Your checklist when moving to Spain! Print a copy out and keep it to hand...
Whilst in the UK...
- Locate a suitable area for relocation to
- Research the type of property that you are searching for
- Check out the local schools & healthcare infrastructure
- Decide on your criteria - your "must have's" and your dislikes
- Will you be renting or buying? - maybe renting with a view to buying?
- Research and contact reputable estate agents in your preferred area with your criteria
- Open a trading account with a reputable foreign exchange currency broker
- Contact a mortgage adviser if applicable, see how much you can actually borrow
- Contact a reputable & experienced lawyer
- Contact a removal company for a quote for moving your possessions
- Plan your healthcare : private or state?
- Inform UK benefits agencies of your move
- Inform private pensions policies, banks, endowments etc... of your move
- Update your cv if you are seeking employment and send it to agencies in spain
- Obtain your NIE number (a Spanish gestor can do this for you)
- Speak to a vet about moving your pet to Spain
- Make sure your passport & uk driving licence are in date
- Buy a good spanish phrase book!
When you arrive in Spain...
- Open a bank account
- Do you wish to apply for a Residencia card?
- Register on the padron
- Apply for state healthcare if applicable
- Register with the utilities
- If you will be working here do you need to register as "Autonomo" – self employed ?
- Make a Spanish will to protect your spanish assets
- Research a funeral plan
- Do you need to legally import your car?
- Insure your property, contents & car
- Remember to put insurance, tax & ownership documents in you car
- Take numerous photocopies of every document you have and file seperately
- Do you need UK or Spanish tv?
- Do you need to send small, regular sums of money to & from the uk? – if so contact a money transfer agent
- Keep checking Tumbit.com for legal & financial advise
- Meet with an assesor, financial advisor or tax consultant to discuss your financial situation and plan your future
- Now that you are finally here, plan a week or two away from your new home to take in an intensive Spanish language course
