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As the most popular country in the world for British expats, we understand why you might be thinking about moving to Spain. Life in Spain has so many things to offer - beautiful cities, a fascinating culture, great food and so much more, but the relocation process also has some common moving mistakes you need to avoid. In order to make your move as smooth as possible, let’s talk about the 7 biggest mistakes when moving to Spain, and what you can do to avoid them!

Buying A Property Straight Off The Bat

It’s oh-so-easy to fall headfirst into the trap of selling your home in the UK in favour of buying a Spanish home right from the get go. However exciting the prospect of moving into your dream home in Spain might be, it’s helpful to take a step back before rushing into anything. You aren’t under any pressure to make hard commitments before even having set foot in Spain. It’s a good idea to rent for a bit and make sure that you’re certain Spanish life is for you before buying permanently.

Getting Caught Off-Guard By Culture Shock

Adapting to a new culture can take a little while and so it helps to try and get to grips with the culture a little bit before you get over there.  There are plenty of exciting things to look forward to in Spanish culture. A healthy work-life balance is prioritised and meal times with friends and family are held in high regard, with an emphasis on enjoying life to the full and taking things slowly. It’s worth doing some research into life in Spain, and talking to other expats about how they’ve adapted to their new life abroad.

Taking Your Whole House With You

You probably don’t need to take your whole house with you when moving to Spain, and so it’s definitely worth taking the time to declutter and narrow down what you actually need.This will save a lot of time and money when it comes to moving day. You can begin sorting through this early by keeping an inventory of what you’re taking with you and what you’re going to leave. A bit of preparation goes a long way in dodging one of the 7 biggest mistakes when moving to Spain, so why not get started early?

Not Learning Any Spanish

Another one of 7 biggest mistakes you can make when moving to Spain (but also one of the most avoidable) is failing to learn at least a little of the language.  We’re not suggesting you need to be fluent in Spanish, however knowing the basics will help you to get by, and prevent you from feeling isolated in your new environment. Going on Duolingo whenever you have a bit of downtime isn’t a huge commitment, but will make a huge difference in helping  you feel more settled when you get to Spain. 

Assuming You Can Find A Job When You Arrive

In a post-brexit world, UK citizens are now subject to certain immigration regulations that we weren’t before. If you’re planning on working in Spain, this means that getting a Visa is going to require a job lined up, or some other arrangement such as acceptance into a University before you can apply. This is something that you must be sure to arrange before making any arrangements to move.

Leaving Paperwork Until The Last Minute

Let’s be honest, no-one likes filling out paperwork which is perhaps why one of the 7 biggest mistakes when moving to Spain is leaving important paperwork to the last minute. It is important to make sure that you understand that the process of getting your documentation in order can take a long time. So, don’t leave this until the last minute because your plans may well end up getting delayed  when you’re all ready to go but the paperwork has barely begun.

Choosing The Wrong Removals Company

The importance of choosing a trusted removals company can’t be overestimated when moving overseas. You need your belongings looked after and shipped in proper storage to arrive safely, in the right area and at the right time, so you need a removal company that you can absolutely trust to deliver on this. With 50 years of experience in the packing and removals trade, and insurance included in every quote, Hackworthy can be trusted to get the job done. Take a look at our European removals page or get in contact to find out how Hackworthy can help get your belongings to Spain as safely as possible.