Like many people, it could be that you recently toured Palma de Mallorca for a holiday and liked the living experience on this attractive Mediterranean island.
The weather is great; most people prefer the idea of resting on the beach and enjoying the summer sun while sipping a few drinks to spending time in cold climates. However, There are many more factors to think about when preparing to relocate to Mallorca for work or begin living in Mallorca throughout the year.
The following are our 10 leading tips to help anyone planning to relocate to Mallorca.
Why Move To Mallorca?
It is always great to begin with good news. According to The Sunday Times of London, the Mallorcan capital ranks as the best location to reside in the world. This is due to the island’s natural beauty, amazing climate, intricate transportation and infrastructure networks, and diverse communities. It is not hard for the island to market itself as a prime destination for many.
If you need extra convincing, please continue reading to find extra reasons why Mallorca is the best place to live in globally.
1. Create a long-term plan for your new phase of life.
Moving to a new country provides a great opportunity to begin an entirely new and interesting part of your life. However, you need to prepare yourself adequately to ensure you settle in smoothly and enjoy your stay from day one.
If possible, we encourage you to talk to people who have shared similar experiences. If you are moving for work reasons, you need to evaluate the prospects of landing a job based on the demand for your skill set in the new market.
Other than speaking to friendly locals, look for organizations set up to assist other expats in the new area. Alternatively, consider looking for answers from online media platforms from individuals who have gone through similar experiences. It helps to ensure you are ready to begin life in the new location, particularly where substantial finances are to be expended.
The living experience for residents of Mallorca is completely different from that of life as a tourist. Luckily, we have provided a detailed guide to help you locate the fundamental information you require to determine if living in Mallorca is the best option for you.
2. Identifying The Best Location To Live In Mallorca
Making the decision to move to a new place is an initial step in the relocation process. Remember that you will have to pay a significant amount of money to acquire a new home and set up your new home. You have to conduct sufficient due diligence before you move. Most times, any experienced folk you talk to will advise against making a decision to move based on a solitary holiday experience—it is best to visit various areas and during diverse times of the year.
Although it is a tiny island, Mallorca has numerous different regions one can live in. Here, you have to consider more than just the most attractive, desired, or authentic place. This is because some locations on the islands are active during the peak times of the year but stop working during the winter period. On the other hand, some localities are better suited for international residents compared to others.
3. Securing a job or starting a business on Mallorca
If you have family-related bills to pay, you have to ensure you are financially ready to meet such needs. For many, landing a job in Mallorca is not as easy as it can be in your home country. In addition, the average salaries are below those of northern European countries.
Most job opportunities are in the tourism, real estate, and agriculture sectors. You also have high chances of securing a job as a chef or plumber. However, jobs requiring specialist skills are not so common. If you have to re-train to get a job on Mallorca, we advise that you do it before you move to the island. Also, consider the varying working hours, employment laws, and the need to adjust to work demands in a new country.
Most expats prefer to start a business, which seems more attainable. If you plan to set up a business, you need to gather all the relevant information and professional advice to prepare a comprehensive business plan. It helps if you are prepared to deal with challenges that come along the way, like facing resistance from the local residents when you want to set up a bar or a club business – most of the processes are not as easy as they may appear.
4. Know the language and understand the culture.
It would be very helpful if you could learn Spanish before moving to Mallorca. Many expats living on Mallorca will confirm the need to learn Spanish eventually, or to have a patient friend who speaks Spanish to help you get by.
Please note that Catalan (also called Mallorquin) is the official language and the most common language on the island. It makes it hard for anyone who does not speak Catalan to get particular jobs on the island. Also, if you intend to enroll your kids in the local schools, please know they may be taught in Catalan.
Upon arrival in Mallorca, create friendly relations with the local residents and take this opportunity to improve your language skills. Knowing the local language will greatly enrich your living experience on the island.
It also helps to expect a different cultural setting from what you are accustomed to in your home country. We can talk a lot about the rich cultural heritage on the island. However, it is important to be patience when learning and adjusting to challenges as they develop.
For instance, you might have to contend with the fact that some businesses do not have fixed working hours or some deliveries are not always on time. Some products may have to be sourced from the mainland, and some behaviors and playfulness might be acceptable in specific places like beaches only.
5: Purchasing a house on Mallorca
Searching for the right house is the next step after identifying where you want to live. The best place to start when hunting for a house is by finding the right real estate agent who knows what you want. It is acceptable to begin the house search on online platforms; however, it is helpful to note that the real estate market in Mallorca operates slightly differently from other countries.
Working with a good real estate agent is the best way of finding the right house while getting the best of local market intelligence, legal knowledge, red tape, building utilities, and others.
Finding a rental home in Mallorca
It is a bad decision to rush into buying property, unless you are 100% sure of the purchase. This is because property is highly illiquid and it is that much more difficult for newcomers on the island to sell property quickly.
For a start, renting a house is the more prudent decision. However, you have to remit a two-month deposit before moving into the house. Most rental leases are renewable and are for 11 months. Prospective tenants can sign shorter leases of between 3 and 6 months during the winter period.
Purchasing a residential house in Mallorca
The process of purchasing a property on Mallorca can vary from that of your home country. It is best to work with a lawyer to guide you through the home buying process. When purchasing a house, the buyer is expected to pay a 10% down payment after their offer to buy the property is accepted. This is called an option contract.
You are likely to lose the deposit if you do not complete the sale process. This is why it is vital that the property buyer fully comprehends the terms and conditions of the sale contract before making any commitments. The real estate agent you elect to work with will collaborate with your lawyer to explain all the fine details to you.
6. Seeking legal services in Mallorca
On Mallorca, you have access to three types of legal services, with lawyers on the island having more or less the same duties as lawyers in other countries. Initially, you need a lawyer to help you register for an NIE number. The NIE number functions like a tax number and is required for various transactions, like the purchase of a car or house. You can register for this number alone. However, a lawyer makes the process much easier.
The other type of legal service is “gestoria,” which is borrowed from ancient times when many people in Spain were still illiterate. These lawyers work for clients who need to deal with government authorities, civil services, and help resolve all official issues.
A gestoria ensures the client does not have to wait long to get the services they need. Their roles are like those of an accountant in other countries and include providing clients with tax consultancy, personal accounting, and bookkeeping services. Most lawyers on Mallorca provide clients with both “gestor” and legal services.
A ‘notario’ is the third category and resembles a notary in other countries but with added duties. After living for some time in Spain, you will come to appreciate that a “notario” makes many processes flow smoothly for the client. However, they mostly seek to ensure the law is followed while providing less professional advice than their counterparts.
7. Achieving Financial Goals On Mallorca
If the plan is to live in Mallorca for the long haul, it is vital that you take care of your financial goals first. You have to select a Spanish bank where you can set up an account, save your money, get into a pension plan, and pay taxes.
If you are dependent on benefits, please note that they are not as high as in many European nations. You also need to have health insurance and proof of insurance. We recommend seeking a trustworthy advisor who appreciates your position for long-term safety.
8 Choosing a School in Mallorca
If you have school-going kids, selecting a school is one of the most important considerations to make. On Mallorca, you can find decent international schools located in the Palma and southwest areas of the island.
If you are looking for a local school, we encourage you to do your due diligence. Some state schools charge fees and require you to fill out a plethora of paperwork every year in order for your child to be enrolled. Also, think about the language, as most schools on Mallorca conduct classes in Catalan.
9: Looking for healthcare in Mallorca
The availability of top-quality healthcare services is one of Mallorca’s major sources of attraction. You need to apply for a medical card to benefit from state-assisted healthcare services on the island.
On the other hand, if you are looking for private healthcare facilities, there are numerous options for specialist clinics and private facilities to select from. You can also get the healthcare support you need from private consultants working in large hospitals with private rooms for patient care.
10. Making new friends and settling down in Mallorca
Last but not least, this is probably the best tip. After you have completed all the steps required to settle on Mallorca, it is time to enjoy the best part of Mallorca. It is easy to find and make new friends in Mallorca. This is because expats are usually supportive of one another, and there are numerous groups, networking forums, or events to help you fit into the Mallorcan culture.
Hire A Professional Removals Company
When you are looking to move your family and all of your belongings to a new home in Mallorca the Balearic Islands Spain, it is going to be a very exciting experience for sure.
However, along with that, you have to make sure that you are completely prepared for a relocation so that you are not subject to any unnecessary stress. Hiring a professional removals company like Edwards European Moving for your removal to Mallorca Balearic Islands Spain will allow you to cover each of your bases while making sure that there is nothing that you end up forgetting along the way. Get A Free Moving Quote: https://www.edwardseuropeanmoving.com/removals-to-balearic-islands/
Hi I am Edward John owner and the driving force behind Edwards European Moving. I and other members of staff are trilingual speaking English, French, and Spanish. Edwards European Moving specialises in providing full door-to-door removal services across Europe. With a strong emphasis on professionalism and competence, the company has garnered a wealth of experience in house and business removals throughout the continent.