After The Honeymoom Phase Ends: Ajusting to Spain

Every week, my news feed has at an article glamorizing the expat life in Spain.

The challenges specific to adjusting to Spain are rarely mentioned.  

And they should be - because Spain has its sh*t load of curveballs arising from its peculiar multi-level governance.

At best, such articles sometimes featured in high-traffic digital publications hint to Spain's convoluted bureaucracy.

Eh ... thanks for alluding to this fact.

But the bureaucracies of Mexico, Italy, or France are equally just as challenging.

You would expect publishers such as Msnbc, Business Insider, International Living would cover the not-so-rosy side of starting your life over in a foreign language and culture.

As it pertains to Spain, there is no testimonials of the weariness that inevitably kicks in when the realities of the Spanish governance model starts to give you a serious case of the jitters.

Maybe I am missing the point?

After all, publishers’ priority is generating views and incoming traffic to their websites. 

Showcasing Spain as a blissful destination for a new beginning is guaranteed readership.

They are correct, for the most part. 

Living in Spain will make you happier than anywhere in the US or Canada.

But no matter how blissful it is, after the honeymoon phase wears off, reality kicks in.

And it ain’t for the faint of heart.

Reality Check #1:  Your dollar will always shrink

Currencies are like a marathon that never ends.

Last summer was the first time Americans enjoyed a 1:1 exchange rate with the euro since 2002.

The dollar has lost about 14% of its value against the euro since its peak in September 2022. Now, it costs about $1.10 to buy one euro.

Let’s say a hotel room in Barcelona cost 200 euros a night. An American would pay $220 a night.

Your dollar in Spain always shrinks.

Are you prepared for it shrink, over and over again - month after month -?

Reality Check #2: The Legal Shakedown

Several of Spain’s regions and municipalities have seen core revenues fall and they are saddled with debts. 

Here are some of the creative solutions to their financial problems:

Fines for:

Skateboarding
Washing your car in the street
Feeding stray dogs
Playing dominos on the street
Shaking out a rug from your balcony
Driving in flip-flops
Crossing the street while the pedestrian symbol is red

Reality Check #3: Taxes

One particularly nasty reality in Spain involves what is known as the Modelo 720 form.

This form is required for all long-term residents who hold assets abroad, and it’s meant to let Spain know exactly where you keep all your money and other goodies (which, of course, is necessary so the Spanish government can properly tax it).

The penalties are so vindictive that Spain has officially been reported to the European Court of Justice over them.

Right now there is an on-going legal case against Spain for the disproportionate nature of the penalties.

Reality Check #4: Spaniards are monolingual

  

Let me clarify before I get hit with serious backlash: 

I am an assertive Spanish speaker.  I also master the socio-cultural intricacies and know when to interrupt, talk over people, and raise my voice - just like the Spaniards.

Otherwise, I will get disrespected, get fleeced, and get nothing done on acceptable terms. 

So,  no - I don't assume that Spaniards should converse with me in English. I'm on their turf.

However - in light of the fact that expats - namely English-speaking ones- contribute to almost 30% of the country's economy in the form of tourism, real estate, and so forth, I do expect them to express a willingness to speak English - if only an attempt to greet me, or to thank me in a couple of basic phrases. 

Surely, that ain't rocket science!

But no -  

They have no desire in using the nationalities surrounding them to understand the world around them.

That attitude is infuriating to me... Which is why I never leave a tip.

Now that I got this off my chest... 

Reality Check #5: "Who Cares" Customer Service

You might dismiss this as non-consequential.

Trust me, you will seriously shift your mindset, and you will adjust your expectations.

In their defense, let's acknowledge the context:

Employee engagement in Spain is very low -  but rightfully so - 

Staff is not valued. They are apathetic and cynical. 

This is because they are not respected by their leadership.

Spaniards do not communicate authentic appreciation to their staff. 

Acknowlegment, appreciation, and reinforcement are all foreign concepts.

There is no budget specifically allocated towards internal training such as  "leadership skills" or "soft skills" 

There are a few exceptions, such as in companies like Mercadona, El Corte Inglés, Iberia.

I witness first-hand the boisterous belittling of staff in front of customers. 

It’s a common occurrence. 

It is awkward to witness — and a bit distressing, as I just feel compelled to intervene when someone's dignity is attacked.

Want to return an item for an exchange?

 — or God forbid —

You want to file a complaint?

First, there is an “hoja de reclamacion” that you fill out in Spanish outlining the reason(s) for your complaint. 

Oh, and attach a copy of your NIE or TIE.

Allow up to 30 days for the privilege of a response -  which you don't know whether it will arrive by snail mail, email, or phone call.

Of course, that's assuming your “reclamacion” hasn’t been lost in the first place …

You get the idea …

Initially, I was adamant on supporting the local businesses in my town, but hey — my patience has its limits.

After a few of these rodeos, I switched exclusively to online shopping on Amazon.

Reality Check #6: Not keeping your ducks in a row can be disastrous

You must grasp the multi-level governance of the Spanish bureaucracy and Administrative Law.

If you are a savvy researcher and can interpret information in Spanish, you will maneuver around forms and coordinate between the jurisdictions involved.

If that already sounds overwhelming, don't necessarily assume that you need a lawyer.

A paralegal can bridge the gap and break down the steps in a coherent workflow, enabling you to contain legal costs while you self-organize for the next step.