I am not an expat. I live in the UK and have never lived abroad. I am starting to research what I need to have in terms of money, job etc. To be able to move to Spain.
I run my own cleaning company.. and wondered if I could start a company out in Spain. Again in the same field Cleaning services commercially.
Could any one advise on how to research or at least point me in the right direction.
I own my house in the UK, Well I have a mortgage in the UK so we would need to sell the house first. But maybe rent it.
Can we get mortgages in Spain or do we need to purchase out right in Spain.
Thanks every one and I hope you guy dont mind me asking.. and joining here.
hi dave,
moving to spain for all of us has been a good thing ,yes its great here,we have the weather,and ???????????????
no seriously it used to be great the lifestyle,certainly is ,as i said we have the weather,we did (some not all of us)make quite a good living out here ,as the exchange rate used to be good,yes the cost of living used to be cheap,it still can be in certain cicumstances,but at the moment i think most people on here will agree with me,like in the uk if you havent got a job to come to finding one at the moment is going to be very difficult,its as bad if not a little worse than the uk at the moment.and with the exchange rate at the moment its not as cheap as it used to be.a few weeks ago with what you got for your pound and the prices ,believe it or not fuel was actually cheaper in the uk.,yes your bills will still seem to be cheaper and your rent ect,ect,but its not really (as i said the euros rubbish at the mo)....
my personal option in your case would be to find some tennants first give yourself an income so that you can pay these bills,dont sell if you dont have to give yourself the option to go back if you dont like it or it doesnt work out,there are plenty of rentals out here for when you need them,and at good prices too.houses are coming down in price to,even some english owned buisnesses are up for sale a lot cheaper than they were a year ago,
on the cleaning side where i live there are a few people who used to make a good living cleaning new builds ready for clients to move into,then they would get the other work from that clean ups before people return,key holding ,ect ,ect,but as i said things are not too clever and some that used to comfortably afford the cleaners have decided to save that money and do the job themselves,i am not trying to put a downer on it for you,(as for me i own a removal co,and the more thart move here the better for me,)but a lot of people just pack up and move thinking its going to be easy ,,its not if you dont have ready work to go to,or if you can afford to live without work,,
whatever you decide i hope it works out for you and wish you the very best of luck
mark,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
dapper welcome to the forum here and hope we can help you out what you need to know
markthemover has made very good points about Spain and the uk , listen , it not all the Eldorado life here ..... sun holday for few with loads off cash with bar to work in at night ......... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eldorado_(soap_opera) are http://www.losbarcos.org.uk/index.htm
dapper why not take a holiday to spain start in east aand make you way around the coast to the west and see whats on offer
Buy into a franchise business that gaurantees a small income to start. Then from there after a while move onto my own company which I have here back in the uk.
Etthier sell or rent my house here.
Also start some special savings as well for the move over and financial things for 12 - 24 months while we get a barings
I would purchase a house in Spain not a coastal one, preferably something with privacy.. a fair amount of land so I could have an alotment etc.
Thanks Dave and yes I will have a few visits to Spain,
Markthemover really summed up the current situation in Spain, and my advice would be, don’t do it. We moved here a year ago, and even in that short time things have become much worse. There are few jobs to be had, the construction industry is on it’s knees, so that effects not only those employed directly in this line of work, but all of the associated jobs that go with it. Shops and businesses are closing on a daily basis, so the overall work / financial situation is just about as bad as it could be. I hope this helps, sorry to be negative, but at present there is little in Spain to be positive about, even the weather has been terrible, really cold and wet with high Northerly winds, we have even had frosts and snow, that combined with the total lack of insulation in the vast majority of houses, has made this winter very miserable and expensive on the heating front.
As some of the previous posters have mentioned, the key to having a nice lifestyle in Spain (or anywhere else) is to have a stable income and enough money to support the lifestyle that you desire. This is one of the fundamental difficulties of moving to a country where (a) you are not a native speaker/don’t have the language skills and (b) the job market is a bad state (probably worse than the UK. That’s not to say that you cannot make a go of starting a new business by offering a better service at better prices, but it will be an uphill struggle and you may be better of trying to improve your earning power/start a new business in the UK before trying to do something similar in Spain.
You also mentioned buying into a franchise. Two issues here: (i) NO franchise is guaranteed to provide you with an income and (ii) there are plenty of people in Spain (and, again, elsewhere) who will happily let you pay a whacking great franchise fee and not provide you with the tools and support to run a successful business.
Can I ask what you find so attractive about Spain bearing in mind you have never visited?
Yes correct never visited! I know a few people in Spain not many.
Mostly couple that haveretired there. - We work long hours here in the UK and we certainly do not have a siesta..
OK despite some of the bad weather you may have had, I would not be moving to Spain to make lots of money or to find a better business than what I have here.
I fancy a change, a complete change. I am or at least consider myself multi skilled not just in the cleaning industry.
I have experience in building, cleaning, warehousing, Visual.net computer programming,, technical support and I am also MCP Certified.
I ran my own company here, back in the uk. I would like to sell up here.. move to Spain.. better weather (mostly) and the veiws are marvelous out there..
I cannot see no reason why I could not start a cleaning company out there.. Yes I would learn the lingo first so I have some understanding. Be stupid not to.
I would either dive straight in or find work to start with then start my own company on a part time basis to start. Purchase a small home that needs some work doing to it, Ive just nearly completed a loft conversion in my home here in the UK. Did it all myself from planning to RSJs to plastering with no help. All done by me and the quality isnt bad either. So building works not an issue for me. Plus I could purchase a cheap Finca with some land on.. a little worried there as they can grab your land backI hear. Which is a shame as I like the sound of that.
My children obviously would need a good school, and my wife works in finance..in london but is prepared for the big leap. No we are not comming over tomorrow. First some spare cash, get house ready to sell or rent, then learn some lingo. Its just to change scenary and a challange really.
we then either rent for 12 months or purchase straight away if lucky enough. (Doubtful). But it depends on what you are looking for Ihave seen a very pretty log cabin 3 bedrooms with land on 50,000 euro.. and fincas some less but your talking a ruin. But preferably either a house or log cabin with some land.
Work wise just enough to get by and enjoy the sun. Maybe it sounds daft but sometimes change is a good thing. I am sure after 12 months I would find work even if it means working in a bar or as a rep just to get by in the first few months.
Plus I might be able to get someone over here to run my company full time so I will get a small income over here to supplement a little.
hey dave it all sounds good,and i hope it works out for you ,,but just in case you are interested i know somebody selling a chipshop in spain,it needs new ownership as the old one just cant hack it anymore,he been trying to sell it for the last 2 years its gone from 150,00 right down to 75,000.euros,it used to be a really good thriving buisness i know for a fact that regular in the summer on fri and sat nights alone it was taking nearly 1000euro a night,i can pass details on for to you if you like,the latest owner did it really proud at first but now his ideas have become tired and outdated just like the owner,i really dont think he can be bothered anymore.i really think it could be bought for less and it could really do with new owners/ideas ect…and theres a big english comunity in the part of spain i am in,,probably not up your street but maybe something you might think about as its an ideal buisness for a committed couple…..........good luck….
dapper dave your sayying you going two sell your own company , with hard time you many not get what you think it worth , and them long hour will only be here waitting for you in spain . The bad weather we jst had few weeks off it here but mostly lot better .... building here com to stand still due whats happen , the old sayying ” king off my castle ” but the bank wont give your castle , if own your own house in the uk hold on two it as you many have to move back .... 8 out 10 donts work out here , the company i work for have to lay off staff and one off the last here , working long hours and keep my nose clean with the bosse , yes there try to many the company work and keep staff on but there obs are dryying up fast as think get tight
moving to spain make your list 1 living 2 costs 3 how long you can live on you savings 4 rain day fund 5 moving you hole lot out here 6 the lingo and so on
hey dave it all sounds good,and i hope it works out for you ,,but just in case you are interested i know somebody selling a chipshop in spain,it needs new ownership as the old one just cant hack it anymore,he been trying to sell it for the last 2 years its gone from 150,00 right down to 75,000.euros,it used to be a really good thriving buisness i know for a fact that regular in the summer on fri and sat nights alone it was taking nearly 1000euro a night,i can pass details on for to you if you like,the latest owner did it really proud at first but now his ideas have become tired and outdated just like the owner,i really dont think he can be bothered anymore.i really think it could be bought for less and it could really do with new owners/ideas ect…and theres a big english comunity in the part of spain i am in,,probably not up your street but maybe something you might think about as its an ideal buisness for a committed couple…..........good luck….
Thanks for this information. Appreciated. Fish n chips is not up my street. I am not saying it cant work.. its just not for me.
And the wife certainly would not do fish n chips. She is more office and keyboard/telephone and thats as far as her skills go for business.
Thanks for all the replies thou.
Question what I would like to know if anyone can tell me at is the wages as a ball park figure. I read its lower in Spain. Not a problem as I would not be moving over to make a million. Life style is the thing I am looking for here.
I think it can be done easily if you prepare, and be prepared. Have enough money to bring over. at least 2 years rent and spending money etc. Plus deposit on house. I am sure I can get window cleaning out there to tie us over while the wife finds an office job.
I know many people are moving away from Spain back to the UK but the eco climate is the same everywhere. Its just finding something that everyone needs. People /companies are still making money somewhere it does not just all stop. Not for everyone.
I would like to know if anyone can tell me at is the wages as a ball park figure. I read its lower in Spain. Not a problem as I would not be moving over to make a million. Life style is the thing I am looking for here.
I am sure I can get window cleaning out there to tie us over while the wife finds an office job.
I know many people are moving away from Spain back to the UK but the eco climate is the same everywhere. Its just finding something that everyone needs. People /companies are still making money somewhere it does not just all stop. Not for everyone.
The Spanish talk all the time about “mileuristas” - that’s a term that refers to university-educated young professionals making about 1,000 euros a month after tax. In the major cities it isn’t enough to live comfortably, and it’s the cause of a lot of young Spaniards continuing to live with their parents into their thirties, delaying marriage, or sharing overcrowded flats. I would say the equivalent net income for a graduate in Britain would be maybe ?1,600 or more, so even allowing for higher cost of living, the Brits are better off. Remember these mileuristas are qualified people with Spanish as their mother tongue, it’s going to be tougher for you…..
For more casual work, I know that round by us building, gardening, agriculture, working in food production etc. pays about 50 euros a day. Sometimes less. In inland villages and small towns bar work is mostly restricted to the bar-owner’s family, who don’t get paid at all! Window cleaners don’t exist in Spain as far as I know - everyone does their own!
On the positive side, with 3 million unemployed (in a population 2/3 the size of UK), if you have the means and the idea to start your own business, then there are lots of people out there prepared to work for minimum wage. You could start a business doing something like garden and pool maintenance, maybe, and hire a couple of kids to help out. I think there’s always a demand for British people to look after other Brit’s holiday property while they’re out of the country - they don’t seem to trust the locals. Three best bits of advice are learn Spanish, learn Spanish and learn Spanish.
hey dave for an example,i worked in the uk driving trucks and can earn at the moment ?850 per week in the bank ,thats working for a company not an agency (some agencies you can earn more)here in spain i just worked 3 seasons for a spanish company and i was earning 2.500 euro a month thats a big difference,and i applied for two jobs in bars in my area and was offered by one of them…..CHECK THIS,,,,,start at 9am feeding and cleaning his horses out about 30 of them,until 1200am then work the restaraunt and bar until close ,which could be anywhere from midnight till 4 or 5 am.this was for 6 days per week tuesdays off and my wage would be the grand total of 800 euro per month,,,in the english bars here they are paying between 5 and 6 euros per hour(if you can find work)in my spare time i do labouring and i charge 60 euro per day,but at the moment am prepared to work for as little as 40 per day (12hours),,needless to say there is very little labouring work here at the moment,,plus i have the removals(which if anybody is interested i have dropped my prices again for spain to uk only),there are jobs out there if you are lucky enough to find them,dont let any of the bad comments on here put you off mate,if you have the determination and drive and find your little niche anything is possible,,unfortunately and i am not having a go at anyone in particular,but with the house prices here in spain we have nobody but ourselves to blame for the sharp increase over the years,a lot of us english and welsh(as i am RUGBY HEROES I FEEL ANOTHER GRAND SLAM COMING ON FOR THE MASTERS OF RUGBY.. LOL..)have been very greedy in that respect ,buying properties from as little as 5,000 and then selling them on for upwards of 150,000 and people wonder why the spanish are starting to dislike us,you think its hard for 1st time buyers here in the uk,think about the spanish 1st time buyers here have no chance,and i think thats the real reason a lot of people still live with their parents above the age of 30…..GOOD LUCK AND KEEP IT POSITIVE
Hi Dave (dapper) & welcome to the forums.
Any move is entirely what you make it.
I moved here with only “phrasebook” Spanish, no guaranteed work. I did have plenty of trade experience and skills I could use in whatever country I moved to though.
Language is very important though, especially where I live and will open lots of doors. I threw myself in at the deep-end, being the only permanent British resident in a rural village of less than 300 people, when I first arrived. I made the effort to get to know the locals, because they wanted to get to know me. Invariably a ten minute walk with my dog would eventually take over an hour because I would bump into one neighbour or another and end up chatting. Without going for lessons, I learned from the locals, who helped me no end. The way I see things, if you’re going to live and work in another country, it’s more than just a courtesy that you learn the language as best you can. After all, how far do you think a Spaniard would get in England realistically, with no English…
After subbing for others for a year or so, I took the plunge and established my own business. The recent economic times have been difficult for many, but I have managed ok. In the last three months, we’ve only received one “fresh” enquiry from a new prospective client via normal marketing via the website. All the work that has kept us busy, has been from referals or returns to do additional work for past clients. The point here is that by sticking with a trade you know and are skilled at, doing your level best to ensure that clients aren’t just happy, but delighted, you’ll never run short of work, even at times like these. Those I know who share those principals, expat or locals, all have work and business.
Recently and to me, quite surprising, is the increase in work that has come from my Spanish clients. I’m surprised because with the level of unemployment here as mentioned in some of the previous posts, if ever there was a time Spaniards would be more insular, now is that time. It’s more often expected that most Spaniards would contract other Spaniards. This doesn’t happen instantly, but takes a good few years of effort and bridge-building with the locals for sure. I’m also usually on a par with the prices that Spanish tradesmen in my field of work charge. This has been important for me whether dealing with expat clients or locals. It also shows that you can get work from the locals and not only other expats.
So, if you’re prepared to work hard, get to know the locals, learn the language and look after your clients, there’s no reason why anyone can’t make a go of things here.
Regards to locations and property, do plenty of research and try to visit areas you fancy, to see for yourself if they’re suitable for your family. There’s lot’s of good information on this site, along with Q&A;posts if you browse older threads. Don’t be frightened to ask questions, no matter how foolish or trivial they seem. Only by asking the questions do you get the answers.
Thanks for that reply indeed and to all the others as well,
Thats my thoughts exactly heath, Its what you make it. And when the time comes I hope to be prepared and know some language. Indeed. I also want a rural place.
My move over wont be just yet.. its all in the planning. Choosing the right time but I know this it will certainly happen. And sooner rather than later.
You all have given me things to think about, and I will think about all of what you all have said. However no matter how gloomy it may seem i am determined that we will make the move.
If I were you dapper, I’d think long and hard about it. As others have mentioned, Spain isn’t the paradise you imagine. You will work longer hours than in the UK…..and realistically, there’s only time for siesta at the weekends. I was working 9-18.30 every day and I was lucky I got away at 18.30. There are people far worse off that don’t get out til 20.00.
I was made redundant a month or so ago and it’s been very difficult even to get interviews lined up for the crappiest of jobs! I speak fluent Spanish…..I was working in sales and selling in Spanish and Catalan, so language is very important if you want to get started working here.
I could go on and on, but spain is in a bad way at the moment, so much so I’m considering going back to the UK to look for a job.
However, I wish you luck and I’m not trying to put you off!
I fully understand why you kindly say what you have said.
However my move would not be for running away from the UK or running away from my troubles here in the UK. I am in a lucky position. I have and own my own company here in the UK and I only work the hours I choose not the hours my clients want.
I would do the same in Spain. The reason for the move would be change of scenary, new chalanges. And a new culture.
I could easily move tomorrow and be ok. But I want to do research first and not just by visiting spainexpats.
If you are looking for a job in the UK you obviously did not plan the move well. I certainly would not be moving to increase my chances of work. Like i said new chalanges await.
