The Land of  Flamenco & Picasso,

Gaudi & Tapas

Information on Relocating to Spain

• The capital city of Spain is Madrid with about 3.1 million people. The political centre is also in Madrid where the King and Queen also reside. Spain is a Parliamentary Monarchy.

• Language: The language spoken is Spanish, Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%. The TV programs are in Spanish and dubbed. There are about 6 different channels 5 in Spanish and 1 in the local language (dialect depending on the area you live). On most TV's, many imported programs and films can be heard in the original language (mostly English) by pressing a button called "dual" on the remote control.

• Population: The population is about 40.2 million people with ethnic groups from different Mediterranean and Nordic countries.

• Expat areas: Popular areas for the Expat community are Barcelona and Madrid.

• Housing: The availability of houses in the whole country and particularly in these areas is difficult. What you should know about finding a house in Spain is, among others, that there is no multiple listing system. The search for properties is done by GRS' s personal contact with many real estate agencies. Since there is usually a shortage of most types of property a quick decision is often of vital importance to secure the property. Important to know also is that the tenant is responsible for paying the real estate agency fees once there is an agreement on the contract. The amount is usually one month’s rent. Most Expats rent their houses or apartments, but some buy their homes. Both options are available and will be looked at with you but mainly depend on your company policy, income, and the length of your stay.

• Cost of housing: Varies from area to area and the size of the house or apartment; you'll pay anything from Euro 780 - Euro 2200 and higher for an apartment and Euro 2200 - Euro 4800 for a house (houses are very rarely available). The local currency is EURO.

• Schools: We have the American and the British schools, the French, German, and Jewish schools, and of course the local school systems is available. Depending on the age we can tell you about waiting lists, etc.

• Transportation: There is a great public transportation system: Plains, trains, trams, busses, subways and taxi's.

• Banking: The banking hours are generally Monday-Thursday 8.30 am until 4.30 pm. On Friday from 8.30 am until 2.00 pm. Saturday from 8.30 am until 1.00 pm. Spanish holidays and vacation periods are not a good time to schedule business meetings.

• Shopping: Generally done from Monday-Friday 9.30 am until 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm until 8.00 pm and on Saturday from 9.30 am until 1.00 pm.

• Climate: The climate varies tremendously in Spain, due to its large size. Visitors can generally expect a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The vast central plateau has a continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Rain generally falls in spring and autumn. The mountains surrounding the plateau have a higher rainfall and often experience heavy snowfalls in winter. North of the Cantabrian mountains, the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia have a maritime climate, with cool summers and mild winters. The weather is often cloudy with frequent rainfall. On the Mediterranean coast, the climate is moderate with rain in spring and autumn. Murcia has an almost African climate and is characterized by numerous palm trees. Rainfall is low and the calina, or heat haze, is common during summer. On the Atlantic coast, the summers are cooler and fairly heavy rainfall occurs during winter. Inland, the summers are hot and the rainfall decreases. The Balearic islands have a maritime climate, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers.

• Culture: The Spanish have a rich Culture where names come up like: Greco and Goya, Picasso and Miró, Gothic cathedrals, castles and palaces, fantastic modern monuments and Gaudí's intricate fabulist sculptures. Besides that, we have the we have the Flamenco dancers and the toreadors (bullfighters) and naturally, great museums, galleries, theatre, cinemas, etc.

• Public holidays: January 1st-New Year’s Day; January 6th-fiesta de los reyes; Good Friday, Easter Monday-(dates vary); May 1st-Labor Day; Whit Sunday-(date varies, is a local Barcelona holiday); June 24th-Sant Joan or Summer solstice; August 15th-Assumption; September 11th-Diada (is a Catalonia’s national holiday); September 24th-La Merce (Barcelona’s patron saint); October 12th-Hispanitat or Columbus Day; November 1st-Tots Sant or All Saints day; December 6 th-Constitution Day; December 8th-Immaculate Conception; December 25th-Christmas; December 26th-Sant Esteve or Boxing Day.