A move to mainland Spain post brexit

[Matty92]

Hi all,

Iv been around the forums for almost 2 years but only post occasionally at the best of times, so Im sure nobody knows me or my background here but I used to live the good life in Sydney Australia for about 3 years and have been back in the UK just over 2 years now - I came home partly for difficult residency problems and partly to be back with family. I'm 28, bought a house since being home and single living a decent life.. but truthfully im still struggling being home and especially in winter months im really unhappy. Covid aint great neither but we are all in the same boat so I dont like to use that as an excuse.

Moving to Spain has always been on my mind for many reasons since being back from Australia, spent alot of time there as a kid too as my family had an apartment in Calpe. I did research into this and had a rough idea what to do pre brexit, but now I'm unsure whats changed and struggling to find the right information on what I must do to legitimately be able to work over there just casually at first to see if like it/want to settle, and ofcourse eventually residency if I stay longterm. Im a tradesman and Id be looking at working possibly self employed or for a building company over there. Luckily iv got a friend who is also keen to go over, and my parents are looking to retire over Spain for 6 months of the year (although if I were there im sure theyd stay 12 month eventually if I were to settle) so that eliminates the family problems I had whilst in Australia plus obviously travel time difference, which makes Spain feel like the right place for me.

This will be id imagine once covid settles... So basically my question is how and is it still possible to just get up and leave nowadays.
Cheers.

 

[tclubber]

Iv been around the forums for almost 2 years but only post occasionally at the best of times, so Im sure nobody knows me or my background here but I used to live the good life in Sydney Australia for about 3 years and have been back in the UK just over 2 years now...

Do you have an EU citizenship (Irish?), or just the UK citizenship?

If you have an EU citizenship, nothing changes for you and you can move to Spain using your EU passport. Try researching if you qualify for another citizenship based on your ancestors - lots of Brits are doing this.

If you only have the UK citizenship, it means Brexit changed pretty much everything for you - you no longer have a right to move to Spain, so you'll have to look at Spanish immigrant visas. There are different kinds of work visas (including for freelancers), and if you have enough funds, I think there are also immigrant visas for people who purchase real estate in Spain.

 

[Mondo99]

If they only have UK passports then same goes for your parents too - gone are the days of easily spending a few months a year out there .

 

[AnnetteAllen]

hi, I'm in based in Barcelona and the existing expats I have met had to complete a TIE form (although that may not be possible now since brexit took effect, check with the foreign office if still eligible). Should you qualify to remain beyond the 3 month tourist visa, you will need an NIE (again, you may need to check the requirements for this - a lot of cash in the bank basically..)


*if you opt to go down the casual route and stay beyond the 3 months on the quiet, running a business (even cash only) is high-risk (Spanish taxman will impose whopping fines) and questions will be asked at airport next time you leave the country...

Thanks for sharing of such an interesting aspects of moving to Spain here! I will look for the more details here and try to find out all the advantages I can. Anyway, it is very important for everybody want to go there.

 

[soulcompromise]

Spain... that's a big move. I wonder how hard it is to learn Catalan...

I think that the biggest challenge for me would be there is a language barrier. I can barely get around with Spanish here, and I'm in a city that although predominantly Hispanic, is in an English speaking country!

It's a challenge, because although I can say "puedo cortarme el pelo?" I cannot describe to the stylist what sort of cut I desire. She asks, in Spanish of course and I wait for the English speaking staff to come and tell her what I want. I'm sure that I would improve very fast, but it's not easy.

 

[PP]

Spain... that's a big move. I wonder how hard it is to learn Catalan...

I think that the biggest challenge for me would be there is a language barrier. I can barely get around with Spanish here, and I'm in a city that although predominantly Hispanic, is in an English speaking country!

It's a challenge, because although I can say "puedo cortarme el pelo?" I cannot describe to the stylist what sort of cut I desire. She asks, in Spanish of course and I wait for the English speaking staff to come and tell her what I want. I'm sure that I would improve very fast, but it's not easy.

I struggle to explain to my English hair dresser what type of cut I want! I generally show her a picture of a guy who is 20 years younger than me and ask her to do that

 

[The Sun God]

This weekend marks 10 years since we moved to Catalonia. What a ride! Seen it all: revolutions, riots, plagues and minor lottery wins. We're currently in our 4th apartment and each experience has been very different. Thought I'd share a few thoughts.

10 lessons learned:

In no particular order:

1. Emigration is a big deal. It's not a holiday and not to be taken lightly, unless you are super rich in which case you'll hardly be reading this. Emigration can be a mental battle, working out who you are, what you want and why you're moving. At times, it's tough. Government in your country of origin is not set up to help emigrants so you're often on your own. Unless you have money and lots of, it's a rocky road ahead.

2. Learn the language(s). Yes most younger people do speak some English now, but it's a case of showing respect and putting the effort in. My Spanish and Catalan have both improved massively although still a long way to go. It's good for your brain too as you get older. The memory is not ahem what it was. Equally, you need to be able to understand the system, the red tape, tax, laws, cops, courts, bills, doctors, teachers and workmen. That's why it matters. James Blick is worth a watch on this:

3. Get out of the expat ghetto. This does not mean total denial of your roots but simply not hiding on the margins and living for SkySports. I'd say 90% of Spain is super friendly/inclusive. How to break the ice? Intercambios, arts, sports, talks, DIY flea markets, social groups, hikes, whatever works. You ultimately get out what you put in.

4. Travel across the country. The thing about Spain is just wildly different it all is. Galicia, Catalonia and Andalucia have just about nothing in common yet are all beautiful in different ways. There's an old saying that "travel broadens the feet" and it isn't entirely inaccurate

5. Employment. A lot of the old avenues no longer work. the AI apocalypse hit my industry hard and it has meant totally starting all over. Doing that overseas with zero support has been mentally knackering. If you have a trade or indestructible skill you're sorted. I'm currently upskilling and trying to reinvent myself but it's not a country that rewards freelancers or autónomos (viewed with some suspicion as tax dodgers). The tax system is byzantine. And then there's pensions and stuff too. Yawn but yeah...

6. Get a car. I don't rate Spanish coaches or trains (esp the latter.. try booking on the Renfe website lol) so a car is essential. They did away with the peajes (tolls) a few years back. Driving in Spain is a joy, especially in the mountains and pueblos. Just get used to occasional autopista anarchy and don't take it personally.

7. Don't compare the Spanish music scene with your country of origin. I made the mistake of comparing oranges and apples too many times. You cannot replicate your past life nor is it a good idea. Nowhere was ever gonna match London's party scene so you adapt and start all over. FWIW I think the clubbing I grew up with is effectively dead but equally I'm now 51 and my opinion counts for shit. Living in BCN I came to realise that other things matter more to people. People I know here are nerdy about food in the same way I used to be about Nu Groove records. Or better still 20 mates dancing together in a bodega. I know a lot more Spanish people into rock or reggaeton than Balearic Beats. Get used to it and fast.

8. Be sensitive and don't stereotype. You realise there's heroes and villains everywhere. Spain is no different. People will slag off people from another region but it is often just lazy tropes passed down through families. When people 'hate' foreigners it isn't necessarily personal but more frustration with a system that no longer works in terms of rents and affordability. Spain is going through a major transition. Socially, demographically, it's hard to say where the country will be in 5, 10 years. We have little say over that but the Pikes motto "Don't be a c**t" is probably a good starting point.

9. The Politics Getting an idea of who is who is super important. If PP-VOX (ie the right) get elected at the next election, Spain could get quite heated again after a few years of (relative) calm under Sánchez. There could well be more unrest, environmental destruction, fewer public services and more anti-migrant sentiment so be alert and be prepared.

10. Is Spain right for you? Do you just want a suntan? a taxbreak? 24/7 access to Class As? or something deeper? In my own case, having English and Spanish blood, it's always a more intense thing, but for others considering making the jump, think about why rather than just following the herd.

Would I go back to England now? No idea. Where would I even go to? Everything's changed. Mates dispersed or had families. The community moved on. The longer you spend overseas the more you lose touch with stuff, prices, slang, in-jokes. Did we make the right decision? I think so despite everything, all the dramas and headaches and occasional depression. When you have close family somewhere who need you that shifts the dial in a big way.

My posts on this website won't always be popular but they're always 100% honest. What I describe here is the reality of living in this country and I hope these comments gave a better idea of where things are at.

 

[tclubber]

This weekend marks 10 years since we moved to Catalonia. ...

Congrats on hitting the 10-year mark and thanks for a detailed write up! Although I have already known Spain is not for me, despite frequent visits as a tourist...

I am curious, was there a specific reason for you to choose Catalonia to settle in? Having to learn two languages instead of just one and high housing prices seem to make it a tougher destination for immigrants than the rest of the country...

 

[The Sun God]

Congrats on hitting the 10-year mark and thanks for a detailed write up! Although I have already known Spain is not for me, despite frequent visits as a tourist...

I am curious, was there a specific reason for you to choose Catalonia to settle in? Having to learn two languages instead of just one and high housing prices seem to make it a tougher destination for immigrants than the rest of the country...

thanks. I have Spanish family with deep roots in BCN so that was never an issue. I sometimes apply for jobs elsewhere but I think it will be Catalonia for the forseeable.