For Stephanie and Pradip, the move to Malaga has turned out to be one of the best decisions, as now not only can they work in the sunshine and on their balcony, but also enjoy this vibrant city as residents, being able to sneak away to the beach any time they wish…
Where are you from and why did you decide to move to Spain?
We are from Germany and the UK, and after living/working abroad and moving back to the UK, we found ourselves not suitable for the UK weather conditions anymore :) In all seriousness, we wanted more quality of life, sunshine and to be able to spend more time outside with the sea around the corner.
When did you move & where in Spain did you settle? Did you move on your own or as a family?
Our family moved in December 2023 and settled in a lovely neighbourhood just 10 min from the centre of Malaga. We drove with our car from the UK to Spain and planned a lovely road trip with 3 overnight stays in France and the middle of Spain until we arrived in Malaga. It was a great adventure, and we could take the most precious things with us in the car.
Did you use professional help for the immigration procedures and/or any relocation services? Tell us your experience
We had massive help with Malaga Expat and Irina who has guided us and basically done all the paperwork we needed for our relocation. It has been super helpful and efficient, and we could have never done it without her help so quickly.
From all the residency paperwork and finding an adequate rental property for us, Irina has done the whole process. We have had several facetime meetings where she would advise us and even do a virtual viewing of the flat.
It has been an absolute pleasure to work with her.
How difficult was it to find your first home and do you still live in the same place?
It is not easy as a first-time resident to find property without any previous work history in the country, but Irina found a way to negotiate with the landlord and we have secured the best apartment for the start of our life here in Spain.
What is your occupation in Spain? Has it changed compared to what you did in your home country?
We both work remotely, and nothing has changed for us workwise here in Malaga except that we now work in the sunshine on the balcony most of the time.
How integrated do you feel into the local community and lifestyle?
The people here in Malaga are very friendly and helpful and we feel that you can integrate as much as you would like at your own pace. Learning the language is a very important plus and not very easy for everyone but people are supportive and help you where they can.
Do you have any regrets about your move to Spain and/or miss anything from your home country?
We have no regrets whatsoever. Moving to Spain has brought lots of positives into our lives and we feel very lucky to have made this decision.
What was the main advantage and the main challenge you experienced with moving to Spain?
We did not really find it difficult as we felt super safe and in good hands with Malaga Expat Consulting to help us with all the paperwork. The language barrier might have been the biggest challenge.
Any advice you would like to give to those considering or in the process of moving to Spain?
I would always consider working with an Expat Consultant for the process of moving to a different country. It will save you lots of time and probably tears of frustration with all the necessary bureaucracy.