Overs Moving Guide blog

Customs regulations and information guide for Dubai

2009-02-04T09:55:00.006Z

M_Svcs_Customsregulation_UnitedArabEmirates.pdf

%21United%20Arab%20Emirates.pdf

Dubai properties - financial and legal help to secure your home in Dubai

2009-02-04T09:54:00.001Z

The market for freehold Dubai properties is still in its infancy and, as such, will undergo many changes in the coming years. When you look at a property for sale in Dubai there is financial and legal information that will help you arrive at a decision about whether or not to take the plunge.

Your individual circumstances and taste will determine which home in Dubai is right for you. However, you should be armed with as much knowledge as possible in order that the deal proceeds smoothly and you avoid the pitfalls associated with buying Dubai properties.
Financing the purchase of Dubai properties

How do you plan on financing your purchase? Most people require a loan to buy and before you start looking at property for sale in Dubai you should find out how much you can borrow. You should also think about what impact this will have on your finances and what you can afford to buy.

You can elect for either a Dubai mortgage, secured on your home in Dubai, or a UK mortgage, secured on assets at home. There are advantages and disadvantages to either method of financing the purchase of Dubai properties. Do your homework and evaluate which option is best for you in your hunt for a home in Dubai.
Legal services and documents concerning property for sale in Dubai

Do I need a lawyer when I am viewing property for sale in Dubai? What other legal services in Dubai are required when purchasing Dubai properties? Anyone new to the market for Dubai properties should seek professional advice before signing any legal documents when buying a home in Dubai.

As with major purchases anywhere, buying Dubai properties is not without risks. Professional advice is always best to help you avoid problems caused by inheritance and currency issues.
What else do I need to know about Dubai properties

The property market and legislation in Dubai is unlike almost anywhere else in the world. The system of freehold ownership of Dubai properties has only been in operation since 2002. Allowing foreign owners to register their properties is an even more recent inception.

Property for sale in Dubai is generally of the highest order. A few large construction companies are responsible for building Dubai properties and foreigners are not allowed to own land. This means buying a plot, acquiring planning permission and building your own home in Dubai is not possible.

If you are to be receiving a pension in Dubai then there are steps you must take to ensure you can receive it in the city and do not lose out.

Taking professional advice is the best way to keep yourself right at all stages when buying Dubai properties. Buying a home in Dubai is not something you should rush into and you should bear this in mind when viewing property for sale in Dubai.

Visa information when moving to Dubai.

2009-02-04T09:52:00.000Z

If you are moving to Dubai you are required to obtain a work permit and residency visa. Although you are able to legally buy a Dubai home without these documents your activities in the country will be restricted and you will not be able to stay there. Once you are in receipt of your Dubai visa you will be able to open a bank account, register for electricity and water and generally settle into your new life.
A Dubai visa for visitors

UK residents are entitled to a 60-day visitor Dubai visa, which they can obtain free on arrival in the city. This can be renewed for a further 30 days for a fee of around £85. Residents of a further 33 “privileged countries”, including the United States, Germany and Australia, can obtain a one-month non-renewable Dubai visa on arrival, costing in the region of £15-20.
Dubai visa for those buying a Dubai home

Those planning on moving to Dubai must obtain a Dubai visa for residence. Buying property in Dubai entitles you, and your immediate family, to residence visas in accordance with the latest immigration regulations. If you have already secured employment before moving to Dubai your employer should take care of the process of acquiring a work permit and Dubai visa.

Family visas are only available to those earning more than Dhs 4000 per month (approx £750).

Most visas are valid for three years, at which point it must be renewed if you are to be allowed to stay in Dubai.

Before being granted a residence visa, and establishing your Dubai home, all applicants are required to undergo a medical and obtain a health card, which must be renewed yearly.
Dubai visas for women moving to Dubai

Married men, who obtain a Dubai visa, may sponsor their wife and children for residency. However, a married woman cannot simply do the same if she wants her family to join her in her Dubai home. Women doctors, nurses and teachers are exceptions to this and are generally permitted to sponsor their families, allowing them the opportunity of moving to Dubai.
Costs of obtaining a Dubai visa

The only costs associated with a residence visa for moving to Dubai come from the cost of obtaining a health card (approx £56). A penalty charge of Dhs 25-100 (£7-19) will be applied for every day a visitor overstays.

Before accepting a position in UAE and moving to Dubai, it is advisable to check that your employer will sponsor your Dubai visa. You should then establish whether you are able to sponsor your family for residency allowing them to join you in your Dubai home.

Relocating to Dubai with Overs International

2009-02-04T09:48:00.002Z

Relocating to Dubai – moving to Dubai and into your property in Dubai

Moving house can be a stressful experience at the best of times so relocating to Dubai is fraught with extra complications. However, Overs International carry out international moves every day and can help you when moving to Dubai.

Take time to choose the best way of getting yourself, your family and your belongings safely to your property in Dubai.
Relocating to Dubai – the options

The distance to Dubai restricts the options of how to get there and how much of your belongings you can take with you personally. Flying is your only real method of getting there and how much you take with you when moving to Dubai will depend upon airline luggage restrictions. It is recommended you take no more than clothing, other essentials and a few valuables to your property in Dubai initially.
Relocating to Dubai – the professionals

International shipping companies will deliver goods to Dubai from anywhere in the world. Air freight is another option for those moving to Dubai but it is far more inexpensive than by sea.

You must also think how to get the goods to your property in Dubai from the airport or port. In this case, Overs International, a professional moving company, who will deliver the goods door-to-door might be a better option. The prices charged vary greatly so it is a good idea to receive a few quotes if you are moving to Dubai.

However you choose to transfer your belongings when relocating to Dubai it is a good idea to carry out some research into the various options. Moving to a new property in Dubai can be expensive so it is advisable to make as many savings as possible, no matter how small they may be.
Relocating to Dubai – what to take

Some people choose to take nothing, or as little as possible, and start anew, others bring as much as possible to recreate the feeling of home. Our advice would be to take as little as possible with you to your property in Dubai and get rid of as many electrical appliances as you can.

Think about what clothing you really need for the climate. Consider the storage space in your property in Dubai and whether hefty furniture need be moved vast distances. Consider what can be replaced after moving to Dubai and what items are of particular sentimental value to you.

When relocating to Dubai remember to keep the following with you:

* Passports
* Other important legal documents such as birth and marriage certificates
* Bank books/cheque and credit cards
* A number of passport-sized photographs
* Several photocopies of all the above

Oh, and enough money to get home – just in case!
Relocating to Dubai - pets

Pets moving to Dubai with you can do so provided they are healthy and their inoculations are all up to date. There is no quarantine in Dubai but cats and dogs must have an up-to-date rabies jab if they are to join you at your property in Dubai. They must also wear an ID tag and will be destroyed if found wandering around unidentifiable.

All of this must be considered before moving to Dubai. Relocating to Dubai is a big move but if all goes to plan the move to your property in Dubai can be pain-free.

Working in Switzerland

2009-02-04T09:43:00.000Z

Unless you've got strong family connections or have a very successful business trackrecord, the best way to move to Switzerland is to find a job with one of the many large multinational companies based in the country. If you've got good qualifications and are offered a job by one of these companies then they will normally take care of acquiring a work permit for you. The job search will be tough though unless you can make yourself available for interviews in Switzerland - often as many as two or three interviews will be required before you're offered a job.

A great way to go about finding work in Switzerland before you've actually landed in the country is to get in touch with one of the recruitment agencies or headhunters. Be sure to emphasise that you're ready to go to Switzerland within a week or two for interviews - you might not even get a response if you send an email from Australia saying that you like the idea of working in Switzerland in a few months time. You need to convey the message that you are serious about moving to Switzerland and are ready to do what it takes to get a job there.
Recruitment agencies and Swiss employment portals:

Swisslinx
ElanIT
Harvey Nash
Boch + Partner
www.jobs.ch
www.monster.ch
JobPilot.ch

What's it really like living in Switzerland?

2009-02-04T09:41:00.001Z

Many people think of Switzerland as a country full of mountains, watches, chocolate, banks, gold, and people loaded with money. To a large extent those swiss stereotypes are actually quite true; Switzerland is indeed a beautiful mountainous land, swiss watches and chocolates are some of the finest in the world, and Switzerland's stable government combined with successful banking, insurance and pharmaceutical industries have given rise to a large middle to upper-middle class.

The prospect of a safe and wealthy life in a land of great natural beauty, culture and clean streets lures many foreigners into seeking permanent establishment in Switzerland. But do these foreigners get what they come for and are they happy with their new lives? Really it depends on a little luck and a lot of effort, but for many people the answer is no. The main stumbling blocks are cultural integration and money.

Is it really that hard to integrate successfully with the swiss and the swiss way of life? Swiss people in general are sincere and hard-working but fairly reserved and not very outgoing. Most swiss people will be happy to talk to you if you ask them a question, but don't expect anyone to come up to you and start a conversation in a bar, and don't expect to be invited to dinner by workmates. Most foreigners quickly give up on forming strong relationships with the swiss and instead fall back on the support of their expat communities - and that's normally where they stay. Of course one's chances of integration are much better if one learns to speak the local language, but that's no mean feat in the german speaking part of the country since there are many dialects of swiss-german and swiss-german itself is a spoken-only language.

But friendship making isn't the only social or cultural difficulty experienced by most foreigners. The swiss have many rules and idiosyncrasies and most of them aren't written down! Things like extreme punctuality and cleanliness, being forbidden to make any noise after 10pm, starting work at 7am, and not being allowed to do any work at all on sundays (including cleaning your house). Many neighbours wont hesitate to call the police if you temporarily park in their parking space. Add to that the fact that non-europeans need to wait 10 full years before applying for permanent residency or 12 years before applying for naturalisation. This means that they can't start their own businesses, they need to re-apply for residence permits when changing jobs, they need special permission before purchasing residential property and they aren't even allowed to live outside of the district where they are first granted work.

With all of the cultural difficulties when living in Switzerland, surely there should be one thing that isn't a problem; money. But despite Switzerland's great wealth, many immigrants find themselves to be financially stressed for their first few years in the country. Jobs tend to be fairly well paid by international terms, but swiss cities are some of the most expensive in the world and swiss people have already had many years to establish themselves financially.

This article isn't intended to scare you away from considering a move to Switzerland! Rather it aims to highlight the fact that coming to Switzerland isn't an express ticket to riches, happiness and a perfect life. Many economic immigrants decide to pack up their bags and go within their first few years in the country. But there are many more that learn to adapt to the swiss way of life and once they've done that they can be truely happy here. Switzerland is, and always will be, a country full of mountains, watches, chocolate, banks, gold, and people with money.

Thinking of Moving to Spain....It beats Australia!

2009-01-26T14:54:00.000Z

Thinking Of Moving To Spain?? - It Beats Australia, New Zealand and Canada Every Time !!!

There are lots of expat forums online and many of them discuss returning to the UK. Nearly all the discussion focusing on people returning to the UK is based on Australia, New Zealand and Canada. It can make for very sad reading when you discover that many people feel that they are 'trapped' in these countries and literally counting off the days until they return. The ones who return home report back to the forum expressing their relief at making it.

It is very rare to find similar feelings of desperation from expats in Spain. Of course, many people do return to the UK from Spain as it isn't for everyone. Their main reasons are mainly due to not being able to find work or ill health.

However, it appears that Australia and New Zealand, in particular, really fail to live up to people's expectations. It goes against the notion that it should be easier to relocate to the English speaking countries for obvious reasons. One would think that language and culture are irrevocably linked so integration into these countries should be easier than Spain. Not according to the information out there. In fact, it seems that due to their preconceived ideas about Australia being a friendlier, sunnier version of the UK, when they are faced with the reality, people suffer from quite serious culture shock.

The idea that Australia, New Zealand and Canada will be easy culturally is probably why such people never consider Spain, despite it being closer to home. Once the novelty of the sun and the big house wears off this culture leaves them longing for the familiarity of Britain. In the end they discover that the big house with a pool and year round sun doesn't make you happy but people rather than places are what is needed in life. However, to get to see these people ie family and friends costs a lot of time and huge amounts of money to fly backwards and forwards to good old Blighty!

This isn't the case in Spain where flights are more frequent and a fraction of the price. In fact, it would be quicker to get from Spain to the UK than to fly from one side of Australia to the other. It takes such an extreme experience of relocating for them to realise how English they actually are and how they miss the essence of all things English including the humour, the countryside, smells, sounds, history, buildings, the cities, the realness, to quote just a few.

Those who move to Spain do not have this yearning inside because they have the peace of mind that they can be part of it within a couple of hours. Many of those who return to the UK from Australia and the like, can't wait to get back to their supermarkets for the variety and clothes shops for the quality. Those who live on the Costa del Sol craving a day on the UK high street can nip into Gibraltar for a Marks and Spencer and Morrison's fix. Do you realise how envious that would make the average Brit in Canada or New Zealand.

The number of fellow expats living on your door step in Spain is enough for a regular dose of live British humour and a connection with others on a similar cultural wavelength no matter how keen you are to integrate into Spanish society. If you get bored of sun and beach in Spain, it isn't time to return as it is in Australia. Australian towns are all much of a muchness and it's not worth travelling for hours to another town which is full of the same standard department stores as the last one. However, Spanish towns and cities are exciting and steeped in history. You can visit somewhere new and interesting every weekend if you want to.

When people move to Spain after holidaying for many years they have a pretty good idea of what they are letting themselves into. There is enough information about the country online, people already have friends there and they are just generally better prepared than those who seek out far flung places. It is easier to do your homework on a country on your doorstep than one on the other side of the world.

Their expectations are more realistic as they are aware that Spain is bureaucratic, can be frustrating and is lacking features that we take for granted in life in the UK. We accept its downfalls and we know it isn't going to be a paradise. But many people end up living in Australia without even visiting it for a holiday just assuming that anything that is better than the UK. Sadly, so many of those that head to the other side of the world are disillusioned by what they find.

The truth is wherever you live in life you will need some kind of routine and whether you are a mother with children or self employed working from your home, much of your everyday life will be the same no matter where you live. We all get into a daily grind wherever we are but the important thing is having people around us that we can relate to and some token of familiarity for comfort. If everything you have ever know is stripped from you, you can be left feeling empty and that emptiness is what makes people what to return home to a place where they feel comfortable regardless of the weather and the bad press.

Overs International

Swiss customs forms and information by Overs International

2009-01-26T14:41:00.000Z

Below are the forms that are required by importing household and personal effects into Switzerland from the UK. Also is a custom regulation guide that will give a clear indication of what is also required.

Switzerland%20Customs%20regulations.pdf

Alcohol%20declaration%20Switzerland.prn.pdf

form_1844_antragformular_de.pdf

information%20sheet%20incoming.prn.pdf

SwissCustomsFormEnglish.pdf

Taxation information for Switzerland by Overs International

2009-01-26T14:29:00.000Z

Switzerland

Individual taxation in Switzerland
Pre-assignment procedures
Prior to arrival
Prior to coming to Switzerland you should ensure that you have the necessary work and residence permit to cover your pro-posed assignment period (or at least the first year of the assignment if a long-term assignment is planned). You should be aware that the date of issue of your work permit is not always relevant to the start date of Swiss residence for tax purposes.
On arrival Within 8 days of arrival in Switzerland you have to register your family and yourself with the registration office (Einwohner–dienste/Personenmeldeamt/office can-tonal de la population) of the municipality where you intend to stay. Please note that this date of official registration is usually considered to be the start of your liability to Swiss taxation. In most cantons a church tax is imposed, equal to a percentage of the cantonal tax. The church tax can increase the total combined tax rate by up to three percent. This tax is only imposed on individuals who registered as members of a recognized church. It is common practice for expatriates not to register as a member of a church to avoid the church tax payment.

Residence
Residence is defined as the place where a person stays with the intention of settling there permanently and which is thus the center of his/her personal and business interests. An individual who stays in Switzerland for a certain minimum period and earns his living here (for example, under a B-permit), is also subject to unlimited tax liability.
A person will also be considered resident for tax purposes if he/she remains in the country for a protracted period, e.g. more than 30 days if engaged in a gainful activity or more than 90 days, if not engaged in a gainful activity.
Unlimited tax liability does not extend to capital invested in and income derived from businesses, permanent establishments and real estate situated abroad (but considered for the determination of the applicable Swiss tax rates).
If an expatriate is classified as a resident of both Switzerland and another country, the relevant tax treaty between the countries may include a tiebreaker clause to resolve the conflict.

Taxation of income and wealth
Scope
Foreign nationals have their tax deducted directly from their salary (payroll tax or source tax). However, such payroll tax payment is considered a provisional tax payment only if the annualized gross compensation exceeds currently CHF 120,000 (in Geneva CHF 500,000). If the annualised gross salary exceeds the above mentioned amounts and the expatriate is resident in Switzerland, the final Swiss tax liability is determined based on the information reported in the ordinary income tax return.
Residents
A foreign individual who becomes resident in Switzerland is fully subject to income and wealth taxation from the date
of arrival. Residents of Switzerland are subject to federal income taxes and also to cantonal/municipal income and wealth taxes. Each is based on similar principles and is imposed on worldwide income and net wealth at progressive rates. Taxable income includes all earned income, whether received in cash or in kind, and the rental value of owner-occupied houses as well as pensions and investment income. However, exposure to Swiss taxation does not extend to assets invested in and income derived from businesses, permanent establishments or real estate located abroad. Such assets and income are only relevant for the purpose of calculating the applicable tax rates. Taxable wealth includes all assets and debts (e.g. bank accounts, shares and other securities, real estates, mortgages and other loans). Capital gains are in general tax-free in Switzerland (there is an exception for capital gains from Swiss real estate).

Non-residents
Non-residents may be subject to Swiss taxes on various kinds of Swiss source income: interest or dividends paid by a Swiss entity, income from real estate or from business activities in Switzerland, directors’ fees, or compensation for an activity performed for, and paid by, a Swiss employer. Generally, non-residents only have to file a tax return if they have real estate, or business activities (permanent establishment), in Switzerland. In other cases, tax is withheld at source. Depending on the tax treaty applicable, this tax may be partially or fully refunded, or credited against foreign taxes.

Individual taxation in Switzerland
Under tax treaties, a resident of a treaty country who works in Switzerland for less than 183 days in the tax year for an employer only resident in the treaty country is normally exempt from Swiss income and wealth tax.
Tax year
For individuals, the tax year corresponds with the calendar year. If you become a Swiss tax resident, the first year’s income in Switzerland is annualized for determining the applicable Swiss tax rates. The same principle applies for the year of departure.
Assessment basis
The basis for assessment is the current calendar year.
Family tax concept
Married couples are normally assessed jointly i.e. their income and wealth are aggregated (family tax concept). In order to minimize discrimination, different progressive tax rates apply for married and single persons or splitting of income to determine the tax rate. Another means of avoiding discrimination are higher deductible allowances (i.e. personal and family allowances) for married couples. Deductible items for both married couples and single persons include social security contributions, accident and health insurance premiums, company pension plan contributions and qualified private pension plan contributions (so called third pillar a), certain non-reimbursed business expenses, interest payments, re-pair and maintenance costs of dwellings as well as certain charitable donations.
Some of the deductions are limited to a certain amount or percentage (so-called standard deductions).
Tax filing requirements
Foreign nationals earning less than CHF 120,000 p.a. (Geneva: CHF 500,000 p.a.) or non-residents are generally not required to file a Swiss tax return.
All other taxpayers are generally obliged to file an annual tax return. Tax returns are generally due at the end of March of each year. However, it is easy to extend the filing deadline. The Swiss federal and all cantonal tax authorities levy taxes on the basis of a tax return. Taxes have to be paid on assessments (tax invoices) received.
In general, foreign nationals pay tax at source on their employment income (at source withholding). The tax at source represents a final tax liability and the expatriate does not need to file a tax return.
The tax authorities require the tax payer to file a tax return only if the annualised gross salary exceeds the amount of CHF 120,000 (Geneva: CHF 500,000). The tax withheld at source in these cases clearly does not constitute the final tax liability, but an instalment on account of the total tax liability calculated on the basis of an ordinary annual tax return.
A final tax assessment will be issued by the authorities. Any refunds for over–payment, or demands for settlement of underpayment will be established on the basis of this assessment. Taxes (with the exception of taxes withheld at source) are payable within 30 days of issuance of tax bills or assessments by the cantonal or municipal tax authorities.

Social security system
Unlike other countries, Switzerland has no cap for old age insurance contributions, although the contributions are moderate compared with other countries (10.1%, of which 5.05% to be borne by the employee). Unemployment insurance (2%, of which 1% to be borne by the employee, capped at CHF 126’000) and accident insurance are also part of the social security coverage. Contributions for the accident insurance vary depending on the company’s risk level and economic sector. Contributions for the occupational accident insurance are borne by the employer. In addition to the social security there is a compulsory company pension scheme. The contributions vary between 7–18% of the insured salary (with a ceiling) depending on the age and the sex of the employee where at least 50% of the contributions are to be borne by the employer. Exemption from all social security contributions is, however, available for foreign nationals remaining in their home social security systems and who have a certificate of coverage. Furthermore, exemption from the obligation to contribute to a Swiss pension plan may be claimed if sufficient coverage exists abroad, and is to be filed with the board of the pension plan institution. Furthermore, Swiss law asks for compulsory accident insurance coverage for all employees (provided by the employer).
Maternity insurance
Under maternity insurance all employed or self-employed women are entitled to 14-weeks maternity leave and will, during this time, receive 80% of their salary (based on the average annual salary), or a maximum of CHF 172 per day.
Incentive plans
As mentioned above, Swiss social security contributions are levied on uncapped compensation. Incentive plans (stock purchase plans, stock option plans, phantom plans, etc.) therefore also raise social security contributions. This obligation cannot be avoided by using a foreign group company granting the incentive. Also, benefits distributed once the employee is no longer taxable in Switzerland are subject to Swiss social security contributions if related to the work performed in Switzerland.
Healthcare insurance law
The health insurance law (KVG) regulates the health care insurance coverage which is compulsory for the whole population of Switzerland. Individuals have the obligation to be covered by a Swiss health care insurance, if they:have their residence in Switzerland, or have a work permit which is valid for at least three months, or are performing a dependent activity in Switzerland with a permit valid for less than three months, and are not covered in Switzerland by similar insurance benefits abroad. The premiums are fully borne by the individual (no employer contributions) and vary depending on the insurance provider and the place of abode. Individuals may be exempt from the obligation to be insured:
• if they are subject to a compulsory health care insurance abroad (granting a coverage in Switzerland similar to the coverage foreseen by Swiss law), provided the obligation set in the Swiss law results in a double burden,if the individuals are exempt from Swiss social security obligations based on a social security totalisation agreement between Switzerland and the respective country, provided their employer guarantees that health care coverage similar to the coverage foreseen by Swiss law is granted to them during their assignment. Health insurance exemptions are generally granted upon formal request filed with the appropriate cantonal authorities. Please note that the practice followed in the various cantons may vary considerably. It is, therefore, advisable to seek appropriate advice if an exemption is sought.

Other issues
Incentive plans
Unrestricted stock
In principle, employee stock plans only generate taxable income in cases where employees are allowed to buy shares be- low fair market value, or shares are granted to them without payment. Such plans are taxed preferentially on the difference between the discounted market value and the price paid by the employee, if any. Taxable income is deemed to be “earned” (realized) immediately and taxed according to ordinary assessment rules. Any subsequent capital gain realized upon sale of the shares (without consideration as to whether the stock was restricted or not) is generally tax-free in Switzerland, and is not subject to social security contributions.
Stock purchase plans
Using a stock purchase plan, companies sell shares to their employees at a reduced or market price. The shares purchased by the employees may be at their free disposal or they may be subject to selling restrictions.
Restricted stock
(disposal restricted for a number of years)
Taxable income is deemed to be realized immediately, but a discount applies to the fair market value of the stock granted according to the restriction period as per the above table(6% discount p.a.).
Restricted stock units (RSUs)
Where an employee only receives a “conditional promise” to receive “real” stock after the expiration of a vesting period and where no shareholder rights were granted prior to the vesting date, taxable income is deemed to be realised at the date of vesting. The taxable income is equal to the total fair market value of the stock granted at the date of vesting. No discount is granted for income tax purposes.
Stock option plans
With a stock option plan (call-option) a company provides its employees with the right to purchase shares in the company at a reduced price. The option can be granted for free or a certain price. The shares are acquired by the employee upon exercise of the option, the date of which can be freely chosen by the employee or is determined by the plan (after a fixed date and/or within a certain time frame). Based on a Federal Directive of May 2003 the moment of taxation of employee stock options will generally be deferred from the date of grant to the date the employee receives unlimited exercise right. Consequently, depending on the wording of the specific plan, taxation could occur either at the date of grant, at the date of vesting or at the date of exercise. The directive notes that taxation will be at the point of final vesting or the “unlimited exercise right” which is not standard vesting as it is known in most common stock option plans. It is at the point where the employee can no longer lose his right to exercise his received option. Thus, for most options, this will be on the actual exercise of the option. This is because even when option holders are in an exercise period, many options force accelerated exercise in case of termination of employment, retirement, death, disability, etc. Such limitations would restrict the “unlimited exercise right” of an option and lead therefore to taxation at exercise. The taxable basis will be the difference between the fair market value at the date of exercise and the exercise price defined at grant.
Other issues
the canton of Zurich) or, even if no vesting period is applicable, at the date of grant. The taxable basis determined at grant, respectively at vesting, is the option value calculated at that date using the Black-Scholes formula. Nevertheless, certain cantons – especially in the French speaking area of Switzerland – do not apply the above-mentioned rules implemented by the Federal Tax Authorities in 2003 and in general still tax stock options at the date of grant,
unless a specific tax ruling is in place to defer taxation to exercise.
A specialised tax adviser should be consulted before granting stock options to individuals resident in Switzerland.
The social security contributions will have to be deducted at the date taxation occurs. Phantom stocks, performance units, stock appreciation rights or stock options with mandatory cash settlement, are generally taxed at the date of exercise.
Inheritance and gift taxes
Although the Confederation levies no inheritance or gift taxes, all cantons but one (Schwyz) impose an inheritance tax on the transfer of property to beneficiaries and all cantons but two (Lucerne and again Schwyz) levy taxes on onations.
Inheritance and gift taxes are levied in the canton where the deceased or donor had his (last) residence, or, if real estate is concerned, in the canton where the real estate is located. Neither inheritance nor estate taxes arise if the deceased or donor is resident abroad and no real estate in Switzerland is concerned. The tax rates differ among cantons. In general, they vary according to the value of the property inherited or donated and the relationship of the beneficiary to the
deceased or donor. Most cantons do not levy a tax if the recipient is the spouse or a direct descendant of the deceased or donor.
The inheritance and gift taxes are payable either by the recipient, by the personal representative of the deceased or by the donor. Non-residents are liable to inheritance or gift tax if the deceased or donor was a Swiss resident at the time or the property concerned was real estate located in Switzerland. Switzerland has concluded inheritance tax treaties with Austria, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, UK, USA and Faroe Islands. Please note, however, that those treaties are not always able to avoid double taxation completely.

Short-term assignments / Long-term assignments
On short-term assignment in Switzerland an individual may be considered non-resident or resident in Switzerland, depending on the duration of presence in Switzerland. The individual is considered resident in Switzerland (normally for a long-term assignment), please refer to our previous comments for Swiss residents. Being non-resident does not mean that the individual is not subject to taxation in Switzerland. The taxation of various sources of compensation income of non-residents is as follows:
Employment income
Contrary to the situation that prevails for Swiss nationals and permanent residents, whose taxes are assessed based on the self declaration in their annual tax returns, foreign nationals working in Switzerland for a Swiss employer initially have the income tax on their employment income directly deducted at source (payroll tax, source tax). Moreover, a resident of a treaty country working in Switzerland for an employer which is not resident in Switzerland, and
being physically present in Switzerland for less than 183 days in the tax year, is normally exempt from Swiss income tax.
Non-employment income
Non-residents are subject to taxation on Swiss source income only. Examples of Swiss source income include interest earned on a Swiss bank account or dividends received from a Swiss company.

End of assignment procedures
Before leaving Switzerland the individual should ensure that he/she deregisters officially with the registration office of the municipality where he/she was registered. We recommend that deregistration takes place approximately ten days before actually leaving the country. Please note that the date of official deregistration is usually considered to be the end of liability to Swiss taxation. Do not worry if the Swiss taxes are not finally settled by the day of deregistration. As long as Ernst & Young is the tax representative, the authorities will allow departure from the country even if taxes have not been finally settled yet. The final settlement usually only takes place after departure from Switzerland.

Other issues
Immigration categories / work permits
When is a work permit required?
Anyone coming to work in Switzerland who is not Swiss citizen should ensure they have the permission to allow them to carry out their proposed activities here. In general, business trips to Switzerland may be taken without a work permit as long as such a trip does not exceed 8 days in one calendar year. In order to render services or to work for no longer than 90 days per year, nationals of the 15 old EU member states and the EFTA (hereinafter EU/EFTA) do not need a work and residence permit but only have an obligation to register prior to their entry into Switzerland.

What are the general principles of immigration into Switzerland?
The issuance of a work and residence permit for a foreigner is restricted, unless the employer can prove that no domestic or EU/EFTA worker can fill the position. Exceptions apply to highly qualified specialists. The number of most first-time temporary permits is limited (restricted to annual quotas), however no quota restriction applies for EU/EFTA workers as from June 1, 2007.
Am I allowed to work in Switzerland?
Switzerland has made a reservation to uphold primary preferences for EU and EFTA applicants. Exceptions are made, however, for highly qualified specialists.
How long can I stay/work in Switzerland?
Permits are limited in duration. There are several types of permits available:
• Short term permit (so called L-Permit); allows holder to stay under 12 months
in Switzerland
• Long-term permit (so called B-Permit); generally issued for one year, but may
be renewed annually (issued for five years for EU/EFTA citizen) Border permit (so called G-Permit); EU/EFTA workers living in the border zone of one of Switzerland’s neighbour states may receive a border permit for
work in the defined border zone, provided that the worker returns at least weekly to his home abroad. As from June 1, 2007, the border was lifted for EU/EFTA workers. Third-country nationals can only be granted a border permit if they are holder of permanent residence permits in a neighbouring country and have had their regular place of residence in the neighbouring country’s border zone (for at least six months).

Am I allowed to come to Switzerland without working?
Permits for foreigners who are not engaged in a gainful activity are primarily granted to:
Students / Retirees / Affluent EU/EFTA people who wish to settle down in Switzerland / Family members

May I change the employer or place of residence in Switzerland?
Permits are only valid for the canton where they are issued. Foreign employees who want to change their employer or move to another canton need prior approval from the competent authorities. Approvals are only granted if certain conditions are met (exception: permits of EU/EFTA citizens are valid for the whole country).
Is my family allowed to accompany me to Switzerland?
Dependant family members of B-Permit holders (and of L-Permit holders in case of EU/EFTA nationals) are generally granted a permit of the same duration as the principal permit holder.
How can I apply for a permit?
Permit applications have to be fully substantiated and must include comprehensive documentation. There are strict filing obligations to adhere to. Furthermore, the prerequisites for obtaining a residence and work permit may differ from canton to canton. For EU/EFTA workers as from June 1, 2007, only a registration duty exists prior to taking up work. The new proceedings will, however, need to be checked with the canton concerned.
Can I work in Switzerland while my work permit application is pending?
A visit for work purposes is not permitted in such cases.
Are there special requirements for self-employed business persons?
A foreign national resident in Switzerland may only be self-employed if he has a permanent residence permit (so called C-Permit; citizens of EU/EFTA are entitled to work on a self-employed basis even without a C-Permit). The Permanent Residence Permit is granted after a residence of ten years in Switzerland or five years for nationals of privileged states (e.g. EU/EFTA citizens). Neither the change of employment, self-employment or domicile then requires any approval by the competent authority within the whole of Switzerland.
Procedures to follow during applications
What general points should I be aware of when applying for a work permit?
Swiss permits are issued by the respective Cantonal Office of Industry, Trade and Labour or in certain circumstances, by the Federal Office of Industry, Trade and Labour (in case of EU/EFTA workers cantonal migration office). The application requires the filing of the respective form together with a comprehensive application letter either in German, French or Italian language, depending on the canton.
How long is the application process?
Depending on the permit and the cantonal and federal requirements, the application process in general lasts between four to eight weeks (approx. 1–2 weeks for EU/EFTA cizitens).
What are the key information and documentation requirements for a temporary residence
permit?
The key information requirements, covered by the application letter, should encompass the job description as well as the work and personal situation of the applicant and should be supported by proper documentation (e.g. curriculum vitae, diplomas, etc.).
What are the key information and documentation requirements for a permanent residence permit?
In principle, no additional information and documentation is required due to the fact that the Permanent Residence Permit (so-called C-Permit) is basically granted after 10 years (respectively 5 years for nationals of certain countries, e.g. EU/ EFTA citizens) of uninterrupted residency in Switzerland.
Procedures on entry
Are there any procedures I should be aware of when I arrive in Switzerland?
When the individual arrives at the Swiss border, he must be in possession of a valid permit and, depending on the permit, must prove to reside in a reasonable accommodation (except EU/EFTA citizens). On taking up domicile in Switzerland, the individual must register with the competent authorities within eight days following entry into Switzerland and in any case prior to take up work.
What if I am already in Switzerland as a business visitor?
In those cases where a work permit is required, entry into Switzerland for work purposes is not permitted before obtaining the respective permit.
Immigration for dependants
Can I bring my family to Switzerland with me?
Basically, it depends on the nature of the permit whether or not you are allowed to bring your family with you. If you have a temporary or permanent resident permit, you can bring your wife and your children under age 18 (EU/EFTA citizens: chidren under age 21) with you. If, however, you are holder of a 120-day permit, or a border permit, you are not allowed to bring your family with you.
Can my family obtain permanent residence?
If the permit holder has a Permanent Residence Permit (C-Permit), his children under age 18 automatically receive also the Permanent Residence Permit. The spouse of the permit holder receives the Permanent Residence Permit, if she/ he has an uninterrupted stay of five years in Switzerland. If this condition is not fulfilled, the spouse will initially only receive a temporary residence permit for the next five years, before a Permanent Residence Permit is granted.

Swiss employment law
(Summary)
Salary if the employee is unable to work
If the employee, for reasons inherent to his/her person, such as sickness, accident, compliance with legal obligation, etc., is by no fault of his own unable to perform his work, the employer has to pay the corresponding salary for a limited period of time. If longer periods have not been fixed by agreement, the employer has to pay the salary for three weeks during the first year of employment and afterwards for longer periods varying from place to place in Switzerland. As an example, please find below the period foreseen by the scale of the canton Berne (most common scale in Switzerland):
First year: 3 weeks
Second year: 1 month
Third and fourth year: 2 months, etc.
Holidays
It is mandatory that the employer grants at least four weeks of individual holiday in each year of service in addition to public holidays. The employer must pay the full salary during regular holidays.
Competition ban
The parties may agree (only valid in written form) that the employee confirms to refrain from engaging in any competitive activity during and after termination of the employment relationship, in particular neither to operate a business for his/ her own account which competes with the employer’s business, nor to work for, nor to participate in such a business, which competes with the employer. Please note that the competition ban is only binding if the employment relationship has given the employee access to clients/client information or to manufacturing or business secrets, and if the use of such knowledge could significantly damage the employer’s business.
The Competition ban has to be limited in time, territory and subject to be enforceable.

Other useful information about Switzerland
For your and your family’s comfort it may be important that you get a general impression about Switzerland. Useful information, which can make your life easier especially during the transition period, can be found on the following websites:
www.swissinfo.ch
www.switzerland.com
www.admin.ch
www.basel.ch
www.geneva.ch
www.zuerich.ch

For more information on moving to Switzerland, please visit Overs website at www.overs.co.uk

Moving to Switzerland by Overs International

2009-01-26T14:27:00.000Z

Removals To or From Switzerland

Do you require an experienced removals firm to take the stress out of your move to or from Switzerland? Established in the UK in 1857, and with over 50 years experience in removals by road to Switzerland and the rest of Europe, you can be assured that as one of the UK’s most established removal firms, Over’s will take your move as seriously as you do.

Giving You Peace of Mind

Whether you are moving your household contents and vehicles from the UK to Geneva, Zurich, Basel, Bern, Lausanne or any other location in Switzerland, or planning to relocate back home to the UK, our Switzerland removals service is designed to give you peace of mind and the time to focus on your new life or career abroad.

Handling Swiss Customers Regulations

As Switzerland is not a part of the EU, there is additional documentation to handle with any move. Over’s will guide you through the process, and where possible, handle attendant Swiss customs regulations and documentation on your behalf.

With our knowledgeable staff and the help of long-standing alliances with numerous Switzerland-based removals firms, we aim to ensure every move is as streamlined as possible. As well as our own state of the art fleet of removal vehicles, we also have a variety of different type of vehicles to assist where there are access and parking restrictions.

Why Chose Over’s Removals?

A Weekly Service to Switzerland by Road

Over’s offer a weekly removals service by road to and from anywhere in mainland Switzerland – a service most of our customers opt for unless their relocation is especially urgent. Whether you are moving to work or live in a major city such as Geneva, Zurich, Basel, Bern, Lausanne, relocating another country in Europe, or an expatriate returning back to the UK, you can be assured that we’ll take your relocation as seriously as you do.

Competitive Pricing

Over’s competitive pricing system is based on a 2-tier system: if there’s an emphasis on speed with your move, we’ll load, transport and deliver your contents to or from Switzerland within an agreed time frame. If price is the main concern, we’ll move your contents in conjunction with our other removals.

7-step Door-to-Door Moving Process

Over’s aim to simplify your moving process to or from Switzerland. Here’s our typical European removals schedule:

We’ll visit your home or business and prepare and package all items to move.
We’ll make a detailed inventory outlining what is taken and in what condition.
Advise and assistance with Swiss customs regulations and documentation
Depending on what level of service you require, we’ll either arrange delivery direct to your new residence (or premises) in Switzerland or arrange temporary storage.
On receipt or delivery of items, we arrange full unpacking and removal of debris.
If access is restricted in any way, we’ll find a smaller vehicle.

Working with Our Swiss Partners

Experience is not the only key to a successful move. Moving abroad requires adaptability. Schedules, shipments, priorities, regulations, move-in dates etc., can all change at short notice. For the past 50 years that we’ve been transporting customers to Switzerland, we’ve built up a sound working relationship with many Switzerland-based removal companies and suppliers that help us handle any difficult access and delivery situations we may encounter.

	Quality Control – BSI ISO 9001:2000
	We utilize our own specialist vehicles and expert staff for European removals by road, operating approximately 20 vehicles including 17-tonne trucks with trailers and 40ft vehicles with a capacity of 100cubic metres.
	We supply the removal services and vehicles for many smaller UK and European removal firms.
	We offer full home contents liability cover during your move to Switzerland.
	Competitively priced – focused on providing the best quality, at the best possible price.
	We offer full home contents liability cover during your move to Spain.

Your Move Is Safe With Over’s

Whether you are moving the entire contents of your home or just a few items to another office on the continent, you can be sure that your possessions are safe in our care. Over's International has an ultra-modern tracking system that monitors the movement of every vehicle, enabling us to co-ordinate any return freight. We also provide full-liability cover ensure your belongings are packaged and stored in synchronization with our comprehensive inventory system.

Contact us today on 0800 917 1015 to discuss your requirements with one of our sales consultants, or visit our website at www.overs.co.uk

Move to Spain and Stay!!..... by Overs International

2009-01-26T14:24:00.000Z

Move to Spain and survive!!

Over the years, Spain has become one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. The attractions of Spain’s climate, culture, beauty, cost and standard of living attracts record numbers of families to relocate to Spain every year and the country already has an estimated 1.5 million foreign residents living in situ……

But there’s a downside to moving abroad that few people ever consider – did you know that last year that approx. 180,000 people relocated overseas from the UK…and approx.100,000 Britons also returned to the UK last year having failed to establish their new life abroad?

Some families fail to survive a move overseas and it certainly isn’t a case of “no going back” for the thousands of disillusioned people who return ‘home’ to their native country year after year…therefore if you’re thinking of relocating to Spain you need to understand the main reasons people give when they return. By understanding these reasons you can avoid the pitfalls and succeed where many others fail thereby fulfilling your dreams of a new life in beautiful Spain.

The Practicality of Your Location

You need to do your homework and spend time choosing the best location in Spain to fulfil your practical needs and desires on a day to day basis.

Consider the accessibility of a property for family and friends to visit you and for you to reach a doctor, the supermarket, a school or even a hairdresser. Find your perfect location by visiting the areas you’re interested in and considering them thoroughly from the point of view of how easy and practical your day to day life there will be.

Wherever you choose to live, consider the accessibility of the location with your old home country in mind. Sure, you may be sick of the sight of certain people right now but you never know what tomorrow will bring and how are you going to feel if you can’t get back to visit, or if the important people in your life can’t afford to visit you?

Spain is well serviced by cheap airlines, it has one of the cheapest rail networks in the whole of Europe and the Spanish government spends millions each year on the travel and transport links so wherever you choose to locate you should never be so far away from decent transportation. But do bear this point in mind as ‘homesickness’ and ‘inaccessibility’ are some of the main reasons people give when they give up on their dream of a new life not just in Spain but everywhere abroad.

Being Accepted

The first two years in a new country are the hardest…it takes this amount of time to build up enough knowledge of the local areas, customs, people and language to make your new house feel like ‘home’.

It also takes a significant investment and effort on your part to find true acceptance and getting to the stage where you really feel you ‘belong’ in your Spanish community will take time, effort and above all perseverance. Learn the language, the number of Expats that simply move to Spain, socialize within the expat community, drink in the “Queen Vic” pub and do not make the effort are missing out on so much more. Spain has so much to offer, make friends with the Spanish, embrace their way of living, learn their cultures and you will get so much more back!

Expectation versus Reality

Moving abroad won’t necessarily be the answer to all your prayers - if you do move abroad you won’t escape your history, who you are, all of the day to day grind and you may not always improve your quality of life! So make sure you have realistic expectations of your new life in Spain before you go and know that living in Spain will be very different to holidaying in Spain.

YES your new life abroad can offer you so much more …but just make sure your expectations can match the reality and remember the saying – life isn’t necessarily a beach just because you live beside one!

Health & Wellbeing

One of the saddest reasons people cite when giving up their dream of a new life abroad is health and wellbeing. The problem is the price, availability and quality of health care in Spain. Please look at the local Spanish health care facilities, think about long term and respite care, consider health insurance for all your family and basically don’t bury your head in the sand! If you consider the worst case scenario and protect yourself against it, chances are you will be prepared for everything and will financially survive.

Last But Not Least - Money

THE most common reasons for people returning ‘home’ with their dreams shattered is that they simply run out of funds.

If you’re moving to Spain and hoping to find work you need to know that unemployment in Spain is above the EU average, if you don’t speak Spanish you’ll struggle and some of your qualifications may not be valid in Spain. If you’re considering downsizing when you move to Spain it can be more than just a shock to the system to leave a well paying job to become a “general handyman”. If you’ve sold up and released equity to live on have you honestly thought about how long you can practically live on this amount? What about your retirement years, trips back to the UK, health care, transportation, etc. There are ways to afford to live on less and there are ways to make what you have go far further. The bottom line is - to survive in Spain you simply MUST consider your financial position before you make ANY move.

How to move to Spain and Stay...by Overs International

2009-01-26T14:21:00.000Z

At first sight the title may seem a little odd? You may well think it’s easy to move to Spain: just book a flight, and find somewhere to stay; the rest will sort itself out. “We just need to get there and start to enjoy the new life in the sun, right?”

Wrong. Sorry but a lot of us who escape in search of the “dream” find it all goes wrong. They struggle like crazy to get everything in place, but in the end they return back home, with lost dreams, big debts, and having to start all over again.

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THAT IF YOU PLAN AHEAD…

Did you know that in 2007 more than 200,000 Britons emigrated, but in the same year 110,000 returned, having failed to make their dream work? That’s 90,000 lost dreams: an awful lot of sadness indeed. Worse still, it has caused each and every one of them, not only a great deal of heartache, but there are also the financial costs involved.

Coming home involves getting a job, finding a home and so on. Possibly you will have sold the car and bought another in Spain. Inevitably you will have to sell that and start all over again.

Here I aim to give you a few straight facts, albeit in a light hearted style, so you can make a few plans ahead of your move and truly make it a one-way trip, and achieve the dream of a new life in Spain forever!

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE FAIL TO SURVIVE ABROAD?

Often the reason is at family level. It is a very simple decision if you live alone. If you have a partner then it is absolutely essential that you talk through everything very thoroughly.

DON’T TRY SELLING THE DREAM TO YOUR PARTNER

When you went on your last holiday to Spain, I’ll bet it was perfect? What you are now contemplating is not going to be a holiday; it is truly going to be something you both have to live, everyday, maybe for the rest of your lives.

You can’t persuade anybody, least of all your beloved partner, to have the same dream as yourself. You may be lucky and truly both have the same dream. It is essential right now that you completely and absolutely have the same dream. If not of course there are alternatives to a complete move. Subject to your finances it may well be possible to compromise, and split your time between the UK and Spain. With the reasonable flight costs these days, this is a distinct possibility for many of us.

Let’s step back to say 2000 for a moment. At that time many of us just wanted to sell our property in the UK. The pot of cash from that may well have been enough to purchase a satisfactory Spanish villa and still retain enough to invest in the bank and live ‘happily ever after’ off the interest and pensions received.

Property prices are no longer at the 2000 levels of course, and this scenario is often no longer possible. If you look back over the last 20 years, Spanish property prices have leapt ahead faster than in any other EU country, so by the time you make your property purchase in Spain, the pot may well be looking a little shaky.

SPLITTING YOUR TIME BETWEEN UK & SPAIN?

Both you and your partner must be completely honest with each other right now before you spend a single euro. If you have even a 10 per cent doubt about making it in Spain at this stage, then that doubt will surely fester once you make the move, and things might just slide from there

on.

What’s the Way Around This?

Clearly if you have doubts, then you can still go ahead and enjoy the dream, but with little ‘home breaks’ built in. It might be that one of you will want to hop back to visit family, so build this into your plan now. After all it is pretty cheap to go back; you are not moving to Australia, are you! This simple escape clause in your ‘agreement’ can make the difference between success and failure. Talk it through at great length.

This is possibly the most frequent cause of people “going back home”, so don’t skip over these issues. If you are still in doubt, take another holiday in Spain, but this time make certain you stay in a property that will be similar in cost to the type of property you will be able to afford if you decide to move. That way it is almost like a dress rehearsal. You can taste ‘living in the real Spain’, not insulated from reality in a five-star hotel, with waiters catering to your every whim!

When you move you will have to go shopping for groceries, decorate the spare room with real paint and get hot and dirty too!

Splitting Countries

If finances are a little strained, you might well be able to ‘trade down’ your UK property, and use the profits form the sale to purchase your Spanish property. Another popular way of being to afford a home in both countries is to rent out part of your UK property, but keep an ‘apartment’ (or create one) for your home visits. Often the rental earned can mean that your home apartment works out free, that is to say, the tenanted part of your property covers all the property costs, including your portion.

Another option if you have family in the UK is to consider extending their property in some way.

If you can try to ‘think outside the box’ you might surprise yourselves just how creative you can be.

It’s always better to have a home base if you have any lingering doubts. Even though in reality you may only use the “home base” quite infrequently, the simple fact that it is there for you if you should need it, and will almost certainly solve any of those nagging emotional or homesickness thoughts that you or your partner might have. You can then feel ready to face the new life in Spain with confidence, in the sound knowledge that there is a bolthole back home should the need arise at anytime.

Where in Spain will you live?

Does your Spanish dream property sound something like this: in the country, with lovely views, near the beach, large gardens, quiet location away from it all. How practical is this? You are planning to move to Spain for the rest of your lives, so pause for a moment and ask yourselves, how much would that dream cost?

A quick Internet search reveals this will not be a cheap option. Lovely views do not come cheap, especially if you want that view near the beach.

Let’s take a look at each of these options in more detail:

Buying inland is normally cheaper than coastal, but you still have to go grocery shopping.

How far is it to the nearest supermarket? What if you want an evening out? How far is it to the restaurants and bars?

Remember in Spain, the drinking laws are quite strict, and now comply with EU directives. In effect this means that even a small glass of beer will put you over the limit, and liable to arrest, a fine and a possible driving ban. If you like a small end of evening tipple then it is best that you have a local bar, from which you can easily walk home.

What about a finca?

A lovely finca which really is a Spanish farmhouse, or smallholding, tucked away in the countryside. In reality there is often a long winding single track road leading up to the property, so imagine getting home, and as I am sure we have all done at times, realise that we have forgotten to get some essential items for dinner that night. Yes we have to trail right back along that winding single track road again. Pretty soon you will hate that road intensely.

It’s one thing getting away from the tourist hustle and bustle, but think carefully before you buy something in the middle of nowhere, with no local services. Another downside to consider when ‘getting away from it all’ is of course it is going to take you that extra journey when you decide to hop back home for a week.

Expectation and the Reality

Watching one of the numerous ‘Place in the Sun’ television shows might give the impression that everything is just so perfect. In reality you will still have to stand in queues to pay bills, visit banks, builders, even the tax office perhaps. You can not escape from the reality of life completely.

Yes of course you can put behind you your past mistakes, but you have to make that extra effort not to make those same mistakes again in your new country.

Finding the perfect home in Spain

The fact is that you might not find the ideal home first time for two reasons. Firstly it is quite different to finding the ideal home in your home town, as you will already know the good areas you would like to move to. This is of course not obvious on a short visit to Spain.

It is good advice to rent short-term, but you should remember that every cent spent on renting is working to reduce the final capital available to you when you buy in Spain.

If you find a property that ‘ticks most of the boxes’ for you, and you buy it at the lowest possible price, then you will be in a good position to sell on and move up the property ladder, thus retaining your capital, and quite likely even making a profit in the process.

And Finally…

If you have thought things through carefully, it may well be time to make it all happen for you and start the ball rolling. Moving to Spain full-time, or on a split time basis, is not the one-way decision it used to be. So many flights everyday, mean that you can always afford to hop and get the best of both worlds. So why wait any longer.

Have a happy new life!

Gary Fenwick

www.overs.co.uk

2009-01-26T13:29:00.001Z

A guide to moving to Spain by Overs International

If you are thinking of moving to Spain either long term or short term you need to be 100% sure it’s the right move. You need to have drive, determination and patience as it’s not as simple as it seems. Most people when thinking of moving to Spain think of the hot weather and how nice it would be to wake up every morning to glorious sun. Remember that once the attraction wares off will you really be happy living in a hot climate? Sunshine is nice for a few days or weeks but imagine it for most of the year. You may end up wishing to see a cloud which never comes. The lifestyle in Spain is a lot slower to this country and things tend to take a little longer to get done. Living in Spain is not a holiday in any way and you should think really carefully about it.
If you are still convinced that you want to move to Spain then read on. Assuming you have cleared up any mess and tied up loose ends in your own country you are almost ready to move.
Here is a helpful checklist for you to follow before you leave:
• Decide which possessions you will take to Spain - which you will leave in the UK - which items you can sell before you leave.
• Obtain three estimates for the move from at least three different removal companies. Please contact Overs International either by phone or email, for a full list of services available for your removal to Spain, please visit our website at www.overs.co.uk
• Buy boxes, labels and bubble wrap. When you pack boxes, list the contents on a label (this will save a lot of time when unpacking).
• Ensure you have nothing on loan such as videos, library books and if so, return them.
• Arrange moving date and confirm at least twice with the removal company.
• Check all the details of your Spanish purchase. Confirm mortgage and lawyers.
• Make sure you have some cash (euros) for your journey and arrival in Spain.
• Notify authorities, banks, building societies etc of your new contact details.
• Make arrangements for your pets travel and arrival.
• Check passports, travel tickets and car documents.
• Check you have got travel insurance.
There are also a few personal details to take care of like your pensions, tax, life assurance, investments and healthcare.
Remember that members of EU countries such as a UK national, a Dane, a Swede or Norwegian has the right to live in Spain by virtue of their countries’ membership of the European Economic Area.
If you are retiring abroad, you can continue to receive your UK State pension. If you are moving permanently to Spain, you should get yearly increases in your pension. Contact the Social Security Office to complete the correct forms.
Personal circumstances can vary greatly but you may cease to be liable to UK tax if you cut all ties with the UK and become domiciled abroad. However you will technically be a UK resident if you spend a requisite number of days in the UK and will consequently suffer UK tax on your income. Obtain more information on tax and your domicile status from the Inland Revenue’s document called IR20. If you do change you residency cash held offshore may still be liable to tax in Spain depending on local tax rules. Please note that Spain imposes a wealth tax on your world-wide assets. However, as Spain and UK have a double taxation treaty you should be given relief for double taxation. Please remember that if you are proposing to rent out your UK property this will attract a UK income tax charge.
Once you have all the above sorted out you need to decide on how to get there. This will depend on what you are taking with you. If you are having your furniture shipped over then you will just need to worry about yourself and a few personal objects. If you decide to drive, make sure you read the section on driving in Spain. You can catch a car ferry at many English ports and buy a one way or return ticket. It might be important to note that if you bring a caravan over with you, most ferries will not sell you a one way ticket so you must use the channel tunnel. Consider carefully the cost of a crossing to Calais and the additional cost of petrol and tolls as opposed to a crossing to Santander or Bilbao. Driving through France can be a long nightmare and very expensive on tolls.
Flying to Spain is a cheap alternative if all you have are a couple of cases. Cheap flights can be booked over the internet at as little as £50 each! But, consider how you are to get about once you get here. Spain is a big country and a car is a must, even if you just hire a car to collect from the airport. Whichever way you get here, there are several things you must bring with you. Driving licences/Car insurance papers Birth/Marriage certificates Passports Bank books/cheque and credit cards Enough money to get home Important medication Form E111 and remember to make several photocopies of all your documents!
Because Spain is part of the EU, if you live in an EU country, you do not require a visa to enter the country. You have almost equal rights in Spain as you do in your own country. It’s important to make sure you have a full ten year British Passport well before you leave. Make several photocopies of it and make sure you keep at least one copy in a safe place. Losing your original passport in Spain would be a bad move. It would be worth taking out travel insurance for your journey and it will be money well spent if your luggage vanishes or your car is stolen with all your belongings inside. Ensure your children have their own passports. It’s also a good idea to go the post office in England and collect a form for renewal of a passport and a form for replacement of a lost/stolen passport. These are forms you can't get in Spain. Make sure you have all your birth/marriage certificates with you and again, make sure you have several photocopies of each which you should keep separate from the originals.
Once in Spain the first thing you must do as a foreigner living and/or working in Spain is obtain an NIE number. This is a very important but a very simple process providing you follow the guidelines. You can get a Gestor to apply for you but it will cost you about 100€. To do it yourself, go to the National Police station. You will also need a social security number. You will need this if you are intending on working in Spain, if you are entitled to social security benefits or if you are entitled to medical care. To obtain a social security number all you need to do is go to any social security office, with your original passport and copy of the passport. You will have to fill in a form, which is in Spanish so you might need to take someone whos speaks Spanish with you or even better learn the language before you leave. They issue the number there and then and give you a temporary card. They send on the plastic card at their leisure. It is not necessary to have a job, or even a NIE to get a social security number.

www.overs.co.uk

Overs Removals service to and from Spain

2009-01-26T12:49:00.001Z

OVER’S MOVING & STORAGE INTERNATIONAL – ALL ROUND EXCELLENCE

Removals and storage firm Over’s Moving & Storage is undoubtedly a local institution. Some 25 years on from when Over’s Moving & Storage first established a Spanish base in Mojácar Playa, the company continues to offer all-round excellence from its new, much larger premises on the Antas industrial estate. The Over’s Moving & Storage Levante centre of operations has changed, and the company is now part of the Hampshire-based Over’s group, but Over’s Moving & Storage is still a company in its own right, with the same staff, and it is still the obvious choice for domestic and international removals and for storage services.

Moving home is often described as one of life’s most traumatic experiences, but Over’s Moving & Storage manages to make all moves as streamlined and stress-free as possible – even a positively pleasant experience! The key factors at the heart of the first-class service are expertise, experience and reliability; the Over’s Moving & Storage staff know the removals and storage business inside-out, which right from the start gives customers that all-essential peace of mind.

The company’s highly skilled removals professionals treat clients’ treasured possessions with the utmost care. What’s more they are punctual, clean and tidy in the way they work, and go out of their way to be helpful.

Clients can opt to do their own packing, but if you’re not sure what you’re doing and want to be certain your belongings are properly protected, it is highly recommended to put it all in Over’s Moving & Storage hands. Packing is a definite skill, with all sorts of things to bear in mind, which only the trained and the experienced would know.

Over’s Moving & Storage uses only proven packaging materials to ensure the total protection of possessions, and works with detailed inventories through to delivery and unpacking at destination. In addition, the company uses a fleet of air-ride suspension vehicles and specialised lifting equipment, further guaranteeing that breakages or damage of any kind are avoided. There is also a crating service for fragile and high-risk items.

Nevertheless, and this is an obvious and crucial point for this kind of business, Over’s Moving & Storage has full liability cover, meaning clients’ goods and personal effects are covered for the entire duration of the move.

Most members of the Over’s Moving & Storage removals teams are long-standing company employees, a fact which reflects positively on the business for a number of reasons. Not only does this show that Over’s Moving & Storage is a good company to work for, from the clients’ point of view this translates into happy staff, who have built up a thorough knowledge of the areas they cover. As a result Over’s Moving & Storage can anticipate any potential problems, such as access difficulties, and plan accordingly.

In Andalucía for example, many properties are located in villages with narrow streets or in rural areas accessed by rough tracks, which are impossible for the big Over’s Moving & Storage pantechnicons to negotiate. Knowing this in advance means goods can be transferred to smaller vans before final delivery, ensuring the moving process is still as straightforward and speedy as possible.

Over’s Moving & Storage moves part loads or the entire contents of a home. The company is happy to move single items - perhaps just a box or possibly furniture you’ve ordered from the UK, which can always be stored prior to delivery in Spain at the Over’s Hampshire depot. The company also handles more unusual items, such as jet-skis, quad bikes, motorbikes cars, small caravans and trailers – basically anything which fits in a truck!

Another Over’s Moving & Storage speciality is commercial moves. Changing business premises can present any number of logistical headaches, but with Over’s Moving & Storage at the helm, the whole process is plain sailing, allowing maximum business continuity.

Whether you’re moving around the corner, to another European country or to the other side of the world, then Over’s Moving & Storage has the removal covered. This is a company which handles removals from literally anywhere to anywhere!

Over’s Moving & Storage operates a regular removals service by road to anywhere in mainland Spain, and uses a network of alliances with some of the world’s most reputable overseas removals companies for more far flung destinations. At the same time, Over’s Moving & Storage wealth of experience in moving homeowners within Almería allows the firm to provide a localised, community-orientated removals service for Levante residents.

Here in Almería, Maggi Lake has been the voice and face of Over’s Moving & Storage Spanish operations since the early 1990s; in fact a few years earlier Maggi and her husband Allan used Over’s Moving & Storage to move their entire household of belongings to this area, “without one single breakage”. For the last 14 years Maggi has provided an unfailingly friendly, efficient and reliable service, providing all-important continuity on the administrative side of the company.

Northovers remembers clients, where they lived, the house they moved to and the access situation, and over the years has dedicated time to getting to know the immediate area and the rest of Andalucía first-hand in order to equip herself with that extra knowledge, and in this way making an invaluable contribution to making removals more streamlined and the Over’s Moving & Storage service the best possible.

Over’s Moving & Storage always has the focus firmly on a customer-orientated approach. As a general rule clients liaise with one dedicated move coordinator on all aspects of their move, including customs forms and assistance with paperwork; they keep the client informed every step of the way. And it is often the case that the team which packs up and collects a client’s possessions will be the same team which delivers and unpacks them at the other end.

Organising a move with Over’s Moving & Storage is a very straightforward process. The company supplies free and detailed quotes based on a company estimator’s assessment, or if preferred on a comprehensive household contents list filled out by the client. Tariffs are clear and easy to understand and there are no hidden costs. The Over’s Moving & Storage prices are extremely competitive, representing excellent value for money for a service of such quality.

The same applies to the storage side of Over’s Moving & Storage. Short and long-term storage is available at the Over’s Moving & Storage premises in Hampshire and at the conveniently located Antas industrial estate warehouse, situated directly overlooking the motorway.

Whether you are waiting to move into a new home, de-cluttering or simply want to create more space, Over’s Moving & Storage storage is the obvious solution. The warehouses are equipped with modern, dry, clean and totally secure units, which are ideal for all kinds of storage requirements, again from single boxes right up to an entire household worth of furniture and possessions, as well as commercial storage. There is also space at the Antas premises to store large, free-standing items, including caravans and boats.

A full inventory of all the goods to be stored is prepared, and the Over’s Moving & Storage system eliminates the possibility of goods being mislaid or mixed up with other people's property, or of being damaged in any way while held in storage. In addition, Over’s Moving & Storage effectively offers self-storage, allowing clients to access their unit as necessary; all they have to do is call the office to arrange a time.

Clients can move items to be stored themselves; Over’s Moving & Storage staff are however on hand to assist with any packaging requirements and with loading and unloading. Alternatively, for a small extra charge Over’s Moving & Storage will collect, store and deliver items, usually within 24 hours.

Thanks to the Over’s Moving & Storage emphasis on putting customer needs first, the storage terms and conditions are extremely flexible. Clients can have exactly the right size storage space to suit their needs and budget, and for as short or as long a period of time as required.

Tariffs are remarkably reasonable, and prices are inclusive, with no access fee.

Maggi is just the person to talk if you’d like further information or advice on any storage, packing or removals-related matters, or even if you want to purchase any kind of packing materials, and she is on the end of the phone, literally round the clock, seven days a week, for removals clients. This kind of dedicated attitude is yet another feature of the local Over’s Moving & Storage operations which has made for many long-lasting customer relationships and heartfelt thank yous for providing an excellent service.

Over’s Moving & Storage is a highly respected removals and storage services company, in which you can entrust even your most valued possessions, which genuinely makes customer satisfaction and client peace of mind a priority. It therefore stands to reason that much of the company’s business comes from personal recommendations, and that clients go back to Over’s Moving & Storage for all their removals and storage needs.

As Maggi puts it, “if you can move someone’s possessions from point A to point B without them having to worry about anything, then it’s worth its weight in gold. And that’s what Over’s Moving & Storage tries to do.”

www.overs.co.uk

Overs Moving Guide blog - Welcome

2009-01-26T08:57:00.001Z

Moving Services
Domestic Removal Services in the UK
International Removal and Shipping
European Removal and Shipping
Removals & Storage Services
Removals & Storage FAQ
Office & Commercial Relocation

Domestic Removal Services
Domestic removals are one of our specialities. We have been moving household belongings since 1857. We offer domestic removals throughout the UK. Many of our domestic removals customers are based in Hampshire, Surrey, London and the Home Counties.

Read more on Domestic Removals Services in the UK.

International Removals
Our international removals service is essentially a sea and air relocation solution designed for both the domestic and commercial sectors. Whilst we offer a global service to anywhere in the world, primarily we load shipments on a daily basis for more popular destinations; including Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Cyprus, Asia and the Middle East.

We have excellent working relations with reputable shipping companies who handle customs clearance, documentation, coordination of delivery, unpacking, removal of debris, etc. We ensure a truly full-destination, UK-based, international removals service.

Read more on International Removals.

European Removals & Shipping
Through our network of overseas moving partners, we offer a weekly service to and from mainland Europe, predominantly covering removals to France, removals to Spain and removals to Portugal. We also cover many other European countries as required, including removals to Germany, Sweden, Italy, Turkey, Holland, Norway, Denmark as well as removals to emerging countries like Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

Over’s understand that moving home is one of the most important things you might undertake and one of the most stressful. With so much at stake you can’t leave anything to chance. Rest assured, you can rely our 149 years of removals experience ensure your move is as streamlined, economical and stress less as possible

Read more on European Removals & Shipping.

Storage Services
Over’s have two large, secure purpose-built containerised storage warehouse facilities that incorporate the latest fire and security systems. Our two secure warehouses are located in Aldershot, on the Surrey/ Hampshire border, and boast a temperature controlled fully-containerised system monitored by a five-camera CCTV system, a state-of-the-art infra-red fire alarm connected directly to the emergency services and 24-hour manned security.

A full inventory of goods to be stored will be prepared and your home or business furniture loaded into one our purpose built containers. The container is kept at our storage facility - in dry, clean and in secure conditions until you require it again.

Read more about our Storage Services and also Storage FAQ.

Office and Commercial Relocation
Our relocation team has experience and resources to move your company anywhere in Europe and beyond with the minimum of disruption.

With our extensive experience we now have intricate knowledge of international law, customs restrictions and documentation regulations - ensuring your corporate relocation is uninterrupted by unnecessary procedural bureaucracy - allowing you to continue your business as normal as possible during the move.

Read more on Office and Commercial Relocations.