Becoming an expat in Spain Volume 1

Expat Life
Written By Morgan Andrews

Hello everyone,

As I am entering my 4th year living full-time as an Expat in Spain I have been encouraged to jot down a few pointers to anyone out there that maybe considering ''upping sticks'' permanently and moving to the Spanish sunshine (today is November 14th and we are enjoying 82 degrees temperatures today!

The series will be in 26 parts and each part will be issued weekly and will hopefully be informative and ''lighthearted'' also.

I live in Quesada which is on the Costa Blanca and about ½ an hour's drive equally from Alicante and Murcia airports.

Quesada is a sprawling town primarily populated with British people alongside Scandinavians, Dutch, Germans and Irish and the local culture reflects this (permanently drunk lol!).

There are many aspects to being an Expat and I will attempt to cover these over the next 6 months, however, I can only speak from my own experience and of course from my experience in the part of Spain where I live so do take that on board.

So, here is a list of the things I will be covering over the next 6 months:

  • Language and lessons

  • Buying/Renting a Car

  • Renting/buying a property

  • Health insurance

  • Getting an NIE number

  • Making a Will

  • Organising a Power of Attorney

  • Arranging a Prepaid Funeral Plan

  • House insurance

  • Registering at your local Town hall

  • Taxes and how to avoid them!

  • Pensions

  • Driving licences and what to be aware of

  • Moving your possessions over

  • Pets and Vets (Is that a business name? - if not it should be)

  • What are Red Days and how many of them are there

  • Festivals and Fiestas

  • Tapas Trails

  • Supermarkets and local produce

  • Getting involved in your local community

  • TV and Radio/Broadband

  • Sport and activities

  • Services for those in need of help

  • Flights/Trains/buses and travel

  • Schools and education

  • Weather - what to expect and when

  • Post and relying on it

So, that is what's in store - e mail me if you feel there is an area you would like a post on and so long as it's not Quantum mechanics and its application to AI, I will include it somewhere.

Right, another G+T me thinks!

Paul Blackmoore

Morgan Andrews
Previous

Inheritance tax in Valencia region/UK - update
Next

Will UK Inheritance Tax Be Abolished?