People who have relocated from Jersey, Channel Islands

Hi Trish..

We're doing the same thing next year, so intrigued to know how you get on...

All the very best in the move & have fun in the sun..😀

Hi, lots of people will assist but they charge for the service. Here's how I did it. At Cabo Roig there is a large Farmacia next to Consum supermarket. Park in Consum carpark. At the side of the Farmacia (nearest to Consum) you will see an entrance door. Immediately inside is a lift. Take the lift to the top floor. Enter the 'doctor's' office. Reception desk in front. Ask to book an appointment for a Driving License Medical. You will need your passport and your NIE Number and your Driving License. Usually you go straight in. It's not a medical per se, it's an aptitude test, hand and eye coordination. Takes about 5 mins. You then see the doctor who gives you a note saying you passes (you will!).

You take this not to a 'lawyer'. I used the one in the same building as the car tax office, next to the Orihuela Town Hall, near Mercadona Playa Flamenca. They are the experts. Again, you need all your documents. You can book an appointment but usually you go straight in. They give you a temporary Driving License and take off you your current Driving Licence. 

That's it! You can drive with the temporary license. The lawyer will contact you when it's time to collect your new Spanish License. Mine took two weeks, they sent me a WhatsApp message when they got it back and I just went in and collected it. It can take longer than two weeks.

There you go, easy peasy! If you need to talk to me, send me a message on here and I'll give you my phone number. 

Lots of people will tell you it's very complicated but it really isn't. Good luck!

Hi, Trish,

My name is Monica from California.  There is lots of info on UK Expats, so curious to here from another US citizen and moving to Spain.   My husband and I are planning on early retirement in 3-4 years and am interested in hearing how you did it and any pointers. 

Thank you and so excited for you

Can you tell people how much it costs please

I would if I could remember! I think it was about €25 for the medical and around €40 for the lawyer, not exactly sure. The only difference from my English license (apart from the language, obviously) is that it hasn't got my address on it. I forgot to mention that you also need to give the lawyer a couple of mugshots, passport size. The optician in the arcade at Mercadona in Playa Flamenca (just up from the Town Hall and the lawyer) do very nice ones in a little presentation wallet for €6.

Hi again, if you scroll down to the bottom of this forum page, towards the very end of the ads, you will find "Jim's Guides". This is exceptionally helpful and covers just about everything you need to know. I have only recently discovered this and "Jim" seems to know what he is talking about.

HI Trish, if you are looking for a quote to move your furniture to Spain, I would be delighted to assist you. My company is Wiseguys European Removals and we operate trucks and vans from the UK to Spain weekly. www.wiseguysremovals.com

Hi we moved here from Jersey, Channel Islands, UK but if we can be of any help to you please just message me. Trish