Expat Canadians In the Spanish Costas

[tbritt]

Hello,
My wife & I wish to buy an apartment/condo in Spain or Greece in the next year, where we will spend 6 months of the year.

We are trying to make contact with any Canadian citizens who have retired, or moved to Spainish Costas/Greece, to find out the process(es) and problems of how to buy property and live in Greece for 6 months yearly.

All info would be appreciated.

Tom & Linda

[carebrennan]

Hi there

I am sorry that I do not have the answer to your question. Just want to say that I hope this can work out for you. It might be tricky with visa's though retirement visa's are available. You can check with the Spanish Consulate in Canada for information on that. Tourist visa's only last for 3 months so you would need something else for the other 3 especially if you will be a temporary resident. I am sure there are Canadian's in the places you are looking to go so hopefully someone writes you back with some more definite info. Good Luck!

[tbritt]

Care,
Thanx 4 the info. It appears very difficult to find people in similar circumstances.
The only Canuck I had heard of in Spain was from rumour. Apparently he had entered Spain 20 years ago, loved it, teaches English to the locals, under the table, and has been dodging immigration ever since.
But doubt if he owns property or would be easy for government to track him and expel.
will keep tryintg and may have to do it hard way, which when I was in Spain, was told had to apply to the local city hall where wanted to buy, and if they approved could purchase.
Didn't hear about a 3 month visa only.

Have tried doing this the hard way through embassy' but it pass the buck theory with them. Canadian says go ahead.
Spanish states to contact local town(s).
Appears that government red tape is a global problem.

Thanx again,

Tom & Linda

[carebrennan]

Hi Tom and Linda

The 3 month visa I am talking about is just the basic traveller's visa. Its not a "visa" per say but just the time you are allowed to legally stay in Spain once you arrive. When you arrive in any EU country they will stamp your pasport. That is when the clock starts ticking.

I think you might be right about the red tape. It is different if you are buying. Could you consider renting? As we have children in school we had to go to the local hall to register as a citizen. If you are not buying something, looking for local registration for things like a library card, school, etc.you may not need to "register". I am hoping someone else can give you better advice. Good luck with this and still hoping you can somehow work it out.

[pilog]

i met quite a few in estepona(costa del sol) when i was over there for christmas. the name of the chiringuito they were in was called bora bora...hope that helps