Living in Spain, life can be all that you hoped for.
If you choose to up sticks and move to Spain what can you expect from your day to day life in your new country?
Spain has fine weather, a low cost of living, an excellent health system, high standards of education at every level and employment opportunities - from unskilled holiday jobs to opportunities for entrepreneurs and professionally qualified individuals.
If living in Spain is something that you’ve always dreamed about then today couldn’t be a better time to start thinking about making your dream a reality!
As Spain is part of the EU, if you relocate from another EU country you do not need a visa or work permit to settle and work there and generally speaking, you will enjoy the same rights and freedom in Spain as you did in your own country.
If you come to Spain and are unable to speak Spanish you may still be able to find employment - especially along the popular coastal tourist spots. But if you are serious about relocating , learning Spanish will probably be one of your priorities anyway?
Allegedly the best way to learn Spanish is to fall in love with a Spanish person!
But if you’re already in a relationship say, this might prove a little dangerous! Therefore you could consider one of the city or provincial government run Spanish courses - which are quite often offered to immigrants for free. They are a good place to start!
So, once you have learnt Spanish (!) and are ready to find employment in Spain, what can you expect?
Most university and professional qualifications obtained in the UK and Europe will be recognised in Spain.
Whatever job you take in Spain make sure you get at least a 6 month contract from your employer as this will protect you and give you the same rights as a Spanish employee.
Spanish national insurance contributions and tax will be deducted at source by your employer. In terms of wages, Spanish wages are generally lower than what you could expect in the UK or the US for example, but when you consider the fact that the cost of living is far lower the lifestyle far better in Spain the lower wages will seem less important…probably!
When you are established in Spain you have to get used to the fact that working hours include a ‘Siesta’ which is a 2 or 3 hour break between 2 and 5 in the afternoon. During this time most businesses shut down and then reopen in the cooler evening.
If you’re coming from the US or another non-EU country you will need a visa to live and work in Spain - also make sure your passport and driving license are valid and have plenty of time left to run!
Depending on where you choose to live in Spain you will generally find the public transportation system to be efficient, convenient, well organised and inexpensive.
The Spanish way of life is something everyone who visits Spain falls in love with and it is what most expats already in Spain have craved…and that’s why they’ve taken the plunge and made a life in Spain a reality.
The entire pace of life is so much slower than in the US or the UK and the Spanish people are more relaxed and generally less worried about life, the universe and everything.
A typical day for a Spaniard will start with them enjoy a cafe con leche with their friends in the morning, and it will find them closing up shop from 2 to 5 for a siesta. In the evening they might casually wander around cobblestone streets with friends before wining and dining in a tapas bar.
You will quickly learn that life is not about rushing from one place to the next, it is about quality and enjoyment of life.
