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The south-east coast of Spain is characterised first and foremost by sunshine. Spain is a sunny country; no question. Of course sun affects almost every aspect of life, from style of house, leisure pursuits, food, (and drink), pace of living to name but a few.
Fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and succulent meats are available in profusion. Spain has long been a major provider to the colder countries of early salads and vegetables as well as fruits - melons, oranges, lemons, grapes, tomatoes as most will be aware, but also of the lesser known delicacies like dates, pomegranates, peaches, artichokes, avocados, walnuts, almonds…and the rest.
Can you imagine wakening up some sunny morning to the scent of orange and lemon blossoms in your own garden. Wonderful. And you do not have to be one of the world's privileged mega-rich for this to happen for you.
Living outdoors, eating out, sitting out, people-watching over a leisurely glass, or strolling along the palm-shaded promenades, are all part of a normal way of life. What is more, it is an affordable way of life. Many goods and services are priced similarly in Spain and other EU countries (which makes it generally less expensive than Britain), although it is not as cheap to live in Spain as it was 20 years ago.
The quality of life in Spain is probably the reason why you have got as far as making investigations about living in Spain. The cost of living is relatively low, while the warm dry climate not only enhances your lifestyle, it is also good for you (the Costa Blanca is recognised by the WHO as having one of the healthiest climates in the world). Re-locating to Spain is relatively straightforward for EU nationals, but you should be sure to take the advice of the office through which you purchase your new property.
If you do not plan to stay in Spain for more than half the year (182 days, to be precise), then as an EU national you do not need to obtain a residence card. If you are not an EU national you may need to obtain a visa from the Spanish consulate in your country of origin. If you plan to live, study, work or start a business you are required to apply for a residence permit within 15 days of your arrival in Spain. Cards for dependants are issued for the same period as the principal applicant and applications must be accompanied by proof of relationship (i.e. marriage or birth certificates). The period of issue for a residence card is usually 5 years. It is important to know that if you choose to live in Spain for more than 182 days in a calendar year then you will be liable to pay Spanish income tax on your worldwide income. It may well be a good idea to appoint a "gestor", a professional who is trained to help you with official paperwork, to act on your behalf. Although you will have to pay for their services, they are generally reasonable and will almost certainly save you time and trouble. Wherever you choose to buy property in Spain, Eden Villas offices can help you with finding a reputable gestor.
Contact the Spanish consulate in your country of residence for further information.
The information contained in this document does not constitute a legal contract or legal advice and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information. No claims against Eden Villas relating to information provided herein will be entertained
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