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What would my annual running costs amount to?
If you allow between £800 and £1000, you will have more than enough to run a 2/3 bed property. This includes:
- Water and electricity (standing charges)
- Fiscal representation (a professional who can arrange to pay your taxes in Spain for you if you are a non-resident)
- Local rates and taxes
- Community fees
- Insurance
- Wealth tax
Education
There are several mainstream schools in the area and although these are Spanish state schools, you will find that children of many nationalities attend these schools and so the teaching staff is well acquainted with teaching non-Spanish children. Your child will attend the school in the nearest cacthment area, as in the UK. The typical school day begins at 9.00am and continues until 12.00pm. The school day then re-commences after siesta from 3.00pm until 5.00pm. School transport is usually provided and school meals for those who require them. Are there private schools in the area? You will find various private schools on the Costa Blanca and the Costa Calida, most of which are registered with The National Association of British schools in Spain (NABS) to ensure that they are approved by British Inspectors.
What is the health service like in Spain?
Whether you live in Spain permanently or just come for regular holidays, your health is important. Which is why it will put your mind at rest to know that medical treatment on the Costa Blanca and the Costa Calida is of a very high standard. If you have reached the age of retirement, you can receive medical treatment to the same standard as you would in the UK and if you do need treatment, you’ll find shorter waiting lists to receive it.
If I only intend to be in Spain for up to three months every now and then, what will I do about medical treatment?
In this case your form E111, which you can obtain from your local post office will be sufficient. If you intend to engage in dangerous sports activities, it may be wise to take extra travel insurance.
What should I do about my health if I am not retired?
If you are employed in Spain and you are paying into the Spanish social security system, you and your family will also receive free medical treatment. If you are not paying into the social security system and you do intend to stay in Spain longer than six months, it is advisable to take out medical insurance in Spain. You will find this reasonably priced, depending on what type of cover you require and indeed your medical condition in general.
Can I get my pension paid to me in Spain?
Certainly. This is straightforward; all you need to do is arrange to have your pension paid into your bank account in Spain instead of in the UK. You can open a bank account on your inspection trip, so you’ll be ready to go!
How will I go about arranging a Spanish mortgage?
It is possible for a non-resident to obtain up to 70% on a Spanish mortgage. All you need is a P60 (or similar if you are self-employed) and your last three wage slips or some proof of income. The bank can usually tell you within a few days whether your application has been accepted and you will get your mortgage on the completion of your property. Your reps can help you to arrange your mortgage through one of the banks we recommend in Spain.
Will the language barrier be a problem when I move to Spain?
No, you will find many expats in the same position as you. A lot of the Spanish do speak English and there are many other people available to give you a helping hand where necessary, like your solicitor or the Office For Foreign Residents situated in Torrevieja town centre.
How do I go about learning the language?
Apart from language schools and courses you can attend in the UK, you will find several in Spain. These consist of: intensive courses, weekly classes or individual tuition. The Spanish will normally be happy to lend a helping hand while you’re learning and will certainly respect you for having a go.
Can I get English TV channels in Spain?
You certainly can. There are various shops offering satellite packages. These are usually advertised in the local newspaper. It is worth shopping around to find the right package for you as prices vary depending on what you want. However, you will find that most of the packages work out cheaper than in the UK and you’ll also be pleased to know that you don’t need a TV licence!
What if I don’t like Spanish food?
You will find that apart from tapas, paella and certain other regional specialities, Spanish food can be very similar to the food you eat in Britain. You can always get a pizza/pasta dish, steak, pork chops, seafood and salads. However, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the wide variety of international restaurants in this region, for example you will find British restaurants, Belgian, French, Chinese, Mexican, Italian and not to mention the Indian cuisine so well known and enjoyed in the UK. The supermarkets also stock a wide variety of brands and products so you need not leave your favourite foods behind.
Will I be able to rent out my property in Spain?
Yes, many people choose to rent their properties and with several rental agencies in the area, this is easy to do. You can decide whether you wish to rent your property to golfers, holidaymakers or people looking for a long-term rental while they are waiting for the completion on their own property.
How much could I expect to earn through renting out my property?
Most rental companies would say that the minimum return you would get for renting out your property is £3000 per year. However, a great deal more can be earned if the property is rented out frequently. In the summer season weekly rentals for a 2-bed property can be as much as £250. High season for golf rentals is autumn, winter and spring as it is cooler for playing. The amount earned from a property will depend on its location, the property itself, the number of bedrooms and on whether it has access to a communal pool and other amenities.
By how much can I expect the value of my property in Spain to rise?
Although definite figures cannot be predicted, in recent years property prices on the Costa Blanca have been rising by 25% per year. More and more people every year, from Northern European countries are aspiring to live in the warm climate of the South.
Can I bring my pets to Spain?
Yes, in order to bring your pet into Spain, it will need a microchip inserting, a health certificate from a registered vet, a certificate to prove that your pet has been kept in an environment free of disease and a certificate to show that it has been vaccinated against rabies.
Can I take a vehicle registered in the UK to Spain?
You can bring a British car to Spain, but if you intend to become a permanent resident, you will need to re-register your car in Spain. You will have between 6 and 12 months to arrange this. However, you will find that new cars are cheaper to buy in Spain than in the UK so it may be easier to sell your British registered car and buy a new one in Spain.
I have lots of hobbies in the UK, what will I do in Spain?
There are plenty of clubs and societies in this region so you certainly won’t be short of things to do. You will find various theatre groups, dance groups, walking clubs, bridge, tennis, crown green bowling, water sports clubs and with a brand new leisure centre plus a brand new bowling and cinema complex, you can enjoy all the activities you did in the UK.
What is an ‘urbanization’?
This is a word the Spanish would use to describe a neighbourhood. These are usually situated outside the towns, with amenities to accommodate them close by. An urbanization is similar to suburban settlements you will find in the UK. Some have communal pools and others don’t. The main difference between urbanizations and housing developments in the UK is that communal land such as- green areas, private roads and the pool- is owned by the community.
How much will my community fees amount to?
Community charges for the year are relatively low. You will usually pay somewhere in the region of 220-300 euros per year. The charges vary depending on what you as a community wish to spend the money on. For example some communities appoint a lifeguard for the summer and others wish to create more garden areas with extra plants, it’s up to you to decide once the builders have moved off site and handed it over to the community.
How will I go about finding employment in Spain?
As unemployment is low in this area, there are plenty of jobs to go around. Jobs will be advertised in the local newspaper and you can also send off your CV to the companies you are interested in as you would in the UK.
Do I need a work permit in Spain?
No, this is not necessary. As Spain is a part of the EU, you have the same rights to work as you would in the UK.
Could I set up a business in Spain?
Yes, you will find that there’s plenty of scope for new businesses in this area. As the population is growing, so is the need for extra services. Again, no permit is required and you can register as a company or as self-employed. You will to make social security contributions. For this you will need your NIE number. You can apply for this when you sign for your property. It is a fiscal number similar to the national insurance number in the UK and is used as an identification number.
Should I bring my furniture to Spain?
If you want to bring your furniture to Spain, it is easy to do so as there are many removals companies operating between Spain and the UK. However, many people choose to buy their furniture in Spain as it is in keeping with the Spanish style properties and suits the climate. You will find certain furniture shops are cheaper than others but you can find furniture of excellent quality in this area. Our after sales team can help you with this and advise you on the best shops to go to. We can assist in taking you around and arranging for furniture packages to be fitted so the property can be ready when you arrive. |
