All info and topic about living at Southern Spain

Money Worries?

2011-10-04T14:18:00.001-07:00

Transferring money and looking after finances is one of the most fundamental concerns for anyone living overseas. With the challenges of unfamiliar currencies and red-tape procedures, this is an area that can at times feel overwhelming.

Looking after the pennies

Whether you're looking to maximise your financial resources through investments, build up your savings, take out a mortgage or simply to make sure that you have access to your money as and when you require it, AngloINFO has a range of ways to help you organise your finances.

First, refer to the INFOrmation Page Banking in Spain for detailed information about the documents required and the banking services provided. Next, see the Financial & Legal category of The AngloFILE directory of English-speaking businesses and services where you'll find the contact information of all the local banking professionals you'll need: financial consultants, accountants, mortgage advisors and capital investment specialists.

Education & Schooling in Spain - AngloINFO Costa del Sol (Spain)

2011-03-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

Education & Schooling in Spain

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Comprehensive information on the Spanish school system and the basics of education in Spain. Information on the levels, the school year, catchment areas and getting your child admitted to school, pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary education.

State education is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Science (Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia), although the 17 autonomous regions have some responsibility for their own education system (including higher education).

The Law on the Quality of Education (Ley Orgánica de Calidad de la Educación - LOCE) covers the main points of the education law in Spain which are as follows:

school is compulsory and free of charge for all children from age six to age sixteen
the system includes levels of education adapted to suit students with special needs
all students receive basic vocational training in secondary education
religious instruction is available but optional
special systems exist for artistic education and language learning

The law also determines that education authorities must promote the integration of foreign pupils and develop specific programmes in mainstream schools for those that do not have a good grasp of the Spanish language. "Bridge" classes provide facilities for students to study Spanish before joining an ordinary class.

State and Private Schools

Spain has privately-owned and state schools. Some of the private schools are funded by the state (concertados). Fees in these schools are generally lower than in other private schools. State school education is free, although in some autonomous regions books and materials must be paid for. Once a child enters primary school (primaria), vouchers (bonos) may be available to help pay for books.

The School System

Spanish	Guarderia	Escuela Infantil	Primaria	ESO	Universidad
English	Nursery school	Pre-school	Primary school	Secondary school	Higher education
Ages	Age 0-3	Age 3-6	Age 6-12	Age 12-16	From 16

Infant education (educación infantil)

Educación infantil refers to the first six non-compulsory years of education which is split into two cycles of three years each. The first cycle is for children up to three and the second cycle, which is free, is for children aged three to six.

Nursery school (guardería)

Nursery school is normally available for children from the age of three months until the child is in their third year.

Guardería are either state run or private, though private facilities are usually more expensive. Guardería fees are paid monthly. Working mothers may be entitled to financial assistance at state run facilities.

Pre-school education (escuela infantil)

Although education for children under the age of six is not compulsory, many parents choose to enroll their children in pre-school when they are three, or are in their third year (a child born in November could start school at age two years and ten months). Children usually stay in pre-school until they are five or six years old.

The aim of early childhood education is to contribute to the physical, emotional, social and intellectual development of a child.

Pre-schools are often located within the same complex as a primary school. Nursery schools are usually separate (although facilities vary greatly depending on the area).

For further information from the Spanish Ministry of Education about pre-school education: Click here (in Spanish)

Primary education (educación primaria)

Compulsory primary education begins at the age of six and lasts for six years. There are three two-year cycles. The first cycle (primer ciclo) is for children from age six to eight years of age. During these two years the child is assessed every term and parents are issued with a report. At the end of this cycle a child may need to repeat a year if they have not reached the education level needed to carry on to the next cycle.

The second cycle (segundo ciclo) is for children aged eight to ten years.

The third cycle (tercer ciclo) is for ten to twelve year olds and serves to prepare them for secondary education. A child may be asked to repeat a year if they have not reached the education level needed to carry on to the next cycle.

Children are graded in the following manner:

Insuficiente (IN) - Insufficient
Suficiente (SU) - Sufficient
Bien (BI) - Good
Notable (NT) - Very good
Sobresaliente (SB) - Outstanding
For further information from the Spanish Ministry of Education about primary school evaluations: Click here (in Spanish)

The primary curriculum includes natural and social sciences (conocimiento del medio natural, social y cultural), the Spanish language (Castellano) and literature, an autonomous language and literature if applicable (lengua cooficial), mathematics, physical education, plastic and visual arts, and a foreign language and optional Catholic religion (when a child starts school the parents will be asked whether they want their child to attend religious classes). Another foreign language may be added in the third cycle.

Secondary education (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria - ESO)

Compulsory secondary education (ESO or "instituto") begins at the age of 12 and lasts for four years. It is divided into two cycles, the first for students from age 12 to 14 and the second for students from 14 to 16.

Types of schools providing this education include: Institutos de Educación Secundaria, Colegios Privados and Colegios Concertados. Pupils receive specialised training at ESO and begin their preparation for the baccalaureate or vocational training.

Compulsory subjects include natural and social sciences, history and geography, physical education, plastic and visual arts, Spanish and an autonomous community language (if applicable), a foreign language, literature, mathematics, music and technology.

To see how the school week is divided up for each subject: Click here (in Spanish)

In the second year of the second cycle, pupils choose two of the following four options: natural and social sciences, music, technology, and plastic and visual arts. The Catholic religion is an optional subject for all four years; non-Catholics may choose study periods instead. A second foreign language can be chosen during the second cycle.

As with primary education, a pupil can be required to repeat a year if they do not meet the required standards at the end of the school year. Children may only repeat the year once.

Once pupils have satisfactorily finished four years of ESO they receive a Secondary Education Certificate. (Graduado en Educación Secundaria). This certificate is necessary for those who want to continue to higher secondary education (Bachillerato) studies or intermediate vocational training.

For further information from the Spanish Ministry of Education about secondary school evaluations: Click here (in Spanish)

Higher secondary education (bachillerato or formación profesional)

At the end of compulsory education (usually at age 16) pupils can go on to bachillerato studies or vocational training (formación profesional). Their education can usually continue at the same school they have been attending.

Bachillerato: This certificate is required to gain university entrance. Some of the courses studied are taken by all students, such as Spanish, a foreign language, Spanish history and physical education. However, students can choose to specialise in one of five different branches: arts, natural and health sciences, sciences and engineering, social sciences or humanities. At the end of their studies they receive the Título de Bachillerato if they have succeeded in all subjects.

For further information from the Spanish Ministry of Education about the bachillerato: Click here (in Spanish)
For further information from the Spanish Ministry of Education on the bachillerato curriculum: Click here (in Spanish)

Vocational training: Students divide their time between school studies and on-the-job training. Students who successfully complete their vocational training are awarded the Certificado de Técnico in the relevant field. This certificate allows them to work in areas related to their training, to pursue further training or to study for a bachillerato.

Higher education and university

To go on to further education, students must sit an entry exam (Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad, more commonly known as Selectividad). Higher education is not compulsory and fees are charged. Costs vary depending on the course taken.

Higher education is provided by public and private institutions known as either facultades universitarias, escuelas tecnicas superiores, escuelas universitarias, institutos universitarios, and other centres, notably the colegios universitarios. In addition to Spanish higher education facilities, there are a number of US and British universities with campuses in Spain.

International Schools

There are a large number of international schools in Spain, each following a particular educational curricula. These include the British GCSE and A-Level examinations, the American high school diploma and college entrance examinations (for example ACT, SAT, achievement tests and AP exams), the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Spanish Bachillerato. They are all private schools and charge fees for attendance.

Some international schools provide primary education only, while others can cater for all ages including pre-school and nursery age children. In many instances children are taught by nationals from their country of origin.

There are some Spanish private schools that provide a wider choice of languages to study (including English and French).

Private international schools usually follow the school holiday calendar and opening times of schools in their "home country".

For information from the European Council for International Schools (ECIS) on the availability of schools and entrance requirements: Click here

It is advisable to check if a school is recognised by the Spanish Education authorities and whether it belongs to an accredited organisation. Many British schools in Spain belong to the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS) whose members are approved by British School inspectors. Information on international schools is also available from the home Embassies in Spain.

Language

During public primary education, students develop Spanish (Castellano) language skills and learn the official language of the autonomous community. Once a child reaches the final year of primary school they begin with the basics of a foreign language, usually English.

During public secondary education another language may be added to their studies, usually French or German.

International schools generally teach in a foreign language; some international schools also teach bilingually in Castellano.

If a child in a state school is unable to read or write Castilian Spanish, extra lessons will be provided; the number of hours of instruction varies depending on the school and the region. Most towns have language centers where, for a small fee, a child can receive extra lessons outside of school hours.

Finding a School

In Spain, children attend a state school (primary or secondary) within a certain distance of their own home. Lists of locals school and their catchment areas can be obtained from town halls and provincial Ministry of Education offices. Those living in some rural areas may have little or no choice of schools, while those living in bigger cities such as Madrid may have a number of possibilities.

To find a local Spanish state school (not university): Click here (in Spanish)

On arrival in a region, a family should register on the town hall list, the Padrón Municipal de Habitantes, then visit the Education Department at the Ayuntamiento. A school registration form and a medical certificate form (to be completed by a doctor) are issued. The medical report must include a child's full medical history and confirm that the vaccinations are all up to date.

The school registration form should be completed and include the NIE as well as other identifying information of the student's parent or guardian. This form also allows a parent to select if they want the child to be taught in Spanish or the local dialect, and whether the child should be taught religion or ethics. In state schools, Catholicism is taught, however some schools allow for other religions (Judaism, Islam) to be taught in the ethics classes.

The Education Department at the Ayuntamiento determines which school and class a child will attend and should notify the parents.

Enrolment

Applications to private schools and international schools should be made as far in advance as possible as many schools have waiting lists.

To enrol at a private international school, contact the school directly. Procedures for enrolment at a state school vary from one autonomous region to another. Enrolment usually takes place between February and April, but it is suggested to contact the school directly to confirm enrolment dates as they can vary from region to region.

To enrol a child in a school the following documents are usually required:

a Volante de Empadronamiento or Certificado de Empadronamiento (issued by the town hall) which confirms the student is a resident in the school's catchment area
the child's birth certificate (translated, if applicable) and a photocopy
a medical certificate form issued by a doctor
three recent passport photos of the child

Children enroling in the second cycle of secondary school or higher must provide proof that the child's education record has been verified by the Spanish Ministry of Education. The process is known as homologación or convalidación. An official form is provided by the Ministry of Education, and is also available from most Consulates and Embassies. The completed form, the child's school record book and/or exam qualifications and birth certificate must be sent to the following address for verification:

Subdirección General de Títulos, Convalidaciones y Homologaciones
Paseo del Prado 28, 28071 Madrid

Note: All documents not originally in Spanish must be translated into Spanish.

For further information from the Spanish Ministry of Education on homologación: Click here (in Spanish)

The School Day

Primary schools

The school day in most primary schools in Spain is from 09:00-12:00 and 15:00-17:00. There is a two-and-a-half to three-hour break in the middle of the day for lunch and a siesta. Many children go home for the breaks, though children of working parents may stay and have lunch (the comidor) if this is available.

Schools hours do vary; in large cities the break is shorter and the day usually runs from 09:00-14:00. Some schools offer the option for students to arrive earlier, to have breakfast and lunch at the school and to undertake an extra-curricular activity in the afternoon.

Times may vary in September and June when schools are only operational for half of the day, from 09:00-13:00.

Secondary schools

The school day at secondary schools is normally longer than at primary schools, running from 08:30-15:00 or 09:00-15:00, but as with primary schools times may vary greatly from place to place.

The School Year

The academic year in Spain runs from mid-September to mid-June and is made up of three terms, each approximately eleven weeks in duration.

The first term runs from September to December with a two week break (vacaciones escolares) for the Christmas holidays. The spring term starts after the 6 January festival of Epiphany and runs until Easter (either March or April) with an Easter/spring break of two weeks. The third term finishes mid-June for the summer holidays which last 10 to 11 weeks

Schools are also closed on public holidays when they fall in term time and local religious days and fiestas (holidays vary between the autonomous communities).

School holiday dates are published by schools and local communities.

After school hours

Smaller towns seldom have after-school clubs or activities, as children are usually supervised after school by a family member if a parent is working. Larger cities may have before and after school programs for students.

Transportation

Private and state schools often provide a school bus service to and from local towns. The service is usually very low priced, or free for anyone living over 3.5 Km from school. Contact the school for information on bus stops and times.

Summer school

During the summer holidays, summer schools operated by independent clubs or the town hall are available. Costs and activities vary, though the schools run by the town hall are usually less expensive.

Children With Special Needs

From primary school onwards, children experiencing learning difficulties may be able to get special assistance, either from specialist teachers in the school or specialists outside of the school, though not all schools are adapted to help children who need assistance. The Spanish government requires Spanish schools to attempt to educate special-needs children within mainstream schools if the facilities exist and schools are awarded grants if they have integration teachers (PT), speech therapists (Logopedia) and other specialists on the staff. English-language assistance is very uncommon and can be very difficult to find.

If a pupil has been assessed and been found to be in need of assistance, the child and parent may be sent to a Center for Special Needs (Centro de Valoración y Orientación de Discapacitados). At the centre, the child undergoes a variety of tests with a doctor and a social worker to determine the child's level of need. Once the tests are complete, the professionals evaluate the child and discuss results with the parent.

If a child is determined to have learning deficiencies of 33 percent or more then they are classified disabled. A grant will be given for treatment (including speech therapy, physiotherapy and other specialist assistance), help in school or placement in a special-needs school if the child's mainstream school is unable to provide the education required.

Re-assessments are made every few years to determine if the child is in need of additional (or less) assistance.

Moving to Spain: Registration Procedures

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Moving to Spain: Registration Procedures As a citizen of the European Community or Switzerland, you only need to produce an appropriate identity document or a current passport to enter Spain. You can stay for three months to find a job or find work for yourself. If you have still not found a job after three months, you are entitled to stay for longer if you continue seeking work.

If your family members are not citizens of the Community, the EEA or Switzerland, they must apply for a residence card for Community relatives if they are going to stay in the country with you for more than three months.

Necessary documents

After you arrive in Spain, you have a period of three months in which to apply at the Oficina de Extranjeros (Foreign Nationals’ Office) or at a police station for registration in the Registro Central de Extranjeros (Central Register of Foreign Nationals). You will need to present your valid passport or identity card and pay a fee. The Office will give you a registration certificate with an NIE (Número de identificación de Extranjeros) [Non-nationals’ identification number]. This procedure has substituted the former Community resident’s card.

For the purposes of identification, any non-national wishing to have an economic, social or professional relation with Spain must have the personal, unique and exclusive NIE. This may be obtained automatically when applying to be included in the central register of foreign nationals, but it may also be applied for separately.

Those from countries which are not members of the EEA or from Switzerland require a residence permit to live in Spain. Ask for information in Spanish embassy in your country of origin or from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.

Registration

A registration certificate can be obtained from the local Ayuntamiento [Local Council] whenever you need to prove that you live in Spain. For this you will need to show the rental contract for your accommodation, or your electricity or water bill, etc. as proof that you do live there.

If this is the first time you have worked in Spain, you must obtain your own Social Security membership number. You can arrange this yourself or your company can do it on your behalf. You must produce the following at the Social Security office in order to be issued with the card:

Application form (TA-1)
Identity document

You will then be given a Tarjeta de la Seguridad Social [Social Security Card], which must be presented at the corresponding health centre in order to be assigned to a doctor and obtain a tarjeta sanitaria [health certificate].

Having a Baby: Pregnancy and Birth in Spain -

2011-02-28T01:50:00.001-08:00

The administrative details you need to know if you are giving birth in Spain. Who to contact and what to expect from the system through the pregnancy
and the post-natal period: maternity leave, midwives and vaccinations. Before conception, or in the early stages of pregnancy it is recommended to explore the options available and consider the following: Where to receive care during pregnancyWhere to deliver the babyWhere to get post natal careEntitlements available under the social health care systemThe coverage available from private health care There are both state-owned social security hospitals and private clinics in all areas of Spain. A person not entitled to social health care has the option of private care. This choice of private care may be influenced by available insurance cover and the cost of individual services. A mother wanting to give birth at a private clinic must have private insurance in place at least ten months before becoming pregnant. If this is not done, it might be difficult to find an insurer. Most regions of Spain provide translation services in the hospitals and clinics. Pre-Natal Care As soon as a pregnancy is suspected, consult a doctor or midwife. This visit is to confirm the pregnancy, examine the expectant mother and organise routine blood tests and an early ultra sound scan. Generally (although this may vary) pre-natal examinations will be given by a doctor or midwife. The schedule of examinations is: every 4 weeks up to 32 weeks. The mother is seen by the midwife and attends the hospital for scansevery 2 weeks after 32 weeks (in most regions in Spain). If there are complications with the health of the mother or baby, visits will be weekly, with a second scan at 36 weeksbetween 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, the midwife does a compulsory group B streptococcus test (Note, this applies to state hospitals only; in most private hospitals it must be requested - one in four pregnant women have the bacteria Strep B) The reason for regular pre-natal care is to continually monitor maternal and foetal well-being, to monitor the progress of pregnancy and for early detection of deviations from normal. Pre-Natal Education Pre-natal education is a vital part of pre-natal care. Women who receive professional pre-natal education and preparation invariably fair better in labour. Some clinics provide a complete pre-natal education programme. The course should include preparation for labour (what to expect), breathing and relaxation techniques and preparation for infant feeding. In most cases the education or pre-natal classes start in the 28th week. Most classes invite partners as well. Where to Deliver the Baby Although it is seldom possible to choose a particular unit at a Social Security hospital these hospitals tend to offer a very high standard of care, with emergency personnel services readily available. When choosing a delivery unit the following could be considered: Which unit has the highest safety recordWhether there is a paediatrician resident in the unit 24 hours a dayIf there are facilities for intensive neonatal careThe Caesarean section rateThe methods of pain relief available In the private sector, the chosen obstetrician may only deliver in one particular unit. This would limit the choice.

Note: When opting for a private clinic, establish what happens in the case of premature birth - the majority of private clinics do not delivery before 36 weeks as most premature infants need specialised 24 hour care. After the birth Following a normal delivery, expect to stay in hospital (private and social security) for up to 48 hours. This allows time for at least two pediatric checks on the newborn. In the case of a Cesarean delivery, expect to stay in the hospital for up to five days. Make sure to have a family member around, as help will be needed with the newborn. On discharge from hospital, the baby and mother have a final examination; the mother has a scan. The mother is given a yellow form to be used to register the birth and an infant record book which will be the child's health record from birth to 18 years of age. Vaccinations The following vaccinations are recommended: tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, (Difteria, tétano, tos farina), Haemophilus B (Haemophilus influenzae tipo B), MMR (Sarampión, paperas, rubeola) TB (BCG), Meningitis. Note that immunisation policy may vary in the different autonomous regions of Spain. At one week of age the baby has a blood test to determine if there is any genetic error. This test is sent away for analysis; it takes up to 14 days for the results to be returned. This test is only done on social security. Home Births Homebirths in Spain are possible, although not as common place as in some western countries. That said, Barcelona and Madrid, in particular, have well-developed networks of midwives and clinics supporting alternative birth options. Nacer en Casa is an association providing information about homebirths, and connecting homebirth professionals. Nacer en Casa
At: C/ Guetaria, 56 - 6ºA, 28041 Madrid
Tel: 913 412 358
e-mail
Website (in Spanish) This association offers homebirth assistance: Cooperativa Titania-Tascó
At: C/ de la Llibertat, 47 bxos 1º, 08012 Barcelona
Tel: 934 266 559
e-mail
Website (in Spanish) Home births in Catalonia Website Barcelona birth has useful information on pregnancy and birth in Spain and Barcelona. It includes clear birthing options available to a mother in Spain, along with a useful glossary of relevant Spanish words. The Marenostrum Centre de Salut Familiar in Barcelona works with local English- (British and American), Catalan- and Spanish-speaking midwives to provide a home birth option. Marenostrum
At: C/ Fontanella, 16 pral, Barcelona
Tel: 933 022 915
e-mail
Website Registration of a Birth Births must be registered within eight days (but up to 30 days is accepted) at the local civil registry office (Registro Civil). It is the parents' responsibility to ensure this is done and it must be carried out in person by a parent or direct family member. In some cases the hospital, clinic or midwife may register the birth. The registered name must conform to Spanish regulations regarding compound names and also ensure that the name will not prove harmful or confusing for the child. The Ministerio Justicia English-language pages have a description of registering the birth: Click here The birth registration includes: name of the newborn date, time and location of the birth. In the case of multiple births, when the exact time is unknown for each newborn, indication shall be given of the order in which they were born, or that this could not be determined gender of the newborn the parents, when the relationship is legally recognised the number assigned to the birth or verification file the time of registration Birth certificates must state whether a child is legitimate or illegitimate. Children born within 180 days of their parent's marriage, or within 300 days of a divorce, a marriage annulment or the death of the father are considered legitimate. Registering a child born within a marriage A parent takes the following to the Civil Registry: Medical delivery report (this yellow form is provided by the hospital where the delivery took place) NIE (Foreigner's Identification Number) of the parents Libro de Familia (Family Book, if available) or marriage certificate legalised and translated Registering a child born outside marriage In this case, a declaration is required by both parents, with the father and the mother both registering the birth in person, providing the following documentation: Medical delivery report (yellow form is provided by the hospital where the delivery took place)The parents' NIEs Indication of the mother's marital statusIf a prior marriage existed, the legal presumption of paternity must be removed by providing a marriage certificate and a separation certificate or divorce decree (witnessed)In the case of separation, two witnesses must accompany the parent to the Civil Registry The birth certificate There are two types of certificate: short/abridged (un extracto de inscripción de nacimiento or certificado simple): contains the date of birth, the names of the child and parents and the inscription numberfull birth certificates (un certificado literal de nacimiento): full certificates may be needed for registration with the Consulate of a baby born to foreign national resident in Spain Once the birth certificate is issued, a Libro de Familia (Family Book) is allocated. This book contains the full history of the parents and children of the family. Birth certificates for specific regions can be downloaded: Click here Post Natal Care Post natal care tends to be very limited. Statutory Maternity Leave Statutory maternity leave in Spain is currently 12 weeks paid leave from work, which may be taken before (if complications are detected) or after delivery. This is increased by two weeks for each child in the event of a multiple birth from the second baby. Fathers are entitled to 15 days paternity leave (depending on their job). In 2015 this will be increased to 30 days. If there are complications for either the baby or the mother, the father is entitled to longer leave. Benefits In order to encourage more births in Spain, mothers of children born after 00:00 on 3 July 2007 are entitled to a one-off payment of €2,500 - the cheque bebé. Mothers who are Spanish citizens and foreigners who have been resident in Spain for at least two years prior to the birth are eligible. Adoptive parents who adopt a child within Spanish territory are also eligible. This allowance is only available if one parent has done the renta (tax declaration) for the previous year. To get the benefit, either contact the local Agencia Tributaria or get the help of a gestor. Working mothers are also entitled to a monthly allowance for childcare. Application for this monthly benefit automatically generates an application for the one-off €2,500 childbirth benefit. To apply, contact the local Social Security office (Seguridad Social). For more information on the cheque bebé: Click here (in Spanish)See the Seguridad Social website for the nearest office: Click hereFor further information, see the Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) website: Click here (in Spanish)

Airports on the Costa del Sol

2011-01-17T09:57:00.000-08:00

How to get in touch with Malaga Airport. With up-to-the minute flight information links to bus, taxi, lost property and airport information.

Real-time flight information (all daily flights to and from all Spanish airports): Click here
Spanish Airport Information (24/7) Tel: 902 404 704

Airports serving the Costa del Sol

Below are contact details for Málaga Airport, Almería Airport, Granada Airport, Seville Airport, Cordoba Airport, and Gibraltar Airport.

For a map of the local airports see Costa del Sol Airport Maps

Málaga Airport

Aeropuerto de Málaga	Málaga Airport Information	Tel: 952 048 804
	Málaga Airport online (in English)	Website
	Access: Airport is 8 Km from the city centre. The airport is currently being expanded - beware of traffic problems and allow plenty of time to get there	Website
	Parking: Public parking available	Tel: 952 048 849 Parking
	Disabled: The airport has facilities for those with reduced mobility	Disabled
	Lost Luggage: Eurohandling	Tel: 952 048 257
	Lost Luggage: Iberia	Tel: 952 136 204
	Lost Luggage: Spanair	Tel: 902 131 435
	Lost Luggage: Swissport	Tel: 952 048 189
	Taxi: There are taxi ranks at both terminals one and two. All taxis must adhere to a fixed pricing scheme, see the website for up-to-date details of the price per kilometre	Tel: 952 040 804 Website
	Bus	Information

LICENSED TO DRIVE

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When you relocate and settle in a new country there is always a long list of things to do, things to change and things to get used to. For many people, one of the biggest of these is driving - adapting to the road rules and customs. But before you can take the wheel you should be absolutely certain you're licensed to drive.

Anyone living in Spain who has a driving licence issued by an EU country may simply keep on using that licence for as long as it's valid. However you may exchange it for a Spanish one if you choose (a fairly simple process), and you have to exchange it if you commit a driving offence.
It gets more complicated for someone with a driving licence issued by a country outside the EU. Some countries have agreements with Spain allowing you to exchange your licence (as long as you do so within the first year of residence). But if your licence was not issued by one of these countries you'll have to take a full driving test - in Spanish!

The Formal Requirements of Moving to Spain

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If you wish to live in Spain, you will need to ensure that you are legally entitled to do so. Citizens of the European Union are able to move to other EU countries unrestricted, as long as they are able to support themselves financially. If you are not an EU citizen but wish to live in Spain you may need a visa.

EU Citizens
If you are an EU citizen, you are entitled to live and work in Spain. Upon arrival you will need to present a passport or an ID card to prove your identity. If you will be staying for more than three months, you are required to register at the Central Registration Office for Foreigners (the 'Registro Central de extranjeros'), located in your local immigration bureau. If there is no immigration bureau in your area, you are able to register at the police station.

Non-EU Citizens
If you are not a citizen of an EU country, you will need a visa to live, work or study in Spain. Your spouse and any dependants will also need visas if they wish to accompany you. These visas are available at Spanish consulates around the world. You will need to apply for a visa before travelling to Spain, and usually in person to prove your identity. There are different types of visa, including ones for business, study and tourism. For each visa you will require documents to prove the purpose of your trip.

The European Union / The EU
The European Union represents the political and economic unification of its twenty-seven member states. Each member must abide by certain rules and conditions to continue to qualify as an EU state. One of the main benefits of the EU is that it enables free movement of its citizens from one member state to another. This means, for example, that a British citizen is free to live and work in Germany or Spain. The twenty-seven member states are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom

Understanding the Rental Terms

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The rental contract should include:

*

Date and place where contract is created and signed
*

Details of the landlord
*

Details of the tenant
*

Details of property being rented, including location, size and layout
*

Length of the rental term
*

Rent payable to landlord by tenant
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Signature of both landlord and tenant

The rental term may be any length up to five years. When the agreed term is shorter, the tenant can extend the contract to last five years if they wish to do so. If they choose not to extend the term they must give at least one month's notice that they do wish to terminate the contract as agreed. After five years, the rental agreement can be further extended for terms of up to three years.

The tenant is required to pay rent to the landlord in exchange for living at the property. The rent can be negotiated by both parties, and will usually be paid in the last or the first week of the month. The landlord should send the tenant a receipt to show that the rent has been paid, in order to avoid any future disagreements. Once the initial rental term is over, the rent will typically be renegotiated to take increases in inflation into account. Some landlords will increase rent annually, after the initial rental term, in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Repairs on the property are the landlord's responsibility, and will typically be done once the rental term has come to an end. Should urgent repairs be necessary, the landlord must inform the tenant in advance that there will be building work; if this disruption lasts longer than twenty days the landlord must reduce the rent that month. The tenant can make small repairs, especially if these are needed to fix damage caused by general wear and tear. Should the tenant wish to make large-scale alterations to the property, they will need the landlord's consent.

Renting Property in Spain

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In Spain it is more common to buy a home than to rent one, and for this reason there are relatively few properties available for rent in Spain compared to other European countries. The limited housing market can make it difficult to find a rental property that meets your expectations. Finding a property is yet more problematic for young people, the over sixty-fives and immigrants, many of whom tend to have only a limited budget for accommodation. In addition, the demand for properties in Spain has recently increased: house prices and rental costs have doubled, particularly in popular urban areas. It is difficult to find official government information on the property market, and there are few reliable details on the number of properties available and the current demand.

Spain currently welcomes thousands of immigrants each year. This creates a great demand for rental properties and in turn increases rental prices. It is becoming more and more common to stay in 'bedroom cities': small towns located near large cities where more properties are available and rent is more affordable.

Over the last decade, the Spanish property market has undergone several changes. It is becoming more and more common for people to purchase property, rather than to rent. In recent years there has been a boom in the real estate sector; as the demand for homes increases, more and more homes are constructed as a result. This has also led to a significant increase in house prices.

The housing boom has created many jobs and contributed to considerable economic growth in Spain. However, it has also resulted in heavy reliance on the construction market, and increased debt as more and more families take out mortgages. These facts threaten the likelihood that the housing surge will contribute to Spain's long-term economic stability. As a result, the government has begun to implement certain measures to make this situation sustainable, and avoid a repetition of the mortgage crisis in the United States and United Kingdom.

In some ways, a housing crisis is already expected; increasing house prices have resulted in a rise in the number of people falling into arrears on their mortgage and rental payments. Banks will no longer grant loans or mortgages to people who are at risk of failing to make repayments; as a result demand for housing has fallen, and house prices have fallen accordingly for the first time in years.

In Spain, rental prices vary according to the location of the property. There is a huge demand for property in Madrid and Barcelona and thus prices here are high. These are big cities offering many job opportunities, and lots of people choose to live here to find work, although rental costs will constitute a large part of their expenses. Many other people choose to move to villages or small towns near to big cities which offer more affordable properties. These are known as 'ciudades dormitorio': literally, 'bedroom cities'.

To tackle the problem of price increases, some provinces have enacted laws that force the owner to rent out their property if it has not been occupied for more than two years. The government can request that the property be put on the market, or demand that the owner rent it out if there is a risk that the property will fall into ruin.

Also you can check-out our large porttafolio in Rental Properties around Malaga y La Axarquia