Ukrainian woman Polina Faustova, who has lived in Spain for more than two years, named things it's better to prepare for before moving. Among the main difficulties she highlighted finding a job, not knowing the language, high costs for settling in, and a temporary decrease in the usual level of comfort. About this she spoke in her TikTok account.
It's better to find a job before moving to Spain
The first advice from the Ukrainian woman is not to move to Spain without a stable source of income or a sufficient financial cushion. According to her experience, counting on quickly finding a good job after arriving is risky due to the situation on the local labor market, salary levels, and bureaucracy.
"I wouldn't have come here at all counting on quickly finding a normal job. Unemployment, low salaries, bureaucracy — this can very quickly knock the ground out from under your feet," Polina said.
She considers remote work one of the safest options for the first time, as it allows earning income regardless of the situation on the Spanish labor market. If there is no such source of income, it's worth saving up an amount in advance that will be enough at least for the first months after moving.
Earlier, another Ukrainian woman living in Spain also drew attention to low salaries and expensive rent. Therefore, the real budget for moving can differ noticeably from initial calculations.
Spanish language is advised to learn in advance
Another important condition for comfortable adaptation is knowledge of the Spanish language. Polina does not advise postponing learning it until the moment of moving. The language will be needed almost immediately: when visiting a doctor, processing documents, searching for and renting housing, opening a bank account, and solving other everyday issues.
Without knowledge of Spanish, new migrants are often forced to seek help from intermediaries or compatriots who have already learned the language. For document translation, accompaniment, and help with various procedures, they have to pay extra.
The Ukrainian woman also advises not to compare the first months in Spain with the life that was before emigration. The usual level of comfort may decrease at first, since simultaneously one has to deal with documents, housing, work, and adaptation to an unfamiliar system.
According to the blogger, it's important to give yourself time to "grow into the new life" rather than expect that the previous level of everyday and financial comfort can be restored immediately after moving.
You need to budget more money for the move
Polina recommends planning the financial reserve with a substantial buffer. Even with a calculated budget, additional expenses appear after arrival that are difficult to foresee in advance.
"I'm serious: deposit, rent, furniture, moving, documents, translations, and some completely unexpected expenses," the Ukrainian woman shared.
Particularly significant expenses are related to housing. Besides the monthly rent, a deposit and money for the initial furnishing of the apartment may be needed when moving in. To these are added transport, documents, translator services, and everyday expenses.
Therefore, the amount needed for the first months of life may turn out to be significantly higher than expected. Having a financial reserve allows you to look for work more calmly and resolve bureaucratic issues without having to agree to the first available offer.
Polina's last advice is to be critical of stories from other emigrants. Some call Spain an almost ideal country to live in, others concentrate mainly on the shortcomings. Real experience largely depends on profession, income, language knowledge, city of residence, and a person's initial expectations.
Cultural characteristics also influence adaptation. In Spain, attitudes toward punctuality, everyday etiquette, and customary forms of communication differ. Therefore, moving requires not only financial preparation but also a willingness to gradually accept the local way of life.