Information about emigrating to Gran Canaria

Buenos días, buenas tardes o buenas noches de Gran Canaria, no matter when you read this blog entry, I hope it is interesting and will make your dream of emigrating a little bit easier.

In 2019, about 19 million tourists visited the Canary Islands. Approx. 5.5 million were on Tenerife, approx. 4.2 million on Gran Canaria, approx. 2.9 million on Lanzarote, approx. 1.9 million on Fuerteventura, approx. 258,000 on La Palma and on La Gomera & El Hierro there were approx. 127,000 together.

The total number of overnight stays on all islands was an impressive 96 million. This makes the Canary Islands the region with the most overnight stays in Spain in 2019. We better shelve 2020 worldwide because of Corona.

Many a tourist often becomes an emigrant, because those who visit the islands on holiday are usually quickly enchanted, which often results in the desire for sunny year-round temperatures, the mountains, the beach and the sea.

We turned our backs on Germany 12 years ago and emigrated to Gran Canaria. Despite the not always golden times and the occasional longing for Germany, the family and friends living there, I have never regretted a day on this beautiful island. On the contrary, it is rather a matter of gratitude, joy paired with an important portion of humility, because it is a privilege to be able to live everyday life here.
Again and again I receive many questions about emigration or moving to Gran Canaria. Since a flat or a house is almost always needed to buy or rent, as a real estate agent we are also one of the first contacts in this regard. Many people come to me already well organised and have a big dream or a clear goal in mind, which is also quite important. Because you should already be convinced of what you are doing. In the best case, you should draw up a strategy or a timetable and prepare yourself in a structured way for the upcoming emigration. There will certainly be voices that doubt the plan, perhaps parents, family members, friends, work colleagues or the current boss. As an emigrant, this may be understood as a lack of confidence, but often it is rather a certain sadness regarding the imminent departure and the local loss of a family member, a good friend, work colleague or employee. "The journey is the destination"? On a nice trip through Spain or across the Canary Islands, that may be a very good resolution. However, this topic is about building something in the long term to make the dream of living in Gran Canaria (or elsewhere in the world) a reality. Create a professional perspective for yourself, create a harmonious and pleasant social environment, find a place where you also feel comfortable. Almost everyone has heard the following sentence: "Beware of storm and wind, and compatriots who are abroad".
Frankly, I always have to smile, but is that really the case? Are our compatriots abroad different from those "at home"?
Well, frankly, I'm not so sure. Where I do feel a certain certainty is that you should always look at different situations and new people with open eyes. Especially when it comes to money, work and business. A good gut feeling and a certain knowledge of human nature will help you. However, these things do not only apply to emigration, but are probably fundamental in life. Another phrase that comes up occasionally is:

"In Gran Canaria you can make a small fortune if you bring a big one". Also something to smile about but truer than some might believe. I know some people who were financially prepared in the six-figure range and in the end it wasn't even enough for the return flight. But what was the reason? Of course, you can never make a general judgement about that. Often it is due to naivety, bad investments, the wrong friends, changes in health, alcohol, drugs or simply forgetting that you also have to work in Gran Canaria. In my opinion, more than in my home country.

What should you pay attention to when emigrating?

Are there any special features when changing residence to the Canary Islands? How much start-up capital should be available? How are things with the children and school in Gran Canaria? How do I find a job on the island? What about wages, payment and holiday days? Where is it advisable to live? Does it make sense to hire a removal company and what are the costs? Does it make sense to travel by car and ferry, where does the ferry leave from and how much does it cost to get to Gran Canaria? What about taxes? Do I also have to pay tax on my pension as a pensioner with my main residence in Gran Canaria? Does the Corona virus have any influence on emigration or any specifics?

Questions upon questions, which I would like to address in the course of this blog post. But first, my top 3 tips:

• Prepare thoroughly and comprehensively, define goals clearly and be absolutely consistent!
• Have enough money in reserve so that you can live on the island for at least 1 year without having to earn a single cent.
• Forget about holidays for the time being and for some time, it will be the new life and it has to be worked hard for!

Of course, you will need to register with the authorities promptly after arrival, anyone staying in Gran Canaria for more than 183 days in a year is also liable for tax in Spain. To do this, you will also need to apply for the Spanish Foreigner Identification Number (N.I.E. number). This is also known colloquially as a tax number, which it is in fact. You will often be asked for this number, whether you want to open a bank account, register a car, take out insurance or register a telephone line with internet. Without an N.I.E. number, a foreigner can hardly do anything in Spain. You can get this N.I.E. number from the police. In Maspalomas it is the police station at GC 500, next to the CC Euro Center. It costs about 10€, due to Corona you can only appear there with an appointment, get an appointment (cita previa) Currently the lead time is about 2 months. However, this can change quickly. You must be able to speak Spanish, if not, please take an interpreter with you.
You can also apply at the Spanish consulate in your country. . So-called Gestorías or people who offer administrative services also take care of this and offer support. However, you should never have to pay more than 150€ for the organisation of the N.I.E. number, rather considerably less. Otherwise it becomes frivolous or the additional costs must be clearly justified. As already written, you could also do this yourself at the police for less than 10€.

Of course, the Spanish state also lives from tax revenues, you are then also obliged to file a tax return in Spain. Your "world income" must be taxed here. This is also very important for pensioners! Since 2012, residents in Spain have also had to declare assets abroad to the Spanish state, using the Model / Form 720. Please do this, as the fines for disregard, ignorance and forgetfulness are very, very high! The Spanish authorities cooperate with the foreign authorities, they will get hold of tax debts and fines. The urgent advice: Please use a tax office, we will be happy to name reliable, competent tax advisors in Gran Canaria, because there are particularities in inheritance law, taxation of property / real estate, securities, pensions and much more.

In order to be able to pay tax on income at all, a job or a pension is of course required. Is there any work at all in Gran Canaria or does it make more sense to participate in the Saturday lottery or the famous Spanish Christmas lottery "El Gordo"?
Covid-19 has a strong economic impact on our island, as well as worldwide, we are still lacking tourists and many people are in "ERTE" (roughly comparable to the short-time work currently also practiced in other countries). Therefore, it is currently a big challenge to find a reasonable job. However, it always depends on the industry, what you can do, a bit of luck or "vitamin B" for local connections. Wages are certainly lower on average than in other european countries, so in the restaurant business, tips are an additional factor that many waiters, cooks and bartenders can hardly do without. In contrast, the cost of living in the tourist south is relatively high, which is not least visible in the rent prices.
However, if you want to start your own business, why not step on the gas, but check out the market first. With an average of 330 days of sunshine a year, I doubt whether a solarium in Gran Canaria will secure your livelihood. I'm sure you have a better idea than my example, so take heart, good luck and good work.

I have a lot of respect for parents who emigrate with their children, it is an additional challenge, please think at least twice if you want to take this step. The children lose their friends, classmates and their familiar environment. Make sure that you have a good financial background so that the children do not have to lose the friendships they have made. If everything goes well, it is also an added value for your children, they learn the languages through play and could certainly benefit from it in the long run. There is the public school system and public schools such as the German public school in Las Palmas "Colegio Oficial Alemán" or the "Colegio Arenas Sur" in San Agustín. Also there is the British public school "The British School of Gran Canaria", which is located in Maspalomas as well as in the north of the island, in El Sabinal, near Las Palmas. You can find more information on the respective websites of these schools.

In which region would you like to live in Gran Canaria? Most Germans live in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, which also includes Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, San Fernando, El Tablero, etc.. People from the north of europe or from Great Britain prefer to live in the west of the island with Mogan, Puerto Rico or Arguineguín. However, emigrants also prefer the island's capital Las Palmas with its approx. 380,000 inhabitants. There are many beautiful regions, just be aware of the climatic conditions in addition to the professional situation. In the north or in the mountains, it is much cooler, wetter and cloudier in the winter months than in the south of the island. As far as the property market is concerned, property prices in the south are on average much higher than in the north. As you can see, there are many things to consider and think about.

Should you wish to travel by car, the best way would be to take the ferries from Cádiz or Huelva from the Spanish mainland (Peninsula). The ferry companies Fred Olsen Express or Transmediterranea will take you safely to the archipelago. The prices between the providers vary and there are always offers, compare on the websites. When moving, you can declare various items as removal goods, which eliminates any import duty, so it is important to keep this in mind. This can save you a lot of money, especially if you are moving a car. With a German licence plate you are allowed to drive on the Canary Islands for a maximum of 6 months, after which you must either leave the country or re-register your vehicle with a Spanish licence plate. We can also recommend reliable support for this.

Today's blog entry is a little longer than usual, due to the complexity of the topic "Emigration to Gran Canaria". I could only briefly touch on various areas, but I hope to be able to convey a small overall impression. In any case, we are looking forward to meeting courageous people who, like us, make the dream of emigration a reality. Sun World Immobilien wishes you all the best and the best of luck.