Having lived for several years in Spain and, like many, in my position, I thought it would be interesting to offer my thoughts on the top 10 must-dos on, or as soon as possible after, your arrival in this beautiful country.
The list has been compiled from my own point of view as a UK national although much of it, if not all, would apply to any citizen of the European Union.
It is well known that Spanish bureaucracy can be challenging (much of the challenge being due to the expats inability to communicate in their new country’s language), however, with a little patience and understanding, things will be alright in the end!
As I add to this blog I hope to include further details, where necessary, and useful links as to where help can be obtained in order to complete the top 10 list...
1. Obtain your NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjeros) and Certificado de Residencia - you can apply for the NIE separately and then get the Residencia, however, this would only really be of use when not immediately moving to live in Spain but where a financial transaction such as a house purchase is being performed. Applying for your Residencia will also automatically get you an NIE.
Since Residence ID cards stopped being issued to non-Spanish EU nationals in Spain, you are required to be registered on the Foreigners’ Register. The certificate they give you is not a form of ID (as the old ID card used to be) and so, technically, you are required to carry your passport with you (very few do though)!
2. Register with your local town hall as a resident (Register on the “Padron” or “Empadronamiento”). This has various advantages both for you and the town. Take a look at:
http://www.eyeonspain.com/spain-magazine/empadronamiento-empadronado.aspx
3. Consider exchanging your Driving Licence for a Spanish one. It is a simple thing to do, contains your NIE number so it is more readily accepted as a form of ID and, don’t forget, if you lose your UK licence or it expires you will not be legally able to get a new/replacement one from the UK.
4. Get a Spanish plated car or have your UK one transferred on to Spanish plates. Your UK plated car will quickly become illegal - No MOT (an MOT on a UK plated car can ONLY be obtained in the UK), no road tax (when it expires) and consequently invalidated insurance. As a Spanish resident, you are legally obliged to transfer your car on to Spanish plates and you need to have a Spanish plated car in order to be able to pay your local road tax...which is normally considerably cheaper than in the UK.
5. Learn to speak Spanish - easier said than done but do your best. You’ll feel better for it and there is nothing worse than a foreigner making no effort to communicate in their new country’s language. Think about it, in the UK you would expect people to speak to you in English. Most Spaniards will appreciate your efforts.
6. Mix with the locals - integrate and join in. This will help with the language as well!
7. Make sure you have access to a reliable translator/interpreter. There will be situations, particularly with regard to officialdom, when no matter how much progress you have made in speaking the language, you will need an expert in order to make proper progress. If you are lucky enough to be fully fluent then well done and don’t forget to sell your translation and interpreter services to the rest of us!
8. Get a hat and take care with your exposure to the sun. It really does burn.
9. To try and integrate as much as possible, shop, eat and drink where the locals do. Unless you’re on holiday (and even then it’s not good), lager and a full English breakfast at 10am while singing karaoke in between games of bingo is just not cricket. Remember as well, the locals will know where to go for the best quality and value.
10. Don’t forget - you are no longer in the UK. Things are done differently and at a different pace. Life in Spain should be enjoyable and rewarding. If it isn’t, you’ve probably only got yourself to blame.