More People Are Retiring To The Continent

The most popular countries for the British to retire to are, Spain, Portugal, France, Cyprus, and Malta, and despite Brexit there seem to be more people who want to go to one of these countries before the end of March.

And why not? Unless you move to the Alps, most of these countries have a much sunnier climate, and they can be a lot cheaper to live in. Algarve removals to Portugal are especially inviting. Average daytime temperatures there range from 16°C to 29°C and you can buy a three-bedroom villa with a pool for as little as £250,000. It has a non-habitual resident scheme which entitles you to tax advantages for ten years, so non-Portuguese pensions or lump sums are tax free. A three-course dinner for two at a middle of the road restaurant is only about £25, and there are some of the best golf courses in Europe. 

 

However, removals to France and removals to Spain are also increasing, as retirees want to settle in before Brexit day, because who knows what happens after that?

However, if you are considering removals from Lancashire to overseas, you should take the advice of an accountant because tax regulations can vary greatly. For example, if you live in Spain or Portugal but still own property in the UK or have any intention of returning, HM Customs and Revenue may consider you are still liable for UK income tax – even if you don't live here! A good website for information is  https://www.gov.uk/moving-or-retiring-abroad.

Use A Specialist Company For Removals To Spain

If you are going to move to Spain, your best bet is to search for removals specialists for Spain because their drivers will not only know all the routes, but equally importantly the company will know all the Spanish rules and regulations. 

Every country has different rules about what it will and won't allow you to import and there are some that will probably never occur to you. For instance, in many countries you can't import plants, so you will have to find a new home for your beloved mother-in-law's tongue. Other countries won't let you import Scotch whisky, and still others won't let you import pork sausages! We're serious. If you try to import pork sausages, or any sort of alcohol for that matter, into Saudi Arabia you will find yourself in jail! Fortunately, Spain is not that strict, but you still need to observe the laws.

For example, a specialist company that undertakes removals to Spain from the UK will be able to tell you the rules about importing a vehicle there. It may be that you have to pay taxes to import a vehicle to Spain, and if you are then a resident for more than 183 days you are not permitted to drive a vehicle with a foreign number plate, so you have to register the vehicle and change to Spanish plates.

You can begin to see how complicated things can be, so it pays to use a removal company that is fully informed about the laws.