Becoming a Resident
You can come out and stay in Spain for up to 90 days in any one year or you can stay longer in a year by applying for an annual permanencia. When you move out to live however, you should consider applying for your residencia. There will be a different process to follow for EU and non EU citizens.
Furniture and Possessions
If you have purchased a property in Spain, it may have been handed over to you on completion fully furnished with everything installed so that you can move straight in and enjoy the Spanish dream. It may however, be an empty property that requires furnishing.If so, you may consider shipping your own furniture from the UK. This is relatively easy to do and there are many removal/relocation companies who will offer this service. It is sensible to ensure that the company you choose is a member of a recognised body such as BAR (British Association of Removers). Your chosen removal company will take care of all aspects of the relocation, from packing, preparation of the inventory, physical shipping and then delivery and reassembly of broken-down items in your new property in Spain.
Pets
If you are relocating to Spain, you probably won't want to leave your pet behind. To bring your pet with you will require the following: - A health certificate (from your vet) issued within 15 days of entering Spain
- A rabies vaccination certificate less than 12 months old
- An agriculture ministry certificate stating that the area in which the pet is normally kept
- A Pet Passport and microchip
If you want to bring your pet to Spain by car you will need to ensure you have the necessary paperwork, not just for Spain, but also for any country you travel through. If you are travelling by plane or ferry, you should consult the airline or ferry company you are travelling with. They will inform you of any necessary rules and regulations you will need to adhere to.
In all cases, you should consult your vet as the procedure may change from time to time.
For more information, check with DEFRA's 'Pet Travel Scheme' for up-to-date information:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm
