Moving to Spain

What does it really mean to move to Spain? Do you want to move to Spain with children and family or do you want to live in Spain as a pensioner? Here we go through what you should consider when moving to Spain.

Where in Spain should you move to?

For many people, the Costa del Sol is the place to move, and it's not surprising that it has become popular. It offers a warm and pleasant climate, a long stretch of beaches, a mountainous and beautiful landscape, as well as historical excursions and culinary experiences. On site you will also find our Swedish brokers who know the Costa del Sol. Popular communities in the area are Malaga, Marbella, Fuengirola and Nerja.

If you prefer the Balearic island of Mallorca, we do have our experts there as well, in the old-town part of Palma called Santa Catalina. 

The Costa Blanca or "white coast" is another popular area and here you get the most hours of sunshine in all of Spain. Torrevieja and Alicante, among others, are located here. We are also represented here with our Swedish brokers on the Costa Blanca.

Moving to Spain permanently

If you move within the EU, you can stay or live in Spain for 3 months without any additional measures except having your passport with you. However, if you want to live in Spain for a longer period or even move to Spain permanently, you must apply for a certificate at the Oficina de Extranjeros (Office for Foreigners) or at the police station. The certificate you receive contains your name, address, nationality, NIE number and date of issue.

When you have moved to Spain, you should go to the local town hall and register. This is called empadronamiento or padron, and you will then be registered and registered in the Spanish municipality. It is also good to register with the Spanish Social Security Agency (Seguridad Social), but you can only do this if you work in a Spanish company, start your own business in Spain or have a public pension. If you do not belong to any of these groups, you may want to look into private health insurance.

You need a NIE number

You will need a NIE number when you move to Spain, it is like a Spanish social security number for non-Spanish citizens. You need a NIE number for all kinds of purposes when you live in Spain, such as paying taxes, becoming a bank customer, buying accommodation and a car, seeking medical care and so on. You apply either through the Spanish embassy in your own country or the national police in Spain. If you apply in your own country, the processing time is normally about 2-3 weeks. A tip is to start this process in good time.

Health care in Spain

When you move and settle in another EU country, you should register using an S1 certificate and not use your health insurance card, or EU card, to get healthcare in your new country of residence. 

Nevertheless, you may want to apply for an EU card before your trip to ensure that you have the right to emergency medical care if someone falls ill on the way down or before your health care registration is approved.

You should always carry a valid ID document when seeking medical treatment.

Do you have to pay taxes while living in Spain?

If you stay or live in Spain for more than 6 months (183 days) in total in a year, you must pay tax and declare your income there. You must declare all income, even if it does not come from Spain. Depending on your monthly income, you may not have to pay tax, but you will probably still have to complete the annual declaration. If you work in Spain you pay Spanish preliminary tax on your salary and if you run your own business you pay tax quarterly.

Why move to Spain?

There are many reasons why you want and decide to move and live in Spain. Perhaps you have just retired and want to move half-yearly or permanently to enjoy Spanish food and a quiet life in a warm and pleasant climate. Or are you a family looking for a change in everyday life and want to try something different. Maybe it was a job that sparked the idea of a move.

Moving to Spain with children and family

In Spain you will find international schools from pre-school age up to grade 9. The range of schools makes living in Spain with children easier. Several of our real estate agents can give you advice on this too, based on their own family situation.

Moving to Spain as a pensioner

Living in Spain as a retiree is a comfortable life and it is no wonder that it has become a favorite destination for many retirees. It is reasonably far away and the winters are reasonably warm. There is healthcare close at hand and the possibility of an active and social life with other pensioners who want to enjoy their retirement. 

If you move because of a job

If you move to Spain because of a job, you will probably get a lot of practical help in return. In many cases, the employer will provide housing, telephone and help with registration in the country. You won't need to apply for a work permit because Spain is part of the EU, but you will need a Spanish identity number (NIE) and social security number to work. The social security number is obtained from the Spanish Social Security Agency (Seguridad Social). To apply, you will need a NIE number and an employment contract. With your first salary, you will start paying taxes in Spain.

When you start working in another EU country, you must notify the Social Security Agency.

9 things to do before you move

As your move to Spain approaches, here is a checklist of good things to check off before you move from Sweden to Spain:

• Check your family's passports so they are not approaching their expiry date.
• Apply for a NIE number, locally or in your own country, for the whole family.
• Register you and your family using an S1 certificate to gain access to local healthcare.
• Don't forget to get a bank card from a local bank.
• Check insurance locally if you are moving permanently, or with your current insurance company if you are moving for a period of time or commuting.
• Register your move with your Tax Agency and your Social Insurance Agency.
• Change your address and cancel subscriptions that you will not be using.
• Cancel memberships that you will not be using.
• Compare offers and prices if you are moving furniture to Spain.

Finally, be sure to act in good time. Feedback and paperwork with banks, tax authorities and other authorities in Sweden and Spain can take time. The more prepared you are, the sooner you can start enjoying your move abroad.

Don't forget to read our guide on Buying a house in Spain or our guide on Buying an apartment in Spain. There you will find even more useful information. Also, do not hesitate to contact us at Svensk Fastighetsförmedling Spain if you need help finding a home in Spain. Good luck with your move to Spain!