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In this episode of Spainly Living, Michelle speaks with Josh from Ambient Wealth Management about one of the most important, and often overlooked, parts of moving to Spain: getting your finances, tax position, pensions and investments organised before you relocate.

Josh moved from the UK to Spain over ten years ago and now works with international clients, especially UK nationals, who are moving to Spain or already living in Spain.

Together, Michelle and Josh unpack the real financial questions people need to consider before becoming Spanish tax resident, from NIE applications and post-Brexit bureaucracy to pensions, ISAs, property sales, inheritance planning, wealth tax, self-employment costs and the realities of starting again financially in Spain.

This episode is especially useful for anyone planning a move to Spain from the UK, US or another country, whether you are a retiree, family, remote worker, digital nomad, business owner, self-employed professional or someone considering buying property in Spain.

Michelle and Josh discuss why timing matters so much when relocating, particularly around selling a main residence, taking pension lump sums, realising investment gains and understanding how Spain treats financial products that may be tax efficient in your home country but not necessarily tax efficient once you become Spanish tax resident.

They also cover the hidden costs of moving to Spain, including property purchase taxes, regional differences in wealth tax, the cost of becoming autónomo, the limitations of Spanish banking, building credit again from scratch, the high cost of cars in Spain and why doing your research early can prevent expensive mistakes.

Josh explains the importance of having a plan before you move, why financial products such as UK ISAs and pensions may need to be reviewed, how Spanish-compliant investments can work, why estate planning matters and how proper structuring can make life much easier for surviving spouses and family members.

In this conversation, you will learn:

How moving to Spain can affect your UK pensions, ISAs, investments and savings
Why you should understand Spanish tax residency before relocating
The biggest financial mistakes expats make when moving to Spain
Why selling your UK property before or after becoming Spanish tax resident can have major tax consequences
What UK nationals should know about post-Brexit relocation planning
How Spain treats foreign investments and pensions
Why Spanish-compliant investment structures may be useful for some residents
What to consider before becoming self-employed or autónomo in Spain
How the Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa and Beckham Law may affect planning
Why cars, mortgages and credit ratings can be more complicated after moving
How Spain’s autonomous regions differ on wealth tax and other tax rules
Why it is important to plan for inheritance, death and access to assets
Why moving to Spain in August may create unexpected practical challenges

This episode is full of practical, real-world insight for anyone dreaming of a life in Spain but wanting to avoid costly mistakes. Whether you are still researching your move, already packing boxes or settling into Spanish life, this conversation will help you think more clearly about money, tax, pensions, property and long-term planning.