2024-04-14 13:06
After making six journeys by car to our home in Spain, here is my opinion of the best route through France. This route makes the most of free N roads where available, but using toll-roads (c… Read More
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Spain Help Blog
spainhelp.co.uk
Follow our adventures in Spain from how we left our jobs and home in the UK, as we try to build a better life in Murcia, Spain.
2024-02-21 15:41
We finally took the plunge and replaced our lead-acid motorhome battery with a shiny new lithium one. Read on to see how even though it may not be a game changer, it certainly made life bett… Read More
2024-02-16 14:33
At the end of January we set off in the motorhome to explore Andalusia, specifically the province of Granada. We had a plan to get up close to the snow at Europe’s most southernly ski… Read More
2023-12-28 15:06
Spain in the Autumn is great. If you are lucky enough to be able to tour outside of the school holidays, you will find a country that is much quieter without the throng of tourists everywher… Read More
2023-12-24 16:21
The Spanish MOT, or more correctly, the Inspecciòn Tècnica de Vehiculos (ITV) is required to make your vehicle legal to drive in Spain. It proves your vehicle is road-worthy… Read More
2023-12-15 14:42
A Tasa is a standard payment form that you generate when performing many administrative processes in Spain. You can pay a Tasa at any Spanish bank branch, but these can be busy and have shor… Read More
2023-11-30 12:28
On the 29th September 2023 Spain’s new animal welfare law came into force. If you live in Spain and have a pet you need to be aware of what has changed. There are lots of new regulatio… Read More
2023-11-29 15:20
This article is about applying for a new TIE card to continue your Spanish residency. If you are looking how to get your initial TIE, then please check out this article here. There are also… Read More
2023-11-13 15:31
The Region of Murcia is land of contrasts. There are the beautiful beaches, mountainous pine forests and in between those are areas that resemble deserts from another planet. This week we we… Read More
2023-08-25 12:18
The fridge is probably one of the most important parts of your motorhome or caravan. It is essential for keeping your food from spoiling and your beer from getting warm.
In June, we were… Read More
2023-08-15 13:14
It is that time of the year again when the temperature is climbing regularly into the high 30s and even into the 40s on some days.
Spain’s warm and sunny climate is a major attract… Read More
2023-08-05 11:03
We bought our motorhome in Spain and I do not think it has seen much rain as it has been stored in a garage and used in generally dry climates. Earlier this year we drove to the UK to visit… Read More
2023-08-01 10:54
Spain is renowned for its lively fiestas and parades, and the region of Murcia is no exception. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains, this charming part of Spain is bursti… Read More
2023-07-28 11:27
Many processes in Spain require visits to offices to get some paperwork certfied. Your Padrón is a good example – its only valid for three months. If you need to do something wi… Read More
2023-07-28 11:27
Many processes in Spain require visits to offices to get some paperwork certfied. Your Padrón is a good example – its only valid for three months. If you need to do something wi… Read More
2023-07-28 09:28
While driving back to our home in Murcia in our new motorhome (see here for that story) we overnighted in the pretty Spanish seaside town of Moncofa. They have a really handy aire de camping… Read More
2023-07-25 13:35
Buying a motorhome
Finding a motorhome to buy in Spain is pretty much the same as the UK. You find adverts on classified sites, or Facebook market. Then contact the ones that look interes… Read More
2023-07-23 11:47
For British drivers who find themselves behind the wheel in Spain, there are a few important things to consider. From different road rules and signage to adapting to the local driving cultur… Read More
2023-07-22 18:16
Situated in the southeastern part of Spain, the beautiful region of Murcia is renowned for its sunny and warm climate. With over 3,000 hours of sunshine (or 320 days) each year, Murcia becko… Read More
2023-07-22 12:24
Murcia, a region in southeastern Spain, is a hidden gem for water sports enthusiasts. Known for its warm climate, stunning coastline, and crystal-clear waters, Murcia offers a plethora of aq… Read More
2023-07-04 22:29
Hey there, fellow adventurers! So, you’ve made the exciting decision to call Murcia your new home. Congrats! Moving to a new place can be overwhelming, but don’t worry—I&rs&hell…Read More
2023-06-22 13:29
Introduction
If you are driving to the UK or Europe this summer, chances are you will be looking at the Channel Tunnel or one of the many ferries that cross the English channel. If you ha… Read More
2023-06-06 15:54
Dreaming of a sun-soaked lifestyle, warm Mediterranean beaches, and a vibrant cultural scene? Spain has long been a popular destination for British expats seeking a change of scenery and… Read More
2023-06-06 15:33
As an expat living in a Spanish-speaking country, mastering the local language can significantly enhance your experience and help you connect with the local community on a deeper level. In t… Read More
2023-06-05 16:46
If you’re considering a move to Spain from the UK, one important factor to consider is the cost of living. Understanding the financial implications of such a transition is crucial for… Read More
2023-06-05 16:16
Spain, with its vibrant culture, sunny climate, and picturesque landscapes, is a country that captures the hearts of many. But what about our four-legged companions? In this blog post, we de… Read More
2023-06-05 16:01
As an expat living in Murcia, staying connected to news, entertainment, and local happenings is crucial for feeling at home in your new surroundings. In this post, we’ll dive into the… Read More
2023-03-17 17:32
Introduction
If you have been following the expat forums in the last year here in Spain you will know the biggest complaint post-Brexit has been the six month limit on your UK driving lic… Read More
2023-02-23 20:22
Another dog-friendly beach
A favourite beach of ours is Playa Las Salinas in Los Narejos, just north of Los Alcázares in Murcia. The sand is not great, very salty and also a little… Read More
2023-02-22 10:03
Learning Spanish can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be expensive if you choose to take traditional classes or hire a tutor. Luckily, there are many free apps available th… Read More
2023-01-26 14:17
The Schengen Area was established in 1985 through the signing of the Schengen Agreement, which aimed to create a more open and integrated Europe by eliminating the need for border checks bet… Read More
2023-01-22 14:58
Like many countries in Europe, Spain has introduced a vehicle emissions scheme. It has actually been going for some years now in cities like Madrid and Barcelona, but in the near future it w… Read More
2023-01-08 18:45
The Schengen zone covers 23 countries of the 27 that make up the European Union. These are countries that have abolished all border and passport controls at their respective borders. Especia… Read More
2023-01-06 13:19
Arguably bigger than Christmas in Spain, the Three Kings Festival (or Fiesta de los Reyes) celebrates the arrival of the three wise men on January 6th to visit baby Jesus in Bethlehem. This… Read More
2023-01-06 10:04
Electric scooters, e-scooters (or patinetes eléctricos in Spanish) are everywhere now. Especially in built up urban areas. Looking at the numbers of scooters for sale in supermark… Read More
2023-01-01 15:08
All the steps to gain Spanish residency
Before you get started make sure you have:
A place to live in Spain. You can either buy a property or rent somewhere long-term.
A valid UK… Read More
2022-12-29 18:39
After successfully getting your visa (see here, here and here), you have three months to use it to come to Spain. Once in Spain you have a month to apply for your TIE card (or Tarjeta de ide… Read More
2022-12-22 09:20
A short article about the French emissions certificate (Certificat qualité de l’air) that is mandatory for driving through many cities. If you do not have the certificate you ca… Read More
2022-12-21 14:45
The Padrón (or Empadronamiento) is kind of equivalent to the electoral roll in the UK. It is a register of who lives in a given district of Spain. When registered on the padrón… Read More
2022-12-21 12:58
After applying for our visa in parts one and two we did not hear anything for ages. This was even though the government portal (sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es) was showing “resue… Read More
2022-12-15 21:41
At the end of November 2022 I set off on the long journey to southern Spain from Manchester. Just me and the dog, and a lot of bags and boxes.
Eurotunnel
As usual the drive in Engl… Read More
2022-12-15 21:41
At the end of November 2022 I set off on the long journey to southern Spain from Manchester. Just me and the dog, and a lot of bags and boxes.
Eurotunnel
As usual the drive in Engl… Read More
2022-11-13 20:21
In the previous post I showed how to create a comfortable space to sleep in the back of your car. In this post I am going continue and show how we made some insulated screens to fit the… Read More
2022-11-13 20:21
In the previous post I showed how to create a comfortable space to sleep in the back of your car. In this post I am going continue and show how we made some insulated screens to fit the… Read More
2022-11-07 18:10
After a month in England it was time to drive back to Spain. Fran was going to fly back, but I needed to drive with the dog and all the bits and bobs that would not fit on a RyanAir flig… Read More
2022-11-07 18:10
After a month in England it was time to drive back to Spain. Fran was going to fly back, but I needed to drive with the dog and all the bits and bobs that would not fit on a RyanAir flig… Read More
2022-09-12 20:43
Tonight we took our dog Pippa down to Playa de Las Moreras aka the Playa Canina just on the outskirts of Puerto Mazarron.
Just head to Puerto Mazarron from Mazarron town and it is the… Read More
2022-09-12 20:43
Tonight we took our dog Pippa down to Playa de Las Moreras aka the Playa Canina just on the outskirts of Puerto Mazarron.
Just head to Puerto Mazarron from Mazarron town and it is the… Read More
2022-09-12 14:23
Fran’s new shopping bag
There are some noticeable differences to shopping for food in Spain compared to the UK. Apart from the slightly different foodstuffs (more fishy stuff and as… Read More
2022-09-10 10:10
We made an appointment with Jessica the vet at Fauno Clinic, this vet was recommended to us and we had been a couple of times whilst Pippa was unwell. On the morning of the appointment w… Read More
2022-09-09 11:55
Our local ITV test centre
Like most countries, Spain has a vehicle testing scheme to make sure older vehicles are safe to be on the road. In Spain this is called the Inspección T&e&helli…Read More
2022-08-26 08:45
Pippa feeling sorry for herself
Finding a good vet was really important to us. We needed someone who could speak English, so there would be no translation issues but also someone who genu… Read More
2022-08-24 10:11
When we first arrived we just used our UK phone contracts but roaming was costing us £2 a day for each of us (another great result for Brexit!). So this could only be a short term meas… Read More
2022-08-22 13:58
Early on a Saturday morning, we packed the last things into the car, posted our door keys through the letter box and set off to Folkestone for the channel tunnel.
Our roof tent we camped… Read More
2022-08-22 13:40
Because we had our little dog, we needed to drive to Spain, instead of flying. It is possible to fly with pets, but it usually means flying with flag carriers like BA or Iberia. This can be… Read More
2022-08-21 10:52
Following on from this post. Check this out to see what documents you need.
The day of the appointment with the Spanish consulate comes so we set off to Manchester on a bright and sunny m… Read More
2022-08-20 16:18
Buying property in Spain differs greatly from doing so in the UK.
In Spain when two parties agree on a price the buyer must pay a deposit of 3000€. Once they have done this they sign… Read More
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