New members of the Spain forum, introduce yourselves here - 2018

Hi everyone hope you are well, how is life is treating you in Barcelona? Hoping to come to Barcelona in April 2019 for a few months try out, how is work? Am a Food Safety Auditor, Trainer and Assessor in Warehousing Operations Bilingual English and Spanish

Anywhere in Spain, unless you have serious business contacts, finding work can be very difficult.  If you are Spanish, great but you still have slim chances.  I hate to piss in your Cornflakes but Spaniards are always hired first.  Nothing is impossible but you should not expect much.

Oscar.  You do not say, but from your profile it appears you have Uruguayan nationality.   

If that is so,  I do not think you can assume you will be automatically permitted to work in Spain,  even IF you were able to find a job !

Hello all, my name is Peter I am a new member living in England, I am married to Flora who is a Filipina, we have two son's both born in the Philippines they are aged 13 and 17.  We are considering moving lock stock and barrel to Spain, but at this time we have to remain in England our 17 year old son has 1 year left at school which is going to be a very important time for him so we do not want to get stressed, hopefully he will be going Uni to fulfil his ambition to become a doctor, our youngest aged 13 is starting his GCSE's in September,  Not sure which area yet but have we seen a few programs on Spain and fancy the Province of Alicante, but with Brexit on the Horizon so before buy we need to know how Brexit is going to affect the British ex Pats living in Spain.

Peter. 

There has been no Brexit agreement so no one knows what will happen

Hi
We are an early retired British couple looking to buy a house soon in inland Andalucia.
We have toured Spain extensively over the last few years and both speak some Spanish and are confident we can learn a lot more once immersed in the culture.
I also play flamenco guitar a bit but not very well !
We intend to live in Spain for just under six months a year as currently we need to stay UK domiciled for tax.
We have a yacht in Greece and currently spend several months a year there too.
Paul

Good morning Johncar,

I know there is no brexit agreement as yet, that is one reason why I am holding fire until next year before buying a house etc and see what the Spanish Gov decides what to do about a non eu (which we will be) countrymen and women wanting to buy a property and moving to Spain.

Sorry but a poster did ask / wonder what will happen after Brexit

But moving  on from there.

If after Brexit U.K. nationals are treated as non EU citizens, with no special concessions ,  just as now, a single person will need to prove an annual income of around 27,000€    At present a U.K. national needs to prove around 6,000 €

Free medical cover might be provided by spain to all those who are resident, now or in the future.   That is what a law appears to say now but we will need to wait to see if and how it is implemented   If correct, it will mean no private or DWP medical cover will be required

Good morning/ evening my name is Marnisha and I’m currently looking to converse with like minded people who are wanting to or is presently living abroad just to exchange ideas about what it takes,  as a US citizen to move and live in Spain I’m an RN here in the States but I understand that the healthcare system is vastly different. I’m looking for ideas of what I can do to make a living in Spain I heard teaching English is an option. Do you have to be Certified in the States before coming to Spain? Has anyone been Certified though The International TEFL Academy or know anything about them?
Thanks Marnisha

hi my name is Andy
anyone know (what will happen after brexit with expats in spain) as we are thinking of moving to Spain but don't know what going on

Andy,   absolutely no one KNOWS  as no agreements have been made.

QUOTE:    “ until everything is agreed, nothing is agreed”

Hi Paul,

We bought a house in inland Andalusia, near to Granada nearly 4 years ago and have loved (almost) very minute of it :-)    We plan to spend 6 months of the year here from next year (Jan 2019) as we will both have taken early retirement then too.

Interested to hear you have a boat in Greece, we spend a wonderful 2 months sailing around the Ionian a few years ago when our family was younger.  We kept our sail boat in Barcelona for 15 years before moving her to Marina del Este on the Costa Tropical.

Love to hear how you are getting on with your search.

Julie

Hi

So we are semi retired aged 50 & 60 with an 11 year old daughter, just planning a move to inland Malaga area. I have sold a business here in the UK and my husband is retired with a pension.
Our daughter will be starting secondary education in one of the international schools.
Any advice on getting insurance would be welcomed.

Thanks Jayne

Elyles or any Amercan

You said, "you obviously do not understand the US electoral college, Trump was elected by a minority of more than 3 million votes. The EC is set up to unfairly give certain areas more representation. It is the only reason George Bush got elected.know"  I have to say I do not understand the USA 's way of voting mainly because I am English and not an American. I am only asking a question so please no sarcasm would be appreciated. I tried to followed the American election and to be honest I found it completely confusing and boring gave up after 1 hr.

Surely if the American voting system is so wrong or bias in any way then why do the American Voters just sit on their backsides and just accept the system?  Surely it is the Voter's that holds the total power as it is they who say who should run and win's The Presidency as it is Vote's who have the power.
If people feel The US system sucks then surely the people of The USA to complain to their Republican or Democrat Congressman, Senators especially if they are a member of the US House of Representatives, It has been said the that American politics has been "stuck in a two-way fight between Republicans and Democrats" since the Civil War, I have also read there are third-party or parties who run, but they have had little meaningful success - WHY? 

In the UK we had 3 main parties Conservatives, Labour and LibDems and a few others none of which are not worth to mention, these 3 parties were shocked when it came to local votes when the people power decided that all 3 main parties made various promises and none were kept. so a 4th party hit the headlines when people started to vote for UKIP.  The Labour (Labour lost out in the local and general election's after their leader who became to be known as The Teflon Man told to lie after lie by saying "Iraq has Weapons of Mass Destruction" by saying this The UK along with The USA invaded Iran  forgetting that both the UK and the USA also have Weapons of Mass Destruction eg The A Bomb,  as for Liberal Democrats also known LibDems well nothing worth saying about this party.

Peter I too do not understand USA voting system but then in U.K. in 2015. UKIP got 3.8 million voted and got one seat in Parliament    Whereas SNP got less than 1 million votes and got 54 seats

Before I criticise other countries ( with dual British and Irish nationality ) I would like to fix the U.K. one first

guys, this is a "present yourself" and not a debate thread ?

Hi Johncar

Thank goodness  I am not the only one.

I totally agree with you we need to get the UK sorted out

As pointed out by Julien, this is a present yourself thread, but if you pose this as a separate question, such as what are the differences between European, UK, and US voting systems, as an American living in Spain off and on over 22 years, I would be glad to expound my view.

True.  Although the Royal Decree was presented on July 27 then it was passed in Congress, almost every Autonomous Community except Andalucia and the Catalunya areas needs to be working on process of admission to the program.  Although under PP, everyone was supposed to continue receiving free healthcare, the attorneys got involved and the INSS refused to accept this.  (A bit of deception)  It is hopeful that the various communities are working on it now.  The law also states that the Convenio Especial ended the last day of July and we’re still paying monthly here in Aragon.  The First Transatory Disposition clearly states that those paying on the Convenio will qualify for healthcare from public funds because those people do not qualify for healthcare from any other manner.  We’ll see how if at all they will circumvent this clause.

I contacted our Regional Health Dept representative the day the Decree was presented and he informed me that the new law did not cover everyone.  He has since changed his tune saying that a committee would work on it and be in contact with those affected.

In summary, nobody knows.  In the long run, the government will have to define what is meant by the term resident.  They may mean just permanent residents.  Also, it has been reported that many of the Communities have their attorneys reviewing it.  That could be a legal road to get out from under it.  Your guess is as good as mine. 

They are going to put some stop gap measures in to prevent healthcare tourism, I hope.  There is no free lunch.  Also, some say that it might revert back when the government changes hands but in 2012, those who had it previously kept it when 5he law changed. 

I am cautiously optomistic.  Of course, this is Spain, where one person in a government office will tell you one thing and another person in the same office will tell you the exact opposite.

Hi people,
I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba. While on holidays visiting a friend, got  my NIE card but didn’t establish a bank account while in Mahon.
Hope to buy a condo. Is it possible to open a bank account from Canada or do I have to be physically there?
And what is the best bank to use to pay utility bills.
In Canada I pay my bills on line.
Suggestions appreciated.
laylabudd

Please be aware,  if you want to start a discussion you need to start a a new thread. This thread is for saying hi when you first arrive

This is clear in ‘rules’

Totally agree, they should use facebook or twitter for this sort of debate. I just need to know what Spain is like in southeast in winter

Hello,

We r Loreta & Florin, 59,  a Canadian couple, intending to retire in Spain, close to a Romanian community, as have Romanian roots.Need advice on areas, clime , housing etc.

Thank U in advance,

Florin, AB, Canada

Hi Bogdan, is there in Malaga big Romanian community ?

Hi Carmen,

We live currently in Edmonton, AB, Canada and intend to retire to Spain in 2020 the latest,on the coast somewhere between Malaga and Valencia, not sure yet.
Do u have any suggestions ?

Thx,
Florin

Hi I am Florin, Canada, how is the real estate in Malaga?
Thx,

Hi,
Do u have a website for real estate in Valencia ?
Thx,
Florin, Canada

Hi,

I'm Pete: moving to Galicia as soon as practicable, and on a buying mission from the start of October.

I decided to leave Britain long before the Brexit car crash but it took a few years to sell up. As I have dual UK/Irish citizenship I'm not worried about the 'final deal' unless it wrecks my UK pension (which I'll get in a couple of years).

I used to grow walnut trees for a living, am a lifelong motorcyclist and spend most of my time fixing things. I'm quite handy with motors, buildings, computers, permaculture and in the kitchen. I have run co-ops, social enterprises and 'normal' businesses, have done consultancy work in renewables, arboriculture and small business development and like any Jack of all Trades am less able at most things than the specialists.

I intend to buy a farmhouse and land, probably near Chantada or Monforte. I'm aiming for plenty of room, plenty of workshops, a productive garden, orchards and surrounding woods, with a decent stream for preference. My old place was a smallholding in Wales so I feel reasonably prepared, and I looked at several prospects when I spent May in Galicia. Nothing perfect yet, but I've rented a flat for two months to give myself time to have a proper look.

My Spanish is primitive but I think and hope it'll improve fairly quickly. Finding English speakers is important though, as I doubt I'll improve to the point where my conversation is completely rewarding. Advice from those who've been around a while should be invaluable too.

Hi
We are a couple who are looking to relocate to almeria in the near future we would welcome any advice that you could give us.
Regards,
John and janet kerns

Good evening everyone. I moved to Madrid a week ago as I started my new job. My HR has taken an outstanding care of me, they helped out with all the formalities, so I have my NIE, social security number, healthcare, bank account and I managed to find a place to live as well. I am fluent in Italian, so I don't have a problem with the language (I understand them, reply in italian, it seems to work, however, the company will provide spanish classes). But I don't literally know a soul. I hope I will meet you guys at some event and feel free to PM me. thank, Kat

Hello, every one this is Tim. I am from France and I am planning to visit Spain, and tips and advice from expats of Spain would be appreciated.

Hi my name is Sylvia hume 57 married to David 62, we are hoping to move to Tenerife in the next few years. We decided on Tenerife after holidaying there this year on the South of the Island, we are booked for July 2019 but going to the north this time. We feel we would like to pick up some local work just enough to pay the rent we both work full-time in the uk & feel we will always be working if we fo not make this life changing move, apart from some local work ( anything really) we woukd love to learn the language, meet new people, become part of the community & hopefully be able to contribute something back into the community as we get more familiar with tge area. Looking for some advice on the does & dont's when looking at property to rent any hidden extrad etc.

Regards
Sylvia & David

Hi
We have just arrived in Vakencia 4 weeks ago, we are from UK but used to live in St Petersburg FL before moving to Las Vegas whicb we have just left. My husband and myself are both retired and looking forward to living here on the beach. Please message me when you arrive if you would like to meet up, or should you need
to know anything.
Regards Irene

Thank you
My name is Eddie Davis from Chelmsford Essex just located to benitachell looking for employment full or part time

Good evening, we are moving to Torrevieja in January my wife myself and our 2 children age 11 and 7. We are currently looking for schools and a place to rent could any 1 help us?
Many thanks in advance James

Hello All

My name is Elliott, I’m 23 from the Isle of Man and moving to Murcia at the end of December, I’m trained as a mechanical engineer/ toolmaker and I’m moving to be with my other half. Any one who is up for a chat to practice language or some advice on finding work out there is greatly appreciated.

Take a look at the tax residency rules

If one MOVES to spain they become tax resident immediately and then liable to tax for the whole of that year on all income worldwide. That can also apply to CGT on say selling the family home in U.K.

In your case to be on the safe side I would not register on the EU Citizens Register (often wrongly referred to as residencia)  until after 1st January

Hello my name is Ana. I have moved to Alicante from Australia this year. I also am looking to find friends for coffee.