Help please.

Hi there.

There's a lot to learn before you make the leap to moving here. It's a bigger move than you think, even before Brexit. However, Brexit has, without doubt, made it more complicated, although it's still entirely possible. As you say, it's a very personal decision choosing where you end up living. I think most of us who have done it and are living here would tell you that it's always better to rent first, rather than buy on the basis of having a great holiday experience. What you think might suit you may not translate into your day to day life, and you could end up making an expensive mistake. I suggest you find where you want to live before thinking about solicitors, etc. It seems that travel is going to be easier this year (fingers crossed) so you should be able to visit a few places in a relatively short time.

The Costa del Sol is quite extensive, with Malaga city in the centre of it, and the area offers a huge range of choice. From overtly tourist places with a large British community, to small quiet, almost unknown places where you may be one of only a handful of foreigners, there's something for everyone. Inland is cheaper but you'll almost certainly need a car, so if you are not keen to drive here, maybe avoid those spots, although some of the towns and villages are spectacularly beautiful.

If you are on Facebook, you can ask to join a group called After Brexit In Spain, who provide masses of information and support for people who live here and for those who don't but have connections here. They will give you legal, financial, property, travel, health, driving advice, and you can interact with members to hear from the horses mouth what it's like to go through the process, as well as live here. It covers the whole of Spain, not just the CdS, which means you'll be able to ask folk in all parts of the country what it's like to live where they do.

I hope that helps. It's a long process but, if you take it step by step you should be able to find your home here. It's worth the effort, I have no regrets about making the move!

Good luck.

Good morning, my name is Richard from the Foreign Residents Association of Estepona.It's nice to hear you are considering Estepona to live, as it is a beautiful place and one of the cleanest  towns you will find. Since Brexit, there are many more legal requirements you will have  to deal with, and before you leave the UK please read about the new laws you need to deal with, there is plenty of help on the internet and GOV UK Living in Spain , Support in Spain are 2 good ones to start with. If videos help try SPAIN SPEAKS this give day to day life here and is a bridge between Spain and the outside comments from people around the world. In Estepona there are  5 Stars hotels all along the 16 km coastline and in town we have  2 and 3-star accommodation plus the small family run  businesses with 3/4 beds. Also in town there are all the legal help and estate agents where most speak English or are English. You will be able to buy property in town or on the outskirts but if coming to live think ahead where you may end up it is a good idea to consider a 6 month rent and take your time.  I hope my comments help you and take care.

Thankyou this so very kind. 

We had heard that it would be good to get a bank account in Spain, also a NIE card so we will be ready when we do move. Thankyou for your comments which are good and very helpful. 

Thankyou so much for the advice. Gosh it does seem a lot to take in. I bet people ‘run away’ at this stage as it seems real difficult. I don’t want to be one that runs as Spain is shouting to me. Thankyou again. 

This might help and read the last part about taxes. ... 

Blog..... .   

There are two parts of the Costa del Sol, 'where the Spanish live' and where tourists seek to buy & rent homes, (Tourist areas often have an over supply of property and many lay empty and can attract squatters), in good Spanish residential locations you will hardly find any apartments or homes empty, this includes those places with a sea view, generally, the nearer the coast milder in winder and less hot in mid summer. One rule worth bearing in mind, just like restaurants, 'if full of Spanish people a really good one' they also know the nicest 'communities' to live and unlike UK people do not question 'noisy neighbours' ? Spanish communities always have some noise, be it the 'sound of children' music or motor bikes, people do not tiptoe around, that's part of the 'wonderful vibe'. Many Brits who move to Spain want, Highcliffe On Sea in the sun, or a sleepy English village, where folks use baby sitters & leave the kids at home for their evening meal. 'The real heart of Spain is the people', in particular in Towns & Cities, to really understand the culture folks should check out 'Old Town Malaga' and where Antonio Banderas has his idyllic penthouse on the 6th floor, above a restaurant, just a stone's throw from the historic city monuments of Alcazaba, Moorish fortress and the Roman Theatre, his balcony has views of the Picasso Museum. That's the 'real Spain' and where the magic is, however, many Brits never even go into this magnificent city, they leave the airport & head down the coast and never see the real treasure of Malaga. 'My advice explore and understand Spain before you buy'. If you walk and love the streets of Old Town Malaga, Spain and Andalucía is for you. 

Be warned, once you move here you become a 'fiscal resident' & bear in mind UK is like a 'tax-haven' compared to Spain, with no age cap on 'social security payments' so check carefully with a 'Spanish accountant' the real costs on income and pensions from the UK,. Without a 'Golden Visa' you must become a fiscal tax resident, although if fortunate to be a retired 'Civil Servant' your pension tax deductions remain in the UK.. 

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4VaNwunxR0

Thankyou so much. You really are helpful. 

Would you know of any estate agents within the area ?

We used "Viva" estate agent close to Estepona. Kim is their designated person who deals with UK clients and she was fantastic.

I thought I must reply ref estate agents to explain that having lived here for so long that I am unable to make a recommendation as to who will be best for you, all I can say is that agents use to charge about 6% commission at one time  but that now may be out of date information.

We used Aida Inmobiliaria on Calle Real Estepona to buy an apartment. Javier was excellent and helped with all legalities, including obtaining an NIE.

Best of luck 

Alison