Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

Hello everyone,
Great to be here. I'm selling my property in the UK and want to take the plunge and move to Spain for the pace of life, culture, traditions and of course, weather! In a post brexit world I'm at a loss where to start in terms in which order I need to do things before applying for a working/residence visa. For instance, do I need to secure employment and housing first? Can I get a mortgage in spain on a working visa? I don't have a specialist career to take with me, just my love of the country and two doggies in tow...
I thought about booking an appointment at the embassy in London to ask all these questions, but its a long way for me to go if they are send me off with forms to complete that I can get online and no chance to ask the kinds of questions I have. Has anybody had experience of sitting down with someone at the embassy and having a conversation personalised to your situation? Am I better off seeking this advice in Spain?
Looking forward to ANY advice you have 😊

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

Hi,
Firstly you need to decide which visa you want to apply for. For a work visa you will need to apply for and get a contracted work position. Work visas are usually only given to applicants who have a trade or qualifications that are in short supply and desperately needed by Spain. If you are fortunate enough to get a work contract your prospective employer will then need to apply for a work visa on your behalf. Be aware that all work positions must be offered to EU citizens first and if nobody from the EU is suitable then the work position could be offered to a third country citizen, ie from the UK.
You could apply for the non lucrative visa which you are not allowed to work. You will need to prove that you have an income of around 28,800 euros per annum from solid sources and full healthcare.
Don't sell your house just for the idea of moving to Spain permanently without any further enquiries about visas.
Steve

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

I did it years ago when the world was a different place but I suggest you check out these sites

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

https://www.pellicerheredia.com/en/open-library/

only trust official sites for current accurate information.

Good luck.

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

It is difficult to advise as the details given are a little vague.So,do you need to work? or do you have a pension? If the former then unless you have a trade or some other abilities that would make you attractive to an employer then it is unlikely that you will get a Visa. With a pension then you will need to show that you are getting the minimum amount required tebo53 has pointed out,plus you have to have your healthcare sorted.
Since Brexit moving to any EU country has become very difficult .
If you look at the BLS Spain Visa website this can give you a guide

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

Your best (perhaps only?) hope is Starmer will admit Brexit was a mistake and re-join EU

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

There is much discussion about reinstating EU freedom of movement in the Guardian. Of course Starmer knows Brexit has failed 100% but he is reluctant to come out and declare it at the moment. It's going to happen but the question is when? The UK will not be rejoining the EU for many years but I think Starmer will aim for a Norway type deal which will obviously include freedom of movement.

I doubt the OP really wants to wait that long but unless they have the financial means or employment prospects (highly unlikely) moving to Spain will be virtually impossible as it is for so many British people post Brexit.

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

I doubt we will see Starmer accept freedom of movement in this parliament. He has said as much on a number of occasions and with immigration still a huge issue i dont see that happening. He clearly wants to improve relationship and EU deal for UK but what that entails is not clear. He may go the route of freedom of movement for young people that the tories rejected but i think that would be a risk for him. Too much strong feeling re immigration including legal immigration at the moment .
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Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

Hi everyone, thank you for your input and advice. It looks like it certainly won't be easy as I don't have a trade, however am looking to gain TEFL qualification which may help...
I will keep up the investigations into visas and make a plan, perhaps not as an immediate plan as hoped.
thanks again all!

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

TEFL will be of limited use as there is plentiful supply of UK TEFL teachers with residency (obtained prior to Brexit), those married to EU citizens and Irish citizens etc. Language schools won't be sponsoring visa for teachers.

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

Agreed, my point was he has little chance of a contract for employment and unless he has substantial savings / £500,000+ to buy a property, no options for residence.
Depending on his situation(?) part time, i.e. 180 days Spain might be a viable alternative

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

Long, long before Brexit there were many threads about finding work in Spain and generally the answers were inclined to be negative for anyone who lacked a valued skill set. Sorry that members have burst your bubble but they have been honest, factual and informative. No-one likes to be negative but as you have rightly said there is not a lot of hope for you at the present time.

Rosemary

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

It may be unkind to burst OP's bubble, but I would suggest it would be cruel to give OP false hope

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

Got to agree with Missile (and others) a love of Spain, doggies and a possible TEFL no longer cracks it - sorry!

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

Exactly, hence the fact that I stated that everyone has been honest etc. So important to always be straightforward with information. Often people who look to Spain as a great place to live mention the weather and many state that they want to experience the pace of life. But they do not seem to realise that the Spanish pace of life means working very long hours so it is not the laid back relaxed life that they seem to think that it is here. For retired people it may be ideal but for working people it can be extremely difficult.

Rosemary

Re: Moving to Spain - Where to Start?
 

I would add that the weather may be great for those on holiday, but very unpleasant for those who have to work during the summer months.