2 days ago
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A British expat living in Spain has shared her biggest regret about relocating and it’s not what most people might expect. Carley Chaplin, who moved to Catalonia in the northeast of Spain with her family, said the only thing she would change about the move is how long it took to make it happen. Sharing her experience online, she admitted that overthinking and worrying about small details ended up delaying their dream life in Spain.
Now happily settled in Spain, Ms Chaplin regularly shares tips on visas, relocation, and family life abroad through her social media account. Although she was worried about her children not being able to speak her Spanish when they arrived, she said that they’ve settled in well and made new friends, and claimed that the quality of life in Spain is on 'another level'.
She said in a video posted to her social media channels: "I regret stressing about the small stuff, I regret not having the clarity of what I needed to do to make it happen and get here sooner.
"Every single day that I was stressing and worrying about the small stuff meant that our move to Spain was delayed by another day."
In another video, Ms Chaplin reflected on how the move has reshaped her family’s values and what they value most in life. Life in Spain, she said, has shifted their focus away from more material things in the UK and onto what really matters.
She said: "When we first talked about moving to Spain, we thought it was about the weather. More sunshine, more time outside, more relaxed days and we definitely got that but what suprised me most is how much our definition of important has changed.
"Back in the UK, it felt like everything was measured by what we could buy or achieve next: a bigger house, a newer car, a better job title. We were chasing things that if I'm honest, didn't actually make us any happier."
She added: "It's not about stuff anymore, it's about time."
Spain remains a top destination for many British expats thanks to its quality of life, plenty of sunshine, lower cost of living, excellent healthcare, and a more relaxed lifestyle.
Spain continues to be a top choice for British expats drawn by its sunshine, slower pace of life, affordable cost of living, and quality healthcare. Since Brexit, UK citizens can still move to Spain and other parts of the EU, but now require a visa for stays longer than 90 days in any 180-day period.
The Non-Lucrative Visa allows UK nationals to live in Spain without working, as long as they have enough income or savings to support themselves. Other options include the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers, the Work Visa and the Student Visa. The Golden Visa route for property investors was officially scrapped earlier this year.
UK nationals must register for a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) card once in Spain which will become your official residency ID.
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