TRANSPORT AND TRAVEL

With the advent of low-cost flights it’s easier than ever to get to Spain. Buy a holiday home in Spain and you’ll be able to pop over several times a year without breaking the bank. And once you’re in Spain, you’ll find the transport system is generally very efficient – which is great news if you’re planning to make it your permanent home.

FLYING TO SOUTHERN SPAIN

Over 20 UK airports operate regular flights to Spain’s main airports. The flight takes just two and a half hours and there are plenty of low cost fares on offer from companies including EasyJet, Monarch, Mytravelite, Ryanair, British Airways, FlyBe, BMI Baby, Air Berlin, Air 2000, Air Europe, Iberia and Spanair.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

If you’re planning to live in a city or town in Spain, you can certainly get by without a car as public transport is pretty efficient.

TAXIS

Most taxis are un-metered with set prices for certain journeys. You should only use taxis that display a special licence as they’re governed by strict legislation. Flag a taxi down if its green light is displayed, or look for a taxi rank. You can also phone to be picked up.

BUSES

Local buses in towns and cities are very good. They run regularly from 6am until between 10pm and midnight and there are often night buses after that.

All towns have a bus terminal (estacion de autobus) and you’ll see lots of bus stops dotted around. Stick your hand out to make sure the bus stops for you.

Long distance buses are clean, air-conditioned and good value.

TRAINS

There’s a good network of state-run trains operated by RENFE. These include:

Cercaniá – local commuter trains

Regional – intercity trains

Largo recorrido – long-distance express trains, including the high speed AVE that takes you from Madrid to Seville (417km) in 2 hours.

INTERNAL FLIGHTS

These are operated by Iberia, Spanair and Air Europa but they can be expensive.

BOATS AND FERRIES

There are regular boat trips and ferries to the Balearic Islands from the coast of Alicante (Costa Blanca), and to the Canary Islands and Africa from Algeciras (Costa del Sol).

DRIVING IN SPAIN

The roads and infrastructure of Spain have improved dramatically in recent years. Most of the main roads and motorways have been re-surfaced so getting around is usually safe and easy. There are several good toll motorways in the south, all in very good condition and never that busy. The tolls are very reasonable, between 1-3 euros per car.

DRIVING RULES AND REGULATIONS

An EU or British driving licence is valid in Spain. If you’re going to be here for a while, you should register it with the traffic department (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico) within 6 months. If you become a resident, you’ll need to change your licence at Tráfico in Alicante. EU licences need to be stamped for a fee of around 7 euros. British licences no longer need to be exchanged for a Spanish one if you have the new card type.

HERE’S A SUMMARY OF THE MAIN RULES AND REGULATIONS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT:

You’re legally required to carry at all times spare tyres and all the tools needed to change them, two   warning triangles (bearing symbol E9 and code 27R03), a spare set of headlight bulbs – as it’s illegal to drive with a broken light – and a reflective jacket for each person

The Spanish drive on the right and you should give way to vehicles on the left.

Seat belts must be worn at all times in the front and back.

You must be 18 or over to drive.

Children under 12 cannot sit in the front without a suitable child seat.

Drink-driving laws are stricter than the UK with a much lower allowed alcohol level, severe penalties and automatic bans.

It’s illegal to use a mobile phone while you’re driving – there’s a 300 euro fine if you’re caught.

Speeding fines are payable on the spot for non-residents.

Speed limits:

      120 km/h on motorways

      100 km/h on dual carriageways

      90 km/h on single carriageways

      50 km/h in towns

BRINGING YOUR CAR

It’s no problem taking your car to Spain, but if you want to keep it here for more than a year you’ll need to officially import it. If you are staying in Spain permanently, you’ll have six months after getting your residence permit to legally import your vehicle. This involves getting Spanish plates and paying a percentage tax on the car’s value. You can arrange this yourself but it really is complicated. You’d be better off hiring a gestor (paperwork administrator) to handle it for you.

Dont be fooled by people saying you can keep a car on UK plates over here permanently an ITV is not valid in place of an MOT. Having a car on UK plates with an ITV sticker in the window is a dead giveaway that the car is not legal, and could result in your car being confiscated and crushed.

You’ll need your vehicle registration document, MOT certificate, insurance papers and driving licence. You’ll also need to apply for a Certificate of Permanent Export (V561) from the DVLA.

BUYING A CAR IN SPAIN

New cars are cheaper than in the UK, but you won’t get the bargains you find in some EU countries and there isn’t a huge choice. It’s fine to bargain over the price and ask for a few extras to be included. Tax on new cars in Spain is higher than any other EU country, with a registration tax of 12% plus VAT at 16%.Second hand Spanish cars are also a lot more expensive over here than the UK a right hand drive on Spanish plates is slightly more cheaper.

THE PAPERWORK

To buy a Spanish registered car you’ll need at least one of following:

Either a residence card or your passport and an NIE (foreigner’s identification number).

The title deed to your Spanish home in your name, not a company name.

A certificate from the Town Hall showing you are a registered inhabitant of the municipality.(padron)

A rental contract on a Spanish property for at least one year.

You also have a legal requirement to transfer the vehicle into your name as soon as possible after its purchase

Please note:

As with everything to do with your money and property, you should always take independent advice before entering into any kind of agreement. The article(s) above are written based upon our understanding of the facts but do not constitute financial advice of any description.