New members of the Spain forum, introduce yourselves here - 2019

Hi Everyone My name is Pauline Thanks for letting me join. My husband and I plan to move to Alicante for 4 months of the year soon so we are trying to spend as much time as possible in Alicante. I am interested to know if there are many Nursing Jobs in Alicante ? I am a qualified Mental Health Nurse with 30 years experience Also socially is there any kind of group such as Meet Ups that we can join to assist us in meeting new friends ? Thank you in advance Most appreciated Xx

If you spend 90 days PERMANENTLY then you will be required to register on the EU Citizens Register. 

That does not automatically make you tax resident in Spain

What will happen if there is a brexit no one knows but you may then be  limited to 3 months  in any 6 months. And that would be the total number of days permitted to stay in the EU.

Hi, I am new to the board and am looking at the idea of buying a holiday home in Spain (southern coast) and am beginning to do my due diligence.
What would be useful for a newbie like me is to have some kind of check list of all the things that need to be obtained and considered along with the costs so that I can make an informed decision as to what the overall cost would be as well as what is affordable.
I have been looking at Marbella as I have heard some things about it and it would make sense for a place that could be rented out. Maybe I can get a heads up from some people who have already taken this step and therefore know the process and the pitfalls.
I am looking for somewhere to stay during the winter months when I retire and to rent out the rest of the year.
Thanks I advance.
Amarjit

Hi! My name is Ron and I will be moving to the Girona area in the summer of 2020. I plan on retiring in Spain from the USA on a non-lucrative resident visa. However, I need some advice.

I am an experienced motorcycle rider and plan on doing a lot of riding throughout Europe in my retirement. I am trying to decide if I should bring one of my motorcycles from the USA or purchase a new one in Spain. Does anyone have any experience in this area? I am particularly interested in the cost of insurance and financing. 

My understanding is that if I import one of my bikes and keep the USA registration, that I would have to get green card insurance (liability) in Europe. In addition, since I have a loan on the bike, I would need European comprehensive insurance to satisfy the lender. I have heard that comprehensive is very expensive!

It might be less expensive for me to simply sell my bikes in the USA and purchase a new one in Spain.  The new bike would then be registered in Spain. As a resident, I would think the insurance would be less expensive, but I don't know that for sure.

I would greatly appreciate any knowledgeable help in this area.
Ron

A USA licence is not exchangeable in Spain so you will have to take a test to obtain a Spanish one

Also, once you have residence status you are not permitted to drive a non Spanish registered vehicle

Fully comprehensive insurance in Spain is expensive for any vehicle.   It was only available on a new vehicles.   I do not know if that has changed but I am sure you can easily find a broker on line who will tell you what is possible and the prices

PS.  I bought a 29 ft RV IN USA, almost new, and a Ford Fiesta tow car which was several years old.  The full comp on the RV for 12 months was about 50% of the cost of third party for 6 months on fiesta

Hi, I would buy in Spain. Insurance is cheap and having a Spanish reg not an import will make it cheaper. I was going to take my MG but decided it wasn't worth the cost.

7864.  Not sure what you consider cheap but when I came to Spain I had full comp in U.K. on any bike up to 350cc.  In Spain it was 5 x that cost for a 125cc.  Both policies were with full no claims discount

Thanks a lot to everyone for the information. Sounds like buying in Spain is the better option.

Hi all my name is Francis, I moved to spain three months ago. My move to spain is due to the closure of the company I was working for and also to free to do and pursue a good career that will give me a better future. Thank you all

Hi All

We (family of 4) are moving to Granada, from Sydney, at the end of August 2019 ... which is really exciting!

We have 5 weeks left in Sydney to get all our paperwork organised.  We are all Australian but the kids and I have (or will have shortly) Spanish passports (my dad was born in Spain).  And my husband will be travelling on his Australian passport and we will apply for a spousal visa once we get to Spain (I believe it can only be done in Spain).

We have a libro de familia, which includes my husband and 2 children (7 years and 10 years).

We are getting our Australian marriage certificate translated by the Spanish consulate in Sydney and they have given me a 'Solicitud de baja en el registro de matricula' to complete just before we leave Sydney (becuase it is only valid for 3 months).  I am not even sure what this is ...

We don't plan on working - this is a gap year for the family. We have enough savings to live in Spain for 18mths.  The kids will go to a local public primary school.

I am trying to work out all the things (paperwork wise) we need to do before we get Spain. 

Any other documents we should get translated...like birth certificates for the kids (for enrolling in public school ...which we haven't done yet because we haven't been able to find anything to rent yet).

Re renting a house, we want to live in 1. Albaicin or 2. Realejo... and have been looking online for ages with no success. We have been told it will be easier/safer to arrive and then find something...  does anyone have experience with this?

I have a million questions and need some solid advice...  I am so glad to have found this forum (better late than never)  and will search this forum trying to find the answers ...feel free to send me links so I won't bore you with questions already asked and answered

A few pressing questions:
What do we need to do before we arrive - re paperwork and Spanish consulate
What order should we do things when we first arrive in Spain?
Our Spanish is very basic...should we employ someone to help us with all the bureaucracy (now and or when we arrive).
How to enroll the kids in a local public school?

Thanks everyone!

My wife and I already own a property on the Costa del sol, now I have retired we are thinking of moving to the Alicante area permanently. Particularly like Santa polo and surrounding area, we would sell our Spanish property and also our U.K. home. Just the dreaded brexit debacle stands in the way!
We obviously have many trades and financial contacts on the Costa del sol, would need good reliable ones here now, so hopefully over the next few months you good people already settled in the area would be able to recommend from personal experience. Fingers crossed brexit turns out favourably!

Hello to everybody...

I have been in Spain for a while now and only just come across this forum.

It is always handy to have advise from others that you can relate to.

I look forward to any information that can be shared and made use of from this group of people.

Enjoy

HI Everyone,

l to have just come across this forum, it's got great info which l value all various posts that l have so far read.L will be moving to Spain in April 2020 to retire, therefore need to rent for say 6 months whilst l found a new Appt/villa 2 bed to buy in the Mercia Region close to the sea. Please, could anyone help with some advice on monthly costs, etc? the best area's to rent?  l look forward to any replies from anyone who feels that they can help me in any way!

Hi,
My name is Travis, I am 22 years old and  I am from South Africa. My partner and I are hoping to find a teaching job in Valencia.  If anyone can give us any guidance, it would be much appreciated.  We both have our TEFL certificate and have taught in China.
Thank you
Regards
Travis

Hi All  My name is Oonagh

I am from the Uk, I am really interested in coming to live to Spain permanently and are hoping I can create a new group of friends. Where would you suggest where to live?

I want to move before my daughter gets to school age but would also work too. my partner does scrap metal would he need a license?

please contact me

To be self employed (autonomo) one needs to be registered.  I guess the answer to your question is yes.

Hi my name is Peter from Scotland. Just moved over to Spain (Valencia) and looking to network. Mail me? Or reply to post?

Hello everybody,

My name is Rim, I am a Tunisian chemistry doctor. I will move in next months to Madrid and I am looking for a job in industrial companies !

I need your help !

Thanks a lot

Hi,

I am Indian planning to move to Spain by the end of 2019. I own a travel company in India by the name "Spain And You", we specialise in trips to Spain. I also have a work experience of working as a business development executive in an IT staffing and recruiting company for 6 years. I am married to a Spanish national and she after spending 5 years in India wants to move back to Spain.
I am looking for job opportunities in Barcelona, but I am open to work across Spain if I find something interesting.
Hoping to meet interesting people on this platform even if it is not related to work or business opportunities.

Hi everybody!
I'm Fredjana i'm 29 years old, born in Albania
I'm in love with Spain with Barcellona
I have been there for 3 days in vacation in 2012 and till then my heart is in this city and country
I would love to work for the rest of my life in Spain, this is my dream

Hi all,

My husband, Nick, and I are in the throws of panning our move to Ibiza in December and area already getting very excited. We've holidayed on the island for many years and already have good friends there.

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions as time goes on - we've already done lots of research and speaking Spanish is certainly helping us along. But I do have one question at this time on health insurance. There are lots of companies out there, but I'd like to know which one people believe is the best to go with and at what level to ensure that we are fully covered. We're both in our mid fifties - Nick has diabetes and I have an ongoing thyroid issue, but other than that, we are fit and healthy.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Jeremy

Be aware if U.K. drop out of the EU on 31/10/19 then there will be no deal so the requirements for U.K. nationals will change dramatically   

An example: a couple who at present require an income of 8,800 euro pa will need 27,000.

Thank you. We have more than that coming in each year.

The possible change in requirements will affect many who previously would have been able to settle. Those with just a state retirement pension will be excluded

As for the medical cover.   As far as settling in spain,  you require 100% cover, so  a policy with no co- payments nor exclusions.     On your income there should be no problem unless the existing medical conditions cause insurance companies to impose conditions.

Thanks so much, John. Do you recommend any particular company for health insurance? You are being particularly helpful.

Kindest regards,

Jeremy

I would think any of the major companies would be ok   Everyone,  if they have no bad experiences, will probably recommend  the company they are with, so picking one yourself will probably work out just as well.

Thank you, John.

Hola we are a retired couple also looking to make the move to Girona province. We have lived in Nerja in Andalucia for 13 years but now need to downsize to lovely Girona where it is cooler and perhaps more Spanish than here on the south coast.  We grow our own food organically and are hoping to rent. We will begin to look for a property in the countryside but not too far out, where we can have a smaller garden in a peaceful setting.  I hope you are successful and wish you well.
Sandra.

go for it!

go for it!

Hi, we have bought a house in almeria, hoping to be out full time in feb, we are self employed so setting up is going to be a challenge!
E

We have 2 boys, 13 and 9 but I’m not getting any response from the schools in Cullar, Grenada, any help would be great 👍

Hi everyone, I’m lorna and I’m 53, and love Spain, beginning to research relocating to Lanzarote or Tenerife so just trying to build connections. I’m an accredited psychotherapist which might not transfer to Spain, we’ll see. Thinking several more trips to gather info  will be needed

Hello everybody!

My wife and I are in our early/mid  40's (42/46 respectively) and I am retired. I have lived abroad (Germany, 6 years) with my previous career and my wife has also lived abroad (Colombia, 5 years, family). We both truly enjoy exploring and are excited about this possibility of leaving the life of accumulation of materials and living the life of creating memories.

We are still undetermined as to where we will end up, but for now we will start with doing some extended visits for approximately 3 months. This is where we would love to hear your advice! As we will not be doing 6+ months or longer, where are some good locations that would be great and affordable? And, how do we find locations for rent? Also, need to determine if the below specifics/requirements are unrealistic please.

Specifics/Requirements:
Will need to be furnished and include basic living necessities (dishes, basic cookware, utilities)
Pet friendly (will be bringing 20 kg dog)
Walking distance to restaurants, stores
Walking distance to public transportation
Very close proximity to beach (either walking or public transportation)
Under €1200/month

Some of the areas that we are considering are Mallorca, Barcelona, and Valencia.

Hi there I am Debbie Skyrme.
I have lived in Spain since November 2010 , spending 8 years in the Sierra Subbetica where the three provinces of Granada, Cordoba and Jaen meet.
I now live on the border of the Costa Tropical with the Costa del Sol (Granada/Malaga)

Having been a Deputy Superintendent Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the UK, I am now an award winning Independent Celebrant in Spain, officiating weddings, elopements, vow renewals and baby namings in Spain.
Find me on all social media as ***
My web site is: ***

Hello people,

I've done some search and can see there is high demand for my IT profession in Spain. Some companies search worldwide and saying "no Spanish language knowledge required". But I like Spanish and would be glad to learn it anyways given an opportunity. Me and my family need to experience that warm climate at least for couple of years. We've discovered that it works really well for whole family while being in Caribbean for vacation.  So having good IT job and warm climate in Spain supposed to be win-win combination. And Spain can benefit yet another good worker and tax payer.  We all speak French(Quebec), English and some Slav languages as well   Also, this year my kids started to learn Spanish under high school program.

Currently I'm considering Barcelona, but anything where I could find a good school for kids and well paying job for myself would probably work.
Would be happy to meet some good people here.

Hello everyone  ,
My name is Oumaima, I am Moroccan, a specialist in the traditional art of polychrome Moroccan wood and currently a student in conservation-restoration heritage, I am interested in the discovery of arts in Spain (Andalusian art, Nasrid, Moorish, etc. .). So I will do an internship next month in Valencia (I will work with my teacher for 3 months on a wooden ceiling) and now I prepare my documents to get my visa. Before leaving (as this is the first time I travel abroad) I would like to know little about life in Spain, I do not really know if I'm supposed to ask my questions here or if it's just to introduce ourselves and there is another forum for questions. Well, I will write it here and if I had to go to another forum please let me know 

1- I have never learned Spanish at school and I am currently learning it myself, so I am not good at Spanish. I want to know if it would be a problem for me to communicate knowing that I speak French and English (and Arabic is my mother tongue).

2- How much does it cost to rent a small apartment near Palacio Mercaders (the cheapest, I am only a student  )

3- Can I get a part-time job even if I am a foreigner who wears the veil and does not speak Spanish well? what type of part-time jobs are there? and generally, at what times of the day do students work?

If anyone has an idea of ​​these things or advice to me, thank you for letting me know, and Muchas Gracias for leer mi texto 

saludos todos.

Hi anyone selling a Ducati panagale or Aprilia Tuono 1100 factory is so let me know ideally 2019 models.

Anyone selling a Ducati 2019 Panagale or Aprilia 2019 1100 factory.

Hello all,

I have recently bought a villa in Pedralba, Valencia. I am in the process of packing up my house in the UK and then transporting myself and my little Border Terrier (Seth) over, hopefully all done by first week of Feb.

Would be good to meet up with people at some point.
Interests include photography, mountain walking, wildlife, the beach or lakes and rivers, the odd beer or glass of wine I guess. Oh and I'm keen to learn Spanish of course.

Anyway back to packing boxes and thinking about what I actually want or need

Darren