polecat

After flirting with the idea of moving to Madrid, my family and I have decided to move to Valencia. For some reason the place just ticked all our boxes.

Now the headaches begin. Mid-August is the deadline.

We've lived in Asia for the past 10 years, moving around from country to country and so are used to the whole deal of not knowing the language or having any local contacts.

But obviously Valencia and Spain in general is going to have its own challenges. Not least seems to be getting set up with job, bank account and apartment.

We are a family of modest means, but have a little nest egg to see us through the move and to tide us over till the wages start to trickle in. Looks like we're going to be English teaching to start (qualified & experienced, although I'm primarily a journalist), so those wages are never going to much to shout about. We are hoping to find a 2-bed apartment for around E600.

However, there seems to be a bit of a Catch-22 situation with the bank and home. Obviously we won't be able to show a landlord salary slips as we don't have jobs yet. Would showing a (UK) bank statement do any good? Do estate agents deal with people in our situation?

And as it looks like we'll have to start off living in a hotel, how will we be able to provide the Spanish bank with an address?

As far as work goes, most opportunities seem to be for autonomos, but from what I can gather online, becoming an autonomo is a lengthy, complicated procedure. Can you start work while the application is in process, or do you have to wait it out?

It's looking more and more likely that we'll have to employ an English-speaking gastor and a real estate agent to hold our hands through all this.

Have I got things about right, or am I making things more complicated than they need be?

Any advice warmly welcomed.

El Gordo

To become Autonomo, the easiest way is to find a local Gestor, they will register you with the tax authorities and social security. Note that as soon as you are registered, you are immediately liable to pay social security contributions amounting to a minimum of approx. €240 per month, regardless of whether or not you actually earn any money. This will cover you and your dependents for medical care etc. You will also have to submit quarterly accounts from the point that you register.
I can put you in touch with a very good Gestor who speaks excellent English and takes the worry out of everything. They are based about 20 minutes out of Valencia City.
You may find it easier to rent through an agent, who will then be able to help with bank accounts etc.
And if you do not have any work lined up, make sure that you have enough money to last an absolute minimum of six months. Work is very hard to come by and there are literally thousands of people offering their services as teachers.