Moving to Tenerife

[antoniaw]

hello, this is my first time posting on here :)
Myself, my husband and our 2 children (10 & 5) have made the exciting decision to move abroad. My in laws already live in Tenerife and we visit so often that its like a second home to us.
I was wondering if anyone on here had done the same and could offer any advice. Im a little worried about schooling as I initially decided I was going to pay for them to go to a private British school. However, Im starting to change my mind and am thinking a Spanish school would be better for them to blend into the culture and learn the language.
sorry for the long post, but any tips or advice would be great!
TIA

What will you do for work?
Do you have the right to live there?
Do you speak Spanish?

Exciting!

My husband works remotely so that isnt an issue. I have an EU Passport so that isnt an issue either.
Unfortunately we dont know the language YET but going to start lessons after christmas

Think about it carefully! Can you speak Spanish at least at a working knowledge ideally fluently? What can you do for work? Do you have a eu passport?

Yes sending children to a local school is best for permanent moves, they will learn the language quickly and make local friends. But schools are the least of your worries.

If you have significant investment resources, that is an alternative to an EU passport to gain a visa.

Sounds like you have it all covered, hope it goes well.

But can he work remotely for his job, from tenerife?

For example anyone that I know that works remotely in the UK, is not allowed to leave the UK , because of tax implications.

Maybes she's a SAHM

Check the Spanish rules for bringing a spouse in and whether his company can facilitate a permanent residency abroad, it is not straightforward as he'll need a Spanish contract of employment rather than British usually (dps company has staff who work from home overseas legally, it's complicated to say the least)

Is your husbands employer happy for him to work overseas though? There are tax and employment implications for them. Additionally, does he work in a sector where this would generally be acceptable and remote work is easy to find? He doesn’t want to end up stuck with his existing employer because he can’t find another employer who would accept overseas working. Remote working can open up possibilities in terms of location but you have to be careful not to paint yourself into a corner.

Your DH may work remotely but will his employer let him work from abroad? Most won’t.

Yes his company has already said he can carry on working if we was to move. Im currently a TA so yes I agree work for me will be tricky but fortunately my husband does earn enough to support us until I find something

Well life's for living!

Are you buying or renting?

That sounds very exciting, I hope it works out for you and your family OP.

I don't have children so can't advise about the school aspect.

But I moved to Spain for two years previously and it was fine.

the company I work for will let staff work abroad from some countries- Spain is one. But the contract is changed to a Spain-based one, with a drop in salary and fewer benefits, though more public holidays.

Regardless of the employer you will still need to become tax residents in Spain and will require health insurance which is a significant cost to consider.

The 5 y/o will integrate easily into Spanish school the 10y/o needs to start learning Spanish now - how they will adapt depends entirely on the child.
When I was 10 I would have been horrified to move school let alone to a foreign country with another language - some kids would welcome the change.

Yes it would be fun for all of a year until you realise you have condemned your children’s future to that of cleaning or waiting staff. The education is limited to say the least. Your dc will never have the chance to study at uni or gain professional skills and qualifications.

Despite the many expats, we felt very othered by the locals and they are very very traditional. It will take years to break into any kind of community- perhaps it will never happen. They are extremely insular.

I got so sick of the weather being the same, bored on the islands after a while despite my job and prospects and love of the outdoors.

I would never choose this for my children. You should wait until they are older and give them a proper education instead.