Golf Tip
|
|
Living in Spain - Common questions
   
|
Find Time For Home Biz Success By Taming The Great Life Stealers
We often hear from ones who say that they just don't have enough
time to devote to their home business. They work full time,
raise kids, take care of aging parents, or for other reasons .....
We often hear from ones who say that they just don't have enough
time to devote to their home business. They work full time,
raise kids, take care of aging parents, or for other reasons .....
What will the winter weather be like on the Costa del Sol ? Much
warmer than Northern Europe. Many residents dont even have
central heating in their home. The Costa del Sol enjoys more
Top 5 Wedding Favors And Why
WHAT ARE THE TOP FIVE WEDDING FAVORS AND WHY?
At most weddings, the bride and groom will offer some type of
small memento as a note of .....
than 300 days of sunshine per annum, and winter temperaturesWHAT ARE THE TOP FIVE WEDDING FAVORS AND WHY?
At most weddings, the bride and groom will offer some type of
small memento as a note of .....
rarely go below 16c in the day.
Is it possible to live in Spain without speaking Spanish? If you
are not planning to work with Spaniards, speaking the language
is not necessary. However you will find learning the words
essential to enjoying Andalucian life, quite easy. Mastering the
language will enable you to enjoy the lifestyle on offer to its
peak. Most establishments on the Costa del Sol do speak English.
The Happy Jar
I just delivered a free speech. I am a great believer in free speech, but an even greater believer in paid speech. However, there are good .....
I just delivered a free speech. I am a great believer in free speech, but an even greater believer in paid speech. However, there are good .....
Will the coast become overcrowded from excess construction?
Strict controls on building and careful town planning are now
prohibiting over-construction and high-rise developments. Trees
and parks abound, and beaches are kept clean and free from
over-commercialisation. Ringed to the north by scenic mountains,
Marbella forms an undulating horseshoe of picturesque,
village-style developments, luxurious villas, pine forests and
championship golf courses, all served by a modern road system
and infrastructure. On the beachside, sleek, marble-fronted,
low-rise apartment complexes are in: high rise blocks are out.
Will I have problems finding things to do ? No. Tennis clubs,
health spas and every sporting facility imaginable are all there
for your enjoyment, whether it be water skiing, windsurfing or
trekking through the mountains on horseback. Incredibly, the
Sierra Nevada ski resort is just two hours drive from Marbella,
perched 12,000 feet (4,000 metres) in the mountains above the
historic and romantic Granada.
Can I bring my pets to Spain ? The Pet Travel Scheme(PETS),
allows cats and dogs resident in the UK to visit other countries
and return to the UK without quarantine, provided that certain
conditions are met. To use this system you need to comply with
the law, to the last detail. This is to prevent the tranmission
of disease from country to country.
Will I be able to obtain most British products ? You will find
most English products are available along the coast, although
some will be far easier to find than others. Newspapers are now
printed in Spain, and are therefore very easy to obtain. Larger
shops and supermarkets stock many British products to
accommadate the increase in tourists, although slight price
increases should be expected.
What about medical care? The Spanish National Health Service is
available free to Senior Citizens from Britain (Ladies over 60
and men over 65). The service is excellent. However, as in the
UK, non-emergencies may be placed on a waiting list. Purchasers
of businesses in Spain are obliged to join the Spanish N.H.S.
Payments for this service are included in their monthly Spanish
National Insurance contribution. If you are under retirement age
and do not intend to work in Spain, then it is a condition of
Residence in Spain that you take out private medical health
cover. Some of the larger private medical health providers in
the UK offer schemes suitable for British residents in Spain.
Alternatively, there are numerous Insurance Brokers in Spain
offering a range of healthcare insurance policies.
CHEMISTS 'Farmacias' as they are called in Spain - abound and
can be identified by a prominent (and usually flashing) green
cross sign. Most of the medications available in the UK can be
purchased in Spain - with many available without prescription.
Prices are low and most items cost considerably less than the
prescription charges levied in the UK (is there a lesson to be
learned here?). Chemists in Spain are trained to diagnose and
treat many common illnesses and ailments - thus leaving doctors
free to treat more urgent cases (another lesson!). Most staff
speak English to some degree and there is always one Chemist
open 24 hours in every large town.
What happens about my U.K. Pension? British State Pensions can
be paid direct to your bank account in Spain - usually monthly.
The Benefits Agency can provide the necessary forms and further
advice. If you have a private pension you will need to speak to
the pension provider as regulations vary.
Do British Banks have branches in Spain? Some of the UK high
street banks do have branches in the main towns and cities,
especially Barclays and HSBC. Smaller towns have only Spanish
domestic banks. Most UK banks have tie ups with these and should
be able to point you in the right direction.
Are all the main religions practised in Spain? Most of the major
religions and churches can be found in Spain with a little
effort, although the vast majority of Spaniards are Roman
Catholic.
How does Spains transport compare to the UK? Very well indeed.
The Spanish government have invested vast sums of money in both
the road network and public transport infrastructure. Buses and
trains generally run on time and are an economic and convenient
method of getting about.
Do we need medical vaccinations to live in Spain? No.
Are the public holidays the same as the UK? Some holidays occur
at similar times - Easter and Christmas, along with other public
national, local and regional holidays.
What are the shop opening hours? Shops are generally open
between 10am and 2pm and again between 5pm and 8pm - Monday to
Friday. Supermarkets tend to keep longer hours. On Saturdays
most of the smaller shops are closed in the afternoon. Larger
shops and department stores are open from 9am though till 9pm or
10pm Monday to Saturday. Sunday will probably see most shops
closed, although some supermarkets may choose to offer a limited
opening.
Can I still vote in an UK election whilst living in Spain? Yes.
Even if you become a Spanish resident you are still classed as a
UK national and therefore are eligible to vote by post.
Should I make a Spanish will? This is advisable. If you, or a
relative, should die whilst resident in Spain, Spanish law is
responsible for your estate. A solicitor will be able to take
you through the process without difficulty and we can recommend
a reputable one for you.
About the author:
Jamie Mills is a consultant with Hiperprop SL, experts in Costa
del Sol Property. www.hiperprop.com