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Find Leticia here: https://masteryourfinances.co.uk/leticia-fonseca/

In this episode of Spainly Living, Michelle speaks with Leticia Fonseca, a Brazilian born financial adviser, financial educator and founder of Master of Finances, about leaving London after 21 years and moving to Alicante, Spain, in search of work life balance, geographic freedom and a more intentional life.

Leticia shares her journey from Brazil to the UK, building a career in financial advice and education, and realising that the life she had created in London no longer matched the person she had become. After years of working, studying and helping people make better financial decisions, she began asking: why wait until retirement to live the life you want?

Michelle and Leticia discuss “semi-retirement” before retirement age: not stopping work completely, but designing a life where work fits around living. Leticia explains how she and her husband tested remote work and slow travel in Portugal, Brazil and Spain before choosing Alicante for its city life, beach, infrastructure, transport, sunshine and quality of life.

This episode is useful for anyone thinking about moving to Spain from the UK, becoming a digital nomad in Spain, relocating to Alicante, working remotely from Spain, buying property in Spain or planning for financial freedom abroad.

Leticia gives an honest account of the Spanish digital nomad visa process, including HMRC delays, proving income, private health insurance, translations, notarised documents and upfront costs. She explains why the Spanish visa process was relatively quick once the paperwork was ready, but why the UK side created delay, stress and expense.

Michelle and Leticia also talk about the hidden costs of moving to Spain, including upfront health insurance, holding two properties or mortgages, rental deposits, translations, professional support and why people should budget an extra 30% buffer.

Leticia shares why learning Spanish made a huge difference, why getting a Spanish phone number early is essential and why everyday tasks such as opening a bank account, setting up internet, receiving deliveries and dealing with local services can be difficult without the language or cultural context.

They also discuss renting property in Alicante, working with a local property consultant, avoiding expensive mistakes and how support on the ground helped Leticia with the NIE, bank account, mortgage, negotiations and area knowledge.

As a financial educator, Leticia shares insight into money, retirement planning and financial freedom. She explains the difference between financial advice and financial education, why many people cannot access traditional financial advice and how learning to invest, build wealth and coordinate pensions, savings, property and retirement planning can create more options.

This is a practical, honest and inspiring conversation for anyone dreaming of moving to Spain but wanting to understand the real process behind the lifestyle. Whether you are a remote worker, digital nomad, business owner, future retiree or looking for better work life balance, this episode will help you think clearly about money, visas, property, language, lifestyle and starting again in Spain.

Moving from London to Alicante, Spain: digital nomad visa, HMRC A1 paperwork, hidden relocation costs, Spanish banking, property buying, remote work, financial planning, investing, retirement, work-life balance and finding your why.