Phase 0: the choice of residency

The decision to officially register in Spain is the foundation of your emigration. This is not an administrative checkmark, but the moment when you set your course financially and organizationally.

1. The 183-day rule

In Spain, the calendar determines your status. The tax authorities look at the number of days you are actually in the country:

• The limit: If you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, the tax authorities will automatically consider you a tax resident;

• No free choice: even without official notification, the tax authorities can mark you as a resident based on bank expenses, power consumption or social media. You are then taxable worldwide in Spain.

2. The timing of your home sale

The order of moving and selling determines how much surplus value you actually have left over:

• Sale before you leave: if you sell your home in the Netherlands or Belgium while you are still living and registered there, the proceeds are subject to the rules of your home country. In many cases, the capital gain then remains untaxed;

• Sale as resident: are you already officially resident in Spain at the time your old home is sold, the Spanish tax authorities can tax the sale profit. This is especially true for second homes (Box 3), where rates can go above 25% ..

3. Wealth tax

Spain is not a tax haven in terms of wealth:

• Globalstatement: as a resident, you must declare all your assets worldwide, from savings to real estate abroad;

• Exemptions: in the Valencia region, you have a per-person wealth tax exemption of about €700,000, plus an additional €300,000 exemption for your own home. Above that, you pay tax on your total worldwide assets.

Phase 1: the preparation (before departure)

Once the tax planning around your home and residency is in place, the paperwork begins.

• NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero): this is your tax base. You need the NIE number to open a bank account, buy a car and sign a purchase contract;

• Spanish bank account: essential for direct debit of water, electricity and internet. Some banks ask for your NIE number and proof of registration for this purpose;

• Deregistration and insurance: dhe actual deregistration with your municipality is done only shortly before departure. In this preparatory phase, however, you already inform the Tax Office and your health insurance company of your plans to avoid surprises with your coverage and premiums.

Phase 2: local registration (1st 3 months).

Once arrived on the Costa Blanca, physical integration starts at the agencies.

• Empadronamiento: the registration in the population register of your new municipality. This document is your official proof of address and essential for access to the doctor and schools;

• Residencia: the official residence status for EU citizens. This green certificate confirms that you are permanently and legally residing in Spain;

• Seguridad Social & SIP card: onceyou are a resident or working in Spain, you are entitled to public care through the Centro de Salud. You will then receive the SIP card, your personal care card for doctor visits and hospital care;

• Medicine & Pharmacies: In Spain, pharmacies(Farmacias) are the hub of healthcare. Medications are digitally linked to your SIP card, allowing you to pick up your prescriptions directly from the pharmacy at a reduced rate;

• Car and Driving License: if you stay longer than six months, your car must be on Spanish plates. This requires an ITV technical inspection and import duties. Although your driver’s license remains valid, changing it to a Spanish one avoids problems in case of loss or renewal.

Phase 3: living on the Costa Blanca

The housing market on the Costa Blanca has its own rules and specific concerns.

• Building quality and climate: Spanish homes are often not built with winter in mind. Pay close attention to insulation, double glazing and the presence of heating .. Houses right by the sea can suffer from high humidity and moisture problems;

• Legal security: always engage an independent lawyer to check the legality of the house and any debts. In the region of Valencia, registration in the RAICV register for real estate agents is now mandatory to protect buyers from incompetent intermediaries;

Tip! Make sure your NIE number is arranged before you sign the deed of sale at the notary. Without this number, the transfer of ownership cannot take place.

• Pets: to bring pets, an EU pet passport and rabies vaccination is mandatory. Upon arrival, they must be registered in the Spanish database(RIVIA).

Phase 4: working, learning and integrating

The administration is complete, the moving boxes are unpacked. Now real life on the Costa Blanca begins. Successful integration requires an active attitude.

• The labor market & entrepreneurship: the region is a draw for entrepreneurs. Do you want to be self-employed? Then register as Autónomo. For remote workers, the Costa Blanca is ideal due to its extensive fiber optic network, even in the valleys of the hinterland. Note: Spanish work culture is more hierarchical and informal; networking often happens over lunch;

• Education & family: school choice determines your integration.

  • Public (Público): the fastest way to language for children;

  • Private/International: often English- or Dutch-speaking, ideal for shorter stays or older children;

Tip! As a Familia Numerosa (family with 3+ children) you are entitled to discounts on transportation, taxes and school fees.

• Language as key: although English and Dutch will get you a long way in tourist coastal towns, Spanish(Castellano) opens the doors to real culture and faster service at agencies. Also consider the local influence of Valencian in villages in the Marina Alta;

• Social rhythm: adapt to the Spanish rhythm. The siesta between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. is still sacred in many villages. Integrate at the local town square or during the many fiestas – participating in local traditions is the fastest way to be accepted into the community.