 Relocation Relocation Relocation…Part Three
Part 1: Planning & Research
Part 2: Paperwork, Legalities & Buying
Part 3: Organising the Move (you are here)
Moving to Spain - Organising the Move
Moving house can be a pretty stressful experience wherever you’re moving to. When you’re moving abroad, it can be doubly stressful unless you’re well prepared. Here are a few things to think about well in advance of the move:
● Obtain estimates from several international removers. Our VIVA Homecare team can help with this.
● Get some professional financial advice about your personal financial situation and inform the tax authorities of your move abroad.
● Inform the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) (www.dwp.gov.uk) about your move and find out what benefits you may be entitled to.
● If relevant, obtain Forms E106 or E121 from the DWP (see Health in Part One).
● Make sure all passports are up to date.
● If you’re taking a pet with you, make sure that it’s had all the relevant vaccinations and blood tests in good time. The process usually takes at least seven months, so get this organised in plenty of time. (See Pets section in Part One).
Removals
Around six months before your planned moving date, contact as many international removers as possible and obtain at least three estimates. A reputable company will offer help and advice about the best way to move your furniture and belongings to Spain. VIVA’s Homecare team can give you details of removal companies and you can also find contact details in any of the Spanish lifestyle magazines which are available in the UK. It’s always best to go with a well-established removals company who are experienced in removals abroad. They’ll be familiar with any potential problems and can advise you about the best way to ship your belongings. Ensure that whichever company you choose, they have full insurance cover and a registered office in Spain, where you can direct any enquiries after the move, rather than having to contact the UK.
Matthew James, a well-established removals firm with offices here on the Coast in Mijas Costa and in the UK, ticks all of the above boxes. Click here to find out more >>
On Arrival
Your first days in your new home can be a little disorientating, but if you buy through VIVA, their Homecare team will be there to help you through those first few days and beyond if you need them. They’ll contact you as you get close to completion and can help you get connected to those important utilities such as water and electricity, telephone and internet as well as ensuring that your home insurance is in order. Whatever you want done to help smooth your path during those early days, VIVA Homecare will deal with it. The service is totally free to VIVA clients, you simply pay for goods and services that your purchase. They have the kind of inside local knowledge that you need to help you settle in. Perhaps you need to know about schools or healthcare, need a gardener or where to buy the best quality furniture – we can help. We even know about the best restaurants and beach cafes! Whatever you need, VIVA Homecare is there to help you.
Settled In Spain
It may take you a while to feel really settled and find your way around but once you’ve finished unpacking those boxes, you can begin to think about what you want to do with your new life in the sun. Of course that will depend very much on your circumstances, maybe you’re retired or perhaps you have to earn a living here in the sun. Perhaps you have young children or teenagers? Whatever your circumstances, you’re bound to have loads of questions – whatever they are, get in touch with VIVA today to resolve them all! Email us here >>
Retirement
Perhaps you’ve retired and are interested in how you can spend your well-earned leisure time. There’s no shortage of things to do here on the Coast and you’ll be so busy enjoying yourself and experiencing the fantastic quality of life here in southern Spain that you may forget you’re retired! Have a look at our retirement pages for more info and ideas about how to spend your time.
Working
If you need to earn a living here in the sun, those leisure activities will have to wait until the weekend! Take a look at our Working in Spain section for more information on the best places to find work in Spain, what kind paperwork you’ll need and useful details about average salaries and the working day.
Daily Life
As you’ll know by now, buying a property in southern Spain is about so much more than just bricks and mortar. You buy into the enviable Spanish lifestyle too. We don’t have to tell you about the fact that there’s more than 300 days of sunshine every year or that you can take a quiet stroll along a golden beach to watch the sun go down – every evening if you like! You might not be so familiar with the awe-inspiring mountain scenery which you can enjoy even on a quick visit to the shops! Talking of shops, there’s world class shopping designer style, or friendly little local shops or colourful markets where you can buy fresh produce which will get the senses tingling. You may not know how close the Costa del Sol is to the Sierra Nevada, which means that for several months of the year, fabulous skiing is just two hours drive away. You can even do skiing and the beach in the same day if you choose the right time of year!
As for the food, well if you're now settled into your new home or even if you’ve ever visited Spain for a holiday, you'll know it's fantastic. We’ve all heard of the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet and here you can live it every day of your life. All this, along with the fabulous climate, abundance of outdoor activities and efficient healthcare system, makes Spanish residents among the healthiest and fittest in Europe. That means YOU now!
So, whatever you need to know about your new life here on the fabulous Costa del Sol, our useful factsheets are a great place to start. Or why not read how other people have fared in their place in the sun with our case studies.
And finally, here’s the most important piece of advice for anyone who has just bought a new home in the sun. Sit down on that terrace with an ice cold drink – and ENJOY!
For any questions you may have on any of the elements of moving to Spain mentioned in these articles, please let us know your queries using the form below and we will get in touch with you to help.
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