FAQs

Q.    WE WOULD LIKE TO RUN A BAR, BUT HAVE NO EXPERIENCE. WOULD THIS BE A PROBLEM?
A.     As with running any business, experience is always an advantage. However, many of our clients have purchased a bar/catering business with little or no experience, and are running them successfully. With all our clients, we do provide a good after sales service, providing support, business advice and a helping hand if required!

Q.     DO WE NEED TO BE QUALIFIED TO HANDLE FOOD WHEN RUNNING A BUSINESS?
A.     Yes you are required to undertake a food hygiene certificate in Spain. A UK certificate can not be transfered for use in Spain but it will give you a good grounding for the Spanish certificate. Bars in Spain are happy to assist in arranging this for you.

Q.     DO WE NEED TO SPEAK SPANISH?
A.     Due to the majority of our businesses being British owned and run and situated in tourist areas, the majority of the customers will be British tourists and ex pats, therefore, whilst learning the language would be an advantage, this is not seen as a necessity, and you do pick up the language quite quickly. If you wish to learn Spanish then there are an abundance of schools and tutors widely available. Bars in Spain employs a full time, UK qualified Spanish teacher, so we can help you to get started in the most constructive way!

Q.     CAN I BRING MY PETS TO SPAIN?
A.     Yes you can. Transporting your pet by plane or car is possible. Most of Europe now operate a "Pet Passport Programme" which makes life much easier for you and your pets. This system means that your pets no longer need to spend months in quarantine when they return to the UK from other countries that are part of the scheme, but it is essential that you make sure that your vet is fully familiar with all aspects of the scheme and that they are also registered with DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) as authorised signatories for the Pet Passports. For up to date information regarding this, we advice our clients to seek advice from their local vet and/or visit the DEFRA web site at www.defra.gov.uk and go to the section marked Pet Travel Scheme. We have personal experience of this procedure so if you would like more information on travelling with your pets then please call us on 0871-250 2000 (U.K.) or 0034 952 499 400 (Spain) or call us on our BIS mobile 0034 676 085 976.

Q.     WHERE WILL I LIVE?
A.     There are a number of options available depending on your requirements and budget. Many of our clients prefer to rent initially, sometimes to be close to their business, sometimes to give themselves some time to get to know the areas and give themselves breathing space whilst they are finding or building a business. It is sometimes better to get settled in to your new life and to get to know your new environment before making a serious commitment to purchase a home in Spain. At Bars in Spain we can help you with all types of properties whether renting or buying, from a small studio apartment to luxury villas or your very own country estate if that is what you want!

Q.     IS THE COST OF LIVING SIMILAR TO THE UK?
A.     A recent survey showed supermarket shopping to be 25% cheaper than in the UK. Whilst the electricity is similar in cost, the consumption is far less per household or business than in the UK, this is due to the warmer climate and longer days. In southern Spain, gas is of the bottled variety and at ?9 per bottle it is far cheaper than in the UK. Water is measured and is at least 50% cheaper than the UK, in many inland properties the water is free as it is pumped from a well. Alcohol and tobacco is approximately 75% cheaper and petrol/diesel is about 40% cheaper. Of course it is not all one- sided as generally salaries are lower than the UK but from our own experience you can live in a property twice the size of that in the UK and still find the running costs significantly less!

Q.     WHAT EXTRA COSTS WILL I HAVE AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE BUSINESS?
A.     This varies considerably depending on the individual. Typical costs include licensing and paperwork (as detailed under licenses and legal paperwork in our buying guide). Stock can be provided using little capital as this can be delivered on a daily basis. Removal costs will also vary depending on what you wish to bring with you and the distance traveled. Moving to Spain is much easier than you think. Obviously, it pays to use the services of a specialist carrier, prices do vary so shop around. Most rented accommodation comes fully furnished, however personal items and antique furniture can be irreplaceable. Think long and hard about what you need to bring as the cost of shipping household items is quite uneconomical; why pay for bringing old furniture and appliances when you can purchase these for a little more than your shipping costs? The average cost for shipping is around 100 pounds per cubic metre, discounts should apply for full houses. Other costs include your rented accommodation or the purchase of your new home, and don't forget the price of pet transportation for those loved ones.

Q.     WHAT ABOUT MEDICAL CARE?
A.     The Spanish national health service is available free to senior citizens from Britain. The service in Spain is excellent, however, as in the UK, non-emergency cases maybe placed on a waiting list. Purchases of businesses in Spain are obliged to join the Spanish NHS, payments for this service are included in their monthly Spanish national insurance contributions. There are various types of private medical cover also widely available.

Q.     CAN I OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT IN SPAIN?
A.     In all Spanish banks, there is a full range of banking services available. Deposit account, cheque accounts, weekly or monthly statements, mortgages, debit/credit cards etc. Almost certainly at least one member of staff will be English speaking. Utility accounts such as electricity, water and telephone bills can be paid by direct debit. We can help you through this process of opening your account.

Q.     WHAT TYPE OF EDUCATION IS AVAILABLE FOR MY CHILDREN?
A.     Many business purchasers do have children of school age. In Spain you can choose a typical British style of education or opt for a Spanish school. If your child/children are close to school leaving age, we would advise you to finish their education in a British style school, younger children will find it easier to adopt to a new language and teaching styles in a Spanish school.

Q.     WHAT ABOUT BRITISH/INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS?
A.     All these schools are fee paying. Charges vary and usually depend on the age of the child. The syllabus is often the same in the UK with GCSE and A level subjects being taught. Hours are usually 9am-3pm with a break for lunch.

Q.     WHAT ABOUT SPANISH STATE SCHOOLS?
A.     Spain is home to many nationalities, and most Spanish schools have a large proportion of non Spanish pupils. Spanish state schools are free, though you may have to purchase school books. In our experience, British children attending Spanish schools will learn basic Spanish in 3 months and are usually fluent in the language within a year. Children will be pleased to know that school hours are 9am-2pm with plenty of holidays.

Q.      WHAT ABOUT KINDERGARDENS?
A.     Guarderias as they are known in Spain are plentiful. Children from the age of 1-4 are accepted and there is a mix of nationalities, an ideal way to introduce your child to a different culture and language. Lunch is usually provided and the prices are much lower than in the UK. There are a number of bi-lingual  kindergardens run usually by British. These vary from the Spanish, staff ratios are much higher and will have more qualified staff. These are run like English day nurseries, with longer opening times and with full learning curriculum's and also taking children from 6 weeks. There are waiting lists for some of these, so it is a good idea to do your research as early as possible. 

We hope the above helps answer most of your questions, however should you have any other questions please contact us and we will be happy to try to provide answers for you.