In Relocations España we aim to tailor our services to our customer’s needs. Therefore We are introducing our new Service RE 4.0. An easy, stress free virtual relocation service specially designed to medium term assignees that are coming to Spain alone.

We have seen an important increase in medium term assignments (between 6 and 18 months long) where the relocating assignee is usually coming to Spain on their own.

Often these shorter assignments don’t leave the relocating employee with much time to plan ahead their relocation, for example to come on a previous visit to find a house and gather all required documents for registration and immigration processes.

RE 4.0 is the ultimate virtual relocation helper, we are the assignees eyes and ears when finding a house. By using our RE 4.0 service the assignee will come to Spain to sign the lease and receive the keys to their new home, hustle free and ready to start their new professional journey in Spain.

With this service the assignee will:

• Have a virtual orientation in the different areas of the city that according to the needs analysis we think will be appropriate for them to live.
• After the needs analysis our team of experts will pre select a number of houses for the assignee to decide whether he wants to visit them
• Once a good number of houses have been pre- approved by the assignee one of our consultants will proceed to do the itinerary as if the assignee was coming with them
• Every house as well as the surrounding areas will be photographed or filmed to detail; at the end of the day we will email this information to the assignee together with all the conditions to securing the house.
•  Once the assignee decides on a house, we will prepare all documents, negotiate the lease agreement and proceed to the signing. Depending on the assignee’s date of arrival the lease can be either signed in Person or it can be negotiated to be done by regular mail.
• The day the assignee arrives we will accompany them to do the check in inspection.
• We will make sure the assignee has the basics for the first couple of days such as:

– City guides

– A goodie basket

– Bed linen and towels

– Any other missing basic item

This service will help the hiring company to reduce all temporary accommodation costs for the assignee while he visits and secures a home.

Note: This service is not recommended for longer stay assignments or assignees that are coming accompanied by their family as the house selection process in these cases should be in person to accommodate the needs of every member of the family.

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The departure process in Spain can become very stressful, more so now since the crisis has made property owners more aware of any damages caused to the property during the lease term when doing the exit inspection to avoid having to return 100% of the deposit. This, many times results in endless communications with no results.

To ensure a smooth departure process is better to have Relocations España’s support, we have over 25 years’ experience managing successful departures with 95% deposit return.

But if you decide to embark in this adventure here are a few tips that can help to a smooth departure.

1. Give notice
   New rental contracts are generally for at least five years and renewable annually by mutual consent. This can be unspoken and in fact the lease will be automatically renewed unless the tenant gives the landlord 30 days’ notice before the end of the year. Therefore, if you are leaving you must give your landlord formal notice of your intentions. Doing so by registered letter is usually the easiest way.

   If you have a fixed term contract you may not be able to leave before the end of your term, without having to pay the outstanding rent.

   Inform the authorities
   You will need to advise the local authorities at the town hall of your leaving date and also the tax authorities. If you are lucky you may even be entitled to a tax refund!

   3. Cancel utilities
   Formally give notice and terminate any contracts with utility providers, television, Internet and phone companies. Do this at least 3-4 weeks in advance, as some providers require several weeks’ notice. Also cancel any insurance contracts that will no longer be required. You may be entitled to a refund for any outstanding periods but you can also get an accident record showing whether you were responsible for any accidents. If you have had a good record this can help when taking out a new policy.

   4. Fix any damage
   Check the condition of the property against the inventory and repair any damage or make good any loss to avoid deductions to your security deposit. Allowance is made for normal wear and tear, existing faults or forces beyond the tenant’s control (force majeure).

   If you do not have an inventory you may lose out in the event of a dispute over the condition of the property. The law is often on the side of the landlord, so if no inventory exists then the tenant is presumed to have received the property in good condition and the landlord is likely to receive the benefit of the doubt in the event of a dispute. However, if you have evidence of the property’s poor condition, such as in photographs, this will be taken into consideration.

   5. Inventory
   Hopefully you will have conducted an inventory (inventario) with the landlord. When you are leaving rented accommodation you are required to pay for a professional clean, unless you can do a thorough enough job yourself.

   6. Show tenants around
   Your landlord may ask you to show prospective tenants around. It is usually better to facilitate reasonable requests to ensure you maintain the relationship with your landlord, which in turn can help to smooth the path towards getting your deposit back.

   7. Keep your bank account open
   This will allow you your landlord to forward your deposit (fianza)(less any deductions for damages). Additionally, keeping your account open will enable any subsequent transactions to be processed, such as refunds from utility providers or tax authorities. Remember though to cancel any standing orders or direct debits.

   8. Re-direct your Post
   It can be useful to have your mail forwarded (reexpedir) to your new address. You can do this by paying a visit to your local post office and advising them of both your old and new addresses.

   9. Get your deposit returned
   This will usually be one month’s rent and should be held by an independent agency, sometimes the housing department of the local government (Consejeria de la Vivienda). The deposit will not be released unless both parties agree. Usefully, if there is an unreasonable delay in the landlord returning the deposit then the legal rate of interest can be applied as a penalty.

   10. Return the keys
   Don’t forget to give these back, either directly to the landlord or to the bailiff. You’re done!

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A guide for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens – and their family members – coming to live, work or study in Spain.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens have the right to live and work in Spain without a visa or permit, but if you’re staying longer than three months, you will have to register with the authorities and obtain a residence certificate, which requires you to prove you can support yourself financially and have healthcare insurance.

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals moving to Spain

Within three months of your arrival in Spain, you have to go in person to a Foreigners’ Office (Oficina de Extranjero) or local police station to register and be added to the Central Register of Foreign Nationals.

You will need to have a valid passport or ID document and – as of July 2012 – be able to show documentation to prove that you can support yourself (and any dependants), and may also be asked to show evidence that you have private or public healthcare insurance.

This documentation will vary according to your own circumstances, but can include:

• a declaration or certificate of employment, or evidence of self-employment (such as registration on the Mercantile Registry – Registro Mercantil);
• evidence of healthcare insurance (or European Health Insurance Card if valid for the duration of the stay);
• proof of sufficient financial resources (through income, assets, etc);
• proof of enrolment at an educational institution.

If everything is in order, you will be given a residence certificate (Certificado de registro como residente comunitario), which will include your name, address, nationality and your Foreigner’s Identity Number (NIE). This number is essential for all financial and administrative matters in Spain.

You must inform the authorities of any change of address or personal circumstances, such as marriage or divorce. Carry the certificate, along with your passport or national ID document, at all times.

Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

Family members – legally registered partners, spouses and dependants – who are EU/EEA/Swiss citizens must apply for the same registration as detailed above.

Those family members who are not from the EU/EEA or Switzerland have the same right to live to Spain, but they may need to apply for a visa from the Spanish embassy or consulate in their home country to enter Spain.

Within three months of arrival, they must register in person at the Foreigner’s Office in order to be issued with a Residence Card for family members of EU citizens (Tarjeta de Residencia de Familiar de Cuidadano de la Unión).

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss family members will need to show:

• a valid passport,
• completed and signed application form,
• proof of relationship with the EU citizen (birth, marriage, civil partnership certificates),
• ID of the EU citizen, and
• colour passport photos.

The residence card will be valid for five years, after which it has to be renewed.
Working in Spain

If you will be working in Spain you should also register with the Spanish Social Security authorities, the General Social Security Fund (Dirección General de la Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social – TGSS). If you are an employee your employer will do this for you; if you are self-employed it is your responsibility.
If you are from Croatia you’ll need a work permit to work in Spain up until 30 June 2020.
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Mandatory registration on the padrón (Town hall registration)

The padrón is a list of all the people living in the town and it’s obligatory for everyone, including EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, to be registered on it (the term empadronarse is the act of registering on it).

While it’s a form of census registration and helps the town’s provision for schools and health centres, being on it has other benefits, including access to certain income-related benefits and social care, possible reductions in community charges and inheritance tax as well as the right to vote in local and European elections.

Go to the padrón office at the town hall shortly after your arrival, where you will need to show:

• your passport or official ID,
• your NIE or residence certificate or card,
• a recent utility bill in your name, and
• a copy of your rental agreement for where you live or your house deeds.
• You may be issued with a Certificado de Empadronamientothen and there or have to return to collect it.

Source: Expatica

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Find out if you need a Spanish visa or permit to visit, live, work or study in Spain.

You may need to apply for a visa or other permit if you want to visit, live, work or study in Spain. This essential guide will help you find out which Spanish permits you need depending on your nationality and situation. The information given here is for guidance only and you should seek specific advice from the Spanish embassy or consulate in your home country for your specific circumstances.

Who needs a visa or permit for Spain?

Under the Freedom of Movement Act, if you’re a national from one of the countries in the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) – that is, all the countries of the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway – or Switzerland, you don’t need a visa or other permit to visit, live, work or study in Spain. The one exception is that citizens from the ‘new’ EU nation of Croatia will need work permits probably up until June 30, 2020.

EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do need to register with the authorities and get a national identity number.
Everyone else will need a visa, and if you want to work, in most cases, a work permit.

Entry and short-term visas for Spain

Spain is one of 26 countries making up the ‘Schengen’ area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland. They have one common visa and no border controls between them.

There are three types of visa allowing entry to Spain:

• Airport transit visa.
• Short-stay Schengen visa.
• Long-term visa.

Airport transit visa for Spain

An airport transit (visado de transito aeroportuario) allows you into the international transit zone in a Spanish airport. Not everyone needs one but to check whether you do, check the information and list atwww.exteriores.gob.es. You’ll need to apply for a transit visa through the Spanish embassy or consulate in your home country.

Short-stay visa for Spain

A short-stay Schengen visa (visado de corta duracion) allows you to stay in Spain – but not work – for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
If you have a Schengen visa issued by another Schengen state you can also come and stay in Spain for 90 days.
Nationals from the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand don’t need a short-stay visa to enter Spain but will need to apply for a long-term residence visa to stay longer than three months.
You can renew your short-term visa at your local Foreigner’s Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or Police station as long as you will be staying in Spain for a total of less than 90 days. You can’t come to Spain on a short-stay visa as a visitor and change your status to employee, student or resident from within Spain – you have to return to your home country and apply for a new visa from there.

Long-term Spanish residence and work visas

There are different residence and work permit types, depending on the purpose of your stay:

• a combined residence and work visa (visado de trabajo y residencia) allowing you to live and work in Spain;
• a student visa (visado de estudios) for the duration of a educational or training course;
• a residence visa (visado de residencia) for family reunification or retirement.

There is a youth mobility agreement between Spain and Canada for young people aged 18 to 35 to visit Spain to travel and work for up to a year.
You can apply for a long-term visa from the Spanish consulate or embassy in your home country, or sometimes online on their websites before you come to Spain. The application must be made in person or through an accredited representative, and you usually have to pay a non-refundable fee of around EUR 60. Allow plenty of time for the consulate to process your application – check with yours for the timescale – and you or your representative must collect it in person.

New fast-track visa

As of 2014, non-EU national investors, entrepreneurs, highly qualified professionals and researchers can now apply for fast-track visas and permits, which offer preferential treatment, such as automatic residence for the whole family with no minimum stay, and free travel throughout the Schengen visa region. However there are conditions to fulfil for each category, for example, investors may need to spend EUR 500,000 on a Spanish property.

Family reunification

Once you have been living legally in Spain for a year and have received official confirmation that you will be staying for a further year, you can apply for family members (for example, spouse, common law partner, and dependants, including children under 18 and parents over 65) to join you in Spain.

If you hold a long-term residence permit from another EU member state (an EU Blue Card), you can apply at any time.

Students can apply for their family members to join them while studying in Spain. The relatives’ residence permits are usually granted for the same duration as the student’s residence permit, and allow the holders over 18 to take on employment in Spain without a work permit.

Permanent residency in Spain

After five uninterrupted years of residence, you can apply for a long-term or permanent residence. If you hold a Blue Card from another EU-member state, and have lived elsewhere in the EU for the same period, this also entitles you to long-term residence in Spain. A long-term residence permit allows you to stay in Spain indefinitely, working or otherwise, under the same conditions as Spanish citizens.

You can apply for Spanish nationality after 10 years of residence in Spain. You can also acquire Spanish nationality through marriage or through having Spanish parents even if they were born outside Spain.

Studying in Spain

If you want to come and study, carry out research or training, take on an internship or voluntary work in Spain you have to find a course or programme that will accept you first – and then you can apply for a visa to come to Spain.

Unless you’re a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland you’ll need a longer-term national visa (visado nacionale) if you intend to live, work, study or carry out research in Spain for longer than three months. This will depend on your purpose of stay, as detailed below.

Source: Expatica.es

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EU Driving licences are valid for driving throughout Spanish territory

The holders of an EU driving licence, valid for an indefinite period of time or for more than 15 years, will be under the obligation of renewing their licence when their legal place of residence is in Spain, after 2 years has transpired from 19 January 2013 date on which Directive 2006/126/ EC entered into force. 

For example:

1.- A holder of a Community driving licence valid for an indefinite period of time, or for more than 15 years, with legal residence in Spain obtained on or before 19/01/2013, must renew his or her driving licence as from 19/01/2015.

2.- A holder of a Community driving licence valid for an indefinite period of time, or for more than 15 years, with legal residence in Spain obtained on 06/06/2014, must renew his or her driving licence as from 06/06/2016.

This procedure is being implemented in order to comply with the relevant rules and regulations on driving licences (Directive 2006/126/EC and the General Driving Regulation approved by Royal Decree 818/2009, of 8 May), as an indispensable element of the EU common transport policy, contributing to increasing road safety.

The Member States must be able to apply the period of validity prescribed by the Directive, to a licence without a limited administrative validity issued by another Member State, in whose territory the holder of the licence has resided for more than two years.

As a result, since 2013 the countries of the European Union have a single driving licence for all 28 Member States, necessary for achieving the harmonisation of the more than 110 types of driving licences, in existence a few years ago.

If you, or any famly member need help with renovating the EU driving licence, feel free to contact us at info@relocationspain.com and find out more about our 2015 offers for Drivers licence Exchange and renewal

parainmigrantes.com

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This new act makes it easier for the intra company employee to obtain his work and residence permit from the spanish legal authorities.

August 2014

This new act makes it easier for the intra company employee to obtain his work and residence permit from the spanish legal authorities.

The objective of this new act is to undertake favourable reforms for growth and increased economic activity, seeking to strengthen and internationalize Spain’s business network in a long-lasting manner.

To offer more opportunities to hire international «talent», entailing a transer of IT between companies, which is essential for innovation in Spanish companies.

To encourage the internationalization of the Spanish economy and to attract investment and talent. Who does this new act benefits?

-Investors

-Entrepreneurs

-Researchers

-Highly qualified professionals

-Intra-company workers

Here is a comparison with the actual foreigners act and how the new entrepenerurs act differences from it.

Este post New Entrepreneurs Act aparece en la Web de Relocation Relocations España.

After one month into 2015 we already have juicy news of all the things happening in the immigration world in Spain.
Spanish laws have always been a bit unstable when it comes to developing new administrative or Tax increase, this is due to the many modifications we’ve had in immigration laws in the past 5 years. As we were celebrating new year, drinking cava and enjoying some amazing Gambas, on January 1^st the Law on estate budget for 2015 put in force a 1% rise on the administrative taxes for immigration purposes however those created or updated in 2014 are fortunate enough not to be affected

Entrepreneurs Law in 2015

 The Law on Support for entrepreneurs and their internalization published on September 28, 2013, has been developed to facilitate the residence of third country investors, entrepreneurs, highly qualified professionals, researchers and workers performing intra movements, as well as their spouses and their children as long as they are under 18 years old.

This Act has allowed SME’s, among others, to attract highly qualified staff that otherwise, due to restrictions on hiring foreigners in Spain, would never had the chance to do so.

For more information and a comparison between the entrepreneur’s law and the foreigners act visit our New Entrepreneur’s act article

As a counterpoint, due to the serious backlashes of the crisis in Spain we are losing highly skilled Spanish and residents in Spain who are leaving the country searching for more profitable opportunities.
Many are wondering whether new regulations for immigration might enter into force this year, so far there is not a hint that would happen, but we will keep a close eye to inform you.

Good news for our Colombian and Peruvian friends!

It seems that the waiver of the short term Schengen visa for Peruvians and Colombian nationals will finally take place in mid-2015, there still to be confirmed the exact date by the European Parliament. This visa abolishment has been approved since February last year but it hasn’t come into force yet.

We are certain that 2015 will be a very active year for politics in Spain which will affect for sure some of the actual immigration policies. We all have our ears and eyes open to deliver information about any new development in our field.

Silvia Molina

Spanish Immigration Specialist

Relocations España

Este post Immigration update for 2015 aparece en la Web de Relocation Relocations España.

Improvements in the spanish housing market for 2015

Tax relief for families resident in Madrid for 2015

It seems that this 2015 will be cheaper to rent a home, which is a relief to the domestic economy of citizens,

the price of housing has increased a 1,3% in 2014 at least that’s what the appraisal companies estimate, saying that both newly constructed houses and already existent stand around 1.326€ per M2.

They estimate that in 2015 housing prices will stabilize which means that the offer of rental properties might increase since people will start investing more in buying properties, allowing our sector to be able to negotiate better conditions with landlords and agencies. This, together with other several positive factors such as a potential increase of the demand of purchased properties as investment and the banks being in more disposition to grant loans contributes to a promising year in the Spanish real estate market

 Madrid
To continue on the positive side, Madrid residents will benefit from more sources of savings; for example, the city council has approved to abolish the garbage tax, also to reduce or maintain the property Tax (IBI) and reduce the vehicle tax in 10%, This will represent an overall cut of 10% in the tax burden of families in Madrid for 2015

Leonor Pérez

Relocation Specialist

Relocations España

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Is it really given the importance it deserves?

Este post Repatriation aparece en la Web de Relocation Relocations España.

Brazil

Este post Country Profile aparece en la Web de Relocation Relocations España.