dgjamison

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

Tele Addict

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.

dgjamison

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:

Tele Addict

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.

bfg69bug

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.

dgjamison

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?

dgjamison

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?

Tele Addict

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

Casa Santo Estevo

I would also worry about car insurance

dgjamison

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

dgjamison

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

Fred James

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

expat2be

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

jdr

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.

jdr

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