Settling in to a new culture
​March 2016

Spanish People

I have to say my views of Spanish people were not flattering before I moved to Spain.  I am very happy to report, that those opinions, have changed out of all proportion.  The Spanish are the most courteous group of people I have ever met.  From stopping at Zebra Crossings, to greeting you in the street and going out of their way to ensure you have to want for nothing.  Quite simply they are welcoming, warm, friendly and always willing to help.  We could not have hoped or expected a more favourable experience from the local Spanish community.  I am not saying this is true for the rest of Spain, just that we have had nothing but good vibes from those we live around now!

Speaking the language is important, even if you can´t speak it well.  It is crucial you respect the Country you have moved too, by at least trying to speak the language, which we are doing, even if we are still pretty bad.  The smile on the face of the local shop cashier, when you reply, even badly in Spanish, speaks volumes for their acceptance or not of you as an individual.  A grumpy shop assistant can become a happy bunny, almost instantly!
Bureaucracy

Now this is where Spain falls down, in every respect.  The form filling, officialdom and red tape is an absolute nightmare.  This we discovered from day two of being here in Spain.

BANK ACCOUNT

Straight away the process of opening a bank account without a job, was difficult.  I was turned down by most banks and the one bank that would allow it, put conditions on the account I could use and charged at €24 fee, every three months for operating the it.  I was classed as a non resident, until a number of different procedures were followed, in order to waive any fees charged by the bank.

The bank itself is truly amazing.  They are helpful in every respect and bend over backwards to help whenever they can.  The lady who opened the account with me, could speak perfect English and explained how Spanish accounts work, perfectly. 

The only reason this was possible, was because we lived in a large expat area, where this particular branch had international status.  They specifically cater for the needs of the English and understand the initial processes we have to go through!
REGISTERING ON THE PADRON

It is obligatory by Spanish law to register on the padrón at the Town Hall where you habitually reside, yet many British ex-pats still have not done so. Perhaps some view the padrón as a means of vigilance by the state, in ‘big-brother’ fashion. However, in reality, it is simply a way for the town hall to know how many people live in their area, without entering into investigations as to a person’s official residence status or financial affairs.

By registering you are then entitled to access some income based benefits, including courses run by local councils as well as a number of social security benefits.  You will also get a reduced rate of income tax, as well as reduced travel costs.  Reduction rates of 50% on air and ferry costs between the islands is also included at registration.
SPANISH RESIDENCY

After three months, ninety days, it is a legal requirement to apply for residency here in Spain.  We will be asked to provide details of income, used to support ourselves here.  Of course we will have had to  follow all the steps I have previously mentioned in order to obtain the green certificate.

This certificate is important and we will finally be able to access all services on an equal footing to those already resident and those Spanish Nationals who were born and have lived here all their lives!

Do remember these are initial views of the processes and bureaucracy involved in settling  in Spain.  If you ask me for my views in three months, once we have completed the necessary steps involved, I am sure you will find my thoughts very different.

Things are much stricter here for a reason, to prevent the problems The Uk is suffering with.  After all the Health Service in Spain is one of the best in the World for a reason!
Language
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Like any Country you travel to, let alone decide to move to, you should make an effort with the local dialect.  The Spanish people appreciate any effort made to communicate in their language, as would we in similar circumstances.  Spain, like English is Latin based, which does make for easier learning.  Don´t think for one minute, learning a language is easy, especially for a forty four year old, but it helps greatly, when you are at the basic level, like we are, to live among the people, who´s language you are learning!

​Spanish people are expressive, louder and talk much faster than us Brits.  I´m sure they would say the same about us also.  The rolling of the tongue, when speaking the letter R, is something I am not used to yet, but, my Spanglish is getting better. 

​Working in a shop helps also.  I work with mainly British people, who have lived here for many, many years.  Their use of Spanish varies from person to person, but all are knowledgeable and are teaching me key words and phrases and it really is working.  Saying a word or phrase over and over again in one's head, for twenty minutes and yes, it has stayed in.  This is the method, Mollie from work taught me, most recently and seems to be the best way for me also.  Mollie speaks perfect Spanish and is also a great teacher!

​A lot of pubs and bars offer free Conversational Spanish lessons here, which is a bonus.  You have to remember, that while we want to learn the language here, so the Spanish want to know how to talk English.  So, normally on a weekly basis, people gather to speak and converse with each other.  The combination works perfectly!

​The biggest question I had, when I arrived here, was, ¿Can you actually get by, not speaking Spanish?, well the answer to that is YES, yes you could live here and not speak the language.  You can even get a job and get by without using Spanish at all. The real question should be, ¿Would you really want to?  I think the answer to that is no!  I believe, I at least, have to learn Spanish, just for my own satisfaction.  I intend to live here forever, so communication is essential.
This page will be dedicated to  changing views of my new home, my  adopted Country, culture, its residents and those, who have like me chosen Spain as their new place of residence, their abode of choice!  I will add to this page as often as I can, as my views change, over time!

Like most people, I had my own views of this Country I now call home, and to be honest they were probably very similar to most English people's.  Preconceived opinions of another European Country, its inhabitants, opportunities and its future. 

The British seem to have built a pastime around judging other people, who are different to them, and I was no exception.  Some of my views, were indeed realised, others, far from the truth and the jury is out on many more!
Lifestyle

Sun, sea and sand, those are the three ´s´ that immediately spring to mind when one talks about Spain.  This was the view I had and this is also the reality.  I do not spend even one day a week in doors now, where in The UK, living at Gay Capri, I seemed to never leave the house.  I really did not want too!  A combination of the weather, lifestyle and expense always seemed to get in the way of living a more outdoor life!  The reality here on The Costa Blanca, is very different.  The weather, even now, in February is truly energizing and warm and whilst waiting for the new car, we are walking everywhere.  I have given up smoking and yes, I feel fitter than ever!

The lifestyle here also has a large expat influence.  Although relatively small, the community here are close knit and know everyone by name.  They are a great bunch of people who will always do what they can to help you, no matter what the circumstances.  Coming from a large City, this kind of interaction can be a bit of a culture shock, especially for a gay couple.  Sexuality has not been an issue and we all have been welcomed with open arms.  Everyone has been wonderful and warm.

I was always unsure about the role expats should play in the relocation of us and our new life, but today, I can safely say, they have played the most important role.  They have encouraged us and always given positive sentiments about our endeavours.  They are a wonderfully resourceful and creative bunch, who all have been where we are now and have worked hard to overcome their fears and problems. 

The British lifestyle still exists here in Spain, yes it does, but it is very different to what we have been used too.  It is a lifestyle based around ideals long since lost in The UK, and I truly like and embrace it!
So what exactly does one have to do to obtain residency status.  Well this is probably the most difficult process one needs to go through in order to finalise the legalities that are required to even gain access to a Doctor let alone any other form of medical treatment or benefits offered by the Spanish Government.

NIE NUMBER

This is the number you will need to have, in order to obtain employment here.  It is rather like a National Insurance card, though the process of obtaining one can be difficult.  In our area only twelve numbers are issued each day, through the front door if you will.  They are obtained from the local Police Station and you have to meet a strict criteria in order to apply.

As an EU National, I had no problem at all, neither did Jamie.  For Darrell, this was a bit more difficult.  He was entitled to a number as my spouse, but because Spain had not stamped his passport on entry, there was a fear he would have to leave the Country and return, obtaining one on re-entry.  Luckily, we employed an agent to obtain a NIE number for us, and with a small amount of documentation, proving he was in France and Spain on the dates provided, he was granted his number. 

The number is needed to work, buy a home or car and for all fiscal paperwork required in Spain. It is extremely important to get one as soon as possible.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

This is the most important number to have.  Anyone who is working here in Spain is entitled to a number.  This can be applied for by the individual or by the employer.  You can not get a number, without first having an NIE number.  This is the point you can then obtain free health care and not before!

In the interim we can use our EHIC for the period we are not resident, after this it is up to us to either have obtained the relevant number, show proof of income or pay for private health insurance! There are many top up schemes for health care here too!
​Employment
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The employment market here in Spain is seasonal in nature.  Unemployment is extremely high in Spain, traditionally between 22 and 25%.  ¿So why is it so high? Well It all boils down to too much construction, too much regulation, and not enough growth.  Spain´s employment laws, make it very difficult to fire people, so when times are rocky, Spanish companies become very scared about hiring people and sadly this does extend to the good times as well!  Because of this situation Companies tend to hire on a temporary basis, coupled with the seasonal nature of employment, you can see where the problems lie!  Until the Spanish Government tackle these basic problems, things are likely to stay exactly as they are!

​In 2008, when the global economy collapsed, Spain like every other industrialised nation suffered.  An economy like Spain´s built around construction and property sales lost more than most.  Even now in 2016, 8 years later things have yet to return to what they were back before the crash!

​Immigration has also been a major problem for Spain.  When Spain´s economy began to expand, migrant workers were lured to this land of milk and honey, from 900,000 in 1992 to a staggering 5.7 million in 2012.  This was the largest increase of any European Country in the shortest space of time.  It is only now, after 2012, that immigrants have began to return to their Countries of origin, in significant numbers to help ease the unemployment situation here in Spain! 

​So far our experience of looking for jobs here on The Costa Blanca, has been what we expected.  It is about getting your CV out there, around local businesses and shops, just before the season starts at Easter.  That we have done. 

​I was extremely lucky to find, at least the prospect of long term employment and am under no illusions as to the problems involved in sustaining a career here in Spain.  In reality, I do not care about advancement or careers anymore, I am happy to do any form of work that fits into a new lifestyle and reduces the stress and anxiety of working and living in The UK. My priorities are very different now, to what they were ten years ago.  Quality of life is the number one factor and incentive!  Money comes at the bottom of the list.  I have learnt much over the last year, changed dramatically and have grown enormously and all for the better!
Drugs
Spain has many laws, that I personally find hard to reconcile. The laws on drugs in Spain, seem to be particularly alien to me.  Hash or weed, whatever you want to call the stuff, is legal, in nearly every sense of the word.  

You can grow your own crop yourself, as much as you want, so long as it is kept away from public view.  Of course like this and many other drugs, dealing is completely a different matter.

I have many strong views on drugs, as many of my readers of this and other blogs will know.  I personally, do not smoke weed and dislike the feeling intensely.  My personal views, are just that, personal.  I believe that this particular drug, is what's known as a gateway drug, and as such, is responsible for a lot of the addiction problems, we see, not only in Spain and The UK, but all over the World.  

No one drug is worse or better than any other and as such, I truly believe that all drugs must be treated the same.  All drugs are addictive and Cannabis has been proven to be the catalyst to harder more dangerous drugs.  For this reason alone, I believe Spain's policy is wrong.

I was speaking to a Spanish friend of mine over the last few days, about this very subject and they were quick to voice their views on the subject.  Their concerns lie in the work ethic and high unemployment in Spain , with groups of young people constantly stoned 'off their heads', unable or unwilling to work.  As she put it, a lost generation, because of drugs and corruption.  Whether or not this is true, it has to be said, that unemployment is extremely high in Spain, with youth unemployment rising faster than  any other group!

​Other people have justified the use of cannabis, their own production and the numerous 'Grow Shops' in Spain, on medical grounds.  Isn't that what they all say?  There is of course a need for cannabis on some medical grounds and that should be legislated for accordingly.  Sadly I have a feeling that´s Spain's lost generation, will just keep getting lost, with a drug's policy, that allows cultivation and consumption to continue, legally!

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