Perhaps there is no other country in the world as ideal for foreigners as Spain. Climate, food, landscape, people, living and working conditions, prices ... Everything is ideal for starting a new life in another country. In this article, we will show you why. If you want to know how to leave for Spain for permanent residence, get access to the most complete guide that will tell you how to organize a move to Spain for permanent residence, as well as get to know the life of other nations... read on!
CONTENT:
- Is it a good idea to move to Spain to live?
- Life in Spain: look from inside
- How foreign pensioners live in Spain
- Immigration to Spain: pros and cons
- Moving to Spain for permanent residence
- Life in Spain for immigrants
- Is it good for foreign families to live in Spain?
- Property in Spain
IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO MOVE TO SPAIN TO LIVE?
Nice weather, delicious food, friendly and laughing people and an excellent quality of life are some of the hallmarks of Spain. Internationally recognized words like tapas, paella or fiesta, but there are other details to consider, so it is important to know the country information before leaving for Spain.
If you are in Spain for the first time, the tips prepared by us will be handy in your trip:
- Tourist passes
- Transport in cities
Major cities have extensive metro, train and bus networks. However, you should always check the transport timetable (the metro only works all night in certain cities and on certain days.
- Moving by taxi
When it comes to taxis, choose only the one that is permitted and with identification marks.
- Moving around Spain
There are good air connections to get around the country. Bus and train networks are also common. In addition, Spain is connected by high speed trains.
- Where to stay
Spanish hotels are good value for money and their ranking system is usually based on stars (1 to 5), although this varies by area and type of hotel.
- Meal Schedule
Although usual meal times in Spain are from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm (siesta time), especially in the big cities you will find establishments and shops open at almost any time.
The whole truth about Spain lies in the character of the people, who have their own mentality, cultural characteristics and habits, expressed in the following features:
- Individuality. The only thing that interests them is what is personally important.
- Independence and love of freedom. Any external pressure causes an explosion. They do not tolerate public evaluation and convention.
- Positiveness and benevolence. Any Spaniard will come to the rescue if you have any problems.
- High self-esteem, expressed in speech, behavior and actions.
- A receptive attitude towards responsibilities.
- Absolute simplicity in everyday life.
- Unrealibility.
- Conservatism.
- Patriotism.
LIFE IN SPAIN: LOOK FROM INSIDE
Knowledge of the country's labor market is key before deciding to leave to live in Spain. To understand what employment is in Spain, it is best to look at some numbers. Today, during the COVID-19 crisis, Spain has an unemployment rate of 14.4%. This number scares everyone who thinks how to go to live to Spain from other countries for permanent residence, but it is expected that recovery will be as sharp as the fall.
The most sought-after professions in Spain are computer engineers, programmers, software developers and cybersecurity experts. In general, both in Spain and in other European countries, the largest number of jobs is concentrated in digital technologies.
Life and work in Spain are in perfect balance, which is recognized as one of the best in the world. Working life in the country is idyllic. 40 hours of work a week, but with lots of community gatherings that make the week easy. 14 days of national holidays a year and 22 days of paid vacation.
Let us find out how foreigners live in Spain now.
The life of foreigners in Spain is characterized by the influence of a favorable climate, high quality of life, security, which is why they stay in a sunny country for a long time. People from other countries quickly adapt to the peculiarities of local life, easily assimilating with culture, customs and language of the host state. Some buy apartments in Spain or rent them out, receiving passive income, many of them work.
HOW FOREIGN PENSIONERS LIVE IN SPAIN
Let us see if it is worth retiring to Spain, all the pros and cons.
Living cost in Spanish territory is cheaper than in other European countries. It is possible to live in Spain on retirement, and, moreover, not bad. For example, having retired from 20,000 euros a year, many retirees enjoy a decent and pleasant quality of life, travel, relax in sanatoriums and sunbathe in resorts.
Pension benefits are on average about 800 euros, and the minimum is 400. Rest begins at the age of sixty-five. To receive money, you must make contributions to a special insurance fund for fifteen years. If your work was carried out on the territory of the Russian Federation and Spain, your agreement will be summed up in accordance with the agreement between the states.
MIGRATION TO SPAIN: PROS AND CONS
Let us answer the question “Is it worth living in Spain?” by listing the main advantages of living on the Iberian Peninsula:
1. Spain has some of the best university cities.
According to Qs Best Students Cities 2019, there are three Spanish cities in the top 100 university cities in the world. Barcelona is the 21st, Madrid is the 27th and Valencia is the 74th.
In addition, the University of Barcelona is at position 186, the Autonomous University of Madrid is at position 200, the University of Madrid Complutense is at position 206 and the Autonomous University of Barcelona is at position 213 in the ranking of the best universities in 2021.
2. Spain is one of the best countries to live in.
Spain is ranked 19th out of 73 countries in the list of the best countries to live in 2020. It stands out for being a place that strengthens its economy in the construction and tourism sectors.
Moreover, thanks to the climate, Spain is one of the sunniest places in Europe, therefore it is becoming a preferred country for tourists. That is not to mention the kindness of people and world class parties like Ibiza.
3. Spain invites you to live in one of the Smartcities.
The goal of Smartcities is not only to use resources, but also to improve the living conditions of citizens. In the latter aspect, the cities of Spain stand out for their mobility and transport offerings.
According to the IESE Cities in Motion 2020 Index, Madrid is ranked the 24th for air quality with the Madrid 360 campaign. Barcelona is ranked 25th, becoming economic, financial and cultural center of Spain.
4. Spain is one of the most popular destinations in the world.
Each year, the Top 25 Most Popular Destinations in the World by TripAdvisor are published. Barcelona is at position 9 with tourist attractions such as the Picasso Museum, the Sagrada Familia church and ... Razzmatazz, which is the best disco club.
Tenerife in the Canary Islands is at the 20th position. There is a Parrot Park in Tenerife, where you can see the diversity of the island and the Zoo Monkey Park with local fauna. There is definitely no place for boredom in Spain!
5. More and more people are choosing to emigrate to Spain.
According to the 2020 Expat Insider Surve survey by Internations, 4 of the 10 best cities to emigrate in 2021 are in Spain. Valencia ranks first for its leisure time, medical care and accessibility.
Alicante is in second position due to its climate. Malaga ranks sixth in terms of quality of life, and Madrid is ninth in terms of cultural and environmental offerings.
Migration to Spain, cons:
- Taxes and fines
It is a big headache for many because you will have to pay taxes at the end of the year and file your tax return regardless of whether you are a resident of the country or not.
If you spend more than 183 days a year in the country (and therefore become a resident), you will be subject to income tax.
But thanks to double taxation treaties, you do not have to pay twice (the first in the country where you earned, and the second in Spain), only on Spanish territory.
The main tax paid in Spain is income tax, which ranges from 19 to 45% depending on the amount earned at the end of the year; and it must be declared through the so-called income tax return on an annual basis.
But there are other taxes that can affect you depending on your transactions, such as inheritance tax, capital tax, or non-resident tax.
The system of fines is also very developed. They can be fined 80 € for going in the wrong place, for walking around the city with a bare torso, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with local regulations and rules in advance.
- A large number of days off.
- Difficulties in finding a job.
- Difficulties in obtaining Spanish citizenship.
MOVING TO SPAIN FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE
In this section, we will find out how to move to Spain without any problems.
To move to live to Spain for work or for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit.
The most common types of emigration visas for permanent residence in Spain are the following:
- Working visa: if you want to move to Spain for permanent residence, one of the most logical options is to obtain a work permit. In turn, there are 2 types: self-employed in Spain for work (you must be over 18 years old and have a business plan that must be approved by the Spanish authorities) or hired work (the employer will complete the first part of the process and you must complete it in your country before you can settle in Spain). In both cases, a valid passport, a criminal record and valid medical insurance are required.
- Residence visa without the right to work: for those who want to leave for permanent residence in Spain but do not work. You will need to prove that you have enough savings to stay in the country.
- Study Visa: for those who want to live in Spain and study at the same time can try to enroll in a Spanish educational institution and submit a proof or copy of their studies in order to obtain this type of visa.
- Family reunification visa: if you have a direct family in Spain or reside permanently in Spain, you can apply for a residence permit.
Once you have started the application process for documents to emigrate to Spain, you need to apply for a NIE (Foreigner Identification Number).
So, now it became clear how to emigrate to Spain from other countries.
LIFE IN SPAIN FOR FOREIGNERS
The most popular among these are the major cities such as Malaga, Marbella, Costa Brava, Alicante, Murcia and Valencia. But there are enough cultural centers, communities and social movements, as well as “our” stores, where you can not only buy original and familiar products, but also communicate, as well as find work, housing and support.
IS IT GOOD FOR FOREIGN FAMILIES TO LIVE IN SPAIN
Foreign families in Spain appreciate many of the country's advantages:
- Climate. Spain Mediterranean climate and geographic location provide plenty of sunshine, and cities and villages are active until late at night. Moreover, it is rare to see freezing temperatures during the winter except some special areas.
- Healthcare. Spain has a high-quality public health system. This service is available to legal immigrants of all nationalities.
- Mediterranean diet. Thanks to the Spanish climate, fresh produce such as vegetables, fruits and olive oil is grown locally. In addition, the prices for fresh products (seafood, fish or meat) are much lower than in other European countries.
- Labor market. Madrid or Barcelona have recently become important centers for entrepreneurship startups in Europe. Therefore, there are plenty of opportunities, especially for young talents.
- The country's public education is of high quality: high-level teachers, more than decent infrastructure and an inclusive environment that allows foreigners to really easily integrate and communicate with their peers.
- Possibility to buy a house in Spain at affordable prices, low interest rates on mortgages.
PROPERTY IN SPAIN
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