Our intention is to give information to those considering moving to Spain or those already here, particularly those finding their way around. Our specialist area of knowledge is the Costa Blanca (in particular the Torrevieja/Orihuela Costa area) and the Costa Del Sol. However, much of the information will be applicable to all of Spain. To help those currently looking to purchase a property, we have recently launched a sister site SearchSpainOnline and here you will find an extensive selection of property in all price ranges throught Spain

Well, what is living in Spain really like for an ex-pat?

One thing it is NOT is a longer version of your annual two week holiday on a Benidorm beach. It is exciting, frustrating, fun, too hot, too cold, too lonely, too busy, too quiet, too noisy. In short it can be all things to all people and at this stage we have no idea whether you will enjoy or even survive the challenge of living in a foreign climate.

What we do know is that your chances of success are increased massively if you have done your homework in advance. What do we mean by that?

Well, nowadays, there are many sites on the Internet where you can gain all kinds of information about emigration in general and about emigrating to Spain in particular. There are also several excellent books and you will find many references to two definitive guides.

There is David Hampshire’s “Living and Working in Spain – A survival guide” and Blevins Franks “Living in Spain.” You will find details of the books elsewhere on this site but leaving for Spain without studying them in depth is a very dangerous start to your life abroad.

As you visit the different sections of this site you will find information about many aspects of Life in Spain. Spain has moved forward to a tremendous pace over the past thirty years and from the sleepy, agrarian state of just a few years ago a dynamic, post-industrialised society has developed. These changes have been seen most clearly on the Costas where you will now find a cosmopolitan lifestyle with prices not markedly different to Northern Europe for many products and services.”…not markedly different to Northern Europe for many products and services. This region is one that has seen a steady rise in tourism, followed by a rise in hotels, resorts and timeshares, which may actually provide a budget friendly means for accommodations for those wishing to explore the region.”

If however you are looking to purchase a property I recommend
www.europeanproperty.com. which is the easiest way to search for property in Spain!

They list a large selection of Spanish property from selected agents who have uploaded their properties. Should you not be able to find the right Spanish property for sale in the listings you can register for free email alerts.

This Is Spain S.L. who are the owners of www.thisisspain.info are fanatical about encouraging people to learn Spanish if they intend to stay in Spain for more than a holiday. I have reviewed many courses from many centres and have seen the good, the bad and the downright ugly. That said, I believe that this is one Spanish learning opportunity that I can wholly endorse. Please check to see whether it is what you are looking for.

We are also delighted to have teamed up with Rocket Languages to offer you a FREE 6 part Spanish mini-course which takes you through the basics. Obviously you are not going to be fluent after 6 short lessons and will at least be able to introduce yourself ask for help and order “the perfect coffee”. Once you have mastered these basic steps we can highly recommend their excellent and very affordable online course Rocket Spanish – The Ultimate Guide To Learning Spanish. You will find many references throughout the entire site to the need to learn Spanish and this inexpensive but complete site is certainly going to be able to get you to a good level quickly. You download the course over the internet and can work at your own pace, listening and practising until YOU are happy that you are confident with each lesson. You can go back as many times as you like and if there is any particular lesson that causes you problems you just practise until YOU feel ready to move on. To learn more just click here and you will see the entire course and the theory behind the course is explained (in English!). Even if you are only coming to Spain for a few days’ holidays it would be nice (and polite!) to be able to say “hola” or “gracias”. So, why not at least help yourself to the free 6 part mini-course? Rocket Spanish – The Ultimate Guide To Learning Spanish. I have also recently set up a site dedicated to all those who want to learn Spanish where you will find many resources.Please feel free to click here

I would be disingenuous if I wrote that every house purchase by a foreigner goes totally smoothly BUT almost all problems can be predicted and prevented. Too many people believe that the purchase process will be the same as that in the UK, Scandinavia or wherever. This is NOT correct. Sadly, many estate agents have taken advantage of this naivety and made a totally logical and valid process less transparent than necessary for their own gain. I do not care less what any “man and a mobile” says; you need independent advice. Nobody would dream of buying a home in Mansfield without using a solicitor where they would normally understand the system and the language. Amazingly when they buy their home in Málaga, too many decide they can do it alone or use the omnipresent, “bloke in the bar”. For that reason, I am pleased that Spanish professional Graham Hunt has agreed to offer all ThisIsSpain visitors a free copy of his E-book Buying Spanish Property and Living in Spain. To receive your copy please email Graham direct and mention ThisIsSpain. If we can make the purchasing process more transparent for one buyer it will make his efforts worthwhile.

I am also absolutely delighted to confirm that ThisIsSpain has been able to secure the services of els International Lawyers who will give an initial consultation at no cost to any visitor to this site who needs advice on any aspect of Spanish Law – be it Legal, Accounting or Taxation. To make contact with els International Lawyers
simply email els International Lawyers direct and mention ThisIsSpain.

This site can only be of benefit if it is current and is constantly being upgraded. The speed with which Spain is changing means that we are always under pressure to update it.. If you see mistakes or omissions or you have information that you would like added, please do not hesitate to contact us. We wish you every success with your new life. If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask.

¡Buena suerte!

Steve Hall