Moving to Almeria & surrounding areas

Ok, well that’s a question best posed for the embassy.  You MUST apply for an NLV from your country of residence, so you couldn’t come to Spain and apply.

Some people have said their passports are held by the embassy following application, so you wouldn’t in that case even be able to come out whilst waiting; HOWEVER others have said their passports weren’t taken off them and they just had to produce them at the embassy when visa was granted, so it really depends on the official on the day.

But it would be wise to check with the embassy that travel to Spain whilst awaiting processing of visa doesn’t prejudice the application - I wouldn’t have thought it would but … Spain.

Once visa has been granted you have a period of 90 days to take up residence in Spain, and once you have arrived, a period of 30 days in which to begin the process of applying for TIE.

It is also worth highlighting that a condition of the NLV is that you not be absent from Spain for longer than 10 months aggregate in a 5 year period, and no more than 6 of those months in any one year.

Understood thanks for the advice. Guess the natural course is holiday home then when we're ready apply for a nl visa in UK. Then moving. Yes, sorry I did read that you had to apply from your country of origin so we go down that route appointing a spanish solicitor to help us move. Thankyou for that.

No probs.  If you’ll take a wee bit of advice though … rent in a couple of areas before committing yourself.  Living here is vastly different to holidaying

Some days still feel just like an extended holiday … some days … but dealing with the bureaucracy and just the minutiae of day-to-day living add an extra layer which can catch you by surprise.

Thankyou. We know we want Spain, we've seen and driven through Taberno and Albox and Gonar. Renting, good idea.Holidaying not an option. Peace & quiet , low cost of living,  slow pace of life and the extra challenge of blending in with a great small community is the most appealing. 

So so so much choice … and there will be decisions you need to make - do you want what is effectively a Brit enclave, full of migrants? Or do you want something with more local flavour and a greater preponderance of Spanish speakers?

Do you want inland / mountains? or do you want coastal? Remote or well-populated?  These are all things that you need to really ask yourself.  Living in a predominantly Spanish area is wonderful - in my opinion - as it really forces you to get to grips with the language, so you get to learn more about the culture and history of the country … but if you are put off by learning a new language - and some people are - then one of the Brit enclaves like Albox, Turre or Mojácar are better; these are places where some Spanish is useful … but mainly English is heard.

Lots and lots of decisions :-D

Agree with all from DM,but also when deciding on a location take into account your ages/health etc,who knows what lies a few years away

Hi Dario, my friend has TIE obtained prior to Brexit. She now is in the uk due to family issues. How long can she stay out of Spain before losing her residency.  Kind regards 

It depends on how long she had been in Spain prior to returning.  If she had been here 5 years or more and was a permanent resident, then she can reman outside Spain for up to 5 continuous years.

If she wasn’t a permanent resident, i .e. hadn’t been here 5 years yet, then any longer than 183 days in a calendar year and she risks forfeit of her residencia.

Thank you for your reply