The crime rate is low in most of Spain but you should still be aware of the possibilities of crime when you are in Spain, particularly in the larger towns and cities where petty theft such as bag snatching can be commonplace.

There are many different types of shops in Spain which cater to all tastes and budgets. It doesn’t matter what you are looking for, from designer goods to DIY, you will find it in Spain.

If you are planning to stay in Spain for any length of time you will probably need to open a bank account. There are two types of accounts available to foreigners in Spain these are either Resident or Non-resident accounts.

If you have any source of income in Spain – whether you are an employee earning a salary, you run your own business, are retired or unemployed or whether you are a resident or non-resident in Spain you must submit a tax return called a Tax Declaration (Declaracion de la Renta).

As little as twenty years ago, tax evasion was a way of life in Spain but in recent years the Spanish tax system has been overhauled.

Once you have bought your property in Spain you may need to be connected to the various utilities such as electricity, gas and telephone. Before doing this please ensure that all previous bills belonging to the property have been paid. You solicitor or estate agent can assist you with this.

If you are planning to move to Spain, it may be worthwhile knowing a little bit about the history of the country. As soon as you arrive in Spain, you will notice many historical buildings and monuments and having some knowledge of the origins of these buildings can help you to settle in.

Whilst location is very important when considering where to buy your property in Spain you may also have to take into consideration the availability of a swimming pool. The weather in Spain can be extremely hot and there is probably no better way to cool down than in a swimming pool. It is also one of the best forms of exercise for the entire family.

Spain has a wonderful climate, beautiful scenery and can be the ideal location to have your wedding. Prices are soaring in the U.K. and the average cost of a wedding is around £15,000. In Spain prices are far lower than you would expect and as there are frequent low-cost flights your guests can afford to be there too.

Whether you are going on holiday, or going to live in Spain permanently, you should be aware of the possibility of a crime happening to you whilst you are there. You should also know what you can do to try to avoid anything happening to you.

Heating and air-conditioning is essential in Spain. Winter can be quite cold and the summer is extremely hot. There are many ways to heat your home in winter and cool it during the summer months.

Spain is predominantly a Roman Catholic country and the Spanish people are very religious. Catholicism plays a large role in family life in Spain, even for those who never attend church, who still see themselves as being Catholics. There are however other religions followed in Spain such as Judaism and Islam. It is a good idea to be aware of the different religions before you go to Spain.

There are many opportunities for anyone who is working as self-employed in Spain. If you are prepared to work hard and fit in to the Spanish way of life it can be fairly easy but there are some things you will have to consider

One of the main concerns for families considering a move to Spain is education for the children and how they will cope with a new language and culture. There is a wide range of schools available to choose from. These include state funded schools, private schools and international schools. The choice you have will depend on where you live, the age of your child and your financial situation.

Spain is a world class producer of quality wine. The better known varieties are the red Rioja , the sparkling white wine known as Cava and probably the most well known is Sherry (Vino de Jerez).

Getting a mortgage and buying a property in Spain has become increasingly popular. There is a wide selection of property to choose from and the properties are generally more affordable than here in the UK.

A residency permit (tarjeta de residencia) is a card the size of a credit card which has all your personal details, including your NIE number (numero de identidad). The NIE number is issued by the immigration service. It is your identification number in Spain which you will need in order to file taxes, establish a business, open a bank account or for almost all other forms you need to fill out.

Spain is an ideal location to retire to, due to its idyllic location, fabulous food and exceptionally low cost of living. It may feel like a very big decision to make but once you have explored all the facts retiring to Spain might not seem to be such a big step.

We all know how important our pets are to us and are considered by most to be a member of the family. It is therefore just as important to insure your pets as you would any other member of the household.

Sangria is the main drink that tourists associate with Spain. Traditionally sangria gets its name from the Spanish word ‘sangre’ meaning ‘blood’. It is made by infusing red wine with fruit and a variety of spirits and has become a popular summer cocktail around the world.

Paella is probably the most famous Spanish food. It is a typical rice dish from Valencia on the east coast of Spain. Due to the rich soils for rice and vegetable growing, and the abundance of seafood in this area, you are assured of a variety of quality paella dishes.

The law in Spain is different from the law in the U.K. regarding the making of a will. If you have a property in Spain, or any other assets, you should make a Spanish will to avoid any legal problems for your heirs. The will is made to protect any property in Spain. You therefore need to ensure a will is in place in Spain in addition to any will may have made in the U.K.

The Spanish healthcare system is one of the best in Europe and offers an excellent service to both residents and non-residents. Depending on whether you are planning to become a permanent resident, or visiting for a short period there are a number of different services available.

Spain is one of the cultural centres of Europe with its various regions all being different to one another. It is a fascinating country both to visit and to live in.

There are many ways to travel around Spain, with travel links being some of the best in Europe. Travelling by train can be an enjoyable experience and can give you a great opportunity to relax and unwind. Whether you are planning a long distance trip, or a short trip Spain has 13,000km of train tracks covering the whole of the country.

If you are planning to get around Spain without a car, consider taking the bus, as Spain has one of the most highly-developed intercity bus networks in Europe. Apart from the new high-speed rail link from Madrid to Sevilla, most bus journeys take about the same time as trains, and some are even quicker. They are a lot more cost effective with the price of the fare being less than half that of the train.

The metro is an underground railway system found in the major cities of Spain, such as, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao, with the new Seville Metro due to open soon. They offer the best way to get around these cities. Tickets are readily available and can be purchased from the ticket machines or ticket office at the various stations.

Driving in Spain can be an adventure to say the least and can take a bit of getting used to. The best way to deal with this is to be prepared. Learn the rules of the road before you go. Spain is very serious about law enforcement and fines of up to 1,500 euros have to be paid on the spot. Understanding the basic laws concerning driving will help keep you out of trouble. You will find below a list of the basic rules including safety, drink driving and speeding.

If you have a dog in Spain you need to be aware of the problems that your animal can encounter in Spain. The Pine Precessionary caterpillar are probably the most unpleasant creature your dog (or cat) will encounter in Spain but there are other nasties as well.

When you are considering buying a property in Spain, it’s a good idea to take your pet on a visit whilst you are viewing properties but the process of transporting your pets to and from Spain, either for short holiday or permanently can be a long and complex process, there are many things to consider and plan well in advance of your travel date.

All vehicles in Spain need to be insured, below is the insurance requirements for motor insurance in Spain

Buying a car is a little different that in the UK, you cannot just buy a car, you must provide proofs that you are resident in Spain or will be for at least a year. This section gives information on what is required to buy and sell a car in Spain.