Introduction

Moving to Spain an expat guide is your top resource to learning about this wonderful country. There is nothing more exciting than taking the plunge and deciding to become an expat. It really is an exhilarating adventure. There aren’t many experiences in life that affect you in quite the same, glorious way that emigrating does.

Once you commit to moving to another country, there’s no looking back. As daunting as this may sound, the reality is quite exciting.

Becoming an expat isn’t going to be as difficult and as scary as you think it is, and we here at Indalo Transport can say that with some authority because we’re a team of expats ourselves.

We know exactly what you’re feeling, and what you’re about to go through, so you’ll be relieved to hear that there’s only fun, opportunity, and excitement ahead.

As you start making preparations for your removal from the UK to Spain, don’t panic – we’re here to help you keep calm, so that you can carry on.

Full customs management of your move means that you only have to make sure you take everything you need. We’ll help sort out all the documents you now need to do to keep your epic, logistical challenge right on track. We can advise on what you need to get a tax free import into Spain, and we’ll keep your import tax really low if you don’t qualify.

What will my new life be like in Spain?

It’s going to be fantastic!

Spain is an absolutely beautiful country. There are tranquil, old-fashioned villages which are surrounded by breathtaking scenery and panoramic views.

It has awe-inspiring coastal towns, with exquisite beaches, and it has modern cities which are bustling and trendy.

No matter where you go in Spain, the place just oozes history, tradition, art and fashion, and that the country as a whole has been infused with the very best bits from a variety of exuberant peoples and lavish cultures.

Family, religion and a laid-back attitude seem the most essential things in Spain. You’ll find that nobody likes to rush.

Most places have a siesta in the afternoon, pretty much everything is closed on a Sunday, and banks close for the day at 2pm just after lunch.

Everyone seems to do pretty much everything as a family, and everyone actively keeps up old traditions. This is not just for posterity, but for the sheer fun and enjoyment of the celebration.

And the Spanish, they love fun. They love any reason to party. Each village, town and city has their own unique way of celebrating, with their favourite, time-honoured local fiestas.

Puerto Banus

People fall in love with Spain because it has the perfect combination of warm weather, undemanding days and exciting nights.

It’s a bright, colourful country, and the Spanish are a very vibrant and passionate people.

This passion is quite infectious, and we think that you’ll fall in love with Spain in no time, and that you’ll be proud to call it your home.

Indalo Transport’s Top 4 things you need to do to prepare for your move to Spain

1. Decide on which region you’d like to live in

Spain is a huge country, it has over 15 different regions, and they couldn’t be more disparate from each other. That’s why it’s a good idea to sit down and have a long, hard think about what type of area you’d like to settle down in.

Are you looking for somewhere peaceful near the beach, or does the sound of living in a bustling, ‘big city’ appeal to you?

Do you want to be surrounded by other expats and tourists, or go off the beaten track a bit?

We have an article all about the Spanish regions here. It may help you choose where to move to.

2. Book your removals to Spain from the UK

When you’ve gone through all your belongings and worked out what it is you’d like to take with you to Spain, contact several removals companies for quotes.

After you’ve got your quotes, do a little background research into the firms you’ve contacted and check out their customer reviews to see if they’re really as good as they say they are.

Check if the company is fully insured and are members of any professional associations.

Find out whether they offer a packing service or can provide you with advice and guidance on becoming an expat.

Most importantly, check that they can sort out all the customs documentation now we have left the EU.

Once you’ve taken into consideration all these things, book with your chosen removals team as soon as possible, to make sure they’re still available to help you move when you need.

Whilst you’re here, why not have a look at the services offered by Indalo Transport. We have great feedback and hundreds of glowing reviews from our lovely clients.

Maybe we’ll be your choice of getting your things safely to Spain from the UK.

3. Make sure you and your pet have all their documents

Now the UK has left the EU, you do need to make sure you can legally go and live in Spain. You must do this before you leave the UK, so contact the Spanish Embassy in London to check the rules. Moving to Spain with your pets is also a bit more complicated too.

If you have pets, there are a few things you need to do in order to make their journey, as smooth as possible.

• Visit the Vet and get your pet microchipped.
• Book in for a rabies vaccination for your dog. The reason why you need to do this asap is because you must wait a set number of days after it has been done before moving abroad.
• Ask your vet for a Pet Passport. Just like our passports, this is a little book, complete with photo page to help people identify your pet. It is also a handy record of when your pet will need to get revaccinated for rabies.

We have a blog post that gives more info about moving to Spain with your pets

4. Find out about Moving to Spain, and learn some Spanish

Whilst you don’t need to be fluent, the Spanish will always appreciate you attempting to talk to them in their language. There are loads of online resources that can help with this, like Duolingo for instance.

You might want to start learning about Spain before you actually get there!

Concentrate on learning the basic phrases for food and drink and meeting and greeting and you won’t go far wrong.

There are also lots of books about Spain and the Spanish, or resources online that are even totally free.

The country has a wonderful rich history going back hundreds of years, and many colourful episodes and characters that are very interesting. Read about the legend of El Cid.

For general info and news about Spain, geared towards the UK expat, you can’t go wrong with visiting the Spain Buddy website here. 

I hope you have enjoyed Moving to Spain an expat guide, and it has helped you to start your search for an exciting new life in the Sun!

For removals to Spain with a professional Trading Standards approved company, with warehouses in both the UK and Spain, contact Indalo Transport Ltd for a superfast quote.

Now sit back, relax and start planning your wonderful, new life!