Taking up residence in a foreign country is a huge step – and one which should be researched properly. Generally speaking the now free movement throughout Europe for European citizens has made settling in another country very easy, but there are certain points that will always be different and need to be heeded:

Importation of personal and household effects from an EU Country.

Since 1993 there have been no real restrictions on such imports but those persons seeking to temporarily bring into Spain particularly valuable items (e.g. Fine art collections) should consult the nearest Spanish Mission for advice. Otherwise the only documentation required is proof of EU nationality, (e.g. Passport or I.D. Card) and a list of items to be imported.

Importation of personal and household effects from an Non-EU Country.

The nearest Spanish Mission abroad should be consulted for authoritative advice. It is understood that personal and household effects imported on establishing residence can be brought into Spain, but that the following documents should accompany the goods for presentation to the customs authorities at the point of entry.

a.) An application form containing a request to the Head of Customs Office to allow entry free of duty. This application to be accompanied by a list of goods in duplicate stating the approximate value of each item in Euros. All documents must be written in Spanish, be signed by the owner of the goods and legalised by a Spanish Consulate abroad

b.) Proof of having obtained Spanish residence, should this not be available, the Spanish customs authorities may require a temporary deposit until proof is produced, or a Banker's Guarantee.

c.) If the owner of the goods is not present at the Customs Office at the time of their entry into Spain, his representative should produce a photocopy of the last page of the Common Format Passport. This photocopy must be legalised by a Spanish Consulate abroad

All reputable international removal firms should be fully aware of the Spanish regulations governing the transport of personal and household effects, but anyone contemplating bringing them out in a privately hired or owned truck should first consult the Spanish Embassy for current advice.

Finance.

Bank accounts – almost anyone can open a bank account in a Spanish bank. There are many types, but ones first account will be one of two types:

a.) Bank accounts for non residents
Periodic visitors can hold a Spanish non-resident bank account in Spain. The basic requirement to open a bank account of this kind is to obtain a non-resident certificate from the local Policia Nacional police office, taking a photocopy of your passport, the original, completing the appropriate application form in the police station. These accounts must be closed once residence status is obtained.

b.) Bank accounts for residents. (anyone spending more than 186 days a year in Spain.)
The only basic requirement is proof of your N.I.E. (numero identificacion extranjero or foreigners identity number/tax number) number. Your N.I.E. is your fiscal number and with this you can carry out most daily procedures.

Taxation.

There is an Agreement between the U. K. And Spain on the Avoidance of -Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital. This agreement was signed in 1975. Literature on this subject can be obtained from branches of Her Majesty's Stationery Office in the U. K. Or from El Ministerio de Hacienda.

Importation of pets.

It is easy to import pets into Spain if the pets are accompanied by their owners and that a certificate (with Spanish translation) stating that the pets have been under the owner's supervision for three months prior to importation travels with them. The certificate must include a declaration that the pets are not intended for trade and the owners accept presenting their pets for medical checks to recognised Veterinary Officers in accordance with legislation.

There are specific rules for different kinds of pets (dogs and cats, birds, monkeys etc.,) In general all pets need a certificate of origin and health which is valid for 10 only and they will have to show that they have valid anti-rabies inoculation (except for pets under three months old)

Pet owners who have not fully decided to stay should be aware that although cats and dogs are allowed into the U. K. now, strict importation controls are still current. Clear instructions for pet travel is laid out in the Pet Travel Plan.

Vehicle importation.

A non-resident EU national may bring into Spain their EU registered car without further formality and keep it in their second/holiday home, but neither they nor any other person may use it in Spain for more than six months in any year.

Any person who spends more than a total of six months in any one year in Spain is considered resident, and consequently not entitled to the above facility. A resident is not authorised to drive any foreign registered car. The procedures relating to the import of cars into Spain are complex, but for persons who wish to reside in Spain there is basically no prohibition on the importation of cars for personal use.

Vehicle registration.

Residents importing a foreign registered car must register it with the local authorities and obtain Spanish national plates. A British vehicle's Registration Document should be surrendered to the DVLA in the U. K. And a certificate of permanent Export (V561) obtained from them for presentation in Spain.

Road worthiness certificates for right hand drive cars are generally available from Spanish ITV (MOT) centers but headlights may need to be adjusted to comply with EU regulations.

In March 2000 new Traffic Regulations were passed which obliges one to keep the following equipment in the car:
a.) Set of bulbs and tools necessary to replace them
b.) 2 warning triangles, only ones officially approved by the Ministry de Interior are valid
c.) Spare tyre and tools necessary to replace it.

Motor insurance.

Spanish motor insurance regulations differ somewhat from U. K. regulations so it is advisable to check and understand your coverage. One major difference is that when a car is declared a write off only a percentage of the vehicle's ready-reckoned value is paid by the Spanish insurance company even when carrying “fully comprehensive insurance”.

Under Community legislation motorists in EU member states must be covered for third party liability. However, there is no Community legislation which lays down the conditions applicable to third party or comprehensive motor insurance. This is a matter for member states, whose national regulations may differ. It is therefore strongly advisable to make sure that your insurance policy provides adequate cover for your needs. Visitors to Spain must have full third party insurance for their vehicle.

It is important to remember that should you own a foreign registered car this vehicle must be insured, have a current MOT (ITV) and be taxed (road tax). A car on foreign plates cannot pay road tax (permiso de circulación) in Spain – this must be paid in country of origin.

Driving licence's.

British driving licence's are acceptable in all EU countries and are valid for all purposes in Spain. British residents are no longer obliged to exchange their British licence's for Spanish – but may choose between swapping their EC country-of-origin-European licence for a Spanish european licence or registering their EC country of origin driving licence at the Jefatura de Trafico.

The registration process for the newer “credit card style” licence's is lengthy, and it is not uncommon for new residents still to opt for exchanging their licence for a Spanish one – quicker and easier still in some cases. !

Working.

The “frontiers are down” and citizens of the EU can live and work throughout the European Union – however, professionals must have their qualifications convalidated in order to ensure that no “pirates” manage to work in areas they are not qualified in. Non professional workers may work in many fields so long as they always comply with the local licensing and tax regulations.

Qualifications.

The Homologation/Con validation procedure for academic or professional awards and certificates is complex, but understandably important as it is imperative that unqualified imposers are not allowed to work professionally in other member countries. (e.g. Nurses, Doctors , Architects etc must have their qualifications convalidated to ensure that their certificates equate those issued in their chosen country of residence).

Prospective applicants may wish to contact the Spanish Educational Attaché in the U. K. For further information. Prior U. K. legalisation is required on British documents and this involves their authentification by a U. K. Notary, Commissioner of Oaths or Solicitor and the Hague 1961 Convention Apostle on the authenticated documents. Information can be gained from/or paperwork sent to the Foreign Office Legalisation Section Tel: 0044 207008 1111. Further information on con validation can be obtained from the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencias on www.mec.es or tel: 91 521 5511.

Mutual Recognition of Qualifications.

The European Commission is able to provide a list of EU Directives on mutual recognition of qualifications. Persons wishing to take up employment in Spain and who are professionally qualified should satisfy themselves that these are recognised by Spain under EU directive and that the qualifications have been legalized as mentioned above. Failure to do so may involve long delays in establishing recognition of qualifications which could prejudice obtaining legal residence.

Gestor

The role of the Spanish “gestor” is peculiar to Spain. He is a person who can carry out most of the more standard bureaucratic procedures for you thanks to his local knowledge. He is not necessarily a lawyer but will, for a reasonable fee, take your paperwork and produce the final result with minimum stress to you. You can do most of the paper work that a gestor carries out, but if your language skills are minimum, have little time or find yourself confused by bureaucratic procedures he can be very useful. However, do not expect immediate results and always obtain an estimate of costs before engaging his services. It is not uncommon for the gestor to require a down payment, which would normally cover his fee.

Some tasks a gestor will help with are: residents permits, registration of driving licence's, contracting essential services to your home, buying, selling or registering a car, etc.

These are just a few pointers for those people considering a move to the island. It is always advisable to consult the professionals if you have doubts about which is the correct way to carry out a transaction – lawyers for legal work, tax advisors for taxation queries, gestors in the gestorias for help with general paperwork. Don' t listen to “bar talk” it is usually grossly exaggerated and always out of date – however entertaining it was at the time !

Correct at time of first publishing.Reproduced with kind permission from Deborah Hellyer & Roqueta.

Other articles relating to living on Menorca
Relocating to Menorca. Education_guide to Menorca. Newcomers, a few answers.
Home buying home page
The above articles were correct at the time of publishing.