Im Australian, would like to retire to Spain.  Could someone advise me of the proceedures i have to do.  Iwill be self funded, from house sale here plus retirement pension from government here.  Can i visit Spain for 3 - 6 months and apply for residency from within Spain?  Any advice at this time would be appreciated.  - LucyLoo

Hi LucyLoo, my Spanish wife tells me that you can come to Spain and buy a property here. You will need a visa but that should not be difficult - try your closest Spanish embassy or consular office in Oz. This part of Spain (costa blanca alicante) has lots of non Spanish living here and so the government offices are used to dealing with us foreigners. You will need to be self funded the Spaniards dont hand out money! Good luck.

Thankyou Expat, appreciated the reply.  Could you please advise if i have to purchase or show rental papers PRIOR to entering Spain if accepted by Consulate in Oz.  I will be self funded plus toying with idea to buy a small business to generate further income, as spanish is very limited i will have to employ staff.    I have phoned Consulate here but they very limited on advice.  They ony forwarded visa application.  Plus have been trying to find out re medical insurance, seems anything in Oz will not cover me as a resident in Spain.  Any advice re spanish medical insurance would also be appreciated, and how i can achieve all this information and requirements whilst still in Oz until i can get an answer yes/no after application has been submitted.  Other way, can i go to Spain and set up a business and then apply from within Spain for this same residency.  I have read re Antonomo residency, could anyone explain this a little more to me please.  Sorry so many questions, i have read much here in the forum, but its mostly for EU countries.    Guess Oz are out on a limb with other NON EU members.
Thanking you in advance for information and advice.  - LucyLoo -

G day LucyLoo - My Spanish wife advises the best thing for you to do is just get a tourist visa for Spain - then come here and its easier for you to find everything you need to know by actually being here in Spain. If you work in the system you can have Spanish health care if not there is a private medical system.  Autonomo is the Spanish self employed system whereby you pay a set amount per month for taxes and National Insurance. Speaking Spanish is obviously advantageous but there are lots of Brits who dont and run businesses!! see http://www.bcvillas.com for more info and our email address.

Thankyou Expat

The main question i need answerd it -  Re visa to reside which i apply for from australia -  Do they require i have purchased or rented a property in spain before they accept me as a resident.  I dont need a visa to come as a tourist.    What im trying to work out is the basic requirements i have, its the address maybe i need,  plus what they may required in the amount of money in bank here and as income that is acceptable.    I have been unable to get this from consulate here in Oz.  - lucyloo-

Hi Lucyloo, To apply for residence you will need either a rental or purchase contract plus income at least equivalent to the Spanish pension (deemed to be minimum possible to live on) ie around 600 +/- euros p.m. If you can come as a tourist to start with then you can sort everything while you are here which is much easier to get you started.

Thankyou once again for your reply.  I have all the necessary information.  I will submit my application, it will take about 3 - 4 months in processing i believe and I will then go to spaiin as a tourist and look for accommodation, and then return to Oz and hopefully i get an acceptance, or i will end up having property in spain i will not be able to use.  Thankyou once again - tourist - resident -  ??  - regards lucyloo

Hi Lucyloo - accommodation is no problem - except July/August when it gets a bit crowded here (Costa Blanca Alicante) in the high summer season. Chill! you wont buy a property/business until you KNOW you have the right papers etc (will you!) Robi

Thankyou Robi.  I take on board your comment re purchasing.  I thought i needed that to submit when i submitted all the paperwork.    anyway im sure it will all go smoothly.  - ann -

Hi Lucyloo,

If you are looking to buy in the Costa Blanca, then it is a good idea to come over and take a look, spend time around the area and get to know just waht you want from your new life.

If you need a property for rent, then let me know and I will see what we can find for you, then when you are ready we can assist you in finding the property that is just right for YOU.

Dave

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