Moving to Andalusia

[FattyAirways]

I am in love with Andalusia and the weather, corrupt government and anti-social behaviour I experience in my part of the UK has made me decide that I would be so much happier in Spain.

There would just be me and the pets moving and as my Spanish isn't great (I could easily improve), I was thinking of being based in La Linea and commuting for work each day into Gibraltar.

I have an aim of moving over there within a year and with around £5,000 to get myself, the pets over there and set up with a deposit to rent a fully furnished property.

For those of you who have done the move, what do you wish you have known? I'd love to hear your stories of expat life. Did the reality match the dream?

Do you have a passport from an EU country?

Your passport will theoretically get stamped every time you cross the border. You would be better off living in Gib (though be prepared to pay a lot more for accommodation).

P.S. There is no one in Europe more corrupt than Spanish Government officials.

Sometimes The Spanish border Police close the border with Gibraltar.
As above, I am not sure how you will move to Andalusia or any part of the EU with only a British passport if that’s all you have.
Also, £5000 isn’t much of you don’t have a job organised.
It’s a nice dream but it doesn’t sound like you have a solid plan yet. If it was just you then it might be ok to give it a try (assuming passport issues can be sorted) but moving your animals over there will make it very hard to return if you need to

Like PP I was thinking 5000 doesn’t sound a lot to go out and start a new life (unless perhaps you’ll be going straight into a job).

And yeah, surely Brexit means we now can’t just rock up in another European country to live. I’d assume you’ll need a visa to allow you to live and work there.

Not Andalucía but Spain. Did it with only one months rent, aged 25 and (luckily!) found a job as soon as I arrived. I still can’t quite believe how adventurous I was! The intention was to stay a year and that was over a decade ago, I am very happy here.

I have no idea how you could do it now, post Brexit.

Also, if you’re frustrated by government corruption… I’m sorry to say that you won’t be bowled over by Spanish politicians! I believe Andalucía returns the most Vox politicians (the equivalent of UKIP) so as an expat and thus immigrant I wouldn’t feel totally comfortable living there, compared to more liberal parts of Spain. But it is a gorgeous part of the world and we spend many weeks there on holiday.

Really? I'm not aware of the border being closed since 1982!

Sadly due to Brexit, you won't be able to just move and live in Spain. I assume work permits, visa etc or else you are limited to stays of 90 days? It's not easy these days. We moved abroad (not Spain) nearly 20 years ago- it's not all easy and I speak the language fluently. Things can be tricky and it's hard being away from now elderly parents...

They do it temporarily from time to time.
To be fair they don’t call it closed, they just do everything so slowly it’s virtually the same thing

What pets do you have? Will they adapt to the heat? Would you be able to find a job in Gibraltar?

,If you live in La Linea you will get your passport stamped every time you cross the border, which by the way does not get closed, but can be very slow.
Accomodation is cheaper in La Linea in Gib it is horrendous and not all rentals allow pets.

@Hoppinggreen yes I know what you mean (I'm local).

"To be fair they don’t call it closed, they just do everything so slowly it’s virtually the same thing"

I crossed into and out of Gibraltar on Friday. Going in around 10am was fine; slow but not bad. Leaving around 5:40-6pm (ish) was horrendous. The queue took over 2 hours, for no reason I could see.

I'm thinking of buying a property in that area of Spain: not to live; just for holidays so this thread is interesting, thanks!

I have lived in Andalucía for over twenty years. La Línea is quite deprived and a bit crap. You would possibly ve better somewhere nearer Málaga where there are lots of British people.

If you don't have an EU passport though it's not going to be feasible.

Do not do it. Academic if you a) cannot speakSpanish and b) only have GB passport.

Spanish beaurcracy 😂

If memory serves me right, to get residency, you will need far more than a couple of thousand euros.

I agree @adriftabroad, though the OP could live and work there on a visa which is only €80. Pretty cheap but I think it’s only valid for a year and the OP would have to satisfy certain other criteria, eg proof of regular income over a certain amount, and have medical insurance.

Not that easy just to move to Spain since Brexit. Also La linea is vile.

Negative incoming post.....

Our family has a flat in Estepona and we go there a lot, lovely place with few Brits really, they seem to gather further up nearer the airport. Hot choc and churros for brek not full English!

Anyway despite spending a few weeks in Winter and term time and thoroughly enjoying it and the weather/lifestyle I wouldn't live there permanently. It's nice to get home also. Different if you want to settle and work though I suppose, but as others have said, check the residency requirements and animal rules etc.

Do you need a physical presence every day in Gib? If not, consider Tarifa and Cadiz.

I thought you now need a minimum monthly income from a proven source to live in Spain, to get residency, of about 2k per month (can’t remember if that’s euro or sterling). That’s quite a barrier.

Ok. I've been thinking about your post and wondering if I should comment. I see some other people have broke the news to you.
It will be hard reading I'm afraid.

I am assuming you have a UK passport and no other recourse to allow a move there. (You have £5k so I am ruling out non lucrative /golden visa apps)

• if you don't like corruption then Andalusia is not the place for you. Read into Costa del Crime. The area has more crooks than anywhere in the world. They hide out there and influence the culture for the worst.

• Gibraltar. You will find it very difficult to find accommodation for your dogs (outside space) with your budget. If you have a £4k pcm job lined up accept my apologies. You can move to Gibraltar as a UK passport holder. You won't need to buy private health insurance.

• so assuming you have the well paid job in Gibraltar now read the climate change risk assessment. It is RED on nearly all risks - flooding - extreme heat - mosquito disease - the list goes on. That's okay if you're renting and can jump ship back to the UK, but it put me off buying there.

• I'm personally waiting for Spain to say they will allow unlimited tourism stays for UK citizens. That way you will be able to live in Spain and work in Gib. However, it might never happen.

• The Costa del Sol climate change risks are not much better than Gib. Check out dessertification. It is happening now and I'm closely watching what happens this Summer with temperatures. They are facing the sharp end of climate change risks.

• Your only hope for now is living in Gibraltar, but you need loads of money or a great paying job. Go visit Gib and get a feel for it. There is a TV show you can watch that follows Police around The Rock. Have a watch of that first before you visit as it might save you the journey if you are expecting a utopia.

Keep us posted on your research findings and your decision.

Here you go. I've got you some reading material.

https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/environment/climate-change#:~:text=The%20landmark%20study%20warned%20of,in%20just%20over%20a%20decade.

"You will find it very difficult to find accommodation for your dogs (outside space) with your budget"

The OP hasn't mentioned dogs and for all the talk of buying a property, well she clearly said she'd be renting. She's got 5k, she's not going to be buying much 🙈

OP, it's a pipe dream. You can't just up and move to Spain anymore

are you european? If not you can't move anymore to any european country with a british passport.

You can move to an EU state with a UK passport but there will be a lot of hoops to jump through to get residency. Income, can your job be done by a local, do you have adequate medical insurance. It is still possible, but difficult. Unless you have a great deal of money.

Absolutely correct

How about the corrupt officials of Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia ( ie the balkans) . I think they’d run rings round Spanish bureaucrats and politicians.