extended holiday in spain
 

we are looking into the possibily of spending 9-12 months in spain to see if we would like to live there. There are a few questions I am hoping someone can answer for me: I read on a thread that if you live in spain over 6 months you are classed as a resident, is this true, what happens if you just want to spend 1 year as a visitor? Also we would be taking our car with us, after 6 months would we have any trouble with the spanish authorities? as we would not want to re register the car in spain until we were sure we would be moving over permanently. Any other information would be appreciated regarding health cover ect: thanks in anticipation:)

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

Are you going to be working... or do you have school age kids. If not I wouldn't worry too much. But if you are/do then you are going to need to register for an NIE and with your local townhall.

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

no we are retired, and no children all grown now, this sounds better, as I read after 6 months you automatically became a resident, and we could have
problems with a uk reg car::rolleyes:

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

Nothing is automatic in Spain, it's always the product of waiting in the queue at some public office or other. Anyway, what I am getting at is, even if bureaucracy may require certain things, if you are maintaining a UK residence, don't intend to work in Spain or send kids to school you are pretty much cruising below the radar. On the other hand, if you are a worrier, you will get straight down the foreigners office and ask for an NIE and green certificate and register in the townhall census. Oh, and have your British register car converted onto Spanish plates before 183 days expires. The question really is are you a worrier.

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

you cant legally drive a uk reg car in another country for more than 180 days (6 months) in any 1 year (360 day) period.

but alot of people do.

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

I am a bit of a worrier, do you think if you said you were only on holiday for a year they would turn a blind eye?:confused:

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

what do they do if you are caught? do they really come down on you? the spanish police are a bit stern are'nt they?:ohmy:

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

How are you going to get caught? Do you really think the police would waste resources monitoring your driving habits?

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

I would also worry about car insurance

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

:rofl:I know I sound stupid now, but i am a bit of a worrier, the insurance thing though is something I would have to look at, cheers:drinkwine::beer:

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

thanks never thought of that, will have to look into that:confused:

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

Saga will insure you to drive outside the UK for the full 12 months of the policy.

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

Personally I wouldn't want to chance it but I am sure thousands do! :)

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

Worrying is not the problem, it is illegal not to do the things you mention if he is in Spain for more than 3 months.

Re: extended holiday in spain
 

They do round here quite regular, and lots of vehicles have been impounded til the paperwork is sorted and the fines been paid.