The 3 Most Important Aspects of Relocating to Spain
Shifting to a foreign country is not straightforward. If you want to make your trip to Spain worthwhile, make sure these 3 factors are not neglected.
Spain is undoubtedly an ideal spot for expatriates. The beach towns, sunny weather, super-energetic people along with a perfect work-life balance has attracted many expats around the world. If you too are one of them, don’t forget to take care of the following three points:
- Healthcare
Spain has one of the world’s best healthcare systems. But as an expat, you might not get immediate access to public healthcare services. This means if you come across any health injury, you will have to bear the expensive charges of hospitals.
To avoid this, get a travel health insurance plan from your home country. Buying one from Spain is even better as the companies there will have a better understanding of how their health system operates.
But who will guide you about a trustable insurance company in Spain? One way to do the task is utilizing review platforms like OpinionsEspana that publish customer reviews on different online shops. By searching there, you can easily find a list of companies that you might be interested in. There’s also a possibility to read up on how to find reliable online stores including insurance companies offering the best coverage plans.
- Housing
Renting accommodation is not an easy process in Spain. As some owners there rely on oral contracts rather than written ones, getting a gist of their language and law enforcement policies is difficult. In contrast, buying a house is more straightforward but that too only if you find a legit seller.
So, if you are planning to live initially on rent, it is recommended to sign written agreements. Even if they are in Spanish, you can get them translated to fully understand the contract terms.
On the other hand, if you are buying a property, you can start away by searching for the type of property you want. Websites like Fotocasa, Spainhouses or Idealista can help in finding both rental spaces and properties available for sale. Also, buying through a sales agent is advisable as they are well-aware of the country’s law and region.
To inquire about the property’s legal status like the registry name, covered area or status, you can skim through the Registro de la Propiedad i.e., the property registry in Spain. After you have verified the property status, payment of the deposit and signing the deed of sale will be the next steps.
- Working
Working in Spain is a lot different from other countries. You will have to forget the concept of working from 9 to 5. Due to Siesta, the 2 to 3 hours lunch break time, working hours are normally from 9 am to 8 pm. Also, finding a job is not a simple task especially when you are a foreigner and not aware of the Spanish language.
To successfully land a job, the only option for you is to opt for an occupation from the shortage occupation list. This list is updated every quarter and signifies the vacancies for which the residents of Spain are insufficient. The tourism sector and English teaching are some of such professions.
Once you have decided on the occupation, you can find a job on Infoempleo, Mil Anuncios and such other websites.
Self-employment is another attractive option for those who want freedom in their career. Apart from being an online English teacher, you can choose to be a freelance writer, web designer, developer etc. Whereas platforms like Upwork or Freelancer have recently emerged as reliable platforms for searching relevant jobs.
The Bottom Line
After arranging Visas and work permits, health, accommodation and job are undoubtedly the three important elements for relocation. Spare some time to make adequate preparations so that you are never out of resources.