Moving to Spain

The country of Spain hosts beauty, culture, lush landscapes and incredible entertainment. It has consistently been a well-visited country by travelers from around the globe. More and more people are drawn to all this country has to offer and are calling it their home. As appealing as this can be, moving to Spain can be a difficult process if you’re not sure where to begin. Making an international move will have its challenges, but it will certainly be worth your while.

The process of moving to Spain itself can be a complicated one, so it’s important to get started early. Find out what you need to legally reside in the country for your desired period of time. Obtaining your visa should be the first item on your agenda. Most people recommend applying in person at the Spanish Consulate. There are 10 consulate offices throughout the U.S. including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Miami. You can receive more information on offices and hours of operation at www.maec.es.

Next be sure to have all pertinent paperwork handy for moving to Spain. You’ll want easy access to birth certificates, marriage certificates, immunizations and school records for children and passports. Keep everything in a safe, secure area so you’re not left scrambling at the last minute.

Finally, choose a reputable international moving company that specializes in transcontinental moves. This company will be an important ally in ensuring that your belongings get where they need to be and in a timely manner. You don’t want to wait 2-3 weeks for your items to arrive once you’ve moved into your new home. An international moving company can also serve as a valuable resource for the questions you may encounter during the relocation.

Of course there will be lots to do to get your home and family ready for an international move. However, there are a few extra things you may want to squeeze in to the planning. For example, take a Spanish class. This would be especially helpful if no one in your family speaks the language. There are several communities that offer Spanish classes through their community education classes. The same is true for children. Even knowing a few key words and phrases may be helpful.

Also, research the area to which you’re moving. There will be lots of information to gather about the climate, geography, etc. Spain’s climate varies greatly depending on what area you’re in, so it will be helpful to know ahead of time. If you’re moving to an extremely wet area of the country, you’ll want to get furnishings that will hold up to the moisture. The same holds true for clothing. Make sure you know what you’ll need to wear in your region.

Furnishing your new home will also be a factor. Although you’ll likely want to surround yourself with all your old, familiar items, you might also want to leave some room for purchasing some new things once you arrive in Spain. Due to the diverse culture, you might find that incorporating some of the local décor into your new home will blend your two worlds together. This alternative might also save some money in moving costs.

You’ll likely experience many emotions throughout the process of moving to Spain. Although most of it will be excitement, there may be fear of the unknown, as well. This is all very normal and to be expected. However, when you arrive at your destination and see the beauty of your new home, in both culture and landscape, you’ll know you made the right decision.