Moving to Spain? What Are Some Common Fears and How to Overcome Them?

Moving abroad and settling down in another country can be an enriching but daunting experience. The newness of everything can be as unsettling as it is exciting. It is not normal to feel some form of nervousness, but this can be overcome. Let’s look at some common fears.

What if

You miss your family and loved ones?

One of the main reasons why people are hesitant to move abroad is because they do not want to leave their family and friends behind. The first few weeks in a new country can be pretty lonely and you are bound to miss your loved ones and feel homesick. Thankfully, with new technologies, we have easier ways to get in touch with them. You can constantly communicate with them via WhatsApp and the likes and even video call to see them. Do not forget that you will meet new acquaintances as well!

You can’t learn the language?

Language barrier might seem to a big problem, especially if you are not fluent in Spanish. What if you cannot get your point across for even the basic simple things? How will you integrate fully? You can prepare yourself beforehand via apps such as DuoLingo or Babble. These will help you learn at least the basics. Moreover, you can befriend someone who knows Spanish before even moving there so that they will teach you the language. As for the rest, you just have to be brave and take the jump since practice makes perfect.

You have financial troubles?

Moving into unknown territory on your own can cause you to worry about your finances. You do not know about the cost of living in Spain or about taxes and the rest. The best thing to do, if you are not moving right-away, is to save as much as you can beforehand so that you can weather the storm in case something unpredictable happens. Moreover, try to cut back on things that you do not really need when you have just moved. For instance, you can make some savings on gym subscriptions, TV packages or loans for new cars until you have settled down.  

In sickness?

What about the healthcare system in Spain? What if you get sick? Well, we have some good news: healthcare is free for expats in the country! If you have a job, pay social security through your self-employed taxes, or have a pension, you can register for free healthcare for both you and your family. Moreover, the Spanish healthcare system is considered to be one of the best in the world and medicines are considerably cheap in the country.

Your personal effects?

It can be very expensive to have all your things shipped to Spain and it might not be a feasible option. So before moving, you need to have a massive de-clutter to get rid of things that you do not use. Remember to bring only the essentials with you since you will be able to find everything there in any case.