If you are in Spain longer than three months, you are classed as a Spanish resident.

If you are in the UK longer than six months you are classed as a UK resident.

What happens if I want to live in the UK for seven months and Spain for five months?

A vagrant??????

There are thousands of people in that position who own property in Spain and come out for the winter.

There is nothing to stop you applying for a residency certificate and that would not affect your UK residency.

Tax residency is another matter entirely but unless you spend more than 6 months in one calendar year in Spain you will not be classed as tax resident.

It is possible to be officially tax resident in both countries as the UK has a 90 day rule for tax residency. For example, if you spent 7 months in Spain and 5 months in the UK, you would be tax resident in both the UK and Spain. That would not present any problems because of the dual taxation agreement between the UK and Spain.

Dont mention cars

Nooooooo. ;-(

nothing.......

My wife got her NIE before Jan 1st so she beat the rush, while I'm stuck at the end of a very very long line. It's been almost a year since my paperwork went in. Thankfully you don't need a residency permit to live or work in Spain (visiting the UK is another story) or I'd be in deep do do.

Thank you all for your replies, especially Fred.

This is what we will probably do, give or take a month, in a few years' time.

Car not a problem- our car is matriculated and even if we take it back to the UK and re-import it, we'll get an old banger Spanish one to leave here!

We are moving out in March.
My husband & i both want to work, is it easy once you find yourself a job????

Its finding the job thats difficult

My husband has been a painter/decorator/tiler for about 35 years so i would have thought he would stand more on a chance than myself, but as long as one of us can earn a few bob its ok.

Yes for sure, but just bear in mind everybody and their dog is a painter and decorator over here

No our dogs dont paint.
I guess it the same as over here, everyone can paint, but there is painting and there is painting, he has had some clients for years & so if he wasnt any good they wouldnt come back.
I guess it will take a while to build up a good reputation. We both know its going to be hard, but we could take the challenge or stay here.
Life is a challenge so theres nothing new there !!!

Still a good idea about the dogs though !!!