Debs276

missile

I would suggest that is a good idea.
Spain is not for everyone and you may decide to go home after only a year or two?
The cost of buying and selling would easily cover two years property rental.
The rules pertaining to UK registered cars have been explained several times over on this forum. In any event, I would suggest it is more convenient and safer to drive a LHD vehicle.

Debs276

bobd22

Are you talking about renting for up to 6 months per year so doing half Spain half uk? Or are you wanting to rent full time simply leaving the option to return to UK should it not work out etc? If you live in Spain whether renting or having bought the same legal time restraints re vehicle registration residency tax etc apply, those laws are not just for those that own properties. Obviously one has to consider the B word which may affect your plans.

Here's info re car registration

​​​​​https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizen...n/index_en.htm

Debs276

bobd22

At the moment being part of the UK you should register on the foreigners register if in Spain more than 90 days, that is basically getting residencies. To register you must prove (if not state pension age) that you have full private health somewhere to live etc and that you will not become a burden to Spain i.e. you are self sufficient. Once you are in Spain 183 days ( between 1 Jan /31 Dec) you legally become liable to Spanish tax whether resident or not. After 31 Jan who knows if we leave EU which looks more than likely there will be changes. All these things have been covered a number of times if you search on residency etc in the forum you will find plenty of information.

snikpoh

As said above, you should register on the list of foreigners within 90 days. Once registered, you have only 60 days to register your vehicle onto Spanish plates. As a resident, you should NOT drive a foreign (UK) plated vehicle

Debs276

spainrico

All comes down to whether you want to do all 'by the book' or stay 'under the radar'

More here
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-spain

¡Residencia! All your questions answered | Healthcare in Spain

But as has been said above the fact you are renting makes no difference to residency, tax declarations etc - it is about how much time you spend here. And whether your status is resident or non-resident which is not dependent on buying/renting. I know people who are resident but they live in rented accommodation and conversely I also know non-residents who own property here.

bolton wanderer

From your post it sounds like you would prefer to retain UK residency, while enjoying 6 months living in Spain. Unfortunately, it isn't legally possible to stay in Spain continuously for 6 months, as a UK resident, under current rules and is less likely after "Brexit".
However, if you can adapt your plans to visit Spain at the best times, Spring & Autumn, you could visit for up to 6 months without becoming resident. As a UK resident (Spanish non-resident) you can keep your UK registered car in Spain for up to 12 months as long as it's taxed, MOT'd and insured. You'll continue to enjoy UK tax fee ISA savings and higher UK tax allowances while you remain UK residents.

I totally agree with your decision to rent rather than buy. The buying/selling costs in Spain are quite punitive to a bad decision! Once you've stayed in Spain for a while and found your best place to settle I'm sure that you'll eventually buy....That's what we did!

p.s.I ought to add that since we bought our apartment 4 years ago, we continue to be UK resident. We don't stay longer than 90 days per visit (at the moment no one checks). We keep our UK registered car here for 10 months, we pay for annual long stay travel insurance, we pay all our taxes and, to the best of our knowledge, we continue to be legal. Assuming we get some sort of Brexit deal I can't see too much changing. Spain needs its UK immigrants & holiday makers.

Debs276

1sexsmith

I think the problem might be Brexit as has been pointed out. If the present deal is accepted then there will be a period where you would obtain the present EU residency. After that ( if you were to need residency you would need to apply as a non EU and that looks as if income levels will be considerably higher). So to be sure you should try and apply for residency before the end of the transition period but remember that once resident Spain will be where your main tax will be paid

bfg69bug

Dont forget that renting adds up. We pay 6000 a year at the moment, and we have been renting for 4 years. Thats 24.000 euros.

if you want to live inland you can still buy a house for a little more than that

1sexsmith

Ah but could you buy the place you are renting for 24,000€? If you dont mind living in something less than basic you might find a dwelling but 24000 is right down at the bottom.

bfg69bug

no, of course not. there are houses even here in Alhaurin, I was looking to buy one a couple of years ago for 21.000 that needed reform. What we have now is probably 150k at least, but you missed the point a little 1sexsmith - what I was trying to say was renting long term may well be good "from the outside" but we have a very cheap rent. Imagine paying more, 700-1000 a year - and when they say long term, they are talking 10 years or so no? so 10 years at 1000/month is 120,000 euros, and you still have to carry on renting. If you had put that 120,000 towards a house as a deposit, and have the same 1000/month disposable income to pay a mortgage, you could easily be in a house worth 500,000 within 10 years or so.