1 THE COST OF LIVING IN LANZAROTE…
With the cost of living and the economic crises reaching financial disaster with higher energy bills and food prices with for most people let’s look at the cost of living in Lanzarote
- Electric Bills are low….We don’t suffer with heating costs, our electric bills would be 60% lower than the normal UK electric bill.
- Water bills, are 50% cheaper and we have no rivers, lakes and no hosepipe bans, our water is from the sea through desalination plants around the island.
- Councils bills are much lower throughout the year. An average size 3 bed home on Lanzarote island would be charged between 300€ to 400€ per year.
- Petrol and fuel is cheaper and transportation around the island is at low cost
- Food is cheaper and yes even alcohol is cheaper
- No floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, windstorms
- This is a troubled free Island, socially very stable with no religious, political, military conflict or civil unrest.
The quality of lifestyle that this island offers you is PRICELESS!
2 THE PERFECT CLIMATE…
The climate in the Canary Islands is recognized worldwide for its benefits to health and vitality. With little climate variation throughout the year, very few days of rain and the long sunny days make them worthy of this distinction. Frequently called ‘The Islands of Eternal Spring’ with temperatures rarely under 16ºC in winter and 25ºC in summer, making this island the perfect destination for you to explore. Having a twelve month holiday season and glorious climate this is an all year round island which has a minimum 345 days of sunshine per year.
These extended hours of sunshine are known to have a positive effect on mood, health and stress relief. The island’s temperate climate is also good news for asthma sufferers and those with bone or joint issues, a day in the Canary Islands sunshine is like a natural vitamin D pill that helps prevents illness and makes you have that feel good factor to start your day.
3 FRIENDLY ISLAND...
Lanzarote developed has a unique personality which given rise to its own special and cheerful way of doing things, with it’s series of unique festivals and events throughout the year, environmentally friendly with no high rise developments to ruin the spectacular views around the island.
This is a troubled free island, socially very stable with no religious, political, military conflict or civil unrest. Lanzarote is in a strong economic position, encouraging secure growth for the future. A multi million euro investment in the infrastructure improvements has just been concluded, giving confidence, therefore making this a secure investment zone for the future.
4 EASY LIFESTYLE…
The island is full of life, with its own extraordinary and unmistakable character.It’s the place where you can stroll along a golden beach, take in some breathtaking mountain scenery, go on a shopping spree, experience the amazing water sports or dine under the stars – all in one day!
There are so many lovely places to explore from the sunny coastal resorts and unspoiled beaches of Papagayo and the upmarket resort of Playa Blanca, to Costa Teguise on the east coast and the cultural cosmopolitan capital city of Arrecife
It’s the place which combines fantastic healthy food with a fabulous climate, an abundance of outdoor activities and an efficient healthcare system – all of which make Lanzarote the perfect place to live.
5 SPORTS ACTIVITIES…
With good weather guaranteed all year round there are no concerns about booking a week or two to enjoy outdoor pursuits and these days the island has some top sports facilities, with state-of-the-art gyms, two full Golf courses, several Olympic sized outdoor pools, a running track and miles of trails for running and mountain biking.
Lanzarote attracts many world class athletes to the island both for the perfect all year round weather and the full range of sports facilities we have to offer here on the island as well as hosting some famous international sports events such as triathlons like Ironman, the half Ironman and Ocean Lava, world class sailing races and sports fishing contests, the world windsurfing championships and top surfing events at Famara.
For road cyclists we have smooth tarmac, low traffic levels, and some really challenging climbs from sea level to over 600 metres. You can enjoy most sports here – even rare ones like para-gliding. Enjoy the world’s best active sports resort Club La Santa with 80 sporting activities, exercise, wellness, health and social activities to enjoy.
6 HEALTHCARE…
The Spanish healthcare system is widely envied across Europe, and for good reason. Hospitals, clinics and surgeries throughout Lanzarote are excellent, delivering modern facilities, low waiting times and exceptional service, consultations, referrals and treatments. If you need to visit a hospital in Lanzarote for whatever reason, you can rest assured you will be in good hands
High quality medical care, both private and national. These include the Hospital General de Lanzarote, located in the capital city, Arrecife, as well as a private hospital in Lanzarote’s popular resort of Puerto del Carmen on the south-east coast, called Hospiten Lanzarote.
Both the state-run hospitals provide an interpretation service and there are many English-speaking doctors and dentists working in private clinics
Well-trained nurses, doctors and medical staff have access to state-of-the-art equipment throughout, making your hospital-going experience as pleasant, professional and swift as possible.
7 EDUCATION…
Education is compulsory in Spain from 6 to 16, and schools in Spain are increasingly considered to be of a better standard than those in many other European countries (including the UK) with fewer discipline problems. Here’s a quick guide to the options and how they work The most popular choice for expats, with several in the area to choose from. Some teach exclusively in English, others in English and Spanish.
Most are members of the National Association of British Schools in Lanzarote (NABSS). British schools usually follow the UK curriculum and offer GCSEs, A/S and A levels. Many also now offer the internationally- recognised International Baccalaureate diploma as an alternative to A levels. Class sizes are small and the atmosphere is relaxed. international schools are fee paying. Fees vary from school to school.
8 Setting up a business…
There are plenty of reasons why setting up a business in Lanzarote appeals to so many. The idea of being your own boss in a country with Lanzarote’s perfect climate is an obvious draw, but there are other benefits, too.
Setting up your own business can be the most appealing and lowest cost option to allow you to move abroad and control your own life. Starting up a new business in Lanzarote is easy and straight forward and thousands of expats have already made the step, although you do need to be sure that you have the necessary licenses to do so. An abogado (lawyer) or an asesoria (accountant) can do this for you.
If you have business premises you will need to make sure you have a licence for those as well, this is called a Licencia de Apertura. Your business can be run by you as a self employed person, in which case you will be trading as an individual, as a partnership or as a limited company. As an individual, you should refer to our article of being self employed here in Lanzarote.
A partnership is referred to here as an SCP. You can have as many partners in the business as you like and they are all responsible jointly for the business and should have a share of the profits based on their share of the business. You will need a constitution for the business, which defines the role and scope of the company. The business will be issued a fiscal ID number of a CIF.
A limited company here is called SL, and all of the above applies, but additionally the SL must have an administrador named (effectively the managing director) who takes responsibility for the correct running of the organization. Rules and regulations are quite strong for an SL, but you will enjoy the protection that your liability is limited in the event of the business failing. You must have at least 3000 Euros of capital to set an SL company
9 WORKING IN LANZAROTE…
In order to work in Lanzarote the first thing you must do is to obtain a tax number known as a NIF or Numero de Identification Fiscal. This number will be used in all your taxation dealings.
Secondly you must enrol with the social security system and obtain a social security number this will also give you free access to all your hospital needs. As an employee your social security will be paid by your employer along with the tax retention.
If your looking at going self employed then you will need the help of an accountant known as a Gestoria who will arrange all the paper work and ensure that enrolment is done correctly. Good preparation and research, along with the right kind of support and advice are the key ingredients to smooth your path to success in your new life and new career.
You should also open a bank account and, my number-one tip, learn some rudimentary Spanish! One of the most important things to remember is to bring enough money to live on for several months as it may take a while until you find the right job. It’s important that you’re financially secure so that you can do your job-hunting without any financial pressure.
Jobs in Lanzarote are offered each year in the tourism market to help with the huge tourist demand the island experiences during the summer months. During the peak months of the summer thousands of travelers will venture to this wonderful island and all of the companies that are part of the tourist infrastructure require staff to work in the various summer jobs which need to be filled each year. Most summer jobs in Lanzarote are short term positions closely related tohe tourist industry, these include customer service positions, jobs in bars and restaurants, hotel and resort vacancies and also sales positions. This is a fabulous place to work and live and enjoy the lifestyle that Lanzarote has to offer.
10 FOOD & WINE…
Warm weather, great food, and good wines ensure an outstanding culinary experience, throughout the whole island.
Lanzarote food culture has been quite a favourite among many people both natives as well as people in other parts of the world. Spanish cooking has relatively popular roots. Actually, you will acknowledge that most of the foods are down to earth and come devoid of the intricacies common with other cuisines. In addition, most of the cuisines are made using locally available ingredients or crops that are grown in the region. You will acknowledge however that there are wide variations in the recipes common in the various Spanish regions.
The number of al-fresco tapas bars in Lanzarote makes it hard to walk through a village without tingling ones taste-buds. In general, Canarian cuisine is a blend of Spanish, African and Latin American influences. Reflecting the island’s geographical position as a staging and one time trading post between these points of the compass in centuries past.
Lanzarote’s main wine-growing region is called La Geria. Almost all the wineries built on the hillsides here bottle their own product. This results in a collection of artisan wines that are served and sold in bodegas run by the vintners themselves. Dating back to 1775, El Grifo, the oldest winery on the island, not only serves up quality reds and whites, but also has a museum that tells the story of how Lanzarote came to be such a grape-growing powerhouse.
11 BRINGING YOUR PETS TO LANZAROTE…
Taking a dog or cat abroad is much easier these days with the Pet Passport system. This enables your pet to return to the UK without any need for quarantine.
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering the Canary Islands as long as the following requirements are met. Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats only.
Your pet must first be micro chipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is a 15 digit and non-encrypted. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.
Have your veterinarian update an EU Pet Passport for your pet. A non-commercial EU health certificate is not required for pets traveling to the Canary Islands from another EU Member State unless a rabies booster was administered by a veterinarian outside of the EU at any time after your pet received its microchip.
If you are planning on living in Lanzarote permanently, then it makes sense to apply for residency. Not only will your presence in the country be above board, but you will also be benefiting your local council, and you’ll be entitled to pretty much the same rights as a nationalized Spaniard.
If your intention is to live in Lanzarote for more than three months in the year, then you are – by law – required to apply for a Residence Certificate if you are an EU citizen.
For people applying from the United Kingdom CLICK HERE for more information.
Applying for your Residencia
Applying as a resident will also generate an NIE number for you so you can effectively kill two birds with one stone by doing this. You will require this registration to be able to open your bank account, purchase a property, car etc. Your residential rights in Spain extend to your most immediate family, which includes your spouse by marriage, a partner by a civil partnership and children under 21.
To do this, you must register yourself at the Central Register for Foreign Nationals (known as the Registro Central de Extranjeros), which is usually done at the local police station, which for the majority of readers will be in Arricife. They will issue you with a Registration Certificate, which not only certifies your residence, but also holds important information.
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