Emigrate on Mallorca • Living on Mallorca • Working on Mallorca

The Balearic Islands, off the Mediterranean coast of Spain, have been one of the most popular holiday destinations for Middle and North Europeans in the Mediterranean region for decades. In the summer months, the average water temperature on Mallorca’s beaches is around 25 degrees. In winter the sea water still has 16-18 degrees. Not to mention the 300 days of sunshine a year. Mallorca is not only known for its miles of sandy beaches (500 km of coastline in total) and party areas at the Playa de Palma, the island is also very popular inlands due to its attractive nature, which invites you to hike, relax and to enjoy the mallorcan way of life. The capital Palma is also one of the most beautiful and charming cities in the entire mediterranean region. Every visitor will certainly find his preferred niche on Mallorca.

Among the 1.1 million inhabitants are about 19,000 registered German residents. In addition, there are numerous Foreigners who have set up their second home on the island and live here for up to six months a year. Mallorca has by no means lost its own character - those who want to get to know and experience mallorcan culture and language should definitely do so, because this makes their own integration much easier. Nevertheless, one still finds enough German way of life and compatriots not to feel too far away from home. Germans are registered in each of the 53 communities - most of them live in the eastern parts of the island. In addition, there are fast, regular and usually cheap flight connections, which make it possible to travel to Mallorca and back at any time.

No wonder that many Europeans make their dream come true and have the courage to come to Mallorca to spend a longer time of the year there or even to emigrate completely. We have summarised all the important facts about emigration, life and everyday life in Mallorca, so that you can get an initial idea of what to expect.

With Spanish and the special Catalan dialect, which is also the official language on Mallorca, many emigrants have more or less a problem upon arrival on the island. English and German are spoken and understood in the tourist areas, but those who want to stay longer feel more comfortable if they can communicate in the national language. Many evening schools and private teachers have specially adapted to foreign language students of all ages. However, we recommend every emigrant, even before starting his journey, to deal with this topic at home and to take language courses.

Those who have decided to emigrate to Mallorca should also know where they would like to live on arrival on the island. We have 3 groups of emigrants settling here in Mallorca. Those who want to enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle and the sun and are no longer looking for work. Those who still have to do something for a living and are looking for a job or self-employment in Mallorca and the commuters who move with their family to Mallorca, attend international schools for their children and mostly work abroad and visit their family on weekends in Mallorca. For all of them the question arises in advance: should I first rent a property or should I buy it.

For those emigrants who want to test first of all whether island life is the right step and the right decision in the long run, we recommend deciding on a rental property. It is easier to terminate a rental agreement for a rented apartment or villa than to sell an acquired property. For Mallorcan connoisseurs and determined emigrants, the purchase of a property in the long term can also be a lucrative investment, especially as the banks offer very low mortgage rates.

We of Finest Properties Mallorca, advise you with our experienced employees with your real estate search, all the same whether rental or purchase object. We are also happy to advise customers who wish to set up their own hotel.

As the island is known for its diverse nature and individually shaped communities, we recommend emigrants to take a little exploratory holiday before looking for a property. On our homepage we offer you first information about the individual Mallorca regions. If you have specific ideas about location and equipment, contact our team and we will put together a small pre-selection for your new home.

With a Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) you are registered as a foreigner for permanent residence in Spain and may conclude legal transactions, generate income, purchase a car, conclude a telephone contract, rental agreement or employment contract and also open a Spanish checking account. The NIE is unique and valid for life. In general, it makes sense to enter Spain with a NIE, saving yourself a lot of frustration, especially if you are not yet so confident in the Spanish language.

The NIE can be applied for at a police station (Dirección General de la Policía y de la Guardia Civil) or the Foreign-Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) in Palma. An alternative way is to apply for the NIE through an intermediary (Gestoria or lawyer) in Spain. We will be happy to arrange a lawyer or a Gestoria to take care of your application. Calculate approx. 3 weeks from the application to the receipt of the NIE No.

If you do not accept work as an employee, you can register as an „autonomo“ and found a company or work as a self-employed or freelancer. Although this involves monthly costs of at least 260 euros, it is also your contribution to social security. This contribution guarantees basic insurance for doctors and hospital costs. Further private health insurances are only necessary on request and if required for additional services. For self-employed persons, the NIE number is rewritten to the NIF number.

If you are living on Mallorca for more than three months, you should register in the Central Register of Foreigners and thus apply for your Residencia-Status. With the status resident, you are also no longer a tourist and enjoy better conditions, e.g. with fees for current accounts, domestic flights or even insurance.

Be aware from the very beginning that that things get handled differently on Mallorca. Exact punctuality, as you know it from Germany or Great Britain, will not always exist. Everyone knows „Mañana“, i.e. on Mallorca as much as you can get today, that will work tomorrow. Please get used to the fact that everything is approached a little more relaxed, but sometimes also more neglectful.

Life happens a lot outside. For example, a home with nice furniture is not as important for Spaniards or Mallorquins , as the warmer climate means that you can be more outdoors.

The price level is not much lower than in Germany. Foodstuffs such as fresh fish, fresh fruit and vegetables are somewhat cheaper. Free is the good sea air, the beautiful hiking trails and the wonderful sunshine on Mallorca!

The Spanish school system is similar to the German school system in many respects: up to the age of 18, all children are required to attend school. After finishing secondary school, most students go to college for another two years and then to university. The University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) offers over 50 courses of study. Before you move you should find out exactly which schools are near your place of residence. State schools also charge a small annual fee for each student. School buses are not used nationwide in all regions. If you bring pets with you, you must apply for an EU pet passport at the Citizen’s Office.

Every beginning abroad, is not always easy! Give yourself time to arrive and relax with circumstances that cannot be regulated as quickly and clearly as in your home country. Just enjoy the advantages of Mallorca and all the other things settle better and with patience. Hasta pronto en Mallorca!

For further questions regarding real estate sales in Mallorca, please contact the Finest Properties Mallorca team. Call us, you can reach us 7 days a week on +34 971 69 81 49 or +34 609602402 or send us an e-mail. Write us here!