Planning on moving to Spain? We advise you to consult ELYS Relocations to provide you with logistic, financial, and holistic services.
Large doses of sunshine, delicious tapas, and vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons to move to Spain.
Spain ranks second in the world for overall quality of life, with an impressive 91% of foreigners satisfied with their leisure activities. But while Spain may boast a safe, secure healthcare system and make travellers feel at home, the same cannot be said for the job opportunities and economy.
So whether you’re moving to Spain for its climate or for a career change, being prepared is key. There, No matter how many documents and photocopies you bring to the offices, one will always be missing.
The first steps of moving to Spain are very important, you should consider the whole family and how they will settle into their new home. Children sometimes take time to find new friends, and adults will have to adapt to the new timetable for opening hours, the way of life and of course, the climate.
Here are the main things you’ll need to settle upon your arrival, with the help of ELYS Relocations:
1. Get a NIE
First things first, you’ll need to apply for your NIE (Número de Identificación del Extranjero). You will need this document to do anything to do with official business, whether it’s renting property, getting a job, registering with public services or paying taxes.
There are three ways to apply for your NIE. You can either do it physically once you arrive in the country, apply for it at the Spanish Embassy in your home country or through an authorised contact with legal powers of attorney who you can hire to apply for it in Spain on your behalf.
If you decide to do it personally in Spain, you will need to contact the local police for instructions on how to do it. And if you need extra help, you can find a list of the necessary documents, advice and links to access the NIE application.
However, the process is far from straightforward, especially if you don’t speak Spanish. That’s why we recommend consulting the help of ELYS Relocations to set this up for you.
2. Open a Bank Account
Now that you have your NIE, you can open a Spanish bank account. Spanish bank accounts are available to both residents and non-residents of Spain.
Residents’ bank accounts are more flexible and have more advantages, while non-residents’ bank accounts are easier to open. The problem with non-resident bank accounts is that you will only be able to open one if you plan to spend at least 183 days a year in Spain.
BBVA, Banco de Sabadell, and Banco Santander. They are the leading banks in Spain and have a good reputation among expatriates.
3. Get Your Work Permit
Citizens of the EU and member states of the European Economic Area and Switzerland can work in Spain without a work permit. Now that the United Kingdom has left Europe, this rule no longer applies.
If you are from Latin America, you will need a residence visa and a valid Spanish work permit. If you plan to work as a self-employed person in Spain, you can apply for a work permit at the Spanish consulate or embassy of your country.
4. Find a Place to Live
We all know that finding the perfect room to live in is an illusion, just like finding the perfect roommates, but I’ll leave you with some tips that helped me when I came to Spain to find a place to live while I was studying, so take note.
City centres always have daytime and night-time activities, although they can often be the most expensive. Try to choose a place close to where you are going to undertake your studies, so that you can save time and make the best use of it, or there is always the option of sleeping a little longer.
If you choose a nearby place, try to make it so close that you don’t have to use transport to get to the university, so you save a few euros a month, which you can use to travel, here I leave you this flight search engine to find cheap flights if you already know how to use it click here Skyscanner.
Remember that if you live close to where you are going to study and you don’t have to pay for transport, you can use the money you save to pay for rent, so you live in a place with activities and also close to your university. Living on the outskirts of the city is very pleasant as you can find quiet residential areas.
Madrid Centre, Spain
5. Find a job
With one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe, one in five people are out of work, so finding a job in Spain can be a challenge. But the economy is improving, and there are plenty of resources to find opportunities.
A good place to start would be deciding where to live. In general, any city in Spain is a good option. However, we recommend Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, as they are larger cities and the chances of finding a job are higher.
Find out what documents you need. The number of requirements depends on your nationality and the type of job you are applying for. For example, if you are Latin American, the first step is to apply for a visa that allows you to work in the country.
Adapt your CV to the Europass model. If you don’t know how to do it, don’t complicate your life and consult the help of ELYS. They’ll also assist you in preparing a motivation letter.
6. Find a School for Your Children
You have several options for choosing schools if you bring your children to live with you in Spain. The options vary between public, private, international and semi-private schools. If you want to find out more, the Telegraph has an article explaining the differences between the different schools in the Spanish education sector.
There are several factors to consider before making a decision: the age of your children, the expected length of your stay in Spain, your budget, the language of the curriculum and the curriculum that best suits your children.
To enrol your child in a Spanish school, you will need to register with your local town hall. Once you have done this, make sure you have all the necessary documents and follow the online instructions to enrol your child in the school.
And above all, make sure you enjoy the sun, the food and the different culture that awaits you in Spain. Enjoy!
Contact ELYS Relocations
Phone number: +33 637155404
Email: info@elysrelocation.com