1. Decide which possessions you will take to Spain, which you will leave in the UK and which items you can sell before you leave.
2. Obtain estimates for the move from at least three removal companies.
3. Purchase boxes, labels and bubble wrap. When you pack boxes, list the contents on a label.
4. Make sure you have nothing on loan such as videos, library books and if so, return them.
5. Have you anything at the dry cleaners or cobblers?
6. Arrange moving date and confirm at least twice.
7. Check all the details of your Spanish purchase. Confirm mortgage and lawyers.
8. Make sure you have some cash for your journey and arrival in Spain.
9. Notify authorities, banks, building societies etc of your new contact details.
10. Check any schooling arrangements for the children. See more about schools here.
11. Make arrangements for your pets travel and arrival. See more about pets here.
12. Check passports, travel tickets and car documents.
13. Have you got travel insurance ? Have you a green card for your car insurance ? See about driving in Spain here.
14. Insure your property in Spain NOW and save on normal policy prices.

Personal
You’ll need to consider your pensions, tax, life assurance, investments and healthcare arrangements in your new home. Please note that members of EU countries such as a UK national, a Dane, a Swede or Norwegian has the right to live in Spain by virtue of their countries’ membership of the European Economic Area.

If you are retiring abroad, you can continue to receive your UK State pension. If you are moving permanently to Spain, you should get yearly increases in your pension. Contact the Social Security Office to complete the correct forms.

1. Before you leave the UK work out your retirement income by obtaining and completing a form BR19 from the Retirement Pension Forecasting and Advice Unit (RPFA) on 0044(0) 191 218 7585 and ask for a state pension forecast. This is available up to four months before you reach the UK pension age. The forecast you receive subject to your general entitlement will tell you what your pension is at the date received and whether or not you will get more by the time you reach UK pension age. Note that if you have already moved, and are paying local Spanish social security payments, that this forecast will not include your local contributions.
2. You should write to The UK Pensions Service informing them that you are moving to Spain and give them your new address. Their address is International Pension Centre, Tyne View Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA Telephone: +44 (0) 191 218 7777; Fax: +44 (0) 191 218 3836.
3. Note that the state pension age and entitlements may vary between Spain and the UK. To check on your pension rights in Spain we suggest that as a first step you should look at www.ukinspain.com/english/. This is a UK government website dedicated to providing information for those re-locating to Spain from the UK.
4. To obtain your UK State pension in Spain you will need to complete a claim form from the Pensions Service. This is also normally available four months before you reach the UK pensionable age. It asks you if you want to claim a UK retirement pension and for details of any periods of residence and state insurance you have in other countries. If you are living in Spain and claim a pension from that country, the UK Pension Service will pass details of your claim to the Spanish authorities who will process you pension in Spain. Personal and company pension schemes can usually be paid anywhere. The experience of others has shown that some company schemes, for example, will pay a pension only to a UK bank. Further, some annuity companies levy charges for each overseas payment, although others do so for free. You may consider transferring your pension fund abroad. This would eliminate the Euro/Sterling exchange rate risk if your fund were maintained in Euros. Please note that all such international transfers must receive the prior approval of the Inland Revenue and specialist advice should be obtained from a pension’s expert.

Tax
Personal circumstances vary greatly but you may cease to be liable to UK tax if you cut all ties with the UK and become domiciled abroad. However you will technically be a UK resident if you spend a requisite number of days in the UK and will consequently suffer UK tax on your income. Obtain more information on tax and your domicile status from the Inland Revenue’s document called IR20. If you do change you residency cash held offshore may still be liable to tax in Spain depending on local tax rules. Please note that Spain imposes a wealth tax on your world-wide assets. However, as Spain and UK have a double taxation treaty you should be given relief for double taxation. Please remember that if you are proposing to rent out your UK property this will attract a UK income tax charge.

Step #3 Making the move
Once you have decided on where in Spain you are going to, you need to decide on how to get there. You will decide which way is best for you, depending on what you are taking with you. If you decide to drive, make sure you read the section on driving in Spain. You can catch a car ferry at many English ports and buy a one way or return ticket. [we were once told that a cheap day return to France can be bought cheaper than a one-way ticket]. A point to note is that if you bring a caravan over with you, most ferries will not