|
Cars
1. Can I bring my EU registered car to Spain?
If you plan to visit Spain for less than 183 days and
you are not a resident you can bring your EU registered
car.
If you have owned your car for more than 6 months prior
to coming to Spain you can take it to Spain permanently.
You need to contact the DVLA in the UK, who will provide
you with a certificate of permanent export. You surrender the original
Registration Document.
2. What are the roads like?
It normally will take you only a few days of being
careful to get used to driving on the right hand side,
most of the road signs are the same.
Spain is a very large country, with lots of open
spaces, excellent motorways and lower traffic densities
to other EU countries.
Health
1. What is health care like in Spain?
It is not that much different to the UK and is
available top all UK citizens. It is considered equal if
not better to other EU states.
2. How do I get free health care if I am not retired?
If you are on holiday or spending less than 183 days
/year in Spain your E111 will cover you.
If you are a resident, you must pay into the Spanish
Social Security system, this covers you and you family,
under the same conditions as the Spaniards. If you are
retired and in receipt of an EU pension and have a
residency card you are also covered.
3. What if I am not covered by E111 or Spanish Health
system?
You should obtain Private Health Cover.
Purchasing Property
1. What is IBI?
‘Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles’ - annual real estate
tax. These receipts show the ‘valor catastral’, assessed
value of your property.
2. What will buying a property cost me?
Apart from the purchase price of the house, you should
allow for 10% of the purchase price to cover legal
expenses (solicitors, property VAT and connection of
services). This 10% does not include furnishings. After
you buy the property you should inspect the notarial
documents in the register, registration within two
months of properties at the Cadaster when there is no
Cadaster reference number, registration for payment of
real estate taxes (contribution) and registration for
payment of rubbish collection.
3. Can a non resident purchase property in Spain?
Yes. Many have and will continue to do so because of
the climate and ease of air travel.
School
1. What is the structure of the ‘state school system’
in Spain?
Basic education is compulsory and free from the age of
6 to 16, which is the legal age for starting work. It
includes both general and special need education. All
students have basic vocational training in Secondary
Schools.
Pre school – 3-6 yrs is not compulsory and is usually
fee paying.
Primary – 6-12 yrs, Secondary – 12-16yrs.
2. What about qualifications obtained?
Any qualifications are internationally recognised.
3. Where do I get information on the available
schooling in my area?
Your local town hall can provide details of local
schools.
The Ministry of Education and Science (Ministerio de
Educacion y Cienco) provides general information.
Servicio de Informacion, Iniviativas y Reclamaciones,
C/Alcala, 34, 28014 Madrid (Telephone 0034 917 018 000).
4. Are my children entitled to Education?
Any EU resident is entitled to state education if
living in Spain.
Business
/ Work
1. Do I need special qualifications to start a
business?
This varies on the type of business you wish to start.
Anyone using or handling food, will need proof you have
completed the relevant food hygiene course.
2. What is the NIE?
This is your foreigners tax identity number. It is not
a work permit, however when you get your residency card
or work permit the number will be the same as your NIE.
3. How do I start a company?
There are many options here, you can work on your own,
‘autonomo’ or ‘cuenta propia’ or you can form a company,
its Articles of Assossiation must be signed and
registered with a Spanish Notary and the Mercantile
Registry.
A single person can form a ‘Sociedad Limitada’ which is
a limited company with minimum trading capital in the
bank. ‘Sociedad Anonima’ is the equivalent of the
British Limited Company (plc).
It is also possible to undertake a legal partnership or
make a Spanish Branch company ‘sucursal’ of a parent
company existing in the UK.
4. How much tax will I pay?
When you start your business you must notify the
authorities you have done so, and from here on you will
have to pay Spanish tax and Social Security. The tax
depends on the profits of your business except for the
NI element which is a fixed amount per person
irrespective of turnover or profit. There are some
simplified tax scheme for small businesses.
5. Can I work in Spain?
Any member of the EU is allowed to work in any EU
country.
General
1. Is it expensive to live in Spain?
Cost of living can be as much as 30% less than in the
UK.
- Electricity - varies according to usage £15 – £60.
- Gas, most areas have bottled gas, approx £10 a 12Kg
bottle to be refilled. A contract should be signed at
point of purchase to buy first bottle. You need a
certificate to prove your property is suitable for the
use of bottled gas.
- Water – varies according to usage, £2 – £5.
- Car prices are lower along with tax and insurance.
Second Hand can be expensive in relation to UK.
- Petrol is approx £1.02per litre. Diesel (Gasoleo)
approx. £0.95 per litre.
- Wine costs from £0.70 litre,
- Local brewed beer approx £1 for a glass. £2.20 Grande
(pint)
- Spirits vary by retailer, but are generally 1/2 UK
price!
2. We are retired and on State Pension, can this be
paid into our Spanish bank account?
Yes, it can go directly into your Spanish Bank Account.
Contact the pensions department in Newcastle – remember
to ask about conversion charges. Also if you are on any
form of State / local Authority / Armed Service or Civil
Service pension tax is still paid in the UK under a
reciprocal agreement with Spain. Although you do not pay
tax on these in Spain it actually works out more
expensive.
3. Should we learn the language?
If you plan to work it is advisable, if not essential.
It is a relatively easy language to learn and cassettes
and books are widely available and fairly cheap. If you
are not keen to learn another language there are many
places along the Costa’s where there are more English
then Spanish. Many town halls are now providing Spanish
classes for free or a minimal fee.
4. How do the Spanish treat foreigners that live in
Spain?
They are tolerant, family orientated and friendly. If
you learn a few Spanish phrases they will welcome you
even more.
5. How do I open a Bank Account?
This is very easy. You need to provide your passport, a
small deposit and proof of address.
6. What is the worst thing about living in Spain?
Most shops close for 2-3 hours (siesta) in the
afternoon. Family and friends want to see you more
often!!
|
|
