7 Biggest Challenges of Moving to Spain

So you want to move to Spain? What are the biggest challenges you might face? We share with you the 7 biggest problems we've seen people have in moving to Spain. Venga, let’s go! 🥝

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00:00​ - Intro
01:16 - 1. Where Will I Live in Spain?
03:27 - 2. How Much will it Cost to Live?
05:14​ - 3. The Visa Paperwork is Overwhelming
07:35​ - 4. The Real State Process is Scary
09:57 - 5. How Can I Get a Work Permit?
11:51 - 6. I'm Concerned About Taxes
14:23 - 7. I'm Worried About Learning Spanish

WHO ARE WE? 🥝
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Hola, Spain lovers! We're James and Yoly. James is a New Zealander, and Yoly is from Spain. And we both live in Madrid. This channel is all about giving you a local insight into life in Spain, and helping you experience this country like a local when you come to visit (or live!). If that sounds like your kind of thing, bienvenido!

*This description contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you use them 🙏🏻

[lausbigadventureasmr]

I’m moving to Spain as a very young adult and it’s so nerve wracking! Y’all have helped me so much!

[welshtoro]

Well done for covering this. Moving to any foreign country has its challenges but Spain is harder than many think. For those in the U.K it has become even more problematic, post Brexit, but I think that will improve in time. Many come to Spain on holiday and have such a great time they think living permanently will be the same. Obviously, going to work every day instead of putting your feet up is completely different. I love Spain and I'm married to a Spaniard with family and roots. That's a big thing. Many consider moving to Spain without knowing hardly anything about the country. Moving to a foreign country is a massive commitment and requires a lot of serious consideration.

[mizginavale]

Since I am now a Spanish resident, I wanted to listen to your thoughts on the challenges of moving here and you've definitely touched on the main important points. It is great that you and Yoly are lighting the path for others and that you've created this master class to help with all these steps. Advance knowledge of what you need to do will definitely ease your experience. I do encourage being very organized in your planning to emigrate here. One oversight in your paperwork can set you back in those plans, which can be an issue if you have begun to decommission your life in your home country. Break down all that you have to do into smaller and achievable goals so you don't become overwhelmed by all you have to do. Spanish people are accommodating but it is necessary that you add your own effort in speaking their language. A small vocabulary is better than none. Best wishes to all of you and may you have abundant well-being and happiness in your emigration to Spain. There is so much to see and absorb, and all of it is pure joy!

[SiempreSeattle]

I would a bit more heavily emphasize to Americans that just because you have to FILE a tax return doesn't mean you actually wind up having to PAY taxes.

Many Americans freak out when they hear about the whole "get taxed no matter where you live around the world" thing, but the reality is that you can almost always apply a credit towards your US tax liability for whatever amount you paid in taxes to a foreign nation.

So even if you're in a higher tax bracket in Spain (say, 30% instead of 20% in the US), you don't pay extra. You just pay, say, 3, 000 to Spain, then you do your US taxes and they come out that you'd owe 2, 000; you apply the 3K from Spain and you don't owe anything to the US! (And in some cases you have a carryover to the next year, so if you wind up moving back, you get the extra credit!)

[SendMoreParamedics]

My girlfriend and I are moving to Valencia, for many of the reasons you mentioned. Real estate, and life in general is pretty affordable. We've lived all over- so we are pretty experienced with this sort of thing, but I still enjoy these types of videos.

Hope you guys make some videos in Valencia some time!

[vagabondrabbit]

My husband is from Barcelona. He moved here to the United States after we were married 2 years ago. After I am finished with grad school, considering moving back in 5 years. Excited- lived there for a summer, in Sitges... would love to return to Barcelona ASAP.

[naodyohannes]

I wonder if I am the only Eritrean watching this video? I study in Spain and I love it!!!

Thanks for this geat video

[ACoupleofNomads]

As expats living in Valencia, 100% agree! Valencia is such an amazing city with affordable cost of living, laid back atmosphere and beautiful climate 😊

[derekhowes]

Excellent video! You guys do a great job. As a variant on this - would love to have a show (or course) on short term stays in Spain. Being Canadians - being away for 2-3 months in the coldest part of winter would be wonderful. Spending that time in Spain would be even better. Thoughts on where to establish a home base, places to go during the extended stay, etc. would be much appreciated

[cujoyyc]

Agree with you on taxes. If you have a tax problem, you're generally doing better than most people.

[thespaindiaries]

Thank you guys SO much (from Cohort #9!!! We are in the throws of selling everything and getting down to two suitcases and a backpack for our dog...and I just keep watching and rewatching your YT vids and course vids. You've been SUCH a huge help on this journey, James!!! :) I'm hoping to one day give you both a huge hug for everything!

[mateusquasetuga]

I’m moving to Granada this fall. Pretty damn excited. Looking into your future class.

[TheAnactoria]

I'm from Austin. Thank you for wearing an Austin Eats tee, James! :D Also, I love you guys. You're amazing. I'm SO glad I stumbled upon your channel after my first trip to Madrid. Living in Spain and running my own albergue is my dream of dreams. Totally gonna take your class. Keep rockin'. And btw, Yoly GLOWS as a mom-to-be. <3

[lunamellow]

I moved to Madrid Spain for university and it was very hard being away from my family and with COVID happening it made it even harder because they couldn't even could visit me. It was very beautiful but I decided it wasn't the right city for me.

[lionelvelezsr]

For me, the greatest challenge is dealing with Real Estate agents in Spain. The lack of a unifying set of rules when it comes to dealing with Agentes Immobiliarios is complicated.

[theresabar]

Hey, you guys, congratulations on your new baby and on being on Masterclass!

[djlansdell]

Hi, We are South Africans who moved to Spain 8 years ago and can endorse all that you have said in this video. There are 3 subjects which you might consider.
1. Have a look at Javea(Xabia) as a destination. Ssshhhh don’t tell anyone.
2. Driving licence. I have had a drivers licence for over 50years but had to start from scratch with lessons and examinations at a cost of over €1000.
3. Medical insurance. Especially pensioners. It is not that easy to get on to the SIP system.
Love your foodie tours and pleased to see you branching out on Spain in general.

[hannofranz]

I probably wouldn't have managed to settle down in Spain if I hadn't had friends in the country that I could stay with at the beginning. I also had three months of unemployment benefit that helped me out while I was planning my future. It's tremendously difficult to start from scratch, especially if you are alone and don't speak the language which was another plus in my case.

[steveandyoung]

I went to University in Salamanca 40 years ago. We have actually been talking about moving to Spain for our retirement, but it does look like some of these problems would make it unrealistic.

[xachilles]

Absolutely fantastic video. I will retire in 8 years and want to move to spain from San Francisco, California. I'm blessed because I have about US$1, 000, 000, so I may invest with the Golden Visa.
Mais, não falo espanhol. Somente Português.
Vou comenzar as lecciões pronto!
Gracias.