British expat in Tenerife shares 1 thing to do before moving | Europe | Travel

Brits considering a move to sunny Tenerife have been urged to do one thing before making a permanent decision. The beloved Spanish island is a firm favourite holiday destination for many UK citizens. As the largest of the popular Canary Islands, Tenerife is famed for its expansive beaches, sprawling resorts, bars and restaurants, offering locals and tourists alike plenty to do.

In addition, nature lovers are spoilt for choice by the island’s stunning scenery, including volcanic peaks, vast and varied national parks, and plenty more. Tenerife’s popularity isn’t just down to its picturesque setting: its reputation as the “Island of Eternal Spring” – earned due to its all-year-round mild and consistent temperatures, typically ranging between 20-28 degrees – adds to its allure.

Many British people are keen to make a permanent move there, too. A man, who posts online under the name Mattie Baarnett, is happily living in Tenerife and took to TikTok to share his advice for those considering a move to the Spanish island.

Speaking directly to the camera, he began: “These would be my tips if you’re wanting to move to Tenerife – before we get the video started, hang on a second.” He then turned around to film the sun setting behind him, casting a warm glow across the evening sky. Mattie continued: “That tip alone is ‘just do it’ because you’ll get sunsets like that.

“I would always recommend, if you’re wanting to come to Tenerife and you don’t really know if you want to actually live in Tenerife, go on Airbnb, rent an apartment for a month, see if you like it. Try and get a job, get all your legal paperwork in order and then, after you’ve done that, then source a long-term rental on one of the Facebook pages for an estate agent and then just go from there.”

Mattie reiterated his stance and went on: “Come for a month, rent an Airbnb, that’s gonna cost you £1,500 to two grand for the month – Airbnb, tourist prices – get here, get a job, see if you like it, get a job contract, make yourself legal then go for the long term, and then that’s it.”

He added: “You can do it in a month. Piece of p**s, mate.”

What British people need to do if they want to move to Spain

British people can move to Spain, but post-Brexit rules make it much more complicated. A visa isn’t needed for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area, which is a vast, border-free zone in Europe allowing more than 450 million people to move freely between 29 countries, including Spain, without internal border checks.

If you’re planning to be in Spain for 90 days or less during a 180 day period, then you don’t need a visa. You also don’t need one if “you’re visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons”, or you’re “studying a short course, getting medical treatment, travelling for business for your UK employer, for example to attend a business meeting or conference”, or if you’re visiting for “journalism or other media activities”, per UK government advice.

Government guidance states: “The type of visa you need depends on the length of time you’re carrying out the work. You need to apply for a:

• C-type EET visa if you’re working up to 90 days
• long-term D visa if you’re working for more than 90 days

“If you’re staying for longer than six months, you will need to apply for a residence card once in Spain.”

Countries in the Schengen area include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.