Expat Life Spain » Expat http://expatlifespain.com A Female View On The Expat Life Thu, 03 May 2012 14:07:33 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Helping expat children adjust to life abroad http://expatlifespain.com/helping-expat-children-adjust-to-life-abroad http://expatlifespain.com/helping-expat-children-adjust-to-life-abroad#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:33:05 +0000 Girls in Spain http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3717

Excellent article on the Telegraph Site where child psychologist Kate Berger gives her top tips on how to make sure expat children settle in their new home.

It’s very easy to see expatriate children as lucky. Exposed to new and exciting experiences and cultures, these are children who have chance to see the world in a broader perspective than many of us. Also, unlike their parents who are usually busy adjusting to a new job, expatriate children can simply enjoy their new surroundings – right?

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/helping-expat-children-adjust-to-life-abroad/feed 0 Giving To Charity http://expatlifespain.com/giving-to-charity http://expatlifespain.com/giving-to-charity#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:20:47 +0000 Girls in Spain http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3708

Was really interested to read recently on the Telegraph Site about London based Oceanair International, who specialise in international corporate locations, but were being given so many items to dispose of that they hooked up with the British Red Cross, more specifically the shops which account for 11% of the charities revenues.

The charity has now received over 10 lorry-loads of household appliances, furniture and clothes from all over the world. Expats simply hand over the unwanted items to the packing staff on the day of their move, and they are taken away without charge to be sold in seven of the British Red Cross’s London shops. So far, around £4,000 has been raised from the initiative in its first nine months.

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/giving-to-charity/feed 0 Preparing For Your International Relocation http://expatlifespain.com/preparing-for-your-international-relocation http://expatlifespain.com/preparing-for-your-international-relocation#comments Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:50:09 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3701

Whether you’ve made the decision to relocate outside of the US due to a career change or reassignment, to join a loved one, for retirement purposes or simply because you are ready to explore a new country and culture, making this leap can be a very exciting and rewarding experience but keep in mind that it takes careful planning and preparation and there are some serious considerations that you will need to make.

Relocating internationally will require you to accept many changes in your life and you’ll want to ask yourself if these are changes that you are prepared to take on. Your simplest everyday basic necessities may need to be altered, from the household electrical appliances that you use, to the products that you enjoy and the foods that you eat and then there are the professional and cultural aspects to consider as well. You will need to be prepared to embark on an entirely new way of life.

So, if you’ve considered the significant impact that this relocation will have on your everyday way of life and are prepared to tackle these challenges, your next step is to prepare for your move. The key to a successful international relocation is to be well prepared and organized. Here are the top two considerations that you’ll need to make in order to begin the process:

Paperwork

The very first thing that you will want to do is to gather all of your personal records and prepare copies to be stored in a safe, alternate location (in addition to the copies that you will be traveling with). If you have family here in the US, you may want to consider storing duplicate records with them or storing them in a US-based safe-deposit box. If you do not want to leave any records behind, consider a guaranteed secure, confidential shipping method for sending copies of your documents ahead of you to your new international location. This way, if anything that you are traveling with is lost, you will have backup copies waiting for you at your destination.

The types of records that you’ll need to consider gathering include the obvious such as birth certificates, passports, visas, financial records, legal and tax related documentation and of course, medical records and also some maybe not-so-obvious records. Here is a list of documents that you’ll want to consider:

• Copies of any employment contracts for your international employer
• A page containing the data from each family member’s passport
• Birth Certificates of each family member
• Marriage certificate
• National driver’s license
• Passport-size photographs of each family member
• Certificates of citizenship for naturalized individuals
• Adoption papers
• Divorce and child custody papers
• Medical insurance coverage
• Medical records, where appropriate
• Dental records
• Property and motor vehicle insurance records
• Income tax records for several previous years
• Wills
• Power of attorney
• Lease or rental agreement for housing in your new country

Personal Belongings

One of the most difficult processes is that of deciding what you will and will not be taking with you. You’ll need to be mentally prepared to give up items that you may have otherwise kept if you were relocating within the US. Furniture for example, is best left behind and will most likely be easier to replace when you reach your final destination versus shipping it. You’ll also want to consider what clothing is really necessary and what can be replaced. After all, you’ll be entering into a new culture and the fashions there will be different, as well as the climate.

Personal mementos are the toughest decisions, keep the personal effects that are closest to you (family photos, letters, keepsakes) but minimize these items as best as you can. Ask yourself, “Do I really need to save every crayon drawing that little Johnny ever made me or can I narrow it down to a few favorites?” If you have a vehicle that you love and that you believe will be practical in your new location, you can consider international car shipping services. International vehicle shippers are able to instruct you on how to prepare your vehicle for international transport. They understand the process of importing vehicles to a foreign country and can assist with all necessary paperwork and procedures.

A good organizational method for this phase of planning is to go through your entire household and make three piles. One pile is of the items that you must take, the second pile is those that you can sell, donate or discard and the third pile are the items that you WANT to take but only if your first pile is small enough at the end of this sorting process. Once you’ve completed the first pass at everything, go back through each pile a second time with a more strict attitude and ask yourself, “Do I really need this item?” and “If I decide to take this, how well will it travel or ship?”

Author Bio
Jade Evans is most often a freelance writer for an online shipping marketplace that connects people with customer-reviewed transport companies.There is everything from moving hard-to-ship items or companies that specialize in car shipping, motorcycles, boats and household goods. Jade has been a professional writer for four or five years, but has always loved the thrill of traveling somewhere new.

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/preparing-for-your-international-relocation/feed 3 British Expats In Spain Heading Back To UK http://expatlifespain.com/british-expats-in-spain-heading-back-to-uk http://expatlifespain.com/british-expats-in-spain-heading-back-to-uk#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:29:15 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3525

For many expats living in Spain it appears that the distressed property market, high levels of unemployment in Spain, and the weak pound have combined to shatter many a dream of enjoying the sunshine, culture and traditions of Spain. A recent survey reported that almost 75% of British expats in Spain are considering moving back to the UK.
  • Of the one million Britons living in Spain some 74 per cent revealed that repatriation is now a distinct possibility, according to a study undertaken by Moneycorp.
  • Some 37 per cent of those surveyed admitted that they were already looking into returning to the British Isles.
  • The house market crash has seen the value of homes on the Costa del Sol crash to below 65 per cent their original asking price

British property owners have been hit particulary hard with rental yeilds dropping, and harder to come by, jobs harder to find, and costs going up in real terms for many pensioners.

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/british-expats-in-spain-heading-back-to-uk/feed 17 Expats Rejoice: Prices Still 100€ Per Month Cheaper In Spain http://expatlifespain.com/expats-rejoice-prices-still-100e-per-month-cheaper-in-spain http://expatlifespain.com/expats-rejoice-prices-still-100e-per-month-cheaper-in-spain#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:06:40 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3519

Despite the current exchange rate which has made Spain seem much more expensive for many expats living in Spain, there is some good, if not surprising, news which despite Which? saying recently that Spain may no longer be such great value, shows that many goods in Spain are cheaper than their equivalent in the UK.

On a typical monthly shop expats in Spain can save up to 100€ on a household shop, and petrol is cheaper at 1.09€ a litre in Spain compared to 1.26€ in the UK

When it comes to the basic essentials and our favourite vices Spain has emerged as the land of plenty at affordable prices with a week’s worth of beer, petrol and toilet paper 20€ cheaper in Spain compared to the UK.

Other price comaprisons (Spain to UK)

Eggs: 0.95¢ to 1.64€
San Miguel: 1.50€ to 2.28€
Toilet Paper: 0.72¢ to 2.31€

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/expats-rejoice-prices-still-100e-per-month-cheaper-in-spain/feed 2 Three-quarters of British expats in Spain considering returning home http://expatlifespain.com/three-quarters-of-british-expats-in-spain-considering-returning-home http://expatlifespain.com/three-quarters-of-british-expats-in-spain-considering-returning-home#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:06:35 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3272

Almost three-quarters of British expatriates living in Spain are considering returning home because of the economic crisis, according to a new survey.

Falling property prices, a weak pound, and fears over job security are forcing those living abroad to rethink the move.

Britons residing in Spain are suffering the most financially, with four in five complaining that the drop in the value of the pound against the euro has left them worse off.

For many of the estimated one million Britons living in recession hit Spain, where unemployment stands at almost 20 per cent, the dream has turned sour.

The poll commissioned by Moneycorp, the UK foreign exchange specialist, found that 74 per cent of those living in Spain are considering repatriation.

Some 37 per cent of those who responded to the survey said they were already looking into returning home and a similar number said they may have to consider the option in the future.

British expats in Germany, Italy and France also responded with 38 per cent, 34 per cent and 33 per cent respectively stating that they would move back to the UK permanently.

David Kerns, Head of Private Clients at Moneycorp predicted a surge in the number of expats returning to the UK from countries within the European Union over the coming months.

“Our research shows that British expats have had a tough time and the findings reveal that no country has escaped unharmed from the economic downturn,” he said.

“Brits living in Europe are feeling the effects of the weak pound as they are more likely to be reliant on income from their British property, UK pension and other regular sources of funds.”

Those that own property abroad have seen the problem compounded by a dramatic fall in the real estate market, particularly in Spain, where prices on the Costas have dropped as much as 65 per cent.

“Brits living in Spain are particularly affected by the struggling property market with many owning holiday homes and letting out their Spanish properties,” explained Mr Kerns.

But he said that British expats could do more to protect their income and avoid “nasty surprises” due to currency fluctuations.

“During challenging times, there is certainly more that expats can be doing to manage their money and make sure that they are making the most of their income,” Mr Kern advised.

“By monitoring the currency markets and seeking expert guidance they can avoid nasty surprises in exchange rates and determine the best time to transfer money to and from the UK.”

Original Source – Telegraph

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/three-quarters-of-british-expats-in-spain-considering-returning-home/feed 3 Record level of British population is foreign-born http://expatlifespain.com/record-level-of-british-population-is-foreign-born http://expatlifespain.com/record-level-of-british-population-is-foreign-born#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:00:26 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=2704

The proportion of the population who are foreign-born has almost doubled in the past two decades to 11 per cent, or 6.7million people.

One of the key factors behind Britain’s population increase has been the flow of migrant workers from Poland, Lithuania and six other Eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004.

At the same time, the percentage of children being born to foreign mothers has also reached new levels, reported Jil Matheson, the national statistician.

The Office for National Statistics figures showed that in 2008 some 11 per cent of the population were born abroad, up from around 8 per cent in 2001 and 6.7 per cent in 1991. Figures are not available for 1997 when Labour came to power but, based on trends, is likely to have been just over 7 per cent.

Britain’s population is on course to pass 70 million in around two decades, Ms Matheson warned. She said projections based on past demographic trends suggest a 17 per cent increase in population over the next 25 years to hit 71.6 million by 2033.

It currently stands at 61.4million and ministers have insisted the landmark total will not be reached.

The figures are likely to fuel recent claims by a former Government adviser that Labour deliberately ran an open-door policy on immigration to radically change the country and “rub the Right’s nose in diversity”.

Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, and both his Conservative and Liberal Democrat counterparts will today stage a key debate on immigration.

Damian Green, the shadow immigration minister, said: “This Government has never had any control over immigration numbers. Some Government insiders have said this was a deliberate plot, others claim it was just a mistake.

“Either way they have left our borders unprotected. It is one of the biggest policy failures of the Labour years.”

The number of Eastern European nationals that are resident in Britain has risen sharply from 114,000 in 2001 to 689,000 last year. More than a tenth of them are children.

Immigration is having a double impact on population numbers because as well as those arriving in the country, the proportion of children born here to foreign mothers has also hit a new high.

Some 24 per cent of the births in England and Wales last year – or 170,834 – were to mothers born outside the country, the highest level since records began in 1969.

That is double the 12 per cent in 1990 and the proportion has increased year on year since, according to the Population Trends report, produced by the ONS.

In England alone, the proportion is now as high as 25 per cent.

Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migrationwatch, said: “The proportion of foreign born people in Britain has almost doubled in 20 years. This is a measure of the way in which our society is being changed without the British public ever having been consulted.

“Immigration on this scale can only add to the strains in our society and the pressure on our public services.”

Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said: “It is difficult for anyone to accurately forecast the population now, let alone in 30 years, after Labour and the Tories abandoned exit checks.

“We cannot know how many people live here if we do not count people out as well as in.”

Phil Woolas, the immigration minister, said: “These population projections do not take into account the impact of future government policies or those Eastern Europeans who came here, contributed, and are now going home.

“Projections are uncertain. For instance in the 1960s they said our population would reach 76 million by the year 2000, this was off target by 16 million.

“And let’s be clear the category ‘foreign born mothers’ includes British people born overseas – such as children whose parents are in the armed forces or those who come to Britain at a very early age.

“Overall, net-migration is falling, showing that migrants come to the UK for short periods of time, work, contribute to the economy and then return home.”

In October, Andrew Neather, a former adviser to Tony Blair, Jack Straw and David Blunkett, claimed that the sharp increase in migrants over the past 10 years was partly due to a politically motivated attempt by ministers to boost multiculturalism.

He said Labour’s relaxation of controls in 2000-01 was a deliberate plan to “open up the UK to mass migration”, but ministers were nervous and reluctant to discuss such a move publicly for fear it would alienate its “core working-class vote”.

It centred on early drafts of a Cabinet Office report in 2000, which allegedly also had passages if possible links between immigration and crime deleted before it was published.
Cabinet ministers have denied any suggestions of “secret plots”. (Via Telegraph)

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/record-level-of-british-population-is-foreign-born/feed 1 One in eight expats unaware of banking jurisdiction http://expatlifespain.com/one-in-eight-expats-unaware-of-banking-jurisdiction http://expatlifespain.com/one-in-eight-expats-unaware-of-banking-jurisdiction#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:54:03 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=2698

One in eight expats remains ignorant of the local jurisdiction which applies to their bank should it hit financial difficulties.

Women expats happier at work
Despite the financial crisis, one in eight expats remains ignorant of the local jurisdiction which applies to their bank should it go into difficulties, reveal an Expatica survey.

The survey showed that two-thirds of respondents have their money spread over more than one financial institution. A quarter of expats placed all their money in one financial institution, with more than half confessing that they don’t know what will happen should their bank get into financial difficulties.

This seems surprising considering that banks around the world have either been collapsing, consolidating or turning to the government for state aid following the Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy in September 2008.

Sophie Seesing, an investment advisor for Finsens in the Netherlands said she was not surprised at the findings as most banks provide information in Dutch and not every expat understands the local language.

“Expats should do their homework and ask their bank which jurisdiction they come under and how much they are protected in the event of a banking failure.” said Craig Welsh, a financial advisor with The Spectrum IFA Group.

However, Welsh observed that, as of this year more people are asking more questions about their bank; its financial strength and its investment activities.

The online survey, which ran from May to July 2009, was filled out by 400 expats from all over the world.
The survey also showed that only 30 percent of expats consult a financial expert or advisor when it comes to money matters. More than half of these expats use the services of financial experts who come recommended through friends or colleagues.

One expat based in the Netherlands admitted: “I don’t have a financial advisor because everything comes under the name of my Dutch husband and I trust that he will take care of everything. Plus it’s hardly worth employing a financial advisor to take care of a couple of thousands of euros, is it?”

Financial expert Welsh doesn’t agree.“Financial planning is a process of identifying your objectives, protecting what you have already and making the most of the money you do have. And with people living longer and company pension schemes not as attractive as they once were, people really should be starting to plan how they will fund their retirement,” he said.

The majority of expats or 70 percent who have a financial expert or advisor said they are happy with their services as they can simplify and explain otherwise complicated financial issues.

Effect of crisis on expats

Expats have been hit hard by the global downturn. Not only are companies sending less expats abroad, more expats are finding themselves unemployed as their contacts are terminated abruptly.

According to the survey, 55 percent of expats are tightening their belts with 91 percent admitting that they are spending less on luxury activities such as shopping for non-necessities, eating out and going out.

One expat living in Barcelona said her husband is paid in US dollars and that really cuts into their pay packet.

Fifty-seven percent of expats said they are trying to cut back on daily necessities such as grocery shopping and transportation costs.

As a way to overcome their money problems, some expats are taking on more work or eating food that they grow themselves.

One Amsterdam-based expat said: “I am taking on freelance work next to my job” while another based in Normandy revealed: “We have land and are producing more of our own food.” (Via Original Article)

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/one-in-eight-expats-unaware-of-banking-jurisdiction/feed 1 British minister visits Spain to help expat pensioners http://expatlifespain.com/british-minister-visits-spain-to-help-expat-pensioners http://expatlifespain.com/british-minister-visits-spain-to-help-expat-pensioners#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:55:31 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=1921

Many elderly expats have suffered recently because of the falling value of sterling, the property crash and their failure to qualify for state benefits.

Charities, expatriate groups and diplomats in Spain now report that thousands are struggling to cope the rising cost of living, the Times reports.

They say that the ageing expatriate population, hit by the falling Spanish property market that left them with “dream homes” they cannot sell, also face insufficient healthcare resources.

In an attempt to address the problem, Chris Bryant, the Consular Minister, will announce that the number of care workers for British pensioners in Spain will rise to 100 and that a new partnership with Age Concern will help expatriates.

Many of the retired people on the costas still depend on UK benefits but are not entitled to the same level of care as they would be if they lived in Britain.

Some, such as winter fuel allowance, are not paid in Spain and, as expatriate EU citizens, they are entitled only to primary healthcare.

Though the Spanish health system boasts an international reputation, aftercare is largely the responsibility of the extended family.

Private health insurance or residential care can prove too expensive for those struggling on state pensions. Charities say those without family depend on friends or live off charity food hampers. Some are facing the prospects of having to return to Britain.

Age Care reports scores of expatriates calling to ask for money-saving tips while Age Concern said that it had 50 needy cases on its books in Majorca alone.

Despite the charities’ concerns, the UK Department for Work and Pensions said that 90,000 more people claimed British pensions last year in Spain. (Via Original Source)

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/british-minister-visits-spain-to-help-expat-pensioners/feed 1 Drinkers drown out downturn at British beer festival http://expatlifespain.com/drinkers-drown-out-downturn-at-british-beer-festival http://expatlifespain.com/drinkers-drown-out-downturn-at-british-beer-festival#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:15:28 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=1587

While Britain is in the grip of a recession and its world-famous pubs are closing at an estimated rate of 52 per week, the traditional craft beer industry is celebrating its annual bash in a cheery mood.

Fancy getting your taste buds round Dishy Debbie, a Blond Witch or some Top Totty? They’re all being served up at the Great British Beer Festival, which opened its doors Tuesday.

While Britain is in the grip of a recession and its world-famous pubs are closing at an estimated rate of 52 per week, the traditional craft beer industry is celebrating its annual bash in a cheery mood.

Despite a poor year for the pub and brewing industries, cask ale sales performed comparatively well, dipping by 1.3 percent, compared to eight percent for the total beer market.

Meanwhile The Society of Independent Brewers, the umbrella body for Britain’s craft brewers, estimates its members’ sales are growing by 10 to 11 percent per year.

Some 350,000 pints of more than 450 different ales were due to be served up at the five-day festival at Earls Court exhibition centre in west London — temporarily the biggest pub in the world.

Among the more curiously-named brews served were Mad Goose, Screech Owl, Stone the Crows, Armageddon, A Drop Of Nelson’s Blood, Oscar Wilde Mild, Headcracker, Berserker Export, Hertfordshire Hedgehog and Pickled Santa.

Laid-off city traders snared by the recession could drown their sorrows with a pint of Stockbroker Blues.

Some 60,000 beer lovers were expected to attend the event organised by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, which was founded in 1971 and has just passed the 100,000-member mark.

Real ale is fresh beer brewed using traditional ingredients and left to mature in the cask from which it is served.

Its supporters contrast its qualities with higher-selling, super-chilled fizzy lagers.

As well as fighting the incoming lager tide, CAMRA is fighting high pub prices, pub closures, beer taxes and the dominance of global brands.

“The good news is that real ale brewers are doing very well and some companies have been reporting double-digit growth,” CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner told AFP as he supped a pint of Hook Norton’s Hooky Bitter.

“There’s a real, genuine move by consumers back to local products and people are looking for drinks with provenance that actually mean something to them.

“Consumers are getting fed up with having these huge, global, over-marketed brands shoved down their throats.”

Besides British pints at the festival, there were also beers from the booming US craft brewing scene, Australia, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ireland, Denmark, Jamaica, Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, four beers from Belarus and a cask ale from Spain.

Bearded real ale veterans and clean-shaven first-timers alike could try their hand at old-style pub games like skittles and tuck into traditional pub fayre like pork scratchings.

Judges at the festival named Rudgate Ruby Mild the Champion Beer of Britain, with Oakham’s Attila second and West Berkshire’s Doctor Hexter’s Healer taking the bronze.

Rudgate, from outside York in northern England, is a micro-brewer producing around 40 barrels a week.

“It’s dark in colour, rich in flavour, it’s got a slight nuttiness and it’s smooth,” owner Craig Lee told AFP.

“People would rather pay a little bit more money for a quality product that’s consistently good than for mass-produced nonsense.” (Via Expatica)

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