The greatest challenges in relocating to Spain

According to the Ministry of Integration’s statistics on foreigners living in Spain, there were 5.8 million foreigners living in Spain in 2020. Despite the difficulties that the pandemic and travel restrictions have brought for mobility, this is the highest number in Spain’s history.

Moving to Spain comes with many challenges. There are legal, professional, emotional and family challenges. In this article, we look at the biggest challenges people face or expect to face when moving to Spain.

Where is it better to live in Spain?

This is obviously a big challenge that you need to find out and overcome, because where you live will determine how much you will enjoy your stay here, and this is really crucial.

In general, people are drawn to four different areas of Spain:

1. Andalusia. It is a region full of contrasts: fantastic beaches, ancient cities and deserts, the southernmost ski resort in Europe and also the highest mountain in Spain. In general, Andalusia is a safe place to live.

2. Madrid and Barcelona are Spain’s top cities for leading an active life. Today, cities like the capital Madrid and Barcelona are cultural centers where life pulsates day and night.

3. Valencia. Valencia is cheaper, more manageable and warmer in winter (it is further south) than Barcelona.

4. Green Spain. Here Spain shows a completely different side, with towering mountains, dramatic coastal landscapes and lush green meadows. If you live in this region, you can explore the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia in a few days.

The cost of living

It is very important to have an accurate idea of the cost of living in Spain. This depends on your lifestyle, but also on the region you will be living in.

The most expensive regions are the Basque Country, Madrid and Catalonia. Malaga, Valencia and Galicia are more affordable. The cheapest regions are Extremadura, Castile and Leon.

Numbeo is a very helpful website when it comes to calculating your cost of living. It allows you to make a comparison between where you live in the UK or wherever you live and the place you are considering. It even compares cities within Spain.

The Visa PaperWork Is Overwhelming

If you don’t live in the EU already, you will need to apply for a visa to move to Spain. You can find more information about work visas on the official SpainVisa website.

The real estate process is scary

The next challenge is the real estate process. It can be very daunting to buy a home in a country that is not yours. First of all, you need to know that you can buy a house even if you are not a resident of Spain.

One of the things that confuses people a lot is all the fees and taxes that they will have to pay on top of the purchase price. This is usually between 10 and 15 percent of the purchase price, but it depends on whether you have used a real estate agent or a lawyer. You will also have to pay more or less tax depending on the region. And depending on whether it is a new house or not, different taxes and a different percentage will apply. So all these things need to be taken into account as well.

How do I get a work permit?

Many people are overwhelmed with the idea of how they can work in Spain. Swapp Agency covers the entire process of getting a work permit, work visas and all relocation issues. We will help you get the right visa and explain how to achieve it. For more information visit Swapp Agency.

I am concerned about taxes

When it comes to taxes in Spain, you really have to look into this topic in depth. Many people freak out when they see the high income tax rates in Spain.

Everyone who works in Spain has to pay tax depending on their source of income and place of residence. If you spend 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, you become a tax resident. All residents are taxed on their worldwide income. There are several tax exemptions that may apply to expatriates.

So you need to understand the general concepts or speak to a tax advisor if you are concerned about this. If you leave it alone, you will receive an email from a tax office a few months later.

To make sure everything is in compliance with the relocation program and tax laws, you can sign up with an Employer of Record. An Employer of Record provides an easy way for expatriates, remote workers and employers to work and receive their payments wherever they are. Swapp Agency is a helping hand in international relocation, employment and legal matters.

I’m afraid to learn Spanish

Now you have all the paperwork done, your visa, you have your dream house, everything is perfect in your taxes. The next worry is language. Some people think that one of the biggest challenges is getting the visa and sorting out the taxes, leaving aside the language issue.

There are many areas in Spain with large English-speaking communities, but if you really want to integrate, and most people do, you need to learn the language.

Start learning Spanish as soon as you decide to live in Spain because it will really pay off. You need to start by building a base and once you are in Spain you will be able to pick up the language much quicker.

Final word

From taxes to visas, there are many challenges when moving to Spain. Swapp Agency will inform you on how to move to Spain. We will guide you through the steps you need to take to relocate to Spain. Work in Spain with Swapp Agency.