After helping 300+ professionals relocate to Spain, we see the same mistakes repeatedly. Here are five that cost people time, money, or both.
1. Arriving Without a Plan
Many people visit Spain on tourist status, fall in love with the country, and decide to stay. Then they discover they cannot legally work, open a business bank account, or sign a long-term lease.
The fix: decide on your visa path before booking one-way flights. Some visas must be applied for from your home country. Others require documents that take weeks to obtain.
2. Ignoring Tax Implications
Spain taxes residents on worldwide income. The rates reach 47%. Many newcomers do not realize this until their first tax bill arrives.
The Beckham Law can reduce this to 24% for qualifying professionals. But you must apply within 6 months of registering with Social Security. Miss that window and you pay full rates for years.
3. Underestimating Bureaucracy
Spanish administration moves slowly. Appointments at government offices book up weeks in advance. Documents need apostilles, translations, and sometimes legalization.
Start earlier than you think necessary. Build buffer time into your timeline. What should take two weeks often takes six.
4. Wrong Health Insurance
Travel insurance does not qualify for visa applications. Spain requires comprehensive coverage without copays or coverage limits. Many policies that seem adequate get rejected.
Get the right policy before applying. We maintain a list of approved providers that consistently pass immigration review.
5. Going It Alone
Online forums are full of outdated advice. Rules change. What worked for someone in 2022 may not work today. Each consulate interprets requirements differently.
Professional guidance costs money upfront but prevents expensive mistakes. One rejected application can delay your move by months.
The Pattern
These mistakes share a theme: underestimating complexity and overestimating how much you can figure out yourself.
Moving to Spain is achievable. The bureaucracy is navigable. But it rewards preparation and punishes improvisation.
