A UK expat living in Spain has claimed that the European nation is “20 years or so behind the UK” when it comes to one thing. In a bold move six months ago, Mark Danby, originally from Stockport, Greater Manchester, left the UK behind to seek out the sunnier climates of Spain. He uprooted his life and moved to Manilva, a municipality of Malaga in the Costa del Sol.
However, despite having an “absolutely wonderful” time in Spain so far, it’s fair to say that Mark has encountered a few hiccups along the way, having previously opened up about the complexities of the local visa system. Mark, who works in IT but also shares Spain-related content on his fledgeling YouTube channel, Tapas Guy, entered the nation on a digital nomad visa. It allows foreigners to live in Spain while working remotely for an outside firm (or self-employed). Yet, it appears that the gears of bureaucracy can turn slowly no matter where you are, as Mark also reported that “everything takes so long”. However, it may be partly down to a particular “contrast” between the two countries.
He noted one specific difference when asked about the “biggest culture shock” he’d experienced after moving overseas. Elaborating, he detailed how Spain was “about 20 years or so behind the UK” in one of his videos.
He said: “And I describe it as being Spain being about 20 years or so behind the UK in kind of technology. Everything takes so long. They don’t go for electronic systems. They like their pieces of paper; that is the biggest shock.
“They are paper pushers; they’re pen pushers. Everything is paper, like when you go for your…your sort of your visa applications or your… as I’m now waiting for my TIE card, which is my foreign residency card, everything is paper processed.”
Mark explained that he was waiting for his card, and they’d “already kind of accepted it”. He said applicants present their documents at a police station, where their fingerprints are taken, and the individual produces the card.
He added: “If they had a little printer machine by them, they could just press a button and print it out, but oh no. You know, it has to go through the paper process and it has to…”
Mark continued: “You know, it can take another…you have to sort of make another appointment to go back. Everything’s booked up solid and, you know, I’ve still not got it. Everything takes a long time, a very, very long time.”
A TIE card refers to a Spanish Foreign Identity Card (or tarjeta de identidad de extranjero in Spanish). It allows people to prove their legal status as a foreigner in Spain and is required by people with a visa that lets them stay for longer than six months.
Spain follows the rules of the Schengen area, which stipulate certain passport requirements and allow people to enjoy visa-free travel within the zone for up to 90 days in a span of 180 days.
For more Spanish travel advice, visit the GOV website here.