Pre-Move Planning - Get Your Relocation Right from Day One
The most expensive relocation mistakes happen before you leave. Our pre-move planning session maps your visa route, documents, timeline and budget so you arrive prepared.
Why pre-move planning matters
Most relocation problems are caused by poor preparation - choosing the wrong visa, missing document apostilles, not allowing enough time for processing, or arriving in Valencia without an NIE and finding you cannot open a bank account or sign a lease. One avoidable mistake we see again and again is arriving in August, when most Spanish estate agents, lawyers and government offices run at minimal capacity. September to November gives you the most property choice and full administrative capacity. Our pre-move planning service exists to eliminate these problems before they happen.
A 90-minute planning session with a ValenciaMove consultant gives you a personalised roadmap for your entire move. By the end, you will know exactly what to do, in what order, and by when.
What the session covers
Visa selection
We assess your income, employment situation and goals and recommend the optimal visa route - Digital Nomad (around 2,849 EUR per month of income in 2026), Non-Lucrative (2,400 EUR per month plus 600 EUR per dependent), Highly Qualified Professional, or another. Check your passport too: most consulates want at least 18 months of validity remaining.
Document checklist
A personalised list of every document you need, where to get it, whether it needs apostilling, and how long each will take.
Timeline
A week-by-week schedule from today to your arrival date, with clear milestones and dependencies. Empadronamiento should be done within a week of arrival, and a TIE within 30 days.
Budget briefing
Visa fees, service costs, relocation expenses, first-month Valencia costs - all estimated for your specific profile. We also flag where a specialist currency provider such as Wise, OFX or Moneycorp can save you 2 to 4 percent versus a high-street bank on a large transfer.
Top 5 mistakes to avoid
Specific to your situation - the things we have seen go wrong before and how to dodge them, from booking a viewing trip in August to underbudgeting the move.
Housing briefing
An honest overview of the Valencia rental or purchase market for your budget and preferred area, including a realistic shortlist target of 5 to 8 properties for a viewing trip.
Tax pre-brief
What to expect from Spanish taxes based on your income type, and whether the Beckham Law applies to you. Private health insurance is mandatory for visa applicants - budget roughly 50 to 150 EUR per month per adult for a comprehensive policy.
The master relocation timeline
A good move is sequenced, not rushed. This is the rhythm we map for most clients, from initial research to long-term integration.
Initial research
Research visa options, check your passport has 18+ months of validity, compare cost of living, and identify target neighbourhoods.
Legal and financial prep
Apply for your visa at the consulate, open a currency-transfer account, research Spanish banks, and consult a tax advisor.
Property search
Engage an estate agent and plan a viewing trip - avoiding August - with a shortlist of 5 to 8 properties.
Property secured
Sign the rental contract or complete the purchase, arrange your NIE, and set up a Spanish bank account.
Logistics
Book the removal company, arrange pet travel if needed, sort health insurance, transfer medical records, and arrange school visits.
Arrival
Empadronamiento within a week, TIE application within 30 days, utility connections, and a local SIM card.
Settling in
Social Security registration if working, tax advisor consultation, school enrolment, language classes, and joining the expat community.
Long-term integration
Driving licence exchange, professional qualification recognition, long-term tax planning, and getting involved in your community.
What shipping your home actually costs
Removal quotes vary widely by route and volume. These 2026 market ranges give you a starting figure before you collect quotes.
- UK to Valencia, small move of 1-2 rooms (part-load or MoveCube): roughly 519 to 1,175 GBP.
- UK to Valencia, full 3-bed house (full container): roughly 3,000 to 6,000 GBP.
- US to Valencia, full 20ft container by sea: roughly 4,000 to 8,000 USD.
- US to Valencia, excess baggage or small boxes by air: roughly 500 to 1,500 USD.
What you receive after the session
A written summary document covering your personalised document checklist, recommended timeline, estimated costs and next steps. This document becomes your relocation bible - everything you need to manage your own move, or to hand to us if you want us to handle it for you.
Book a pre-move planning session
Sessions are available by video call (Zoom) or in person in Valencia. The planning session fee is credited against any subsequent ValenciaMove service you use. Contact us to schedule yours.