What you need to apply for a residence card Finding a removal company Furnishing your home Setting up utilities Driving your car

 

Moving to Tenerife

Arranging residency
UK residents do not need a permit to work in Spain. You will need to get a NIE tax identification number though, and you may find it useful to apply for a residence card. It isn't compulsory and doesn't denote whether you are a Spanish resident or not for tax purposes, but it can be beneficial when setting up bank or mobile phone accounts.

Residence cards
You will need one if:

• You are retired and moving to Spain. You will need proof of a private health insurance scheme valid in Spain or of the right to Spanish public health treatment.

• You are of independent means (i.e. neither employer nor self-employed) and living in Spain.

• You are a non-EU national and plan to live in Spain for more than 30 days.

• You are a non-EU national dependent on an EU (including Spanish) national.

You don't need one if:

• You are an EU national of non-retirement age.

You can be a Spanish resident without having a residence card. If you live in Spain for more than six months a year and pay taxes there, you are automatically a Spanish resident (for tax purposes).
Having a card has some benefits, though. You are legally required to carry a piece of photo ID with you at all times in Spain, so it's preferable to carry this card than your passport. Also, when buying goods with a credit card, you will need to show photo ID. It also allows you to set up a resident's bank account and have a contract with a mobile phone company.

 

What you need to apply for a residence card

EU Nationals need:

• Three passport size photographs, or special-size photos from a local shop designated by the authorities.

• A valid passport and a photocopy

• A completed application form 037 for EU citizens, available from your local Foreigner Office (Oficina de Extranjeros).

 
For full list of local offices, see the Ministerio del Interior's website www.mir.es/extranje/extdonde.htm

Non EU Nationals need:

• Passport and photocopy ? Proof of marital status and official Spanish translation

• Form 120 (non-EU employed) and form 140 (non-EU, non-employed)

• 2 passport photographs ? Proof of residence

• Receipt of fee paid into any bank

• Medical certificate obtainable from any Spanish doctor

• Official certificate (or statement requested through local police authorities) declaring that you don't have a criminal record

• Certificate of registration confirming residence in Spain, available from your country's local consulate in Spain

Pre-contract (stamped by employer) or evidence from self-employed persons that they meet the requirements to perform a particular profession in Spain

Shop around for quotes among companies in the UK that specialise in Spain and make sure the company is suitably insured and provides a written quote detailing all charges, including any possible extras. If you need assistance we may be able to assist you with this. All carriers specialising in international removals should be efficient, friendly and appropriately insured. It is advisable to choose a company that specialises in moving to Spain. Make sure they have a proven track record and that they will provide references.
Ask for a written quote that detail all charges and any possible extra charges that may be incurred for packing, moving larger items or storage.

Prices can vary considerably depending on the company, so get several quotes before deciding whom you are going to use. Professional companies will send someone to your home to assess what needs to be transported before they give you a quote. It is highly advisable to pay for insurance, which usually costs about one or two percent of the total value of your goods. You do not need to pay for customs clearance from the UK.
A good removal company should be able to ship your load from the UK and other northern European countries within three days and give you an exact arrival date.

To feel reassured that you are hiring a reputable removal company; it is a good idea to choose one who is affiliated to EuRA (the European Relocation Association), the industry body for relocation companies in Europe. Its 236 member companies worldwide must adhere to the EuRA's rules of conduct.
See EuRa's website www.eura-relocation.com (or tel. (00 44) 870 072 6727) for a list of companies who specialise in moving to Spain.

Whether you're a born shopper or someone who prefers to buy everything in one fell swoop, there is a wide range of furniture shops and showrooms in Tenerife, many of which sell complete packages to furnish your entire home, from beds and sofas right down to teaspoons in the cutlery drawer. This is an ideal solution if you intend to rent out the property.

There is a wide range of interior design shops and furniture showrooms Tenerife If you'd rather avoid days spent traipsing around though, there's an easier, quicker option which is to buy a complete (or partial) package to furnish your home. The showrooms will also deliver and install the furniture.
You may choose to furnish the whole house, down to the last teaspoon, from one shop. An entire package of this sort costs around 12,000-18,000 euros (for a typical 2 bedroom apartment) and is ideal if you intend to rent out the property or use it only occasionally for holidays.

You needn't worry about having an identical décor to your neighbour's either as the packages come in a huge variety of styles, from traditional Spanish or classic British and antique to modern or minimalist and streamlined, to suit all tastes and budgets.
If you choose this option, allow plenty of time for delivery, as your requested package may not be immediately available.
El Corte Ingles is Spain's largest department store and has large furniture, household and linen departments. It also arranges delivery. Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Ikea has also recently opened, just off TF 2. Near Santa Cruz.
 

Among the first things to do when you have bought a property is to set up contracts with local gas, electricity and water companies. Your lawyer or member agent will arrange this if you ask them.

Electricity
Once you buy your new property, check all past bills have been paid, and then sign a contract with the local electricity company to start from the day you move in. Grupo Endesa (tel. 900 737 373) is the biggest in Spain, with various regional offshoots Endesa Canarias.
You can usually register online or by phone rather than needing to visit a branch.
You will be billed every two months and - as with electricity bills - the best way to pay is by direct debit through a Spanish bank account.

You will need:

• Passport or residence card.

• The contract and bills paid by the previous owner. (If the property is not new).

• The reference number for your electricity supply (on a bill from the previous owner, if you have one).

You will receive a bill every two months. If it is based on an estimate.
The easiest form of payment is by direct debit through a Spanish bank account. Alternatively you can pay at post offices, local banks listed on the bill or at the electricity company's office, with cash.

Gas
Mains gas is only available in the main cities in Spain. In Tenerife any house that uses gas uses Bombonas (gas supplied in canisters) that are delivered to your home. They are far more economical than mains gas, though are burdensome to carry and are prone to run out at inconvenient times.
The supplier is Repsol and most Repsol Petrol stations have a ready supply of these Gas Canisters.

Water
Water is controlled by the local municipality and managed by a company called Entermanser and charges can range from 50-300 euros to install water in your home in an urban area or up to 1,500 euros in rural areas.
Like the electricity the water bill is paid every two months and is usually measured by a water meter, again the easiest way to pay this is to set up a direct debit from your bank account.
To transfer a water contract into your name, go to your local town hall with your passport (or residence card) and previous bills from the former owner. Non-residents will also need to give their foreign address.

Installing a telephone
This requires dealing with Telefonica, the national phone company that owns all the cabling in Spain. Great patience is required, although they do, at least, have English-speaking staff. Dial 1004 - a free number - and ask for their "servicio inglés" - or see their English website www.telefonicainenglish.com

An engineer will install the line within a few days, for which you will be charged 110 euros, usually spread over the next three bills. Line rental costs about 30 euros for two months.
There are other telephone companies available in Tenerife very much the same way there are different operators in the UK such as One Tel.

Depending on your requirements we can assist and recommend any number of these operators.
If your property already has a phone line, transfer it immediately into your own name and ask Telefonica to read the account on the day you want the account to start, so you don't have to pay for the last owner's calls.

You can import your car into Spain from the UK on English plates and, as a non-resident, drive it for a maximum of six months in any year. Residents must obtain Spanish plates.

Bringing a car to Spain
You may bring you car over to Spain from the UK, as long as you have owned it for at least six months prior to moving. You cannot sell, rent out or transfer a car that has been imported tax-free and duty-free for 12 months once in Spain.
You must hand in the British registration documents to the DVLA and obtain a certificate of Permanent Export. The DVLA can advise you on this relatively simple process.
You will need a standardisation certificate (ficha reducida), which can be obtained from any licensed Spanish engineer.

The following taxes must be paid

• VAT (IVA) at 16% on a tax-free car (on which VAT hasn't yet been paid) imported from the UK.

• Registration tax (impuesto sobre circulación de vehículos) at 12% of the vehicle's current value (based on the original market price in Spain). However, you do not need to pay this tax if you are to be a permanent resident in Spain and have imported a vehicle on which you have already paid the VAT.

Non-residents can bring their car from the UK to Spain without paying Spanish taxes, but you can only drive the car in Spain for six months in any year - which is the duration non-residents can remain in the country. The car must be taxed in its country of registration.
The paperwork for importing a car is far easier than it used to be, but many people still hire a gestor to sort it out for them.

Registration
Whether you import a car into the country, or buy a car in Spain, you need to register it at the local provincial traffic department (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico de Tenerife).
If you are a permanent resident in Spain, you must obtain Spanish registration plates once you have imported the car. To do that, you will need:

• Your residence card and photocopy.

• Current foreign driving licence and photocopy.

• Registration number of a Spanish-registered vehicle

• One passport photograph

16.20 euros, payable at the traffic department

Driving licences
You are permitted to drive with a British or EU licence in Spain for up to six months a year, as a non-resident. But you will need to take it to the local provincial traffic department to be stamped and registered.
If you intend to spend more than six months a year in Spain - and hence are a resident - you will need to obtain a Spanish licence, with form TASA2.3 from the local provincial traffic department.
You must, under Spanish law, carry your driving licence with you at all times.

Road tax
All Spanish-registered vehicles must pay road tax. The amount is set by local municipalities and based on the power of your car. It can vary from 20-220 euros per year. Tenerife is one of the cheapest provinces to tax your car.
You must pay your road tax between May 1st and June 20th. (Correct at the time of writing although this can change year from year) Contact your local town hall to ask when and to collect a payment form. You can pay in person at the town hall (though this usually involves long queues), or better, by post or direct debit.
Whether you're moving permanently or looking for a second-home to spend your holidays abroad, there are ways to get more from your experience and ways to make settling into your new life easier.
We understand the areas that leave many expats or holidaymakers guessing. So, we've compiled all the crucial facts to help you settle in - or to do the research before you jet set towards the sun.