Ever since the package holiday boom in the the 1960s, Spain has been the top destination for holiday-makers, and nowadays it’s also our first choice for buying property. And it comes as no surprise when you look at all that Spain has to offer.
There is something here for everyone, and that doesn’t just include properties. Spain is a country of massive contrasts, in culture, lifestyle, scenery and attitude. The Spanish are the most welcoming of all Europeans, and whether you encounter laidback Andalucíans, proud Catalans, assertive Basques, sun-loving Mallorcans or shy Canarians, you will be made to feel at home, wherever you end up in Spain. The Spanish have a great respect for the older generation, and all hang on to a sense of traditional life. And whatever you’re looking for in terms of lifestyle or surroundings, there’ll be a property to suit you, with a location and price to match.

Where to buy

Think Spain and you think of sun-soaked beaches on the Costas or perhaps the hustle and bustle of Barcelona. But there’s much more to the country than sand, sun and city life. Thanks to the increasing number of low-cost flights to new Spanish destinations, different areas of the country are becoming popular with property hunters.

Flights to Santiago, Oviedo and Bilbao have opened up the northern regions of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country, where life is inextricably linked to the sea. The weather here is wetter than the rest of Spain (it’s not called ‘Green Spain’ for nothing) but is still drier and hotter than the climate we’re used to in the UK.

Increased numbers of flights to cities inland from the Costa del Sol are bringing more visitors to rural Andalucía, where you can enjoy a slower pace of life and a taste of classic Spain: flamenco, hot sun, fiestas, siestas, white-washed hilltop villages, donkeys on the dusty roads, and some of Spain’s tastiest tapas.

Flights to places like Almería, Murcia and Valencia are making the Dorada,Azahar, Cálida and Almería costas more popular with buyers who come here to seek the same great weather as that of the Costas del Sol and Brava but at a more affordable price. At the same time, more people are venturing inland from the coasts, discovering all that inland Spain has to offer. Those who love the outdoors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, climbing, kayaking, horse riding, birdwatching, golf or 4x4 treks, while Spain’s rich historic heritage offers plenty of castles, cathedrals, Roman remains and ancient settlements to explore.

Enjoying the culture

Although it is possible to move to Spain and settle into a community made up completely of British expats, with cooked breakfasts and roast dinners, English newspapers and Irish pubs, it seems a waste not to soak up at least a little native culture.

The Spanish are an outgoing people, and need the smallest excuse to have a fiesta, festival or party. Every village and town has a patron saint, and saints’ days are celebrated with street processions, parties and often a fireworks display. Whether it’s Alicante’s St John’s night bonfires on the beach or Seville’s enormous fería de Abril, you’re guaranteed eating, drinking and dancing well into the night: all huge fun and a great way to meet your Spanish neighbours.

Religion plays a big part in Spanish life, and while you might find it a nuisance that shops stay closed on Sundays, it does mean that most communities head to a café, restaurant or bar after church, so Sunday lunchtimes are always lively… particularly as you know you can take a siesta to recover in the afternoon.

And then there’s the mañana attitude. It may be frustrating when you want a form signed, or a builder to complete a job, or you’re in a hurry to get the bill in a restaurant. However, by adopting a Hispanic shrug, and taking the laidback option, it becomes much easier to bear. The Spanish enjoy life and work gets in the way sometimes… so if you can get into the same way of thinking (somehow much easier when the sun is always shining), it really does help.

Finally there’s the food and drink. Before you dismiss Spanish cuisine as stodgy paella and sangria, consider the fact that Spain is Europe’s third largest beer producer, that it produces over 90 types of regional cheeses, that there are nearly 20 regional wine varieties aside from the ever-popular Rioja… and then there are the tapas. There’s nothing better than having a caña (a small beer) and a couple of tapas dishes at a bar, then continuing the same in the next bar, until you’ve had a tapas crawl round the town. Or heading to a tapas bar with family and friends and ordering enough dishes for everyone to share. It really is the ultimate in sociable dining.

Something for everyone

Spain is still the most popular country for the British to buy properties in, and it’s estimated that one out of every three houses sold in Spain at the moment is sold to a non-Spaniard (Britons top this list, followed closely by Germans and Swedes). Britons account for up to a third of the population in some Andalucían towns (particularly those on the Costa del Sol), and with over 160,000 living permanently in the region as a whole, they are the fourth largest group of immigrants in Spain after those from Ecuador, Morocco and Colombia. So you do at least know you’re not alone.

Then there are the prices. Whatever your budget, there’s something for you… from a rundown small farmhouse for €22,000 in one of the less visited regions (Castile, Extremadura or Asturias) to a luxury, renovated country estate in an exclusive part of Mallorca costing well into the millions. The most popular areas – Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Barcelona – continue to rise in price, but with 20 times as many UK–Spain flights as 10 years ago, it’s easier than ever to explore all the corners of this beautiful and wildly contrasting country.

WHY LIVE IN SPAIN?

Spain has always appealed to the British, from the 1960s, when package holidays started jetting tourists to the sun-soaked beaches of Málaga, to today, when Spain is first choice among the British for a second home purchase. The number-one factor attracting relocators has to be the climate, with an average of 137 days of sunshine compared to the UK’s 52. Combine this with the culture, cuisine and stunning scenery, and you have more than enough reasons to explain why 600,000 British residents own homes in Spain.

A move to Spain is the promise of a new beginning. For example, from the executive relocating on a posting to Barcelona, to the English teacher looking for work, or the retired couple seeking pastures new in Denia, the warmth and vibrancy of the country have a strong appeal. Holiday-makers may spend years coming on holiday before making their decision to live permanently in Spain. With budget airlines making access to Spain easy from many European countries, the potential emotional wrench of leaving friends and family for long periods is greatly reduced, and clears the way for a permanent relocation.

The ideal approach is to set up a timeline and work methodically towards your departure date, with a list of set objectives. Similarly, the settling-in period may require the same methodical approach. The main things to think about are as follows:

1. Educating your children

You have the option of enrolling your children in a Spanish state school, or an international school, where lessons are conducted in English. State education is free and of a good standard, but naturally the curriculum is in Spanish. However, within a year, the children should be well on the way to speaking native Spanish.

Those considering international schools should be aware that fees can be expensive, and that many hold long waiting lists, which could mean putting relocation plans on hold due to schools being oversubscribed. The key here is to make your children’s education a priority in the relocation move, and to visit the area you will be moving to up to a year in advance, in order to check out the international schools, fill out the paperwork and, in coastal areas such as the Costa del Sol, put the children’s names on waiting lists.

2. NIE numbers

This early visit to check out the children’s educational possibilities is a good opportunity to also apply at the local police station for your NIE (numero de identificación de extranjeros) number, something that all foreigners living in Spain must have. This foreigner’s identification number is a prerequisite to buying cars or property, or setting up a resident’s bank account. On the same visit, have a look at the employment opportunities in your sector of expertise and bring back any local reading, such as weekly papers or magazines, which can be read at home at leisure.

3. Pet passports

The children’s farewells will be less tearful if the family dog or cat can travel as well. Not traditionally a nation of animal lovers, the Spanish are discovering the joys of pet owning, and veterinary attention and information on immunisations needed for pet travel to Spain are now widely available, with increasing numbers of families arriving with faithful four-legged friends.

4. Healthcare

Private medical care schemes are available for residents and non-residents alike, and a reasonable monthly premium provides access to first-class facilities. The NIE and a work contract entitle employees or the self-employed to Spanish social security benefits, which compare very favourably with other European national health schemes.

5. Language

With language one of the biggest barriers to moving, there can be no better advice on relocating than to spend time up-front learning the lingo. An intensive three-month Spanish language course on arrival will give an immediate payback on the work front. A year of night school, or time hunched over a multi-media Spanish language programme, will also will pay dividends. You will be warmly welcomed by the Spanish, who, perhaps more than any other European nation, appreciate any efforts to learn their language. Work Spanish classes for the whole family into your pre-relocation timeline. It will smooth your integration into Spanish life.

6. Job hunting

Employment opportunities will be greatly increased if you can speak Spanish. Many people who have made the move to Spain find themselves working in different jobs and sectors to what they were used to in the UK – and taking home a lower income – due to language barriers. In your timeline, do make sure you have enough money to cover living expenses for at least six months while you settle in, improve your Spanish and look for employment. While the cost of living and general costs are lower in Spain than in the UK, so too are the salaries. Keep this in mind during your job search and compare projected income with local living costs, rather than comparing them to those of the UK.

7. Utilities

Whether renting or buying a property, utilities, such as electricity, gas, water and telephone, need to be taken into account. Utilities are usually taken care of in the rental contract, or organised with the help of the local lawyer when purchasing your home.

For the first occupant of a new villa or apartment, utilities may take a little longer to set up, and the help of the lawyer will be needed to negotiate the minefield of Spanish paperwork. Be sure to allocate enough time to set up utilities so that they are in place ready for habitation.

8. Renting

If you do not already own a home in Spain, then renting property while you conduct your ideal home search is advisable. The main advantage is that you can get to know different areas without purchasing in an area that might not be suitable long term.This way, you can establish what suits you and your family’s needs best. How far do you want to be from the shops? Do you want to be in a rural area, remote from towns and cities? Is there a bus run for school that stops near to your home? It’s important to take a step into the future and visualise how you want your life to look in six months or a year down the line, so that you can take the appropriate steps now.

Making the move to Spain will be one of the most exciting things you ever do in your life! And with a little preparation, local contacts and expertise, plenty of patience, and a sense of humour for when things don’t go exactly the way you would like them to… you will be just fine!

FINAL CHECKLIST

✔Start taking Spanish lessons!
✔Get estimates from removal companies about moving your belongings to Spain (or putting some into storage)
✔Cancel accounts with gas, electricity, water, phone, contents insurance, TV licence, doctor, dentist. Request any refunds and arrange for bills to be sent to your new address in Spain. Arrange disconnection if applicable
✔Contact the council to bring council tax payments up to date and to inform them of changes to your address for the electoral register
✔Arrange for mail to be redirected to your Spanish address
✔Give notice to your landlord (if renting) and retrieve your deposit
✔Notify important organisations and companies of your new address in Spain: bank, passport office, DVLA for driving licences and car registration details, pension company, any insurance brokers
✔Hand in your notice at work and make sure you receive a P45 form
✔Arrange transport to your new home, making sure you don’t exceed the weight limits for your luggage
✔Organise separate transport for any particularly valuable or delicate belongings
✔Get a new E111 form from the Post Office in order to be eligible for free emergency health treatment (E111 forms are being replaced by the European Health Insurance Card or EHIC). If unemployed, get an E106 form, while pensioners and those on invalidity benefit will need form E121
✔Register your change of address with the overseas branch of the Department of
Health, and you will be sent an application form for a Spanish national health card
✔If unemployed, contact the Department of Work and Pensions at the UK Pensions Service to apply for an E303, which will entitle you to jobseeker’s allowance for up to three months from INEM (Instituto Nacional de Empleo)