IS IT EASY TO BUY A HOUSE IN SPAIN?

Yes it is easy to buy a house in Spain, but be sensible. 

Do not be pushed into buying a property.  From your searches the internet you will know there are many properties available so do not think that you have to make a decision immediately.  Never feel as if you are being rushed to make a decision regarding a particular house.  If an Estate Agent tells you, after you have expressed an interest in a property, "we have someone else coming to see that one next week", ask if they have anything else similar or indeed take time out to view with another agent.  It is imperative that you feel comfortable and happy when the time comes to sign contracts not as if everything is being rushed.

You wouldn't purchase a house in England without using a Solicitor so ensure you do the same when purchasing your home in Spain.  There are many English speaking Spanish Solicitors available and whilst  your Estate Agent will be able to recommend one or two, you may already know of one or indeed have seen one advertised that you would you like to use.  At Olive Grove Estates, we are happy to work with the Solicitor of your choice and will assist them in every way we can.

WHO DOES WHAT DURING THE PURCHASING PROCESS?

Your Solicitor will do the majority of the work regarding the purchase of your property.  Generally the Estate Agent will have some information from the Vendors and they will then pass this to the Solicitor who will then start conducting the various checks prior to completion taking place.  If at any stage of the purchasing process you have any questions then ask your Estate Agent or Solicitor who will be able to answer these questions for you.  Never feel that you don't like to bother your Estate Agent with questions that you think they might think are silly, as if a question arises then obviously it needs an answer.

WHAT HAPPENS ONCE COMPLETION HAS TAKEN PLACE?

Once you have been to the notary, signed for your property and received the keys from the vendors, the property becomes yours!!  As soon as they property is yours you can move in straight away.

There will be a couple of formalities to complete such as change of utilities into your name and putting you on the local padron (electoral roll) and either your Solicitor or Estate Agent will help you with this.  At Olive Grove Estates we are happy to assist you following completion of your purchase, for further information about this please refer to our "After Sales" Information.

IS IT EASY TO PLACE CHILDREN IN SCHOOL?

It is easy to place children in local schools but unlike England where you choose the school your children attend, this is done by the town hall.  Please be aware that things in Spain, especially Inland Spain, vary dramatically from town to town and indeed province to province, so what happens in one town or village IS NOT custom and practice everywhere!!  Should you prefer your child(ren) to go to an International School then the education is totally different and of course then you will have a choice.

The education system in Spain is excellent and children are taught "real values" including manners and respect.  They are taught so that they can reach their full potential and are actively encouraged to continue into further education.

HOW DO THE ENGLISH INTEGRATE WITH THE SPANISH?

In Inland Spain we are still very lucky with how the English are regarded by the Spanish.  On the whole the Spanish have a very welcoming nature and they are quite happy to share their homeland with the ex-pat community.  In Inland Spain the numbers of ex-pats are very much reduced to those on the coast and therefore the traditional Spanish way of life still prevails.  They still have siestas and hold all their traditional Spanish Fiestas.  The best way to integrate with the Spanish is to try speaking the language as this will afford you a lot more respect than if you expect them to speak English.  Always remember you are moving to their country and if you respect their values and traditions you will find they will respect you in the same way.

LANGUAGE - IS IT ESSENTIAL TO LEARN SPANISH AND IS IT EASY?

It will always help if you have a few words of Spanish, no matter how few.  Whilst it isn't essential for you to learn Spanish, the one thing you will notice is that in Inland Spain compared to the coast, there is a lot less English spoken.  If you move to an area where there are some ex-pats then you will more often than not find a friendly face who will help you out of an awkward situation and in many instances it is amazing how hand signals or drawings help out!!  But don't deny yourself the pleasure of trying out new Spanish words only to find that somebody does understand you.  Of course you will make mistakes but the Spanish will warm to you much more if you make the effort of speaking to them in their native tongue.

You will find many Inland Spanish Towns and Villages offer free, or very cheap, Spanish lessons to ex-pats to assist with the integration.   For example in Caudete where we at Olive Grove Estates are based, there are four hours of Spanish lessons a week free for all English ex-pats.  These lessons are currently split into two and held on a Thursday evening and a Friday morning.

IS IT EASY TO BRING PETS INTO SPAIN?

Many people have brought their pets with them when moving to Spain and it is an easy process.  You must have a Pet Passport and your English vet will be able to help you with this.  If you are planning on taking your pet back to England it is essential that this Pet Passport is kept up-to-date or else your pet will not be allowed back into England.  Whether you choose to fly or drive across there are many options available and if you speak to the Company you are flying or sailing with, they will be able to help you.

Once you and your pet have arrived at your new home it is beneficial to locate your nearest vet and both you and your pet go to the new vet to introduce yourselves.  That way, if there is a problem at a later stage when your pet needs to visit the vet at least they have already met them and will feel at ease with them.  Remember an animal is the same whether English or Spanish and a vet will be there to help your pet, don't panic if you feel cannot speak the language fully, the vet will still be able to help your pet.

CAN YOU BRING A RIGHT HAND DRIVE CAR INTO SPAIN?

You can import an English registered RHD drive car into Spain without any problem whatsoever.  Any Gestoria will be able to help you with this.  It is a very quick and easy process.  The only thing you will have to do is change your headlights although the more modern cars have an integral switch to do this.  You also have to have an ITV (Spanish equivalent to MOT) undertaken and then take all the paperwork to the Gestoria who will do everything else for you.  The cost for the Gestoria can vary from place to place but as a guideline in Spring 2010 (Caudete) it was 118euros.

DO ENGLISH APPLIANCES WORK IN SPAIN?

English appliances do work in Spain but if you are going to buy new appliances then it may be more beneficial to purchase them in Spain.  The prime reason for this is that if there is a problem with the appliance when you have moved them to Spain it may not be covered under the guarantee.  Whilst some appliances do have Worldwide cover it would be beneficial to check this prior to paying for the appliance to be transported across to Spain.

Separately, when making purchases here in Spain, shops are very keen to give discount especially in the Inland Spanish areas where they like to know that people are buying their products locally and supporting their local community.

WHAT IS THE MEDICAL SERVICE LIKE?

The medical service in Spain is excellent and this is through personal experience and also that of Clients.  When ringing for a doctors appointment you are likely to be given one for the same day, if not it will be the following day.  if the doctors have any concerns whatsoever and feel you need further tests, you are referred the same day - in fact you take the paperwork to the receptionist who then faxes it through to the hospital.

The waiting lists are almost non-existent and the healthcare from the professionals excellent.  Hospitals like to have the most modern equipment and utilise this to its full potential.  Unlike English hospitals though, the families do the day-to-day care and are actively encouraged to undertake all the lesser duties thereby allowing the nurses and doctors to do the jobs they are paid to do.  Visiting hours are all day and families are actively encouraged to spend as much time as possible there.

IS SPAIN CHEAPER THAN ENGLAND?

This is very subjective dependent upon where you choose to live.  Inland Spain is definitely cheaper than the coasts and can be cheaper for many things than England.  For further information on our current guide, please request our "Cost of Living" Information.