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Moving to Spain
The great climate and the high quality of life make Spain a popular choice for expats. The lucrative property market draws foreigners to the country to establish businesses or to buy or rent second homes or even to retire to a better life in the sun. The relocation process is complex and a good lawyer is a necessity on the first stages of buying property. Doing things properly from the outset will save a lot of time and stress, as mistakes made can be difficult and expensive to rectify later. For a complete buyers guide see Buying Spanish property or if you are looking for a new developments see properties for sale in Spain for further information.
To live or work in Spain you must first obtain a residence permit for yourself and all the adult members of your household. There are plenty of jobs available for foreigners but, most of the work in the 'costas' is just seasonal. Most of the time Spanish institutions and companies will recognize degrees obtained abroad but primarily in Europe. If you have a business or live more than 183 days a year in Spain you will have to pay income taxes. Sometimes paying the permits and necessary taxes might turn out to be an advantage as some deductions may apply. No matter what, do not try to avoid spending money on life and property insurance; it is ever more essential when away from home.
Learning the Lingo
Although English is widely spoken in the tourist areas of Spain, it is a good idea to learn some Spanish if you intend to stay for longer than a vacation period. If you can speak Spanish relatively well it will be far easier to find well paid work and to do business. Fluency will open up the job market considerably and will make settling in Spain far easier. However, even a basic level of Spanish can be a great asset and foreigners who make the effort to converse with locals in Spanish are welcomed. There are plenty of language schools in Spain that can offer tailor made courses to suit your budget and schedule. For impartial advice and discounts on Spanish courses in Spain visit UniSpain - Learn Spanish.
Relocating to Spain is an exciting challenge and as long as you follow some good, impartial advice and use your common sense, your new life will be a success! Try to relax into the slower pace of Spanish life and make time to enjoy the new experiences. Immerse yourself in the Spanish culture and enjoy!
For more Spain trip-planning resources, visit our Spain hotels, Spain car rentals and Spain Cellular Information pages. Here is a Euro to US Dollar converter. Also, here's a very nice general guide to Spanish cities.
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