Friday, 4 October 2019

Why Do The British Continue To Choose Spain As A Home Base?


Brexit worries aside, more and more Britons are choosing to move to Spain. In fact, currently, around 760,000 people from the British Isles now call Spain home (according to research conducted by the BBC) and that number seems set to grow. The number of Britons that the government in Madrid claims are now based in Spain is closer to 300,000. However, the guarantees from the Spanish government that the residency rights of those Britons in Spain will be protected even in a ‘No Deal’ Brexit has once again brought the country firmly into the limelight for those in search of the sun.



Here are some important considerations to keep in mind when evaluating Spain as a residential choice. 

Friday, 27 January 2017

Removals Alicante | Relocating to Alicante



Edwards European Moving are experienced in the roads and properties in Alicante. With many years relocating individuals, couples and families throughout the Alicante region.

Read our overview of useful information on our knowledge of the Alicante region & the removal services that will help you with your removals to Alicante

Living in Alicante

Although the majority of its population is Spanish, Alicante has long been a city of expatriates, and today you will find foreigners from the United Kingdom, Argentina, Ecuador, Morocco, Romania, Algeria, and Colombia living in the city. The two official languages of Alicante are Spanish and Valencian, a form of Catalan, but due to its large expatriate community, many people speak fluent English.

Transport in Alicante

The airport in Alicante is currently the sixth largest and fifth busiest airport in Spain. Growing in size continuously over the past years, in March 2011 the airport got a brand new terminal building replacing the old two terminals.
Alicante railway station is used by Cercanías linking Alicante with suburbs and Murcia. Long-range RENFE trains run frequently to Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.
Alicante Tram connects the city with outlying settlements along Costa Blanca. As of 2011, electric tram-trains run up to Benidorm, and diesel trains go further to Dénia.
The city has regular ferry services to the Balearic Islands and Algeria. The city is strongly fortified, with a spacious harbour.
Amongst the most notable features of the city are the Castle of Santa Bárbara, which sits high above the city, and the port of Alicante. The latter was the subject of bitter controversy in 2006–2007 as residents battled, successfully, to keep it from being changed into an industrial estate.
Alicante enjoys mild winter temperatures, hot summers and little rain, concentrated in equinoctial periods. The cold drop means that September and October are the wettest months. Only 35 rainy days are observed on average per year, and the annual number of sunshine hours is 2,953. The climate of Alicante is very similar to the climate of Los Angeles, California

Education in Alicante

There are fifteen bilingual or international schools in the Alicante region. Expatriates living in Alicante will be able to send their children to a public school without paying fees as long as they register on the Empadronamiento or Padrón, the municipal register, at their local town hall.
However, as the public system teaches in Spanish, many expatriates living in Alicante will instead send their children to an international school, which will generally teach in English, and will offer either an British, American, or international curriculum.

Visas for living & working in Spain

In Spain, residence visas and permits are packaged with work permits, so there is no need to make two applications. EU/EEA nationals do not need a permit to enter Spain; if they wish to stay for longer than 90 days though, they must register as a citizen with the Hacienda (the Spanish revenue service) and Seguridad Social (Spanish social security), but this is merely a formality. Non-EU citizens may need a visa to enter the country (depending on their nationality), and will need a work permit to stay in Alicante for longer than 90 days. You may also be eligible to apply for a non-working residence permit, but these are often only issued to the partners of working expatriates.

PROPERTY TYPES in Alicante

There are bargains to be had in Alicante on the property front. La Crisis has resulted in quite a few repossessions. And if you head as far south as Torrevieja, you’ll find properties with prices as low as €40.000.
House Prices
Apartments, €70.000+. Villas and townhouses, €140.000+.
Housing Rent
  • Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area – €706
  • Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area – €467
  • Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas …) for 2 people in 85m2 flat – €99
  • Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area – €601
  • Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area – €358
  • Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas …) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio – €129

Expat Voices: Vanessa Rocchetta on living in Alicante

What advice would you give to a newcomer?
Before buying, check out your situation as much as possible. We used a Spanish solicitor appointed by a British firm. It is impossible to know everything. We visited our property three times in October and November and the mosquitoes weren’t a problem.
Try and be patient in queues and shops. You are no longer in a hurry. Go with the flow.



Weekly Removal Service To Alicante


Edwards European Moving offer a weekly service to and from the UK and Spain for full/dedicated removals or part loads and single items, we undertake relocations to Alicante for private individuals as well as large corporate companies with all moves carried out to the highest standards.
If you are looking to purchase new furniture in the UK for your Spanish residence, why not have the items delivered into our warehouse where we will inspect all items and place them on our next available departing vehicle. READ MORE on our removals to Spain services.


Ask For A Removal Quotation

In order to get a price that you can work with, think about asking for a Removal Quotation before the move. During this time, Edwards European can explain the whole moving process and all of the services that we offer so that we can both prepare for your move but also plan for the little things along the way.
Just a few of the services that you may want to discuss with us:
  1. Packing of your belongings
  2. Storage and transportation options
  3. Transit protection insurance
  4. Record keeping of all of your belongings
  5. Special consideration taken for any vehicles, fragile items, pets and more.

Popular Destinations In Alicante Covered In Our Removal Services

Alcoy/Alcoi, Alicante, Altea, Benidorm, El Campello, Calp, Crevillent, Dénia, Elche/Elx, Elda, Ibi, Xàbia, Novelda, Mutxamel, Orihuela, Petrer, Pilar de la, Horadada, San Vicente del Raspeig / Sant Vicent del Raspeig, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Santa Pola, Torrevieja, Villajoyosa / La Vila Joiosa, Villena

Wednesday, 18 January 2017

Moving to Spain from UK before BREXIT?

Brexit changed a lot of things, and many people have been forced to make some changes.



There are many effects to be seen in the future as a result of Brexit, with some already starting to be left. A couple of months is all that remains before the full effect can be felt. There are some positive and negative effects to be seen. Brexit made people start considering other options such as moving. Spain has been one of the most common destinations people have set their eyes on. Moving to Spain is something many people have continued to consider, with some having already done that.

One challenge that many people have is the process of moving, which can sometimes be a headache. There is a lot to deal with when you decide to move to a new place, but you can make it much easier by choosing a Removals company to help with that. A removals company to Spain will help you with all your moving and leave you to focus on how you are going to start your life in the new place you are moving to. Edwards European moving is one of the best moving companies in the market and has helped many people to move over the years.

The best way to make moving easier is working with someone who has done it before and knows all the challenges to expect. This is where Edwards European Moving comes in. They have the necessary experience need to help you move to Spain without having any problems. Their staff are qualified and will be able to deal with any challenge that might come up during the process. There is a lot of things needed when moving, but with the right company, you won’t have to worry about anything. They know what is supposed to be done when moving to Spain, and will advise you before moving to make it much easier for you.

When you decide to use a moving company, you are sure about your belongings being safe. With insurance, you don’t have to worry about going at a loss of anything gets lost. The safety of your belongings is the most paramount concern for any moving company, and Edward European Moving has put a lot in place to ensure your belongings reach the destination. Moving company pack your belongings using the right packaging to ensure they are not damaged during moving. You will have peace of mind because you won’t have to worry about the safety of your belongings.

If you need to reach the final destination earlier than planned, you will need a mover to provide you with storage solutions that can help you store overnight, short term, or long term. Edwards European Moving will help you with your storage needs until you are able to take your belongings. You will have to pay additional costs for this, but the services will be worth it.


Moving to Spain should not be a problem, making it a good idea to choose a good moving company like Edwards European Moving. Get a free no obligation quote

Thursday, 8 December 2016

Finding Popular Places In Spain For British Expats

Thanks to its mild and sunny climate, Spain is paradise for British expats who are sick and tired of the endless rain they’ve have to put up for their entire life.



British Expats who packed up life in the UK and Relocated to Spain, now enjoy their afternoons siestas, their paella on the beach, their sangria under the starry sky ALL YEAR ROUND. All these seem very appealing, so there’s no wonder many British residents are willing to swap their bleak weather for a sunny life in Spain.
As the typical British expats are retirees with tiny houses somewhere on Costa del Sol, they aren’t affected by the crisis that has made the life of many Spanish citizens and younger expats a nightmare. Nonetheless, despite the economic instability, there are still numerous British expats who choose to live in Spain.
Although they have decided to choose the sun over their rainy weather, all these people miss their local food and their habits, so they tend to congregate wherever possible. They have their favourite restaurants, bars and clubs where they can recreate their familiar atmosphere. They can’t live without their Cheddar cheese or without their English breakfast, so they always tend to choose places where these things are readily available. This is how expat communities get born. Once the core is there, it starts to expand, as more and more people come to join the group. They like to be neighbours, they enjoy sharing thoughts and feelings about their new country, as well as memories from their old one.
If you are new to the expat life and you want to find some popular places in Spain for British expats, you should start by searching online for discussion forums on such topics. Expats tend to be very active in forums and groups, so you’re going to get a lot of help and all the information you need, whether you intend to live on Costa del Sol, in Barcelona or wherever else for that matter. Nonetheless, expats living in beach areas tend to be more relaxed and more willing to socialise than those living in big cities, where life is almost as hectic as in London.
British groceries are quite popular in those areas of Spain where there are large groups of expats. If you encounter such a shop, you can be sure there’s a vibrant community of British people in the neighbourhood. Finding them should be as easy as entering the store and starting a conversation with any of the customers or with the shop assistants.
As you can see, being a British expat in Spain should be a mainly positive experience. There are many places where these people gather together to share a good story, some nice food and a glass of sangria. Life is good when you can live it under the sun for most part of the year. Besides, it gets even better when you’re able to surround yourself with likeminded people, with other British expats looking for sun and happiness.

Moving to Spain can be extremely exciting. If you are worried about your upcoming move, talk to a professional removal company like Edwards European Moving  Call 01953 718239

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

How to Choose a Trusted Removals Company for a Relocation to Spain

All packed and ready for your new life in Spain, now you have to get your personal possessions and furniture relocated to Spain



Unless you are the type who has forsaken worldly possessions to live the life of a monastic saint, moving your entire home inventory from one country to another, especially one on the other side of Western Europe, is going to be a job for a European Removals Company.

There are many things that can go wrong when you put your possessions and valuables in the hands of any one else, this short article could not do the subject justice. There are stories of a removals company going belly-up on the middle of an operation much to the dismay of their customers, who were not able to recover their belongings in transit. The Global Moving Systems Incident is one such example.
So how can one successfully relocate to the beautiful sun and warm climate of spain without having to undergo a reluctant vow of poverty? According to the many successful expats who have already performed this small miracle, it’s all in checking the credentials and see if they can speak the spanish language, this is a big confirmation that you have chosen a removals company that is experienced in Relocation to Spain
Even still, the best place to go for a good idea of the kind of service and level of professionalism that you will receive from a company, is the many review boards and customer ratings pages that can be found online.
Checking the feedback that a company has gotten for their services is by far the quickest way to ascertain the company’s history of successful relocations to Spain.
The initial phone interview with the company you are considering for the responsibility of handling your personals will be your best chance to weed out the ineffective and decide on a winner. Be sure to ask questions concerning the insurance policies under which their services are covered.
Payment options is also an important question, be very wary of a company that asks for payment up front for their work, whether as a deposit or in cold cash. Companies that don’t accept credit card transactions also smack of amateurism.

Finally, a voice interview will set your mind at ease as you will be able to evaluate the customer service they offer. Were you greeted by a polite professional or an unprepared person? Never neglect that gut feeling that will point you in the direction of the best option for you.

Friday, 15 July 2016

Are You Thinking About Retiring To Spain?

Retiring to Spain from the UK is something that you can achieve if you make some plans in advance.


Moving abroad requires you to figure out your finances and to find a way to cover the expenses of traveling to another country and settling there.

Spain is the ideal destination for your summer vacation, but it could also become the perfect place to retire. If you are a UK resident, you are not the only one to consider retiring to Spain. Spain and other Southern European countries have become popular retirement spots due to the ideal weather and proximity with the sea.
A lot of UK residents who decide to move to Spain end up selling the property they own in the UK to finance the purchase of their new home. There are plenty of affordable properties in Spain and you should be able to afford a nice home not too far from the sea after selling the house or apartment you currently own.
There are a few practical things you need to know about before retiring to Spain. You will have access to health care and will be able to get a spot in a nursing home in Spain if you have been a resident for more than six months. You will more than likely have to pay a monthly fee to stay at a state home, but you should be able to cover these expenses with your retirement fund or by selling the property you purchased in Spain if you end up needing this type of care.
If you are currently receiving a state pension in the UK or an incapacity benefit, you should know that you will receive the same benefits once you move to Spain. You will need to obtain a passport before contacting the International Pension Centre to get your benefits transferred.
You will be able to move to Spain and to travel back and forth to the UK as long as you hold a valid UK passport. You will not need to obtain a visa but you will have to register with your local Oficina de Extranjeros once you move to Spain. You will obtain a residency permit if you can show a UK passport and can prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself. Obtaining a permit should be easy if you are getting some kind of retirement benefits and have purchased a property in Spain.
Retiring to Spain is the perfect way to live a relaxing lifestyle and to enjoy great weather. You should find out more about Spain and consider going there on a vacation if you have never visited this country before.
You should also think about meeting with a financial adviser so you can talk about your finances and your retirement. Retiring in Spain is possible but this is a project that requires some planning since you will have to support yourself while living abroad. You should also look into taking some Spanish classes to become fluent in this language!