Moving to Spain: What Not to Do

Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

Let’s create an ANTI – bucket list – things you would not do again if you had your time over in Spain. Or wish you knew about before hand. This is not to make bad anything to do with Spain – rather help others not to potentially have the same experiences.

Answers

These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:

Expectations About Timing: “Don’t expect things to happen quickly.”

Emotional Preparedness: “There are steps in moving to a new country. Emotional ones. You should know this beforehand so you expect it and won’t hit you unexpectedly. Sadness, depression, cultural shock, loneliness, and guilt are normal feelings and will subside as you adjust.”

Cultural and Language Challenges: “Understand that Mañana often means never. Ahora means maybe, perhaps sometime.” “Don’t be too lazy to learn Spanish! Take the lessons and work hard to learn Spanish you will get far more fun and independence than if you try and get along with only English.”

Real Estate Considerations: “Be careful buying in the campo – looks idyllic and peaceful when you buy, but consider how far to the bank/supermarket/hospital etc. Can you make friends easily? What happens if something happens to you or your partner? How reliable is the internet, power, water supply, heating? And those cold, winter nights when the wind is whistling through your windows…”

Practical Living Advice: “Don’t fall in love with a house, then plan around it. Plan first. Don’t employ people to help just because they speak English, even if they come recommended.”

Legal and Administrative Preparedness: “Get your paperwork sorted ASAP, especially non-EU citizens, where there are time limits on certain things. So don’t arrive and think there’s no major rush with the paperwork…”

Property and Financial Management: “If you are choosing the campo, do your homework… mains water and/or tank/well is something I would always look for now I know how poor the rainfall is here. Also boundaries… Check that your boundaries are actually yours. Internet can be intermittent in the campo (no fibre optic), and life is much slower/simpler… I love my choices but they aren’t for everyone.”

Conclusion

The collective wisdom shared by the Spainguru Community members provides invaluable insights for anyone considering moving to Spain.

The emphasis on being emotionally and practically prepared, understanding cultural nuances, managing expectations about timing and bureaucracy, and making well-informed real estate decisions underscores the complexity of relocating.

Moving to Spain requires careful planning and adaptation to both logistical and emotional challenges.

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Bruno Bianchi CEO & Spain Immigration Expert

Bruno Bianchi is the founder and CEO of Spainguru, Spain's largest expat immigration community with 150,000+ members. Since 2014 he has helped thousands of people relocate to Spain through expert guides, webinars and vetted professional services covering visas, residency, taxes and life in Spain.

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