– We did not travel to Spain first as tourists to determine where to live. We narrowed it down to four towns and just picked one to put on our visa applications. In the long run, this did pose difficulties, so I would recommend knowing where you’d like to live first. I thought the rental contract they requested for the visa applications absurd. I wasn’t going to commit to a year contract before I had the visa? We did not find the consulate’s office very helpful with this conundrum. Initially they just said to put N/A, but that caused it’s own set of delays. We did eventually send a copy of the short term rental contract we had and explained it could be extended, though we ended up renting a different house long term.

– We discovered no Spanish health insurers would provide coverage to us unless we actually lived there and had the necessary documents (visa and Spanish bank account) so we purchased international travel medical insurance through International Medical Group. You can receive an instant online quote, and they will easily provide the documentation you need for your visa application. The cost for our family of four for one year’s emergency coverage was $2,410. Google them!

– I have no idea if an immigration lawyer reduces the time frame or increases the chances of getting the visa. I would seriously doubt it. They may help in that they’re familiar with the process and actually know people at your consulate and/or speak Spanish, but since the applications go from the Spanish consulate in the US to the consulates in the region in Spain to which you apply and then perhaps down to the local offices, I’m guessing once the applications leave the US…. I don’t know, I’d ask a lot of questions being spending money and counting on a lawyer.

– Never head about buying a property instead of renting to increase the chance of obtaining the non-lucrative visa.

– There are at least 2 international schools in Javea and several in the Valencian suburbs. Both XIC and Lady Elizabeth were good schools. Lady Elizabeth is much more of a British experience and education and XIC more of a mix of nationalities and I thought a little more Spanish and international in flavor.

– The overall safety in Javea and the Valencia area was good. I never felt unsafe (well, perhaps one dark night in the long-term parking lot at the Valencia airport… but as with any situation like that, you want to be careful.) OUr daughters, 7 and 10, at the time, ran all around the Javea port by themselves with their friends on Friday afternoons while we had coffees, went to the movie theater there in Javea by themselves…. it’s a wonderful little place.

If you haven’t seen my post about the visa process, read it for more information.

Let me know if you have other questions too and best of luck,

Dee

Thanks a bunch for all the useful information about your experience in Spain and your stay in Javea. My family is considering living in Spain for long term and we are going to apply for the non-lucrative visa. We would greatly appreciate any feedback regarding the following queries:

–Did you have to travel first to Spain as tourist to determine which area to live in and sign the rental contract before you apply for the non-lucrative visa? Because apparently we have to mention in which area (Provence) we will be living in Spain in the non-lucrative visa application and the rental contract has to be in that area.
– Did you have to rent a house for the whole year and submit a registered rental contract in the visa application? If yes, did you have to pay for the whole year or just a deposit, and how did you sign and get the contract if you were not yet in Spain? Any rental agent you personally dealt with and would recommend?
– One of the requirements is to have private medical insurance in Spain BEFORE applying for the visa. An active medical insurance certificate must be submitted in the visa application. How should we do that while we are out of Spain? Any medical insurance agency you dealt with and would recommend?
– Would you recommend we deal with an immigration lawyer? Does it really reduce the time frame and increase the chances of getting the visa? or there is really no difference whether we do the application procedure on our own?
– Some suggested that buying a property instead of renting significantly increases the chance of obtaining the non-lucrative visa. Any feedback on that?
– Our daughters will have to join an international school (Teaching in English), we did some search in the Javea area and found the “Xabia International College”… Any feedback on this school? Do you know any other KG and Primary schools to recommend in the area?
– Overall safety in Javea and the Valencia area?

We would greatly appreciate it if you will have the time to provide us with detailed answers to the above queries as we really would like to experience and enjoy living in Javea area.

Many thanks in advance.

Kind Regards,

Maya

Benimeli brings a smile to my face; it is such a wonderful little village! My daughters loved running all around on their own, exploring its streets and parks. While we enjoyed it immensely for the three weeks we were there, we did not consider living there long term because it was so small. I do remember there is a primary school and several families we met with small kids who attended. Wishing you the best ~ Dee

we are moving to Benimeli at the end of the month, I was wondering if you had anything to do with the primary school in the village?
thanks
Louisa

Glad you found some useful information here about places to visit in Spain. They are some of my favorites!

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