Relocation to Spain Experience

[Tram]

I worked in Spain in 1979, breakfast was usually bocadillo con anchoa or a cold Spanish omelette served with terrific coffee. Lunch was a salad dressed with olive oil and wine vinegar followed by an egg dish then a meat dish with watered wine. Then a short siesta. Dinner was very late around ten pm and similar to lunch. Spanish food is very good and not all English are peasants.

I worked out there for 2 years and I just loved it, it did not feel like work. I loved getting up in the morning and out of the property in 20 mins, going to my local coffee shop on the way to work, i used to have a tab with them, for my platos combinados during the week. it was cheaper than getting a sandwich and coffee in the uk, whereas here takes me an hour or so to get up and out.
I hope to take advantage of that, Yum. I just hope i get accepted, I hope I do, then it means less complications for me. If not then I still have other ways, i was told I would be able to claim a 10 year specialist EU visa.
I really look forward to going.

 

[Hagar]

I worked out there for 2 years and I just loved it, it did not feel like work. I loved getting up in the morning and out of the property in 20 mins, going to my local coffee shop on the way to work, i used to have a tab with them, for my platos combinados during the week. it was cheaper than getting a sandwich and coffee in the uk, whereas here takes me an hour or so to get up and out.
I hope to take advantage of that, Yum. I just hope i get accepted, I hope I do, then it means less complications for me. If not then I still have other ways, i was told I would be able to claim a 10 years specialist EU visa.
I really look forward to going.

Mine was before Spain was in the EU (EEC) although Britain was. Only a few years after Franco's death so it was a mixed up political scene. I was not really supposed to be working and went over to learn the language for an Anglo Dutch dredging company who were quite happy to pay me and extract useful work into the bargain. It was all a bit dodgy but back in the day...

 

[Martynt74]

i was hoping to transfer one of my pensions to my target country. Worried about labour and the constant tax raid.

Depending on the size of your pension but a digital nomad visa would minimise tax.

There’s not many other options I don’t think.

 

[Tram]

Depending on the size of your pension but a digital nomad visa would minimise tax.

There’s not many other options I don’t think.

i need to read up on this next month, when my project ends. I just thought someone here may have experience in this area. I have tried other forums.

 

[D.P.]

i was hoping to transfer one of my pensions to my target country. Worried about labour and the constant tax raid.

Strange that you would be so keen on going to Spain since they have higher tax rates, and also things like wealth taxes. They also have a much more progressive government and socialist policies are very popular.

Are Taxes Higher in Spain Compared To The UK?

Compare Spain vs UK taxes on income, pensions, inheritance, and more. Learn how to optimize your finances as a British expat with expert guidance.

chorusfinancial.es

Example: Annual Income of €50,000 (£43,000)

• Spain: Taxable after allowances (approx. €5,000 allowance in some regions): Tax on €45,000 = Approx. €16,350 (30% to 37%).
• UK: Taxable after €14,500 allowance: Tax on €35,500 = Approx. €7,100 (20%).

Despite what the right wing press in the UK would have you believe, the UK has one of the lowest tax rates in OECD

 

[jpaul]

ultimately the accompanying cost of living that counts (will need to put holidays on the uk list too)
and index linking into euro.

like

 

[Tram]

Strange that you would be so keen on going to Spain since they have higher tax rates, and also things like wealth taxes. They also have a much more progressive government and socialist policies are very popular.

Are Taxes Higher in Spain Compared To The UK?

Compare Spain vs UK taxes on income, pensions, inheritance, and more. Learn how to optimize your finances as a British expat with expert guidance.

chorusfinancial.es

Despite what the right wing press in the UK would have you believe, the UK has one of the lowest tax rates in OECD

You are just looking at income tax, you, are not looking at the overall tax cost of living. Wealth tax you don't pay unless you have over 2 Million so that doesn't bother me.. No need for a mortgage ( save lots of cash there ) buying outright. cheaper energy costs a lot cheaper, very cheap council tax, cheaper food better quality of life sun. By the way the tax rate would 47% or (24% ) compared to both our 60% here. And everything else that is linked to our tax band.

Then take the service charge con, just add everything up and you get a very good picture, UK is too expensive to live in. There is no quality of life

Iht even better in Spain now. We both decided it is the best for us to go.

Don't need to wait weeks for a GP and months for a specialist.

Btw tax needs to go up in the UK by much more than what you think. Council tax needs more than the 5% cap..

I don't want to sound gloomy, but the UK is bankrupt, it can't pay down its debt, they can't even keep up with servicing the debt. Plus the 100 billion bill that is coming next year, bonds payments lol.

The bills will start to come in soon, that's why a lot wealthy people are leaving now.

They have no ability to manoeuvre, once this fiscal cycle is done Labour will increase income tax, we all know this.

Many people in this country do not even understand fiscal drag.

 

[Tram]

ultimately the accompanying cost of living that counts (will need to put holidays on the uk list too)
and index linking into euro.

like

If they took a straight conversion then that's a big fail.

Lol where do you rent a 1 bed for £844 in the UK. Average uk rent is £1313.

HomeLet Rental Index | Average Rent Across the UK

Updated monthly, the HomeLet Rental Index provides the latest view on average rent prices in the UK.

homelet.co.uk

On average, the cost of living in Spain is 114% cheaper than in the UK.

Cost of living in Spain compared to the rest of the world

Compare the cost of rent, utilities, transportation, groceries, and leisure to the USA, UK, Canada, India, Ireland, Portugal, and South Africa.

housinganywhere.com

 

[Martynt74]

Lol where do you rent a 1 bed for £844 on the UK.

On average, the cost of living in Spain is 114% cheaper than in the UK.

Cost of living in Spain compared to the rest of the world

Compare the cost of rent, utilities, transportation, groceries, and leisure to the USA, UK, Canada, India, Ireland, Portugal, and South Africa.

housinganywhere.com

I would say most places get you a 1 bed for £844 if you're not looking at premium areas. Obviously you're not getting that in Cambridge.

That website you've linked seems to make no sense. Depending on the country it's comparing to. The price of a 1 bed flat seems to change. Unless it's super old where you got €2 to £1

Rent- 1 bedroom	€972

Rent- 1 bedroom	£480

 

[Tram]

I would say most places get you a 1 bed for £844 if you're not looking at premium areas. Obviously you're not getting that in Cambridge.

That website you've linked seems to make no sense. Depending on the country it's comparing to. The price of a 1 bed flat seems to change

Rent- 1 bedroom	€972

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Average cost in Spain​

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Rent- 1 bedroom	£480

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Average cost in Spain (£)​

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You have to go for like for like.

They change most likely because of currency..

Just like the infograph that was posted.

 

[potatolord]

If they took a straight conversion then that's a big fail.

Lol where do you rent a 1 bed for £844 in the UK. Average uk rent is £1313.

HomeLet Rental Index | Average Rent Across the UK

Updated monthly, the HomeLet Rental Index provides the latest view on average rent prices in the UK.

homelet.co.uk

On average, the cost of living in Spain is 114% cheaper than in the UK.

Cost of living in Spain compared to the rest of the world

Compare the cost of rent, utilities, transportation, groceries, and leisure to the USA, UK, Canada, India, Ireland, Portugal, and South Africa.

housinganywhere.com

Pretty sure it's not 114% cheaper...

 

[Mr Badger]

Pretty sure it's not 114% cheaper...

Getting paid the 14% must come in handy.

 

[Hagar]

Getting paid the 14% must come in handy.

And the free everything.

 

[Tram]

Pretty sure it's not 114% cheaper...

i guess what they are suggesting, UK costs more than double Spain’, Spains apple price * (1+1.14) = UK apples price

 

[Uther]

As regards moving your pension, are you totally sure that your chosen country won't try a tax raid at some point?

 

[Tram]

As regards moving your pension, are you totally sure that your chosen country won't try a tax raid at some point?

Can you be sure of anything? if i had certanty I would be a Billionaire.

 

[potatolord]

i guess what they are suggesting, UK costs more than double Spain’, Spains apple price * (1+1.14) = UK apples price

First, I think 50% is pretty unlikely. A quick search gave me lower numbers than that.

Second, any estimate based on a random sample of goods doesn't reflect your own personal outgoings. You may look at a property and decide you can afford a nicer place, rather than the "average property", and therefore incur a higher cost.

Finally, hve you looked into the relative hotness of ladies, and their willingness? It's a very valid metric.

 

[Uther]

Can you be sure of anything? if i had certanty I would be a Billionaire.

True, the country you move to could turn into a basket case again. Still, you can always move back.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

As regards moving your pension, are you totally sure that your chosen country won't try a tax raid at some point?

Spain might, but the U.K. certainly will.

 

[Uther]

Spain might, but the U.K. certainly will.

I don't doubt it.