It is understandable that a lot of people to not feel comfortable carrying this amount around. You could bring a credit card that has available funds to this amount on it, which will enable you to draw £500.00 a day from a cash machine.
There is one simple reason why cash is required to secure your property and this is the fact that even a bankers draft from your bank can take up to 10 days for clearance before the funds are made available, and as a viewing trip only lasts 5 days this does not allow sufficient time for the money to be cleared from your account. For piece of mind all of the hotels have safety security boxes in the bedrooms.
When you have chosen your property and paid your deposit there are a variety of ways that the outstanding balance must be paid depending on what type of property you buy. For example, if you have bought a resale property completion normally must be carried out within one month. However if you have bought off plan, payments will be made in stages. This will be dictated by the length of time that the property will be finally completed.
If you are unable to be in the country at the time of completion you can give power of attorney for the purchase transaction. This can be organised also by our representative in Spain.
Whatever you have decided to purchase our representative will keep you fully informed and advise you when and how to make your payments.
You will also require a Spanish Bank Account and you will be accompanied by our rep who will inform you of what you need to take with you. Once you have opened your account you can then transfer money for ease of payment. The banks in Spain speak very good English and communication and the administration procedure is a very comfortable process.
Upon completion of your property purchase all utility bills are paid via direct debit from your bank. You must ensure adequate funds are in your bank for these to be paid.
Taking your Vehicle to Spain
With a ferry that leaves Plymouth and goes directly to Santander (Northern Spain) it is relatively easy to take your car to Spain. The distance to Alicante is nearly 600 miles. Legally however you can only drive your vehicle for a period of 6 months and it should be garaged for the remaining six months of any year.
One would rightly ask, “How would anyone know whether or not the car was being driven?”
There is no effective way to know for sure, but you must remember that after a certain amount of time you will be driving un-taxed, un-insured and illegally. If you are stopped by the Spanish police you will be asked to provide evidence that your car is legal.
Spanish Links regularly take vehicles down for our own customers and private customers for those who do not relish a long drive through Spain and having to figure out the somewhat complicated ring roads around Madrid etc.
Alternatively you can purchase a car in Spain provided you can meet one of the following criteria: -
1. You hold an official residence permit.
2. You can present your title deed to your home you own in Spain.
3. You present a rental contract of at least one year duration.
Vehicle tax is paid each year at your local town hall, this varies on the
size of the vehicle you decide to purchase. Also if you are not buying a brand new car you must have the equivalent to the English MOT which in Spain is called an ITV, and finally vehicle insurance is also required.
If it is only your intention to be in Spain for periods of less than 6 months it is worthwhile to obtain an official translation of your driving licence which often can be obtained from the Spanish Consulate in this country. It will hold you in good stead if you were stopped by the Spanish police, as they would appreciate the fact that they could read and understand it.
If you are going to live in Spain you will be required to have: -
A Spanish Driving Licence along with Your English Driving Licence translated (see above).
To obtain a Spanish Driving Licence you must go to the provincial traffic headquarters with your present licence and a photocopy. You will be issued with your Spanish driving licence (a small fee is payable).
It would be wise to remember that it is now against the law in Spain to not wear your seatbelts when travelling and also that it is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving your vehicle. Drinking and driving is also a serious offence.
Please note this is only a concise overview of living and owning a property in Spain and is meant as a guide only.
