5 mistakes to avoid when you decide to live in Spain
Moving to Spain is a project that requires preparation. Whether you decide to go abroad for professional or personal reasons, alone or with others, there are some typical mistakes not to commit during an expatriation in Spain. These do's and don'ts can sometimes have costly consequences, whether in terms of health or finances. A successful expatriation is prepared well before his departure in Spain, and traps and pitfalls are numerous when we do not pay attention. What are the mistakes not to commit during an expatriation in Spain ? What are the things not to do when one decides to leave to live in Spain ? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Spain tells you all about the pitfalls and mistakes to avoid when you leave to live on the Spanish peninsula.
5 mistakes to avoid when you decide to live in Spain
1- Moving without your European health insurance card
The European Health Insurance Card is one of the essential documents to always have with you during your stays in the European Union. When you go to live in Spain your European Health Insurance Card you will be helpful, especially at the beginning of your expatriation. Very useful, the card is valid for 2 years and allows you to certify your rights to health insurance and to receive support for your medical expenses once in Spain (according to the legislation and formalities in place).
To order and receive your European Health Insurance Card, simply make a request directly to your local social security office, at least 15 days before your departure. Each card is individual, and each member of the family must own one, including children under 16 years of age.
2- Forgetting to notify taxes and social security services of your move
The anecdotes of expatriates who have been caught by the tax authorities once expatriated in Spain because of a forgetting to notify their departure count dozens, and yet it is a simple thing to avoid. Same thing for social security. As a future expatriate, you will no longer be insured in your country and will be subject to the social security system that exists in Spain. It is therefore imperative to prevent your departure from your health insurance fund but also the Employment Center or any other organization that pays you benefits. This will prevent you from being indebted for benefits that you would have been paid by ignorance of your change of circumstances. Also remember to inform the taxes of your departure to avoid any misunderstanding and especially bad surprise. Moving to Spain does not mean to forget to prevent the competent authorities of your future ex-country.
Be careful when you decide to move to Spain : a good preparation is the key to a successful project
3- Avoiding learning Spanish language
Even if Spanish people have a good English level, you should not avoid learning Spanish language, or even a more local dialect like Catalan or Valencian if you live there. If you speak only English, you will miss the full immersion in the local life and community, and you might miss lot of things. Don’t be afraid: Spanish is not the most complicated language in the world, and you will be able to speak and interact with anyone you will meet. Also, if you move to Spain for professional reasons, learning Spanish will help you a lot. This will be a huge plus on your CV and it will change your experience in Spain. You can start to learn Spanish for free on our page Services.
4- Forgetting to cancel your current contracts
Like any move abroad, an expatriation in Spain requires taking the time to subscribe to certain services in your country of adoption, but also to cancel your current subscriptions, at the risk of accumulating unnecessary expenses. When one decides to move to live in Spain it is possible that current contracts are to be terminated, if it is possible. As these are automated invoices, it happens regularly that one simply forgets their existence. Yet electricity, gas, water, internet, parking, public transport, telephone ... are all contracts that you should not forget to cancel! Good news, most of these subscriptions can be terminated online, as long as all your bills are up to date. The cherry on the cake: Lisbob has even prepared for you the cancellation letters to send to your suppliers and service providers to facilitate your expatriation. These letters are available in the books of our library.
Moving abroad is a fantastic challenge : Lisbob is here to help you
5- Thinking that you can do all alone
The list of things to do and prepare for your expatriation in Spain is growing and you dare not even look at it? This is only the beginning! Whether you decide to live alone, as a couple or as a family, whether you are a student, employed or independent but also retired ... the steps are numerous and often stressful. To live in a new country is not yet simple. Between the choice of your new home and the school of your children, the steps to legalise your vehicle, the opening of gas, water and electricity, etc. Your days are often not enough to move as fast as you want in your project to move to Spain. But don’t panic, Lisbob is here! He accompanies you in these steps that often require to know the Spanish administration, at the risk of making a costly mistake. There is no point in running, you have to go with Lisbob.