7 Biggest Mistakes When Moving to Spain from UK

Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Moving to Spain

The worst mistakes expats make can ruin their experience of Spain. They can cause an expat to get in trouble with the authorities, attract the ire of the Spanish people, and prevent them from making the most of every opportunity the country has to offer.

This blog highlights seven common mistakes we encounter most frequently at Immigration Advice Service. They include a lack of understanding of Spain’s legal processes, financial and healthcare systems, failure to connect with the local culture and language, and moving too quickly to buy a house. Read on to discover more about the consequences of these mistakes and how you can avoid them.

Not Respecting the Legal and Bureaucratic Processes

Often, prospective expats overlook the complex legal and bureaucratic hurdles they need to navigate to move to and live in Spain. Each reason to move to the country, such as work, retirement, or starting a business, requires that you successfully apply for a visa. The Spanish bureaucracy will not accept your application if you don’t fit the visa rules.

The bureaucratic procedures of moving to Spain continue once you have touched down. You will need to register your residence, obtain a residence permit, get a Spanish ID (NIE), and sign up for the relevant local service. There are substantial regional differences that you must maintain an understanding of to ensure you get this right.

The section below details the process you need to follow to get your residence permit:

How to Obtain Residency Permits?

To begin, present yourself at the national police station (Comisería National de Policía) or immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería) that is closest to where you live. Alternatively, the application can be made at the Spanish embassy or consulate in the UK.

When making your application, you’ll need to present the following documentation:

• A passport that is valid for at least four months, and a photocopy of it
• Three passport-style photographs
• Proof of a Spanish address
• Proof that you have the finances to support yourself
• A medical certificate confirming you don’t carry infectious and dangerous diseases
• Health insurance valid in the Schengen Area that covers at least 30,000 euros of costs

Please note that some circumstances will prevent you from being given a residence permit. This includes if you entered Spain illegally or have previously committed a serious crime.

Getting the Financial and the Tax System Wrong

Another way that the Spanish bureaucracy can cause challenges for expats is its complex tax system, which can raise liabilities that you may not have had if you moved to a different country. For example, you will need to pay taxes on your worldwide income, not just the money that you make in Spain.

Examples of worldwide income that you may need to pay taxes on are pensions and foreign investments. That can cause financial problems if you are simultaneously being taxed for this income in the UK. Spain and the UK do have tax treaties with the aim of preventing this, so it is best to speak to a financial or tax advisor about how you can use these measures to avoid double-taxation. Often, applying for the Beckham law is the best place to start.

Spain has a large number of taxes that you need to be aware of. These are listed below:

• Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles (IBI) – an annual, local council tax for resident and non-resident property owners
• Wealth tax – a tax paid on your net assets, varying by region and effectively abolished in some areas like Andalusia and Madrid
• Personal income tax (IRPF) ranges from 19% to 30% depending on your income
• Income tax for non-residents ranges from 19% to 24% depending on your circumstances
• Value-added tax (VAT) ranges from 4% to 21% depending on the good or service

Getting a Spanish Bank Account

Outside of your tax obligations, it’s also essential to establish a Spanish bank account. Many areas of Spain still extensively use cash, so a local bank account will reduce the costs associated with making withdrawals. If you will be regularly moving money between Spain and the UK, make sure to investigate which local bank account will give you the lowest fees.

Failing to get a bank account in Spain also makes it incredibly challenging to create a life in Spain. That is because a local bank account is usually needed to purchase a house, get a Spanish SIM, pay for local health insurance, and pay utility bills.

Cost of Living in Spain

One reason that Spain is such a popular foreign country to move to is its relatively low cost of living among Western European countries. You will find that rent, utility bills, and daycare are all substantially cheaper.

On average, the United Kingdom’s cost of living is 29.8% higher, excluding rent. Including rent, the figure is 32.1% higher in the UK. That is because rent is 38.5% higher in the UK than in Spain. Grocery prices are also 21% higher in the UK than in Spain.

However, as with all countries, the exact cost of living will vary greatly depending on where you live in Spain. Popular and wealthy cities like Barcelona and Madrid have particularly high costs of living, in much the same way that London does. As a result, it will usually be cheaper to live in rural and unpopular places in the UK than in Spain’s major cities.

Moving to Spain Based On Stereotypes

The vision of Spain that many people in the UK have is of golden beaches, hot sun, and the sea. There is much more to Spain than just these stereotypes, as it is the fourth largest European country, behind only Russia, Ukraine, and France. It also has a fairly high population of 48.9 million.

The nation is divided into 18 autonomous communities. Each of these areas has substantial differences in its food, language, culture, and weather. The north is known for mountains and colder weather. Meanwhile, the southern regions have scalding hot summers and the beaches for which Spain is known.

Spain has also been a popular new home for immigrants from all over the world. Large numbers of immigrants from the EU, South America, and North Africa have moved to the country in recent years. After a small drop in Spain’s immigrant population from 2009 to 2016, it has now risen to its highest ever point. All these new people mean that Spain has become incredibly multicultural, with new communities combining to create distinct cultures. Catalonia, Madrid, and Valencia have received the most immigrants, so expats can find the most diverse cultures there.

Each area of Spain is occupied by highly different Spaniards and non-Spaniards with differing attractions. Make sure that you take the time to research the best region for your unique needs and interests.

Only Speaking English

There is an unfortunate stereotype that British expats overlook the need to learn Spanish. Instead, they are often seen to speak only with other expats. This is both limiting for what you can do in Spain and could also lead to conflict with the local population.

Many Spaniards speak English, but you cannot rely on the presence of English speakers outside of the main tourist areas. As such, not speaking Spanish can isolate you from everyday life abroad. You might also miss opportunities to engage properly with the culture of your new home country.

There are two types of language learning that you must consider. Firstly, get classes so that you can have a decent understanding of the language before you move. Use this as an opportunity to learn how to navigate everyday life in Spain, such as navigating public transport and ordering food.

You will also learn the Spanish needed to keep yourself safe and out of trouble with the local authorities. A great language class will guide you through how you can understand local laws, contracts you may need to sign, and how to deal with your health insurance and healthcare providers.

Once you are in Spain, the best way to break down language barriers is to use the language as much as possible. Speaking with locals and engaging with the community will give you a much better understanding of how Spaniards talk than even the best language class. It’s also a sensible idea to find a local language school to attend in Spain so that you can always keep learning.

Another factor to consider is that some Spanish regions will prefer you to speak a language other than Spanish. Examples include Aranese in the Val d’Aran region, Basque in the Basque Country, Galician in Galicia, and Catalan in Catalonia.

Misunderstanding the Health Insurance and Public Health Systems

While getting healthcare in the UK is a simple matter of registering with your local GP, the healthcare system in Spain is a touch more complicated. One of the common mistakes expats make is assuming that they can access Spain’s public healthcare system. That all depends on your employment and residence permit in Spain.

As with the UK, accessing public healthcare is difficult if you don’t have a GP. Make sure to register as soon as you arrive so you aren’t locked out of public healthcare entirely or face heavy delays.

Another quirk of Spain’s healthcare system is that the nation has moved past paper prescriptions. Instead, they are issued electronically. Only selected pharmacies will be able to process the prescription. This is another great reason to learn Spanish, as expats can find it difficult to understand how the prescription and pharmacy system works in their new home country.

Self-employed and employed British people in Spain will pay into the social security system, giving them the right to access public healthcare. Meanwhile, retired and unemployed expats may have to use private healthcare. As such, it is essential to get good private health insurance to avoid shockingly high costs if you require treatment.

Failing to Follow Local Customs and Social Etiquette

Spain is a nation still driven by social etiquette, a sign of its rich cultural heritage. You will likely experience culture shock as you first get involved with your local community.
Customs of personal greetings are widespread, including a handshake or kiss on both cheeks, both for meeting friends and family as well as meeting someone for the first time.

Lunch and dinner are an important part of Spain’s social culture. It is expected that most people will spend these meals with friends and family. Gatherings for dinner often occur later in the evening than in the UK. It is also seen as acceptable to arrive later in certain circumstances.

Along with a host of “dos”, Spanish culture also has a lot of “don’ts” that can also contribute to the feeling of culture shock. Even when near the beach, don’t wear just a swimsuit, as this can lead to fines. It is also customary to keep your hands above the table when dining and keep your bread on the side rather than your main plate.

Tipping when eating at restaurants is not required, and servers do not rely on tips for their income. Locals don’t tip regularly, saving the gesture for if they have been particularly impressed with the standard of service. As with the UK, the unwritten expectation if you do decide to tip is that you tip around 10% of the total bill.

Please note that Spain has a great deal of regional variation. Observe local customs and social etiquette closely so that you can become a valued member of the local community.

Spain’s Unique Work Culture

Spain is known to many for its excellent work-life balance. The nation’s distinctive approach includes lengthy lunch breaks in the middle of the day, particularly in the southern regions. That allows workers to wait out the worst of the midday heat. After closing for a siesta, businesses often stay open late into the evening. Workers are expected to match this culture. As a result, the evening meal is also eaten significantly later than in other countries.

It is also essential for expats to understand the close personal relationships that drive Spanish businesses and the hierarchy that manages them. Authority figures will expect respect. There are small social cues worth following. For example, addressing someone as “usted” rather than the informal “tu” signals respect and is perfect for professional settings.

You will usually need to secure a job in Spain first before you can successfully apply for a Spain work visa. Completing this challenge can be difficult. You will need to get a job that is on the government’s shortage list. If it is not, your employer has to show that you’re more qualified than the talent that can be found locally. The difficulties are further exacerbated by the fact that Spain has one of the highest unemployment rates in the EU.

Buying a House Too Soon

Previously, expats assumed that the best way for non-EU citizens to begin a life in Spain was to invest over 500,000 euros in a property, giving them access to the popular Golden visa. That visa was abolished in April 2025.

Continuing to buy property in Spain with the assumption that it will give you access to better visa conditions is one of the most costly mistakes expats make. A theme throughout much of this article has been that Spain is a diverse landscape and each area has its own vibrant culture, alongside varying costs of living.

Jumping to buy a house too early can get you locked into a region or city that isn’t right for you. That is because Spain has very high capital gains taxes, tax paid on the profit of a property sale that ranges from 19% to 23%. Your wealth will quickly diminish if you sell and re-buy in a different area a few times.

An exciting adventure and a better understanding of what Spain offers can be had by spending a few years on the rental market. This will allow you to properly understand which of Spain’s vibrant cities are most suited to you, guiding you towards the best decision possible when you eventually make the leap into the property market.

How Can IAS Help You?

All of these costly mistakes must be avoided when you move to Spain, but the greatest mistake of all can occur before you enter the country, not getting the right visa. Immigration lawyers and advisers, such as our expert team at Immigration Advice Service, can guide you through Spain’s complex immigration system. Our service includes helping you understand which visa is right for you and its requirements, guiding you through the application process, and launching appeals if necessary.

To get connected with one of our immigration lawyers, contact us today at +44 (0)333 414 9244. You can also visit us online to better understand the range of services we offer.