Moving to Marbella
How to Ensure a Smooth Transition to Your New Life in the Sun
If you’ve decided to move to Marbella, there’s a warm welcome waiting for you. The Spanish Costa del Sol is known worldwide as one of the most sought after areas to live and own property – you can read up about it on a recent blog post here.
Finding a new home is, in many ways, the easiest part, and certainly, if you have entrusted the highly trained professional team at Promas Estates with the responsibility of finding your ideal property, then helping you with all the legal and other administrative paperwork to ensure that your keys are handed over with everything in order.
So, if you now have your title deeds and it’s time to make the big move, what are the key considerations you need to take into account to make sure you settle into your wonderful new Mediterranean lifestyle conveniently, comfortably and contentedly?
As with just about everything in life, all it takes is some careful common-sense planning and, before you know it, you will be stretched out on a sun lounger with your partner and a celebratory bottle of chilled cava close at hand – while the family frolics happily in the pool.
Here is a checklist to give you an initial guide, but we always recommend you also seek professional advice, especially when it comes to documentation and legal matters.
Travel and Immigration
The first and, arguably, most important step is to have all your travel, residency and (in this new era) health documentation fully in order. For EU and EEA citizens, this is fairly straightforward, as free movement of people and goods is one of the cornerstones of the European Union.
If you are British, Brexit has changed the rules but they are still not overly complicated, although you might need to make an appointment with the Spanish consulate in London to apply for a temporary residence visa (unless you already had residency status before 1 January 2021).
After that, all you have to do is book your tickets with one of the many airline companies servicing the Málaga-Costa del Sol International Airport hub.
International Removals
Assuming you want to take your furniture and belongings with you to Spain and there is too much luggage to take on the flight or even in the car, your next step is to contact a reputable and reliable removal company for your move to Marbella.
There are countless companies offering top-class services from the UK and other parts of Europe to the Costa del Sol, and excellent road transport connections make the journey to Marbella fairly quick. It is, however, advisable to obtain more than one quote so you can compare their services, and prices.
If there is going to be a delay between your arrival and that of your removal vans (or the date you can move into your new home), and you need to arrange temporary accommodation, simply ask us at Promas Estates to recommend one of our leading associates. We can also help if you want to rent or buy a car.
Finally… Before Leaving
It may be stating the obvious but, with all the excitement of moving, it is sometimes easy to overlook other issues that need to be addressed and ticked off the to-do list. For example:
- If you have pets make sure their vaccinations are all in order and they have their European Pet Passport.
- Open a Spanish bank account and research the various money transfer companies to find the best deal that helps you avoid onerous commissions and fees.
- If you are retiring to your new home, make arrangements for the pension to be paid in Spain.
- If planning to work or set up a business, you might need to update your CV.
Once Settled in Spain
Promas Estates will be able to steer you in the direction of recommended experts covering such important matters as home insurance and arranging for utility connections (water, electricity and high-speed internet), as well as private health cover if needed.
If you have a young family, the Costa del Sol (including Marbella) is highly regarded for its selection of international schools, from pre-school to university-entry age, while experienced private tutors are available for specialist requirements.
Marbella is also well-serviced with other professionals, including gardeners, housekeepers and nannies.
For those buying new homes – or unfurnished resale properties – Marbella is renowned for a diverse and extensive array of interior décor showrooms offering the latest in cutting-edge bespoke home projects and furniture packages. Of course, if your new home needs upgrading or remodeling, our sister company Promas Building operates in and around Marbella, with a highly experienced English-speaking team of buildings who can take on anything from pool builds and chillout areas to complete home renovations.
Finally, living in Marbella and enjoying the full local experience will be enhanced if you know at least a little bit of Spanish, so consider signing up for classes after you arrive. Even though English is widely understood, and even spoken fluently by many locals who deal with foreigners on a regular basis, having some knowledge of Spanish makes life even more pleasant for you – and the social options more diverse.