can i live in spain?
 

Hi, this is my first post here.
I am looking for information in regards to the possibility of living in uk for 6 months and spain for 6 months.
My wife and I are UK born and are living in UK, but would like to live in Spain.
We are both self employed and in our 40's, and due to the the UK having more sympathetic tax laws, we are thinking of trying out spain for less than the 183 days and only working in UK for the rest of the year saving up for the return to spain. My father will be also be with us, he is 68 so retired, but needs a small amount of care from us.
We do hope to settle somewhere in the sun full time eventually.

I read somewhere that we would need to register in Spain if staying there for more than 90 days, is this from January to January or for any 90+ period?I have loads of questions, but will keep it short for now.
Is there anyone who has done similar?
Anyone with advice?
Where to look for advice?
Thanks in advance.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

Providing you, your wife and your father all hold valid British passports then you can move to Spain as EU citizens without a visa. If your intention is to stay beyond three months then you need to apply for a Certificate of Registration. Providing you are employed, self-employed, studying or, in the case of your father, self-sufficient, then it's pretty much a formality.

Secretaría General de Inmigración y Emigración. Portal de la Inmigración (Spanish)

Due to the popularity of British expats living in Spain (nearly a million at the last count) the British government has helpfully compiled some useful information. This should hopefully answer some of your other questions.

https://www.gov.uk/living-in-spain

Re: can i live in spain?
 

You need to look at health care very carefully, you would all need private cover as you would not be full time residents.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

If they were just on holiday, so full time residents in the UK and only staying in Spain for max 3 months in a rented accommodation the European Health Insurance Card might be an option and good travel insurance usually covers everything.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

But they are talking of staying around 6 months, so travel insurance would have to be carefully chosen for such a long stay.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

True, I was just thinking of the 90 days:o.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

This has been discussed before and the problem re the 3 month rule is that to comply then one must show proof of private Spanish health cover as they will not accept long term holiday cover. Hence why many don't comply!

Re: can i live in spain?
 

If the OP stays up to 90 days then say returns to UK for few days or Portugal etc then returns for up to further 90 days then problem solved legally.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

While talking of travel insurance does anyone know if it is possible to top up travel insurance? I have a ongoing policy that covers me for up to 2 month stays. However next summer planning a 3 month stay so would need to addan extra month, just wondering if anyone used anyone to do similar?

Re: can i live in spain?
 

have a look at saga some one was taking about it not sure though

Re: can i live in spain?
 

no max travel is 3 months in one year which might help but can do this only 1 in the year

Re: can i live in spain?
 

staysure travel insurance 0800 033 4902

Re: can i live in spain?
 

I would just contact your current insurer and see.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

You can take long stay trav ins for anything up to 18 months at a time. I have often taken 5 month stays around the globe no probs

Re: can i live in spain?
 

You need to check your UK house insurance as many insurers' standard policies only allow your UK property to be unoccupied for 3 months at a time and you may have to get them to change this- no doubt for a fee.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

Thanks for replies re possible insurance, I possibly could get an extension on one I have but it is part of a package I got when I retired so would end up having to pay extra every month, my usual stay is up to the 2_months. So just an extra one off month would be ideal. I will ring some of those suggested nearer the time.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

I'm thinking along the same lines.Looked into 6months travel ins. and it appears to be do-able. What is not so easy to resolve is the best method of buying a car, this is assuming that you will need one. You have to decide whether to buy Spanish or UK. It seems either way can have problems? If a UK vehicle (and this my understanding of the procedure) then you should adapt your car to comply with their regulations at 3 months.I have been told that there is a further 3 months ' grace' but this seems to be open to dispute. The penalties
are severe. I know that you can 'pop out' of Spain for a day and the 3 months start again.
I appreciate that you can drive back to Blighty, but with a parent needing some care. This might be a trip to far.
.
How serious the other way, I am not sure.
If anyone can clarify, I would be grateful.
Many thanks in advance.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

Hi and a warm welcome to the Spanish forum on BE. Myself and Fred James are the moderators for the Spanish forums whilst BEVS moderates Europe. Moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. 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.

Rosemary

Re: can i live in spain?
 

Thanks

Re: can i live in spain?
 

It all depends on which months you are intending on being out there as in the off season car rental is for pennies- have travelled a fair part of the globe and never saw such low prices for off season car hire

Re: can i live in spain?
 

Thanks, any ideas as to who to deal with? I've looked but I have yet to find a bargain.also, it is best to pay by debit card andthiscanpresent a problem in finding a supplier.Again, thank you.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

For off season have a look at travelsupermarket

Ford fiesta around £20 a week, collected at Malaga

Re: can i live in spain?
 

Not saying right or wrong......but from what is being said insurance or lack of it is the so-called fear factor in everyone.

Have visited Spain many times over the last 30 odd years, have never taken their extra car insurance they offer...never would have needed to claim in that time, so quids in... visited for six months and neighbours kept a watch on home in UK it didn't burn down....not visited a doctor or hospital for many years for anything you couldn't buy in a chemist, no accidents, touch wood.....insurance is all about risk, if you are high risk buy it. The only compulsory insurance is basic third party car insurance, the rest is pure choice. Your choice.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

I am of the belief that you can have your UK registered car in Spain for 6 months of course it must be fully legal in UK, I.e. tax, mot and insured. over 6 months I believe it should be registered in Spain.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

It's actually six months in one calendar year, just like tax residency so you could, in theory keep it in Spain from July 1st one year to June 30th the next year - assuming tax, insurance and MOT were OK.

The problem is with the owner. If he spends more than 6 months in Spain in a calendar year he is tax resident and must re register the car.

The 90 days certificate requirement is irrelevant as that doesn't make you a fiscal resident.

The whole thing is a bit of a joke really. There are tens of thousands of UK cars and vans in Spain that have been there for years without tax or MOT, owned by full time residents. The Guardia seem to have accepted this and do absolutely nothing about it.

It's crazy as there is potentially a large amount of income to be generated if they enforced the rules but they just can't be bothered.

In 14 years here, I only only know of one case where the owner was fined and then it was only because he foolishly produced his Residencia card when stopped.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

Recently spoke to a couple who have just retuned to Ireland after a 4 year stint in Spain renting a house, retired so no work. They basically registered for nothing- residency or tax and were never chased up at all for this illegality.

Don't know them that well to ask too many questions about how they got away with this but they're back in Ireland now so unlikely they will be brought to book for their actions

Re: can i live in spain?
 

Just re car hire I have just booked for 7 weeks Feb/March all included extra insurance fuel no deposit to pay no excess retained on credit card for £230. I usually use an annual car hire excess policy but as ran out and at such a low price couldn't really go wrong. I have used same co before CAR RENTAL & cheap CAR HIRE and had no problems, the hire I have is with Delpaso who again used before without issues. In the summer for longer 3 month stay I drive over as car hire extortionate .

Re: can i live in spain?
 

I know I shouldn't be responding to such an early post but...
In my case, being Australian(obviously not having EU status) is that 90 days the length of time one can legally stay in Spain?
And would a "border jump" for a few days then return account as legal??
Secondly, if one is to practice that,(until other arrangements made to legally stay) can a motor vehicle be Spanish registered purchased / owned??
Any guidance appreciated.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

Good prices per day. However looking at the terms it says at the end

"Please note that there are some cases which are not covered by any insurance: Loss of keys, damage to radio-cd or upholstery, refuelling of the wrong type of fuel, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, lost or stolen car parts (spare tyre, jacket...etc.), as well as any damages that are not on an accident report."

Maybe the Annual Car Hire Excess Policy could still be of value?

Re: can i live in spain?
 

Blackey Oz yes if you pop over to Portugal or France for a day the 3 months starts again for EU citizens not sure about non EU and visas etc.

Jonboy yes I was aware of that but I have never had any problems re the things they mention other than having a car aerial stolen once. It does cover all the other things like glass tyres underneath etc. Only bugbear is after 28 days I have to return to change the car as Max rental is 28 days per hire (a lot are) .

Re: can i live in spain?
 

also not covered underside of car /any glass /windows or mirrors either sound dull i know we have never not had insurance to cover just in case but the one time we dont, coming back from malaga on the motorway we hit a tyer that had come off a lorry you know when they shed the outer bit pulled in all the bumper black got it off at home no damage so thought phewwww ,,,, then driving 2 days later in dream hills went over a bump the glass from the wing mirror just fell out cost us 50e just had to laugh well hubby was not a happy chappie

Re: can i live in spain?
 

Shazzabob the link I put on the insurance does cover glass windows underneath etc I thought it was quite a good deal in comparison with others. The worst I find are Record if you have your own excess insurance. They realy try and pile the pressure on holding everyone up. One time the girl who spoke perfect English kept saying it may not cover this or that I kept saying it does I don't need your extra insurance. She then for some reason when I said look I am not paying for your extortinate extra insurance lost the ability to speak english and indicated by pointing that I must tick the box saying not required, the car they gave me was crap like a battered bean can. Needless to say I have never gone anywhere near them since and if I am aloocated Record I cancel and re book somewhere else.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

Thank you all for your comments,
If there is anyone out there with any experiences relating to my question please reply.

could anyone answer.....

'I read somewhere that we would need to register in Spain if staying there for more than 90 days, is this from January to January or for any 90+ period?'

Re: can i live in spain?
 

It is any period of 90 days.

Re: can i live in spain?
 

What insurance would I need for the 183 days in Spain, travel insurance? health insurance?