If you want any further information please ask anytime and good luck. 

Regards 

Caron 

Peter3473

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 6:01am

Peter3473

Very helpful member

Posts: 988

900 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 21 Oct 2019

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 6:01am

If you do find a place you like, go visit the area morning, midday and evening to get the feel of the place, also if possible speak to local people and possibly neighbours. We found the only downside to the property we chose were our neighbours who are elderly brits = 71 and 76, think they know it all, been here for 17 years and don’t speak a word of Spanish!!! They go to the local bar every day for 6 hours, then start arguing and slamming doors when home and the swearing is terrible and they both need a good wash as the smell from them and their property is sickening. Unfortunately we were not aware of this and just can not wait for them to move along!!!!!! Good luck with your search.

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Juanita10

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:59pm

Posts: 16

7 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 23 Aug 2019

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:59pm

It's possible to get your NIE for under £10 through the Spanish Consulate in London or Edinburgh, so if you're on a tight budget, consider this before paying €100+ over here in Spain. Very straightforward to do. (You don't need to provide a Spanish address for this either. )

saintpj

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:03pm

Posts: 32

12 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 4 Mar 2020

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:03pm

Hello Neil

In February I traveled to Torrevieja and viewed many properties for sale 28 to be precise because many agents do not listen to what you are seeking and want to try and show you everything. What ever you do, do not subscribe to any lists offering property for sale or rent because they will share your details and you will receieve hundred of updates every day, all properties you see on virtually every website and most websites are badly designed with little marketing of the property, most properties for sale are available to view with virtually all agents. Make a note of all the properties you want to view and decide on one or two agents from different agencies to show you around with the list you can make. I was so disappointed with the lack of sale skills and an interest from the agent who lacked information on the properties. I finally bought a property and will move straight after the lockdown when it is possible.  There were two agencies I felt comfortable with, CasasY Mar and Leddy Homes, they were on the ball and on time when meeting me. It is cheap enough to stay in a hotel for a  few months however bide your time as you will find a cracking property especially now after the virus, good luck.

Theres56

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 11:16pm

Posts: 26

6 helpful points

Location: Catral

Joined: 25 Oct 2020

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 11:16pm

Peter3473 wrote on Mon Apr 20, 2020 6:01am:

If you do find a place you like, go visit the area morning, midday and evening to get the feel of the place, also if possible speak to local people and possibly neighbours. We found the only downside to the property we chose were our neighbours who are elderly brits = 71 and 76, think they know i...

...t all, been here for 17 years and don’t speak a word of Spanish!!! They go to the local bar every day for 6 hours, then start arguing and slamming doors when home and the swearing is terrible and they both need a good wash as the smell from them and their property is sickening. Unfortunately we were not aware of this and just can not wait for them to move along!!!!!! Good luck with your search.

Jeez you do have a nightmare all the best

Davebev1

Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:54pm

Davebev1

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 1558

2196 helpful points

Location: Playa Flamenca

Joined: 7 Nov 2017

Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:54pm

Blueiti wrote on Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:41am:

Having decided once the current situation has eased to move lock stock & barrel to Spain can you give me any essential advice of how to go about the move.

Firstly I will be renting and I have exhausted scouring all the property websites for suitable accommodation in Torrevieja, therefore I have a fair idea of properties. ...

...

I am due to travel to the Alicante area at the end of June to visit estate agents and look at prospective properties and hopefully tie up as much as I can in the limited time  I'm out there. Outside of what I have done so far and visiting the area, what other things can anyone suggest which I am not currently aware of.

Neil Webb

As others have said, moving after the end of the transition period will have different personal requirements on income, that is assuming you are British and not Irish - if you are Irish you will be able to move under the EU/SM Freedom of Movement rules.  

I do not know your ages or your income, if you are intending to work or retirees.  But it will be more difficult.  Renting first is a good idea - you do need a long-term Spanish contract for residency (will be TIE) application, plus comprehensive health insurance, proof of income and money in the bank in Spain.  You can apply for your NIE's in advance via the Spanish Consulate as you need those for any financial contract in Spain from renting a house to opening a bank account to taking out a mobile phone contract, plus for paying your taxes (of course!).  With the UK leaving the Single Market goes the loss of Freedom of Movement, so it won't be so easy to relocate in the future sadly.

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