We visit amazing places on board equally-amazing cruise ships. Still, the thought often crosses the mind of cruise travelers who often spend just part of a day at amazing places: “What if we lived here?”.

Moving to Spain, for example, many may feel like a dream, however, it can appear as an overwhelming dream to action. With this in mind, Alison Johnson, Owner of  Moving to Spain, has shared the four key things to address when moving to Spain.

1 – Immigration –

‘Your first step should always be to understand whether you are eligible for a visa or residency.  Without it, a move to Spain is impossible! Understanding the requirements is also key upfront so that you can plan effectively.  For example, the Non-lucrative visa is applied for in your country of residence months in advance. The Digital Nomad visa application can happen once you have moved to Spain on a travel visa.  

There are many types of visas and residency permits.  The easiest route will depend on your personal circumstances. For example, if you are retiring to Spain a non-lucrative visa or golden visa may be the best choice for you; whereas if you plan on working remotely from your new home, a digital nomad visa could be the best choice.  If you are an EU citizen or spouse of an EU citizen, the process of acquiring a residency permit is much easier.

After living in Spain for roughly five years, you will be able to begin your application process for a Permanent Spanish Residency (PR). This PR will give you the right to indefinite residence in Spain, with renewal only required every five years. After ten years, you can apply for a passport and Spanish citizenship.

Private health insurance is almost always a requirement for your visa. We recommend that you get a few quotes to compare and ensure that the policy will meet your visa requirements. You can get quotes from the Moving to Spain Health Insurance Quote Tool.’

2 – Finances  –

‘The next step is to determine your financial obligations, living costs, and earnings in Spain. Once you understand this, you will know the lifestyle you can afford in Spain”

We recommend understanding the tax system and how that applies to you.  There are many great Tax regimes such as the Beckham Tax Regime that can reduce your tax bill, however, there is also the Wealth Tax that can increase the amount of Tax that you pay depending on where you live in Spain.  Moving to Spain offers personal Tax consultations so that you can understand your Tax obligations and options fast. The cost of living calculator will give you a good idea of your day-to-day costs in the major cities in Spain.

Setting up a digital bank account before arriving in Spain can reduce foreign exchange conversion costs, but once you arrive, you will want to set up a local bank account. Here is the 2024 – 8 Best Banks in Spain Index.’

3 – Housing –

‘Once you’ve chosen a location in Spain, it’s time to consider your housing situation. We recommend starting with a short-term rental for the first month or two. This allows you to explore different neighbourhoods and get a feel for the area before committing to a long-term rental or purchasing a property. We have seen a better outcome for our clients than when they rely on digital tours or brief visits to view properties.”

There are a few housing websites where you will find all the available properties to rent. The most popular ones are Idealista and Fotocasa.  The housing law was updated in May 2023 and we have seen some interesting behaviour as a result which you should be aware of.  Anything over an 11-month lease is seen as a long-term lease and you are protected from huge increases in rent and the landlord is obliged to pay the agency fee (normally one month’s rent). You will therefore see that many houses are advertised as 11-month leases or less. This means that landlords can make you pay the agency fee and can hike your rent up after 11 months. We always recommend long-term leases.

If buying a property is on your agenda, there are mortgages available to you even if your work situation is not a typical wage-earning situation. As in the UK and US, Spain offers fixed, mixed, and variable mortgages. We advise you to speak to a mortgage advisor to find the loan best suited to your needs. 

We recommend always using a good property lawyer to ensure the property’s legal status, ownership, and any potential debts that might come with the property.’ 

4 – Work –

‘An important consideration when moving abroad is your working situation. Will you keep your current job but in a remote role, or will you be looking for employment in Spain? This decision can influence which visa you will need to apply for. If remote work is more your speed, a Digital Nomad Visa would be the most appropriate, however, if you’re looking for something new, you will be best off opting for a Work Visa. 

We would also advise that you speak to a tax advisor to ensure that you understand your tax obligations and the most efficient structure.’

You can find the complete online checklist here: https://movingtospain.com/moving-to-spain-checklist/