Guest Author - Rachel L Webb

Relocating or moving whether through choice or for work can be a daunting prospect.
Sooner or later the dream becomes a reality and it all begins to happen.

When starting a new life in Spain there are very many questions to ask yourself, and many more that we don’t even think of until we hit a problem.

What schools are available in the area?
Is taking a UK car to Spain a good idea or should I buy a car there?
Can I insure my English car in Spain?
What is the medical care like?
Is one bank better than another?
Do I need a Residence card?
What is an empadronamiento?

These are just a few of the multitude of questions you’ll have. So where do you go for advice? The internet now offers many sites with forums where you can ask those brave people who’ve done it before you.

You can even locate the specific area you’re going to and maybe get to “know” some Expats in the area to which you are going.

If it’s a question of choice then the first and biggest headache can be the choice of where to relocate. Should it be inland or the coast? A city, town or village or even isolated?

Do you have children that need to go to school or do you need to earn a living are perhaps the main questions in choosing a location.

From finding a home to setting up a business, even to getting builders in it is just not possible without help, so ask around and get some personal recommendations. Please don’t become another statistic of bad choices.

Should you rent first or buy first is also a question of taste and circumstances.
These days many relocation companies have been set up to help you with the many decisions and the mass of red tape that surrounds Spanish bureaucracy.


I personally have just imported a car from the UK, it’s taken me six trips to Jaen city to various government offices. It’s cost me a fair bit of patience and shoe leather but the challenge and craziness of the system is a great learning curve.

Would I recommend anyone do the process themselves? If you don’t speak Spanish or haven’t a translator – NO. Use a gestor.

There are many good books and information on the subject of moving, living and working in Spain. The best that I’ve seen is Living and working in Spain by David Hampshire, which can be seen here.

You can ask question via the forum or email me if you think I can help in anyway.
nativespain.com is an up and coming website by the authors of Going Native in Murcia with a forum and interactive user guide.