I am an American and I want to live in Europe.

Question

I have no family in either place, but I want to move to either Spain or France.

My question is, how easy is it for me to just move there and buy a home, get work, etc?

Answer 1

Generally, for a work visa, you will have to have a job before you go. The company has to file with the government and receive paperwork which is then provided to you for your visa application.

If you're an EU citizen, you have the right to move and work anywhere within the EU although there may be some minor bureaucratic hoops to go through for residency. However, it's much more difficult if you're from outside the EU.

These are useful sites for France:

http://www.consulfrance-houston.org/arti... note that under the long stay visa section, this specifically says that the employer has to contact the government agency for the work permit.

http://gofrance.about.com/cs/relocating/...

There's visa information for Italy here: http://www.esteri.it/visti/home_eng.asp

http://www.workpermit.com/italy/italy.ht...

You can find similar information for Spain by looking up the embassy and/or consulate website.

Jobs are not easy to come by here in Europe if you're not a European citizen. The paperwork burden on the company makes it not worth there while to attempt to hire outside the EU. Further, there are quotas for foreign workers every year and more applicants that openings. You need to have special skills not readily available here to get permission.

That isn't to say you shouldn't try. Just don't expect it to be easy. A good place to research this type of move is the expat community websites in the countries you're interested in. I moved here to Italy several years ago, but it was a transfer within the company I already worked for. Some include:

http://www.francethisway.com/wp/category...

http://www.expatintelligence.com/expat-f...

http://www.alloexpat.com/moving_to_franc...

You can find similar sites for any country by entering "expat" and the name of the country in your favorite search engine.

Answer 2

I'm totally with you on that!  I'd be (almost) in heaven if I could move to Paris!!  A very great and informative site (in English!!) for you to check on France would be this link:  http://www.move-to-france.com/

For Spain, try this:  http://www.euroresidentes.com/movespaint...

Additionally, try www.transitionsabroad.com, www.escapeartist.com.  The list is endless.  Just be careful and learn the language!!  Good luck!

Answer 3

I'd say it'd be easier to do all of that in spain more than in france even though the economy is slowing down...

in spain it's definetly easier to make friends which will help you out;

you need to know people in order to get farther on in life.

france i think is a little more centered basically with family more than with friends making it alot harder...

OVERALLL though; it may or may not be hard depending on the money you have and the people you know

Answer 4

It would probably be easier for you to get a job here that you can take a position in France or Spain with that company.