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Shipping to Spain
Are you considering moving to Spain? Each year thousands of British expats move to the Iberian Peninsula, full of enthusiasm for starting a new life in the sun.
With Brexit on the horizon and continued low interest rates, there has never been a better time to make the move to Spain.
Moving to another country is a truly life affirming opportunity but will take lots of careful planning and consideration. Enlisting the services of a reputable removals company with extensive knowledge of the export packing and shipping process to Spain will be indispensable.
With over 35 years’ experience relocating families and individuals to destinations across the world, GoodMove can cover all aspects of relocating your household and personal effects to Spain.
From packaging to customs export documentation, our friendly and knowledgeable estimators and move managers can guide you seamlessly through the process. For peace of mind, you will also have the security that you are dealing with an affiliate member of the British Association of Removers.
To find out more about our removals to Spain service, please don’t hesitate to call us today. Alternatively, fill out a quick quote form above to arrange a free home visit and survey.
Why Choose GoodMove?
Moving with GoodMove couldn’t be simpler. Our experienced and friendly team will be on hand to guide you throughout the process and will tailor your move to your time and budget.
We pack your belongings using a bespoke range of packing materials and deliver them right to your new home using our extensive fleet of vehicles. We can supply the following materials so all your items can be packed properly and avoid any damage in transit:
- Boxes
- Packing Paper
- Packing Cases
- Book Cartons
- Packing Tape
- Wine dividers
- Acid free paper (for silverware)
- Portable Wardrobes
- Bubble Wrap
Once we ascertain the volume of effects being moved we will send you a free no obligation written quotation. If satisfied we will then provide you with a full schedule detailing every aspect of your move, ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day.
We also offer a range of flexible storage solutions should you wish to take advantage of them.
Why Move to Spain
Spain has long been the favoured expat destination for Brits looking to retiree in the sun. British migration to Spain has resulted in it being home to one of the largest British-born populations outside the UK in the world, and the largest in Europe.
It’s not just for retirees and holiday home owners either. A new trend is fast emerging of young Brits relocating to Spain to tap into a foreign-friendly property market with low interest rates, ripe for first-time buyers.
Situated far enough from the UK to benefit from a warmer Mediterranean climate weather but close enough to the UK to make and receive flying visits.
From mountains, beautiful beaches and hectares of awe-inspiring national parks, Spain’s diverse and varied landscape is a wonder to behold. Cities engender a strong sense of individual identity, such as Catalonia’s Barcelona to the Basque’s Bilbao.
Mealtimes are a family affair and food plays an important part in the country’s national identity. Spain’s culinary traditions rely on an abundance of locally grown vegetables and fruits, as well as meats such as Jamón serrano and chorizo. La Tomina, the famous tomato smashing festival, is a classic example of Spanish food and community in action.
Integrating into Spanish communities is perceived as being an easier task, in part, due to the large expat community that exists in practically every town and village. As such, you will find plenty of assistance when you arrive, from setting up bank accounts and finding schools to shopping and dining.
Working in Spain
At present the UK remains a member of the EU which means UK citizens have the right to live and work in Spain without a visa or work permit.
If you intend to work and live here full time however you will need to apply for a social security number. This can easily be obtained from your local Oficina de Seguridad Social.
Competition for jobs is fierce and most international workers tend to gravitate towards bigger cities, where jobs are more readily available.
Popular destinations for expats include Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla and Valencia where various multinationals and banking institutions such as Santander have their headquarters.
While the country has a good grasp of the English language, having Spanish language skills will significantly improve your employment prospects.
To further increase your chances of finding work you should concentrate your job search on the high performing Spanish job sectors.
These include consulting, components of the IT industry and the service and tourism sectors. Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is also an area high in demand.
Property in Spain
Buying property in Spain is a booming business. An amazing 2,513,374 searches are made every month by Brits looking to purchase property in Spain. According to Rightmove this figure is 74% greater than in France.
Coastal areas close to the amenities of the beach continue to prove popular with British expats. Alicante is an immensely popular and affordable destination in this regard, where the average property price is €126,000 (£110,000).
Before you buy it is well worth doing your research on the city or area you are interested in. As a rough guide, it is possible to buy a two-bedroom apartment with a communal pool for €45,000 in Torrevieja, located just south of Alicante.
Buying and renovating has also become increasingly popular with Brits looking to bag a bargain home with land attached.
It is also strongly recommended that you choose an independent lawyer who specialises in Spanish land law (urbanismo). Independent means that they work on your behalf and their interests are not entwined with those of an agent or developer.
As with many practical issues, speaking to expats who have already purchased homes in Spain is an invaluable resource and will help you navigate the sometime complicated process, especially if your Spanish is very basic.
Schools in Spain
Finding a good school for your children will be a priority for most expats relocating with their family.
Parents will need to carefully evaluate a number of factors before making their choice, including:
- their child’s age
- the anticipated length of their stay in Spain
- their budget
- the primary teaching language they would prefer, and
- the curriculum that would best suit their child
Generally, expats who only plan on staying for a short time or those with older children send them to an international school in Spain. These schools have the benefit of educating your children in a mutually recognisable curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB).
If you intend for your child to partake in Spanish education, you will find it is generally of a very good standard, with a range of schools to choose from. Education in Spain is regulated by the Ley Orgánica de Educación (Organic Law of Education), and is free for all children aged between 6 and 16 years.
The Spanish Bachillerato is the post-16 stage of education, comparable to A Levels/Higher (Scottish) in the UK.
Travel in Spain
Public transportation in Spain is well organised and comprehensive, enabling residents to travel effectively both within and between cities.
The national railway network is extensive and a popular means of travel between different regions. Expats can also make use of buses, taxis and domestic flights, or take to the picturesque Spanish roads themselves.
Driving licences issued in EU and EEA countries are recognised and accepted in Spain. International driving permits are also recognised but not required.
Cars in Spain drive on the right-hand side of the road. Roads can get extremely busy and expat drivers should note that standards of driving vary somewhat throughout Spain’s multiplicities.
There are also certain conventions to be observed such as the requirement to flash your vehicle’s lights before overtaking.
For more useful information and tips on driving in Spain and throughout Europe consult the RAC’s website.
Healthcare in Spain
The healthcare system in Spain is generally of a high standard. It combines both private and public facilities, with residents in possession of a Spanish social security number and the necessary documentation entitled to receive free or low-cost healthcare.
Non-residents, unfortunately, do not qualify to receive universal healthcare. However, there is a pay-in scheme for those who aren’t otherwise able to access state healthcare, called the Convenio Especial.
Each of the country’s 17 regions has individual responsibility for the implementation of medical services within their area. As such, expats may find healthcare provision differs slightly depending on their location.
Public healthcare provision can lead to long waiting lists due to current shortages in specialist staff. However, most employers offer private health insurance for foreign assignees. Expats moving to Spain for work should check their contract before arranging their own coverage.
Private insurance providers operate in different ways, while some reimburse the amount spent on healthcare, others pay medical bills directly.
Currency Conversion
As a member of the Eurozone, Spain uses the Euro (€) as its official currency. ATMs are commonplace and there is an extensive network of banks in all but the most remote villages.
When you are relocating to a new country, making sure you get the best currency exchange rate possible is crucial.
Moving large amounts of money, such as when you purchase a new home, could potentially increase your return substantially.
Export Packing Removals to Spain from UK
You will want to know that during your door-to-door service, your possessions are treated with respect and care. Our experienced teams located across the UK will pack and prepare your valuable, fragile and bulky furniture ready for export.
We use a modern range of environmentally friendly, purpose-made packing materials and can pack everything for you prior to your move. All china and glassware are wrapped in special paper and then packed in double-thickness cartons.
Furniture can also be wrapped in bubble blanket for extra protection. Items requiring specialist care, such as antiques, can be packed in made-to-measure wooden crates.
Upon arrival at your residence in Spain, our trusted agents will place boxes and furniture in appropriate rooms as directed. They will unpack your belongings onto flat surfaces and dispose of all packing materials.
Storage Provisions
You may find you need to store some or all of your possessions for a period of time prior to moving abroad. Goodmove have storage facilities at all our branch depots across the UK. Our depots offer secure containerised storage in personal dedicated storage containers.
All our warehouses are clean, dry, secure and accredited to European standard BS EN 14873. Just speak to our surveyor for further information.
Our partners in Spain can also offer you storage. You may be renting for a while and may not need all of your effects to be delivered immediately. You can arrange for certain items to be delivered and once settled in your new home, the rest can follow. Please note that storage rates may apply.
Contacting GoodMove
For further information on removals to Spain, or any other international destination, contact our international office on 01206 809682. Alternatively complete the form below with your details and we will contact you.
Why Choose Us?
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Our experienced team of removals specialists have been relocating customers all over the world since 1984.
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With a reputation for outstanding customer service, there's no better choice of removals firm for your next move.
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Our friendly support team are always on hand to offer help and guidance, whenever when you need it.