A travel blogger has spoken out about the pitfalls of trying to relocate to Spain after she attempted to go through the bureaucratic process on her own.

Despite speaking the language and previously living there, becoming a Spanish resident has not been an easy task for Bea Meitiner, 39, and she has now sought help.

Bea has aspirations to settle in Navarra, a region with charming villages, rugged mountains, and a slower pace of life. She grew up in the region with her parents and speaks both fluent Spanish and Basque and is now trying to return to live in the area which holds a lot of fond memories from her childhood.

But while a change in gears is something that appeals to the Brit, the slower pace of life in Spain also extends to its government which has frustrated her attempts to settle in the region.

She said she has experienced setbacks in the process and claims to have struggled on her own as she tries to achieve her goal of being legally allowed to stay in the country.

Bea reached out to Lucía Lagunas, a Spanish immigration lawyer from MySpainVisa, who has helped thousands of people make their move to the European country. Their team handle everything somebody needs to settle in España, from paperwork to appointments to renewals.

Bea, while reflecting on her journey towards living in Spain again, said: "Before reaching out to Lucia, I tried doing it on my own, by visiting the immigration office. I wasted three months and every single person I spoke to gave me different and contradicting information to the one before. Don't make the same mistake I did. Get help from the start!"

"I'll be honest: Spanish bureaucracy is no joke. That's why talking to a professional like Lucía makes a huge difference. If you're craving a lifestyle with slower mornings, sunny afternoons, and maybe a glass of wine at lunch... then yes. Spain could be your next chapter.

"It's not always perfect-yes, the paperwork can be annoying and things move slower than in the U.S. or U.K.-but the reward is totally worth it."

Bea said there were several key takeaways she learned after dealing with Lucia she was previously unaware of when she tried to undertake the process by herself.

• Renting is acceptable for visa purposes, you don't need to buy property to move to Spain.
• You can stay long-term without being a citizen. Bea discovered that you don't have to apply for Spanish citizenship unless you want to vote or get an EU passport.
• Applicants can switch visas later. For example, many people at the beginning of the process start with the non-lucrative visa, then change to something else if they decide to start a business or get hired locally.

Lucía said that interest in moving to Spain has skyrocketed since 2021 - especially from the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and Latin America. And it's not hard to see why:

• Affordable cost of living
• Excellent healthcare that's actually usable
• Sunshine - and lots of it
• A pace of life that 'actually lets you have a life'
• Visa options that don't require royal blood

Spain has several great locations, depending on what someone moving to the country is seeking. Big cities such as Madrid offer great energy, stunning architecture and plenty of opportunities. But Bea warned that these huge population centres may not be for everyone.

She said: "They're fantastic, but also more expensive and faster-paced. Ideal for younger people or those who still want a bit of that 'city hustle'."

Bea added if you're planning to work remotely or run a business, these might be more your cup of tea.

Mallorca offers a good mixture of city and island life for those seeking a bit more balance. The capital Parma has a growing infrastructure and an increasing international community. However, people should be aware of a recent anti-tourist backlash which has extended to British people.

Valencia offers a viable alternative and is a much-loved city among expats. It offers an array of features including bike-friendly streets, parks and beaches. The vibrant food scene is also popular for those who love Spanish cuisine.

"Many of our retired clients choose Valencia," Lucía said. "It's peaceful, beautiful, and has an amazing quality of life."

There are several different types of visas that people can use in their quest to move to Spain. Each has their own benefits, qualifying criteria and target demographic.

• Spain's non-lucrative visa is geared towards remote workers and retirees allows applicants to live in the country for up to a year and is renewable for upto five years. People wanting to get into the country on this visa will need to work for a non-Spanish employer, earn around €2,400/month, have healthcare and a clean criminal record.
• The digital nomad visa caters to freelancers and remote workers who are employed by companies outside of Spain and have been there for at least three months. It allows people live and work in Spain legally, without needing to set up a business or do creative visa cartwheels. The added bonus is people can also bring their families.

Once someone has lived in Spain for five years, they can apply for permanent residency which gives applicants more stability to stay there.

Lucia said: "Many of our clients start with the non-lucrative visa or retirement route, and eventually apply for permanent residency."