Settling with family in Spain
Some practical tips for settling in Spain and starting a new life there as a family.
In one of my previous newsletters I wrote about our family's journey and the reasons we moved from Sweden to Spain. I have so much valuable information to share. To avoid an overly long text, I am splitting it into two parts.
In this part, I will provide practical tips for settling in Spain and starting a new life there as a family. I hope this information helps you adjust easily, saving you time and trouble.
In the next newsletter, I will cover more business-related topics: hiring a lawyer, getting different insurances, starting a company, the 'Beckham regime' (a lower income tax regime and a strong incentive to move to Spain!), job opportunities in Malaga, and more.
Malaga, Spain
Choosing the right region to live in Spain
Spain is a significantly large country, even larger than Sweden, and is the second-largest in the EU, following France. There are so many fantastic regions in Spain to choose from. Thus, correctly defining your priorities is crucial. Your preferences may relate to climate, geography, economy, and even language.
The Spanish language, also called “Castilian”, is the sole official language in Spain. However, there are also other co-official languages used in autonomous communities:
Valencian (a variety of Catalan) in Valencia,
Galician in Galicia,
Catalan in Catalonia,
Basque in the Basque Country
and the Aranese language in the Aran Valley.
In all other regions, except Madrid and Andalusia, children in schools and universities are required to study both the official and a co-official Spanish language. Additionally, all schools teach two foreign languages: English and either German or French.
To ease our children’s transition, we chose Andalusia, one of the few regions where only the official Spanish language is used. We hope this will help them to adapt faster to the new environment. Another compelling reason for choosing the Malaga region is its abundance of job opportunities in the IT sector, as Malaga is a prominent IT hub in Spain.
Renting a car
Upon your arrival in Spain, you will likely need some form of transportation. Renting a car for a temporary period, such as 10 to 15 days, is a viable option. There are numerous car rental companies available. You can find these companies at any airport in Spain. It's advisable to book your car in advance of your arrival. This ensures the car will be ready for you when you land.
I recommend Centauro for their “full cover” plan, moderate prices, and transparency regarding charges. They offer a user-friendly mobile and desktop app. Extending your rental through the app is convenient, eliminating the need to visit their office.
The return process is also easy and quick. They provide a full tank and charge a gas deposit in advance. Any unused portion of this deposit is refunded to you.
To rent a car, you will need your passport, driver's licence, and a credit card.
Importance of NIE number in Spain
If you plan to settle in Spain, obtaining a 'Foreign Identity Number' or 'NIE' is crucial. The NIE number in Spain, standing for 'Número de Identificación de Extranjero,' is a unique tax identification number assigned to non-Spanish residents.
The NIE is essential for legal residency and is often a prerequisite for employment. Without an NIE number, non-residents cannot legally work in Spain. It is also necessary for all financial transactions involving the Spanish tax office, including opening a bank account, buying or selling property, and setting up a business.
Moreover, an NIE number is required to access public services like healthcare and social security benefits. It is also a prerequisite for obtaining utility contracts such as electricity, water, or internet, and for enrolling in schools.
For EU citizens, the process of obtaining an NIE number in Spain is relatively straightforward. However, it requires providing proof of economic, professional, or social reasons for the request. Examples of such proof include:
a job contract,
a deed of purchase for property,
an enrollment letter from a Spanish educational institution,
or the establishment of a new SL company (Sociedad Limitada).
In summary, the NIE number is a critical identifier for non-residents in Spain, essential for all legal, financial, educational, and administrative processes. Without it, carrying out essential activities in Spain would be significantly challenging.
Read more about NIE and the process of obtaining it here.
Finding the right school for kids
In Spain, there are three types of schools: public, semi-private, and private. To enrol in a public or semi-private school, you must have an address within the school's area. This typically involves buying a property or securing a long-term rental contract. However, private schools do not have such geographical restrictions.
Our process of selecting the right school involved several steps. First, we scanned the area for all available schools and researched them online. From this, we compiled a shortlist of three private schools that we believed were the most suitable candidates. Next, we organised a scouting trip with our children to visit these schools, allowing them to have a say in the decision. They were very pleased with the choice they ultimately made.
An important tip: For Swedish residents, it may be of interest to note that there are Swedish schools in: Torrevieja, Fuengirola, Estepona, Marbella, Mallorca and on the Canary Islands.
Education in Spain is a comprehensive topic, and I plan to dedicate a separate newsletter to it in the future.
Buying or renting in Spain
The real estate market varies significantly from country to country, and Spain is no exception. While purchasing property in Spain is straightforward, securing a long-term rental contract can be challenging. This topic is expansive and deserves a dedicated article. However, here are some key insights to get you started.
My best advice is as follows:
Avoid rushing into buying property. It's wise to rent for 6 to 12 months before making a decision to buy. Rent in the same area where you plan to buy eventually.
Initially, opt for a short-term rental. Use an agency for this process to avoid potential scams.
Be cautious with Airbnb, as it can be significantly more expensive than other options. Always compare prices before making a decision.
Once you settle in, begin your search for a long-term rental contract immediately.
Consider purchasing property only when you are certain about staying in Spain and have identified a preferred area to live in.
Below is additional information to assist you in making these decisions.
Renting an apartment
In Spain, rental contracts are generally categorised into two types: short-term (or seasonal) rentals and long-term rentals. Short-term rentals are for periods of less than one year and long-term are for one year or more.
Each category comes with its own specific regulations, rights, and prices. It's crucial for foreigners to understand these distinctions if they are considering renting property in Spain. Long-term rent is also significantly cheaper than short-term.
In our experience, the key to securing a long-term contract involved initially renting on a short-term basis online. After arriving in Spain, we met with property owners in person.
An important tip: Building a rapport and establishing trust with them was a pivotal step in obtaining a long-term rental contract.
Buying a property in Spain
When purchasing property in Spain, it's the buyer's responsibility to conduct due diligence and legal checks on the property. For this reason, it's essential to hire a reputable local lawyer who specialises in Spanish property law.
Such a lawyer can perform the necessary checks and handle all legal matters. It's crucial not to proceed with a purchase without a competent lawyer! Typically, lawyer’s fees amount to around 1% of the transaction value plus VAT.
Once you're prepared to buy and have engaged a lawyer, ensure that you have your NIE (Foreign Identity Number) in place and have opened a bank account with a Spanish bank.
An important tip: check with your home country's bank regarding the maximum amount you can transfer independently, and if necessary, schedule a call with them to facilitate larger transactions.
Additionally, when it comes to the actual purchase, remember to negotiate. Never accept the listed price immediately. It is customary in Spain to negotiate down the prices by about 5-10%, depending on the property.
Useful sources for renting and buying
There are numerous web portals for finding properties in Spain. Based on my experiences, here are the best ones so far:
Idealista: This is the most comprehensive source. Its advantages include the ability to select specific parts of a region and to draw your own area on the map for a more targeted search.
Habitaclia: Another excellent resource for property listings. This site often features complete offerings from individual agencies.
Fotocasa: This portal is also noteworthy as it lists some properties that are not available on Idealista or Habitaclia.
Idealista, web portal for real estate search
Renting a storage
After your arrival, you will likely need to bring your belongings. We had numerous boxes packed with books, clothes, and cherished memories. To find nearby storage solutions, I used Google Maps with the search term 'mudanzas near me.' It's practical to find a storage facility close to your apartment, allowing you to easily access any items you might need.
I encountered a challenge in that none of the staff at these companies spoke English, and my Spanish was not sufficient, so I resorted to using emails and Google Translate for communication.
An important tip: Before you commit to a storage unit, ensure to inquire about the exact location of your allocated space. Sometimes, these companies have their offices in the city, but their storage facilities are located up to 50 km away.
Opening a bank account
Once you have obtained your NIE and secured a place to live, you can proceed to open a non-resident bank account in Spain. Be sure to have your passport and NIE with you. There are a variety of banks in Spain to choose from.
I recommend Caixa bank for their excellent online banking app, which features an interface in English – a useful feature if you're still improving your Spanish skills.
Another excellent option is N26, a modern, online fintech bank. With N26, you can set up a Spanish bank account, obtain a credit card, and receive an IBAN in just a few hours. The entire process can be completed through their app, eliminating the need to visit a branch.
An important tip: If you need a new bank account quickly, N26 is an ideal choice.
Getting a mobile phone contract
The major mobile phone operators in Spain include Movistar, Vodafone and Orange, but there are also several smaller providers available. Opting for a prepaid contract is the quickest way to acquire a Spanish phone number. However, a post-paid contract often proves to be the most cost-effective choice.
Movistar is renowned for its excellent coverage, though Vodafone offers slightly more affordable rates. To my knowledge, Orange tends to be the most expensive option.
An important tip: When selecting a mobile provider, it's important to carefully consider the area where you live and the quality of mobile signal reception in that locality. You can assess the mobile phone signal coverage in different areas using available online maps.
To sign up for a mobile phone contract, you will need to have a NIE number, a Spanish bank account, a passport, and an address in Spain.
Buying a car
If it's within your budget, purchasing a new or relatively recent used car is often the best choice. This avoids the need for loan approval and the associated expensive interest payments.
We opted to buy a 'new used' car from an official dealership. This approach provides an official warranty and helps prevent issues with hidden defects.
An important tip: Using a service like Carwow for buying a new car can lead to big cost savings. By registering on their website and submitting an inquiry for a specific brand and model, you'll receive multiple offers from dealers, including discounts. This allows you to compare options and select the one that best suits your needs.
To purchase a car, you will need your NIE number, a Spanish bank account number, a passport, and an address.
A Spanish bank account with a Spanish IBAN is essential for processing your car insurance through insurance companies. Without car insurance you will not be able to finalise the purchase of the car.
Thank you for taking the time to read through to the end. Your continued interest and support are greatly appreciated.
Let me know in the comments if you want to hear more about any specific details.
Glad that you found it useful! Good luck with the move to Spain!
Thanks for your post, this is a goldmine. I’m following the same path as you and it really helps!