Would you like to live outside of Switzerland and are planning a move to Spain? Then you will certainly ask yourself what requirements you have to fulfill for this. After all, a change of your place of residence abroad is associated with significantly more effort than a move within Switzerland.
In this article, you will learn what you need to know for your move to Spain. We tell you everything about popular places to live, Spanish food and whether you need a visa.
What city do you want to live in after moving to Spain?
Before you move to Spain, you will certainly be concerned with where you want to live in the first place. This is because there are several regions which are quite popular as places to live for both foreigners and the Spaniards themselves.
If you want to enjoy the warm weather even in winter, then we can especially recommend the two island groups of the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
On the mainland, you can expect pleasant temperatures in winter, mainly on the Andalusian coast in the south of the country. However, keep in mind that it gets quite hot there in summer. Seville, the capital of the autonomous region of Andalusia, is even considered one of the most beautiful in Spain. If you want to get to know the country from its authentic side, this is the perfect place for you to live.
If you are interested in culture, then Santiago de Compostela will surely please you. This city represents the end point of the Way of St. James. Moreover, UNESCO has declared this small city a World Heritage Site.
Zaragoza can also convince with a lot of culture. Among other things, the Basilica Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the largest building in Spain from the Baroque period, is located there.
The two metropolises of Madrid and Barcelona are more international. There you will find elegant shopping streets, excellent restaurants, numerous sights and a lively nightlife.
What should you eat after moving to Spain?
Once you live in Spain, be sure to try the country’s typical dishes. We guarantee you’ll agree that Spanish cuisine is growing in popularity, and rightly so. Many dishes are based on centuries-old recipes.
However, we cannot give you a general overview of Spanish cuisine. Because every single region has its own delicacies.
The classic dish par excellence is undoubtedly paella. It originated in the city of Valencia. The traditional dish includes rabbit meat, poultry and snails. It is a rice dish that is prepared in a special pan.
In the capital city of Madrid, Cocido Madrileño is one of the most popular dishes. The ingredients include vegetables, chickpeas, pork and bacon.
Tortilla is one of the traditional dishes throughout Spain. Few other specialties are so representative of the simplicity of Spanish cuisine. There are different versions of preparing this delicacy. The simplest is the version made with fried potatoes and a beaten egg. Depending on your taste, you add onions.
Do you need a visa to move to Spain?
Both Switzerland and Spain are both member states of the Schengen Area. If you do not intend to work in Spain and live there for a maximum of 90 days, you do not need a visa. However, if you need to work to support yourself, you will need a work visa.
In the Schengen zone, the only advantage is that you can usually enter without a border check. At most, the border guards will make a spot check on some entrants. But even these rarely occur.
However, keep in mind that Switzerland is not part of the EU. This means that you will absolutely need an appropriate work visa to take up a job.
In order to be allowed to work in Spain, you must meet a few minimum criteria:
- Minimum age of 16 years (18 years if self-employed).
- Assurance of a place to live and work.
- Obtaining a work visa
Once in Spain, you will need to take care of a few more things. First, you must register with the Spanish social security system. Furthermore, you will have to apply for a special foreigner’s identity card
Long or short stay in Spain?
If you want to live there for 90 days or less, you do not need a visa to move to Spain. In this case, in order to live in this country, you do not have to consider any special requirements.
Then there is the variant of staying in Spain for more than 90 days but less than 5 years. In order to do this, you must first obtain a permit from the Spanish state for the acquisition of temporary residence. If you can prove that you have sufficient financial means, you also do not need an additional work permit.
Once you have resided permanently in Spain for at least 5 years, you have the option of applying for a permanent residence permit. This allows you, as a foreign citizen, to live and work in Spain indefinitely. Under the same conditions as any other Spaniard. However, permanent residence does not mean that you are not allowed to leave the country. You are still allowed to leave Spain for your vacation. The only important thing is that you have a permanent residence in this country.
Now you know what to expect after you move to Spain. We are sure that you will feel at home in this country on the Iberian Peninsula after a short time. Because the Spaniards inspire with their open and warm-hearted nature.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will help you with words and deeds.