Moving to Spain is something thousands of British buyers dream about. But what does it actually feel like to pack up your life and start again somewhere new? In a recent Your Overseas Home webinar, Sian Burton – commercial director at Your Overseas Home and a Spain resident of 20 years – shared her honest account of the move, from the first tentative viewings to raising a family on the Costa Tropical.
Here are her five biggest lessons from two decades in Spain.
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The decision isn’t as dramatic as it sounds
Sian moved to Almuñécar in Andalusia in her mid-twenties with her husband, prompted by her parents who wanted to move to the town but not without them. What might have seemed like a leap of faith was, in practice, a gradual process – renting first, trying different areas and giving themselves permission to come back if it didn’t work out.
Moving to Spain was the best decision I ever made
The property search is more open-ended than you expect
Sian’s experience of finding her home in Spain came with a few surprises. She had arrived with a clear idea of what she wanted – a countryside property, perhaps a rustic finca or cortijo – but viewings quickly revealed that the reality didn’t match the vision. Off-grid water supplies and unreliable electricity weren’t right for a young family, even if they suited others – like her in-laws – perfectly.
Her advice is to go in with an open mind and a trusted agent. She found one she felt completely confident in, and that relationship made the difference. In Spain, agents often share listings across their networks, so working with someone you trust means you can access far more than you might expect.
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The admin takes longer than you’d like – get help
Sian was candid about the bits she’d do differently. She tackled the NIE number application herself and found it time-consuming. In hindsight, she said, paying a professional to handle it would have been well worth it.
Currency was another area where she lost money unnecessarily. Selling a UK property and transferring funds without specialist help cost her an estimated €2,000 to €3,000. “I just wasn’t thinking about the financials,” she admitted. It’s the kind of mistake that’s easy to avoid with the right guidance in place early.
Language is less of a barrier than people fear
Sian arrived with reasonable Spanish, but even buyers who come with none have, in her experience, managed well. Her husband now runs his own building company entirely in Spanish, having arrived with very little. The key to integrating into your community, she said, is pushing yourself out there – joining classes, local groups, whatever gets you talking to people.
The verdict? Do it sooner
It’s so easy to do
Asked what she would tell her younger self, Sian’s answer was immediate: “We should have done this sooner.” Both sets of parents, who have all made the move themselves, said the same thing.
The reality of life in Spain isn’t a highlight reel. There are forms, fees, unfamiliar systems and the occasional bad day. But for Sian – and for the growing number of buyers Your Overseas Home helps every year – it has been well worth it.
We don’t have any regrets
What should I do next?
If Sian’s story has you thinking seriously about a move to Spain, the best place to start is understanding the buying process from someone who knows it well. Browse properties for sale in Spain, read our guide to buying property in Spain, or speak to a member of our team about finding the right experts for your move.
Summary
Sian Burton moved to Almuñécar on the Costa Tropical 20 years ago and hasn’t looked back. Her advice for anyone considering the move: go in with an open mind on the property search, work with an agent you genuinely trust, get professional help with admin and currency early, don’t let the language put you off – and above all, don’t wait as long as she did.
