About dawnstarr

Currently Lives:

Citizen of:

Some Forum Posts:

Spain: Immigration advantages for Mexican citizens:

Have you looked on the Spanish gobierno website re: this issue? My sons are also dual citizens, and it is my understanding that any former colonies, etc do get priority.

Spain: cheque: garantizado, bancario or conformada.:

I am renewing my US passport for renewal of my Spanish visa. I need one of the 3 types of checks listed above to submit to Madrid with my passport application. However, I do not have a Spanish bank account and the bank said they cannot issue any type of check unless of having an account with them. US checks and credit card not accepted on mail-in applications. In US, it is easy to get a certified check regardless of whether or not you have a bank account. Any ideas? I have sent a message to the US Embassy in Madrid but haven't heard back yet.

Spain: retiring in Spain:

Look up the requirements for a Spanish retirement/non-lucrative visa based on the area in which you live. If you also have citizenship in a former Spanish colony like Mexico, visa requirements are much easier. I am renewing my visa and they require 2103.04 euros a month, so you would need to have your documentation from dollars to euros. I have found most people, Spanish and ex-pats friendly.

Spain: resident visa:

When I inquired about that requirement and asked how I was supposed to get a place to live before I went to Spain, the staff simply said that was the requirement. When I checked with the San Francisco consulate, their application did not require a home in Spain. I called back to LA and asked and they told me different consulates might have different requirements! So I effected a "move" with an address that allowed me to apply in San Fran. When I submitted my application, I was asked about my housing in Spain, and I politely said I would get it as soon as I got to Spain, and that worked, but I can imagine it may depend on the whim of the staff person.

Spain: Arrived in Madrid:

I wrote and posted three articles on my blog www.starrtreks.com. in July and August on my experiences in getting my non-lucrative/retirement visa in Spain. If you have further questions after you read them, please contact me. I can be reached through my blog. Buena suerte.

Spain: Where to buy in Spain???:

There are good values and quality of life in the Valenciana and Alicante provinces, both in Communidad Valenciana, with typically temperate weather. Towns on the Mediterranean or inland if you want a finca (farm) provide good options, but depends on what your priorities are. Make a list of those first, and see what general areas match, and then test drive by staying in some vacation rentals for enough time to get a feel for the town and neighborhood.

Spain: Retire in Spain, how much per month?:

Why guess? They have the specific amount posted on the Spanish government's visa requirements.

Spain: NIE Help (Modelo 790):

Most things that deal with Spanish businesses and bureaucracy take three (or more) trips to get resolved, with inconsistent info being given by the officials involved. :)

Spain: Expat health insurance:

I got mine in Altea (Alicante, Communidad Valenciana) from Plus Utlra Seguros. Different policies depend on your medical history and what you want or what is required for your visa. My visa required a no co-pay/deductible policy. Way cheaper than the US even though no deductible. Mine does not cover medication or other supplementary treatments I have had.

Spain: Woman on her own moving to Cadiz:

Surprisingly, requirements for Spanish visa can vary with which place you apply in the US, for example, LA and San Francisco have different requirements for a retirement/non-lucrative visa. I had one appt for submitting my paperwork, and about 3 months later I was given about a month window to retrieve my visa and to bring my booked air itinerary, with the flight needing to be complete in fairly short order. Make sure you get a translator who is authorized by the Spanish govt, not just one who is a Spanish interpreter in the US (which can be from non-Spain countries.) Spanish govt may or may not accept those interpreters. For more of my experiences and recommendations, check my blog: www.starrtreks.com.

Date Joined:

6/2/2012

Total Posts:

50

Posts/Day:

0.03