Spain wouldn´t be Spain without Spanish administration and like most Latin countries bureaucracy reigns. It all takes time but moving to Spain can be like that. If your Spanish is nil or poor it is worthwhile paying an English speaking administrator or (Gestior) to do it for you. Professional and registered by the government, gestiors are allowed to represent you in all aspects of administration (tax, legal, driving licences, building permissions, utilities etc.). You will need several photocopies of your escritura to prove you own your property. You will also need to keep your passport with you at all times (required by law for foreigners).

It will be necessary to change the electricity into your own name. You will need a certificate (bulletin) from an electrician saying you property's electrical installation is suitable for your needs. Take this, your passport, a copy of your escritura, plus a copy of your bank details and last bill, to Sevillana Endessa (electric company). The account will then be transferred and changed into your name and payments taken from your account every two months.

The same process for water at Agua & Servicios, but you don't need a plumber's certificate.

There is no mains gas in the Costa Tropical, so consequently everyone uses bottled gas. You take your old gas bottles and pay for a full one in exchange. You will need a certificate for any gas installation in your property, with all tubing and regulators checked bi-annually.

The same process at the Town Hall (ayuntamiento) for your council tax (IBI - Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles). Whilst you are there, you should also register on the voters roll (Padron) in the Town Hall. You will be given a certificate to show you are a municipal inhabitant (certificado de empadronamiento) which gives you the right to vote and adds to the official inflation figures thus helping the towns financial assistance from central government.

It is again the same process for any urbanisation charges to the management company of your urbanisation.

Pay the tax due to the Government (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales) at your nearest tax office  (Hacienda). You will need to complete a form with a few details of the property and yourself and the original deeds (escritura). Pay at the bank first and then return with your receipt. After the tax is paid you will need to take the deeds and the paid tax receipt, to the registry. After a few months you will receive notice that the registered deeds are ready for collection, where again you will have another bill to pay at the registry.

You will need to apply for Residencia if you plan to spend more than six months in Spain. You can do this at the Police Centre in Motril.

Driving Licence needs to be translated to Spanish or apply for a Spanish Licence if you intend to be a resident. Technically your European driving licence should be enough and some people even carry a copy of a letter from the British consulate pointing out that the European licence we have in the UK is valid. BUT the guardia civil will still hit you with a 150 euro fine and demand you pay it, if you are a resident!

Municipal car and motorbike tax (impuesto municipal sobre vehiculos de traccion mecanicas) is payable each year at the town hall or nominated office and is based on the vehicles horsepower. You will not be able to sell your car if the tax is outstanding. You will pay more for late payments , but you can set up a direct debit for the bank to pay directly.

Cars over 2 years old must have ITV (Inspecion Tecnica de Vehiculos) certificate which is equal to our MOT and is renewable every 2 years. The nearest one is in Motril.

Pre-schooling is available for all children aged 3-6 years at the primary school. Primary education for children aged 6-12 years and secondary education for children aged 12-16. There are no uniforms, but students must buy their own books and materials. To register your child at one of the local schools, firstly the parents must attend the school nominated as the administrative centre for their particular area. The administration centre will inform the parents which schools have vacancies and from that list, you can choose the school. Each school has different facilities and extra-curricular activities. Ask the head teacher (El Director) for further information. 

As said before, this information barely scratches the surface and you will need the assistance of a solicitor or specialist gestior which we can recommend. This subject is also well covered in my favourite reference book, "You and the Law in Spain" by David Searl.