If you had planned to move to Spain in 2020, you understandably might be having some second thoughts due to the current COVID-19 outbreak in Europe and across the world. Restricted travel to Spain, as well as strict rules and regulations within the country during this period of lockdown imposed by the government, make the process of moving abroad a little complicated. However, no matter where you are in the world, there is still plenty you can do in order to prepare your move, start your property search and make your life in the sun a reality in the future.
Decide what kind of property you are looking for
Before you do anything else, now is a great time to make some decisions about your move to Spain and clarify what you want. Make a list of things that are either negotiable or must-haves in your future home (such as being close to the beach, having a balcony, number of bedrooms etc.) in order to help you think more clearly when it comes to finding your dream place in the sun. This is also a good time to consider your budget and the location where you want to live so that you can narrow down your property search.
Start your property search online
Whether you’re planning on renting or buying a property in Spain, the Internet is your friend during this time of confinement at home. Online real estate portals are still 100% available on all platforms, including the web, mobile and apps, and now is the perfect time to take full advantage of what they have on offer. Photos, videos and virtual tours mean you can get a great view of what a property is like, so you can make a list of the properties you like or are interested in, as well as using the features on offer where you can save searches and add favourites.
Contact sellers and agents
You can still contact sellers and agents, and it is highly recommended to do so. You obviously cannot physically visit a property in the current climate which means the possibility of getting in touch with sellers is even more important. Use this opportunity to clear up any doubts and to find out more about the property. Some sellers or agencies will also have virtual tours available, as well as additional photos and multimedia content, so make sure to ask. You can also enquire about the state of the property or its availability, and keep in mind that the price may even be negotiable, something highly likely given the current situation.
Paperwork
In order to buy or rent a property in Spain, there will naturally be some bureaucracy required. Before you do anything, you’ll need to get a NIE, which is a necessary tax identification number for foreigners in Spain. Without a NIE, you won’t be able to even open a bank account or complete a property sale. Although you can’t apply for the NIE online, you can prepare your paperwork and make sure you have all the necessary documents and photocopies. There are also various other official changes you need to make if you move to Spain which you can also prepare for, so that when you eventually make the move, the process is a lot more straightforward and stress free.
Plan a trip
Travelling to Spain to view properties is currently not an option, but that doesn’t mean you can’t think about a future trip. Once you’ve narrowed down the area and some potential properties, do your research and get to know the area online. You can also think about objectives and plans for a future trip.
Brush up on your Spanish
Finally, this is the perfect opportunity to improve your Spanish so that you can impress the locals once you get to Spain. Having at least some basic conversational Spanish will make the process of property searching and settling into Spain much easier. Depending on the area, English may be spoken, but being prepared, at least with some questions and useful phrases will give you a head start.