beachseeker

Hola - we have posted in other BE location forums but this is the first post for us on the Spain forum. We are retired healthy Canadians enjoying our travel adventures who want to spend some time in Europe. We lived in Mexico for a year, and have also lived a year in the Caribbean. We thought it would be fun to enjoy some time in the south of Spain. We know about the Schengen tourist visa and the 90 days maximum within a 6 month period. We know taxes become payable after 6 months. We have medical insurance and have documents ready that would be needed to extend our stay. We are traveling from the Caribbean to Spain in the fall of 2017.


A few questions:
Based on information on this BE site, we are looking at a long term stay in the Cabo Roig / La Zenia / Playa Flamenca area to start with. We have heard there are English speaking expats there. Please confirm? We know some Spanish but not enough to deal with serious issues. We are actively working on it. We would be grateful if we could speak with expats who have some experience there who might help us get settled and organized.


As mentioned, we would be arriving for our initial stay with a 90 days visitor visa but hope to stay for a year or more. If we wish to extend our initial stay, are we able to apply for residency extensions without leaving Spain again? Some websites say we have to apply for and prepare long-term-stay documentation from a Spanish Consulate in Canada, and others say we can do all the documentation for extended stay (residency) after we get to Spain. Comments on this would be appreciated.


We have checked some real estate agencies websites and see that there are not a lot of long term rental vacancies at the moment – likely due to high season being in full swing. Is there a mass exodus of expats at the end of September or is the Costa Blanca long term rental market always full?


Thank you to all for your assistance.

spainrico

Yes, there are probably more British speaking people in these areas than Spanish! Yes, the rental situation eases after the high summer season. Sorry can't comment on visas - suggest you check official sources.

beachseeker

Thank you spainrico. We appreciate your reply as we can make solid plans now. We will check up-to-date official sources for visas.

missile

I would confirm spainrico's comments.

I am sure there are Canadian forums(?) You might want to ask there for advice re visa.

TheLostPhotographer

All the Canadian people I know who have applied for residency (in Spain) have had to return to Canada to do so. This is normally after taking legal advice in Spain.

More than happy to ask my Canadian friends here specific questions.

spainrico

Just remembered (it was a while ago) I met a Brit who retired in Spain having lived for years in Canada. He had a major problem as the Spanish will not accept a driving licence from Canada so he faced the prospect of taking a Spanish driving test to gain a Spanish DL. Just thought I would mention it...

missile

I know UK will not accept non EU driving license for exchange either.

You get a 12 month grace period in which you must sit the test in UK.

The rules for Spain are here > Driving in Spain

Visa requirements are here > http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca....aspx?lang=eng

spainrico

Missile - just checked DVLC site (out of interest) and the way I read it exchanges from certain countries is (including Canada) possible.

https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-...britain/canada

missile

I looked at the same site as you, see here.
My understanding is Canadian license holders get 12 months grace (after becoming resident) then (as with all non EU license holders) must sit the test to get a UK license.

For someone who already holds a Canadian license this would not really a big deal? From the standard of driving I observe, a blind chimp could easily pass the test.

Apparently, it is not so easy is Spain Enough to drive you to distraction: Spanish driving test | Insider Views | Expatica Spain

Fred James

Not actually true according to the DVLA site.. There are many countries who can change to a UK licence, Canada is one of them.

https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-...-great-britain

You do not have to exchange it for 12 months, but after that an exchange is allowed without a test.

https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-...britain/canada

spainrico

Fred - yes that is how I read it. Not sure where you are reading Missile!

"You can continue to drive in the UK without exchanging your licence for 12 months after becoming resident.
After 12 months you must exchange your licence to keep driving. You can exchange it up to 5 years after becoming resident, if it hasn’t expired."

missile

I stand corrected

missile

Will UK driving license be valid for residents in EU after Brexit - another issue for David Davis to resolve?

beachseeker

Thank you very much to all of you. I love this site. Everyone is so helpful and passionate about providing assistance. We will do our homework and will apply in Canada before we venture your way. We have been in touch with real estate agencies for our first year rental agreement in Costa Blanca area. See you all on the beach!

beachseeker

Dear Photographer, you are absolutely correct and we have started looking into the details. The Residence Visa must be obtained in Canada before we fly to Spain, but that is only step one. We are concerned about our Spanish (or lack thereof) when we arrive, and were wondering if the officials at the government offices where we get our Residency Permit/Card (Tarjeta de Residencia) and our Foreign Identity Card (Tarjeta de identidad de extranjero - TIE) speak English? We know we should be better prepared and perhaps this will be a stumbling block for us....any insight from you would be much appreciated.