To move now or to wait
 

Hi, forgive me if this has been discussed already. My wife and I are 53 and are looking to move permanently to Spain to live. Basically should we do it now or wait till after brexit.
Any info much appreciated
Dave

Re: To move now or to wait
 

I suppose it depends on your personal circumstances. Will you be selling property in UK, will you be buying in Spain etc.?

Re: To move now or to wait
 

More information is required to receive a informative answer.

Are you taking early retirement or expecting to find work here? If you will be looking for work what will it be?

Can you speak Spanish?

Do you have a regular income which is sufficient to satisfy the Spanish authorities?

Steve

Re: To move now or to wait
 

Hi and a warm welcome to the Spanish forum on BE. Myself and Fred James are the moderators for the Spanish forums whilst myself and BEVS moderate Europe. Please read the Site Rules Site Rules | British Expatriate Community adhere to them so that the site runs smoothly. Moderators are there to ensure that the rules of BE are maintained. This is so that members gain the information that they are looking for and find their experiences on the forums to be friendly and worthwhile.

Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderator who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are usually friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge about the issues of living in Spain. I hope that you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Re: To move now or to wait
 

Hi and thanks for the replies. Looking at selling up here in the U.K. and moving lock stock to Spain. The sale of my house will buy a property outright and provide money to live on as well as income from pension at 55,60 and 67 � ���� do not speak Spanish yet and not looking to work . Hope this helps. Really wondering on the now or after brexit thing. Maybe in my circumstances it doesn’t matter. Just don’t know. Thanks again

Re: To move now or to wait
 

Is that pension guaranteed or have you calculated the years you aren't paying into the pot? You also have to look at health care and where in Spain? As always Spain is a big country and depends on the area if it's a good investment or not. Most recommend to rent first before buying anyway. Of course the Brexit thing might bring other challenges.

Re: To move now or to wait
 

As a positive reply, yes I would move to Spain and not worry about Brexit. Whatever happens with Brexit more likely will not affect you with your circumstances. Spain authorities has stated already that Brits will be always be welcome to settle here. (And why not!)

I would certainly rent here for a year or two to get used to everything including the July/August weather (Phew, it get hotter each year😥)

In any circumstance, to live here permanently you will need to have private healthcare and enough income to prove to the authorities you will not become a burden on the state. Eventually you will be required to fill in Modelo 720 which requires you to declare your total worldwide wealth including amounts in bank accounts and any property ownership. You will also pay taxes to the Spanish tax man.

Go for it!

Steve

Re: To move now or to wait
 

I would try renting for a few months in the area that you're considering. Make sure that you include July/August and January/February in your rental period. It can get really cold in some areas and very very busy in others.:unsure:

I wouldn't wait for Brexit to settle.....There'll be something else next and you'll never make the move. If you're ready to go......go! :thumbup:

Re: To move now or to wait
 

By the time the EU and UK have finished 'farting about' with arrangements, transition periods of up to 2 years etc, etc, how much of your life will have passed you by? IF you have the income guaranteed now and research where / what you want GO FOR IT!


However, I can only ask IF you can consider NOT doing the 'Lock, stock and barrel' thing JUST yet (hypocrite really, because that's what we did, but there wasn't the possible issues there are today). Rent over here first, find the place and area you like and see how this BREXIT fiasco works out. IF you can, keep the place in the UK, rented out or whatever until all these unknowns are knowns and then go for it!
There will ALWAYS be property for Sale in Spain (and with the 'output' of some Ex Pats back to the UK, that will continue to be whilst you rent and watch the World go by / Markets changing!)


In that way, you can do the move, enjoy the life but contain the risks until things sort out and you are truly sure of what you want to do, or are able to do. Nothing to stop you gaining residency before BREXIT (Income and health cover allowing) and riding it out in your Rental, it won't be forever!!!


Totally your business of course and dependant on your circs.

Re: To move now or to wait
 

So,e great points to consider . Many thanks everyone.
DAve

Re: To move now or to wait
 

Hi Dave. You're betwixt and between. Nothing wrong with that. You're moving at full speed where caution should be taken. You appear dying to sell up in the UK and buy in Spain. Dreadful mistake and leaves no room for a dignified retreat if necessary.

Think of letting your house in the UK. Rent in Spain. Your rental gained in the UK will probably pay for your lifestyle and rent in Spain. Use plenty of time sussing out where you wish to live in Spain. If you are going to buy, then buy once and not several times as this is costly. Your first objective should be to move into whatever area you like in Spain and rent for no less than 5 weeks. Use the time to discover more and use your head. That 5 weeks will be more valuable to you than advice from real estate agents, long term renters, holidaymakers etc. So what if you have to spend another 5 weeks elsewhere in Spain. Enjoy. Property prices are not going to suddenly skyrocket these days. It will be to your advantage to tread with caution.

Re: To move now or to wait
 

Suddenly, I have become a fan of Lurchio for his/her post before mine. Well said, Lurchio.

Re: To move now or to wait
 

RENT and RENT , rent a house in Spain and be sure you love the area you've chosen AND until the Brexit dust settles , also rent your house out in the UK if you need to , you then have choices if things dont work out and believe me it doesn't work out for everyone and many get financially trapped in Spain.

Re: To move now or to wait
 

Conditions of residency are currently known and predictable. The Spanish government has indicated that existing British expats will continue to be welcome even post-brexit.

What happens after March 2019 is anyone's guess. I think it's reasonable to presume that as a non-EU member, (new) British nationals aspiring to live in Spain will be subject to the same restrictions as any other non-EU citizen. You'll need to marry a European citizen or have a specialised skillset that cannot be employed by an EU citizen, and your Spanish employer will have to provide proof and conduct the exercise. Look at what Americans have to do to immigrate to Spain. That should give you some insight.

Re: To move now or to wait
 

I believe you are totally right. Best approach, if you can, is to 'beat the clock' and get formalised here before March 2019. Its totally naïve to think nothing will change after Brexit. You are totally in denial to think otherwise as believe it or not there will be little or no dispensation for the brits after March 2019. Why on earth SHOULD there be?