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Retiring to Spain

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 6:14pm
22 replies2323 views15 members subscribed
Jan61

Posts: 5

Location: Torrox

Joined: 26 Jan 2020

Hello 

my husband and I are considering selling our property in uk and moving to Spain.  It would mean taking early retirement for us both as Mike is 61 and I am 59.  We have visited Nerja for many many years and even had our honeymoon there 37 years ago! :-) 

It has always been the dream to make a permanent move to Spain when we retired. Brexit has made us decide that it is now or never!  

Any advice on relocating would be greatly appreciate.  

Thank you 

Jan x  

Rick63

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 6:38pm

Posts: 11

4 helpful points

Joined: 6 Sep 2017

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 6:38pm

I would recommend reading Nick Snelling 'How to buy Spanish Property and move to Spain Safely" he explores the pros and cons of relocating to Spain... also an eye on spain is a valuable web page for more information ..

 Living in Spain is very different from the rose tinted glasses you have when you visit on holiday or as portrayed in " a place in the Sun "

Consider living in Spain for three months before making any permanent commitment.... the very hot summer months are a challenge for northern europeans as are the cold winter nights living in uninsulated houses designed to be cool ... 

Be very careful ..Spainish bureaucracy is notoriously stressful , frustrating and can be corrupt ... many people have had there fingers burnt when buying property from unscrupulous estate agents and have  found that they are unable to recoup the money they have spent on their purchase and return home...

Brexit has thrown a spanner in the works because as far as i know many issues for expats are unresolved ... when we became a third country you will have to get residency approved and show that you have sufficient funds / income to support yourself and not be a burden on the state ....access to free health care is likely to be compromised and any treatment would have to be paid for through insurance etc .. which can be very costly if you have pre existing conditions 

There are lots of things to consider ..if you do plenty of research and are aware of all the implications you can make an informed choice and. many people successfully relocate ...i have been told that you meet lots of ex pats when walking your dog on the beach and very quickly gain a social circle ... these are just my impressions from outside as i am also considering permanently relocating  ... best of luck x

Jan61

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 7:48pm

Jan61

Original Poster

Posts: 5

Location: Torrox

Joined: 26 Jan 2020

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 7:48pm

Hi Rick

Thank you for responding and providing so much useful advice.  

I will definitely look out for the guide you referred to.

Hope you manage to make the move and all goes well for you x

Jan61

Posted: Sun Feb 2, 2020 4:27pm

Jan61

Original Poster

Posts: 5

Location: Torrox

Joined: 26 Jan 2020

Posted: Sun Feb 2, 2020 4:27pm

Hi again 

Is it possible to provide a rough guide to how much money you would need per annum to live in Spain as a retired couple?  

I appreciate this may all change end of 2020,  but if we could manage to make the move before then is it likely we would be resident? 

Regards Jan 

KevinBD

Posted: Sun Feb 2, 2020 7:42pm

KevinBD

Helpful member

Posts: 229

51 helpful points

Joined: 5 Jan 2020

Posted: Sun Feb 2, 2020 7:42pm

Hi,

As a rule of thumb, it is less than half the cost of living in the UK. Electricity is cheaper, as is the gas used here to heat rooms and houses, usually about 17 Euros every 3-4 weeks. Food is about half the price in the UK and alcohol much cheaper, although there are more expensive items depending on taste. Many ex-pats come here and spend their days sitting on plazas in bars drinking. That is an expensive lifestyle that is often their undoing. Buying a house is much cheaper than the UK

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Jan61

Posted: Sun Feb 2, 2020 7:57pm

Jan61

Original Poster

Posts: 5

Location: Torrox

Joined: 26 Jan 2020

Posted: Sun Feb 2, 2020 7:57pm

Thank you for your responses which are greatly appreciated and are very helpful. 

I did read that you have to prove your monthly income and/or show a certain amount of savings in the bank?  Is this correct? 

We are looking to retire early so will not have state pension yet, however, we will receive Private pensions and will have some savings. 

Regards Jan 

KevinBD

Posted: Mon Feb 3, 2020 12:05pm

KevinBD

Helpful member

Posts: 229

51 helpful points

Joined: 5 Jan 2020

Posted: Mon Feb 3, 2020 12:05pm

Hi,

That is incorrect. I have never been asked to prove any income. I live here and I am treated just the same as Spaniards are. 

TeresaB

Posted: Mon Feb 3, 2020 4:59pm

TeresaB

Helpful member

Posts: 210

96 helpful points

Location: Coin

Joined: 20 Oct 2019

Posted: Mon Feb 3, 2020 4:59pm

hi.  If you apply for residency you need to show that you have a minimum of 11,500 euros available (for a couple) when you apply.   You also need to get private health insurance, which will cost about 60 euros a month per person.   Good luck! 

Jan61

Posted: Mon Feb 3, 2020 6:05pm

Jan61

Original Poster

Posts: 5

Location: Torrox

Joined: 26 Jan 2020

Posted: Mon Feb 3, 2020 6:05pm

Thank you all again for the advice and useful info.  It is very much appreciated x 

KevinBD

Posted: Tue Feb 4, 2020 7:49am

KevinBD

Helpful member

Posts: 229

51 helpful points

Joined: 5 Jan 2020

Posted: Tue Feb 4, 2020 7:49am

I have residency and was never asked for proof of any deposit. I have my NIE number and I use local facilities like the medical centre and dentist.

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