https://britishexpats.com/forum/ British Expat Forum is a discussion board for expatriates around the world en Wed, 10 Jun 2026 20:23:07 GMT vBulletin 1 https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg https://britishexpats.com/forum/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/company-director-moving-spain-dnv-958098/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 20:00:57 GMT Hi all, First, I will apologise if this has been answered before. I am hoping someone can help me get a clearer picture of how things might work with our situation. Where to start! My partner is Spanish and has lived in the UK for 15 years. We are now moving to Spain as they now have a job in Spain that will be starting in the next few months. We have some time before we need to be there, so some time to prepare. We are planning to move to Suth of Spain, ideally near Malaga, but could change, but should be near there. We have been considering the move for a few years, it was just a case of ensuring a job was secured in Spain for ny partner first, which happened very quickly. I have been learning Spanish as well for the last year and a half, so ensuring that I can integrate and contribute as best as possible. I am British and a company director along with my business partner. We own the company between us. I am paid a regualr salary currently through PAYE and I can do my role remotely. Business has been in place for 10 years, remote worked for over half of that time. So I am planning to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa. My salary meets the requirements and the type of role I have can be done remotely anywhere in europe. This has been paid for over 4 years this way and I have pay slips. I understand that applying for the DNV I should apply as self employed and my business partner should confirm in a letter that I can work in Spain and control of the company will remain in the UK. Which is correct. All business decisions will be made in the UK and I will fly back for meetings if needed. Our clients are all in the UK. First of all, does anyone know if this is the correct way to do this, has anyone set up and applied for the DNV this way? How does this then work with taxation? Are there any recommendations on how best to approach this or anyone know a really good accountant that can assist with ensuring this is right? Any pitfalls I need to look out for? The other bits are then around the move. There seem to be so many companies and forums out there recommending different options. This one seeemd the best. We are selling our house in the UK and aiming to do this before we move, I know, tough challenge that one! We will keep any gains from the sale for a property purchase in Spain once we find the place. Plan to rent initially for a few months. Any suggestions for places to find rentals would be welcome. Can anyone recommend removal companies that are reasonable and good? Also, any help on things we need to consider for the move would be great. We have done research but so many options I thought i would try here. Thank you in advance for your help! Hi all,

First, I will apologise if this has been answered before. I am hoping someone can help me get a clearer picture of how things might work with our situation.

Where to start!

My partner is Spanish and has lived in the UK for 15 years. We are now moving to Spain as they now have a job in Spain that will be starting in the next few months. We have some time before we need to be there, so some time to prepare. We are planning to move to Suth of Spain, ideally near Malaga, but could change, but should be near there.

We have been considering the move for a few years, it was just a case of ensuring a job was secured in Spain for ny partner first, which happened very quickly. I have been learning Spanish as well for the last year and a half, so ensuring that I can integrate and contribute as best as possible.

I am British and a company director along with my business partner. We own the company between us. I am paid a regualr salary currently through PAYE and I can do my role remotely. Business has been in place for 10 years, remote worked for over half of that time. So I am planning to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa. My salary meets the requirements and the type of role I have can be done remotely anywhere in europe. This has been paid for over 4 years this way and I have pay slips.

I understand that applying for the DNV I should apply as self employed and my business partner should confirm in a letter that I can work in Spain and control of the company will remain in the UK. Which is correct. All business decisions will be made in the UK and I will fly back for meetings if needed. Our clients are all in the UK.

First of all, does anyone know if this is the correct way to do this, has anyone set up and applied for the DNV this way? How does this then work with taxation? Are there any recommendations on how best to approach this or anyone know a really good accountant that can assist with ensuring this is right? Any pitfalls I need to look out for?

The other bits are then around the move. There seem to be so many companies and forums out there recommending different options. This one seeemd the best.

We are selling our house in the UK and aiming to do this before we move, I know, tough challenge that one!

We will keep any gains from the sale for a property purchase in Spain once we find the place. Plan to rent initially for a few months. Any suggestions for places to find rentals would be welcome. Can anyone recommend removal companies that are reasonable and good? Also, any help on things we need to consider for the move would be great.

We have done research but so many options I thought i would try here.

Thank you in advance for your help!

]]> Spain CraigusW https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/company-director-moving-spain-dnv-958098/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/citizenship-passports-spouse-family-visas-uk-196/gaining-uk-citizenship-958097/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:33:28 GMT My Kenyan wife received her ILR in 2021 and now wants UK Citizenship. She has a B1 Reading/Talking Skills certificate but cannot find any documentation showing that she has passed her Life in the UK test. She recalls sitting for it and passing. As the spouse of a UK Citizen, am I right in assuming that she simply needs to complete the application form and pay the monstrous fee with no further tests required? Any help would be appreciated. My Kenyan wife received her ILR in 2021 and now wants UK Citizenship. She has a B1 Reading/Talking Skills certificate but cannot find any documentation showing that she has passed her Life in the UK test. She recalls sitting for it and passing. As the spouse of a UK Citizen, am I right in assuming that she simply needs to complete the application form and pay the monstrous fee with no further tests required? Any help would be appreciated. ]]> Citizenship/Passports and Spouse/Family Visas (UK) mentalist https://britishexpats.com/forum/citizenship-passports-spouse-family-visas-uk-196/gaining-uk-citizenship-958097/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/citizenship-passports-spouse-family-visas-uk-196/applying-settlement-958080/ Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:53:20 GMT Hi My wife has almost completed her five years on a spouse visa and is ready to apply for settlement. We are considering wether or not it is worth to apply for the express or just the standard way. Does anyone know the current waiting times to get the settlement visa processed Hi

My wife has almost completed her five years on a spouse visa and is ready to apply for settlement. We are considering wether or not it is worth to apply for the express or just the standard way.

Does anyone know the current waiting times to get the settlement visa processed ]]> Citizenship/Passports and Spouse/Family Visas (UK) markandebony https://britishexpats.com/forum/citizenship-passports-spouse-family-visas-uk-196/applying-settlement-958080/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/uk-melbourne-brisbane-958070/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:46:34 GMT Hey all, looking for some advice as I keep flip flopping between these two and thought it would be helpful to get some feedback from those that have made the move!

Moving from UK to Australia with my company in the near future. I’m a Software Engineer, will be working remotely, making ~$250k, and bringing my wife (stay at home mum) and two children (7 & 5).

Top priorities are safety/crime, good schools for the kids (don’t need to be elite, just good enough), and pet friendly so we can get a rental in a good catchment area that allows for dogs.

Nice weather would be a bonus, so the kids can play outside/go to parks, more important is getting a large house/garden for our money. We expect to sell our house for £650k, plus savings over two years renting, plus a mortgage if needed.

I feel like Brisbane has the bigger draw, as we’d get a bigger house, and more outside lifestyle, but I’m not sure how I’d fair in the heat - I assume I’d just adapt eventually anyway?

The other consideration is beaches - it sounds like Melbourne has more and they are closer? How do the Brisbane beaches compare?

Would welcome and be appreciative of any thoughts you have. ]]> Australia brink9763 https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/uk-melbourne-brisbane-958070/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/mb-way-scam-958069/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:02:08 GMT I have a listing on OLX 500€.................20 minutes after going live the phone rings, he wants the item............. great me thinks, that was quick !

He insists on paying immediately via MB WAY .......... I say 'dont you want to see it working at least on a watsapp call before you send the courier to fetch it ? (it is an electrical item)

Naaaa he says 'I trust you' I am in lisbon I will pay you straight away then send a courier.

Send the cash with the courier I say ( I have done that before with a sale to a guy in Poland, on EBAY when I lived in the UK, so I know it does work)

Naaaa 'I want to pay straight away so that nobody else gets it' he says (bearing in mind it has been on sale for all of 20 minutes)

Asks me if I have a PT account, Santander I say, great he says, open the app and go to MB WAY ............... at this point I am suspicious enough to tell him that I will put the phone down then ring him back.

The number he used does not accept incoming phonecalls ............................ How many more red flags do you need me thinks.

So my point is, as mi mum used to tell me 'if it sounds too good to be true, it is'

Apparently the scam involves keeping you on the phone whilst your app is open then constantly talking to you in order to confuse you so that you give them the MB WAY code and then they can take the 500€ off of you rather than the other way around, initially I thought it was more sort of software based ie: they take over your app whilst you have it open kind of thing, but apparently it is a lot less sophisticated than that and based purely on confusing you, easily done maybe.

Not this time though................... just thought I would mention it............be careful folks. ]]> Portugal andywally https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/mb-way-scam-958069/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/voting-958066/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:20:15 GMT Hi Folks For those of us in the UK, are we able to vote in the November elections? Hi Folks

For those of us in the UK, are we able to vote in the November elections? ]]> Moving back or to the UK rlolney58 https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/voting-958066/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/sand-pit-116/bahrain-war-damage-958065/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:40:40 GMT I made about 12 trips to Bahrain over the years. Was wondering if there has been much damage from Iran drone or missile attacks? I made about 12 trips to Bahrain over the years. Was wondering if there has been much damage from Iran drone or missile attacks? ]]> The Sand Pit ddsrph https://britishexpats.com/forum/sand-pit-116/bahrain-war-damage-958065/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/8802-form-questions-958064/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:05:58 GMT Folks, For those who have had (recent) experience with the 8802 process. I say recent as the Govt. headcount reductions may have affected some IRS depts. So....do you get any notification from the Philadelphia office that they have processed the 8802? I did submit the fee via cheque so I can see that it has been cashed, actually one day after they received the completed forms, so very efficient cheque cashing process. ;) Thanks Folks,
For those who have had (recent) experience with the 8802 process. I say recent as the Govt. headcount reductions may have affected some IRS depts.
So....do you get any notification from the Philadelphia office that they have processed the 8802? I did submit the fee via cheque so I can see that it has been cashed, actually one day after they received the completed forms, so very efficient cheque cashing process. ;)

Thanks

]]> USA iceflow https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/8802-form-questions-958064/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/car-insurance-portugal-958031/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:10:34 GMT Without having spoken with my Insurance company in Portugal, does anyone know if a British friend with full UK DL no points, is OK to drive my Portuguese car, with or without my being in the car, which is fully legal, with insurance, IPO and Taxed. Without having spoken with my Insurance company in Portugal, does anyone know if a British friend with full UK DL no points, is OK to drive my Portuguese car, with or without my being in the car, which is fully legal, with insurance, IPO and Taxed. ]]> Portugal wellinever https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/car-insurance-portugal-958031/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/noisy-roller-shutter-wind-958030/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 05:19:13 GMT Is there a way to reduce or eliminate the noise from bedroom window roller shutters when it’s windy? Wife is not impressed at being woken up by this noise. Is there a way to reduce or eliminate the noise from bedroom window roller shutters when it’s windy? Wife is not impressed at being woken up by this noise. ]]> Portugal sportpix https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/noisy-roller-shutter-wind-958030/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/decorating-expats-958029/ Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:45:16 GMT Hi everyone, I am a professional painter and decorator from the UK. I still reside in the uk but would like to eventually look to love abroad with my wife and young family. I am looking for ways To fly out to Spain or wherever needed to find British Expats with homes abroad to paint and/or decorate. I want to do this so I can see what the possibilities are like out there whilst I learn a little more about their different paints and standards are abroad as I am presuming it will differ greatly from the uk. could anyone tell me where I can possibly reach out to people or forums where I can speak to expats etc to talk about how I can go about this thankyou All in advance Jamie Hi everyone, I am a professional painter and decorator from the UK. I still reside in the uk but would like to eventually look to love abroad with my wife and young family. I am looking for ways To fly out to Spain or wherever needed to find British Expats with homes abroad to paint and/or decorate. I want to do this so I can see what the possibilities are like out there whilst I learn a little more about their different paints and standards are abroad as I am presuming it will differ greatly from the uk.

could anyone tell me where I can possibly reach out to people or forums where I can speak to expats etc to talk about how I can go about this

thankyou All in advance

Jamie ]]> Spain Expatdecorating https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/decorating-expats-958029/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/us-immigration-citizenship-visas-34/e2-cos-958027/ Sun, 31 May 2026 16:11:27 GMT Hi looking for some advice. I currently have a pending E2 application in the UK submitted in March 2026 wait time 6-8 months. my last e2 application in December was denied on marginal. I returned to the US in February to meet with attorney revise the application and resubmit. I’m now in the US my I 94 expires end of July.2026 my attorney has advised I can do a E2 COS premium processing, but obviously at a cost. I have asked if we could just do the E2 COS without the premium processing and if I receive my UK interview before the E2 cos was approved can we just leave us to attend interview will thishave a negative impact on me for leaving the Usa before the COS decision is made in the USA ? Attorney has said it’s abandoning an application but what am I doing wrong if I apply for the E2 COS before my i 94 expires lawfully and then choose to leave for my E2 interview in UK if that comes up first ? I don’t want to jeopardize my E2 application in England. Hi looking for some advice. I currently have a pending E2 application in the UK submitted in March 2026 wait time 6-8 months. my last e2 application in December was denied on marginal. I returned to the US in February to meet with attorney revise the application and resubmit. I’m now in the US my I 94 expires end of July.2026 my attorney has advised I can do a E2 COS premium processing, but obviously at a cost. I have asked if we could just do the E2 COS without the premium processing and if I receive my UK interview before the E2 cos was approved can we just leave us to attend interview will thishave a negative impact on me for leaving the Usa before the COS decision is made in the USA ? Attorney has said it’s abandoning an application but what am I doing wrong if I apply for the E2 COS before my i 94 expires lawfully and then choose to leave for my E2 interview in UK if that comes up first ? I don’t want to jeopardize my E2 application in England. ]]> US Immigration, Citizenship and Visas Shark013 https://britishexpats.com/forum/us-immigration-citizenship-visas-34/e2-cos-958027/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/philippines-155/how-make-will-philippines-if-you-foreigner-958017/ Fri, 29 May 2026 07:38:30 GMT I am an English Kiwi. I am 50 years old and male. I have both a U.K. and a New Zealand passport. Plus I have Philippines residency. I will 100 percent never move back to the U.K. Might end up living in Australia but we will see. Anyhow how can I make a will in Philippines and does anyone know of a good lawyer in Manila or maybe Cebu? I am an English Kiwi. I am
50 years old and male. I have both a U.K. and a New Zealand passport. Plus I have Philippines residency. I will 100 percent never move back to the U.K. Might end up living in Australia but we will see.
Anyhow how can I make a will in Philippines and does anyone know of a good lawyer in Manila or maybe Cebu? ]]> Philippines samtheman123 https://britishexpats.com/forum/philippines-155/how-make-will-philippines-if-you-foreigner-958017/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/passport-renewal-958009/ Thu, 28 May 2026 14:00:18 GMT Hi Folks! Has anyone recently renewed their US passport whilst living in the UK? Would I be dealing with the FBU in London again? Also, how was the overall process? TIA, Hi Folks!

Has anyone recently renewed their US passport whilst living in the UK? Would I be dealing with the FBU in London again?

Also, how was the overall process?


TIA, ]]> Moving back or to the UK rlolney58 https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/passport-renewal-958009/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/travel-insurance-include-rental-car-excess-958008/ Thu, 28 May 2026 12:54:38 GMT In Hong Kong we used to have annual travel insurance that included rental car excess. It was about GBP 120 per year each and good value. I spoke to Abbeygate yesterday to see if they have the same and also Medal, and while both had a range of travel policies neither could include rental car excess. The guy from Abbeygate thinks it might be down to my age and suggested they only allow it as an add on up to the age of 65, but he wasn’t sure. Does anyone have any experience of such a policy existing in Portugal? In August and September we have six weeks of travel to various parts of the world and several hire cars booked for some of the destinations. In Hong Kong we used to have annual travel insurance that included rental car excess. It was about GBP 120 per year each and good value. I spoke to Abbeygate yesterday to see if they have the same and also Medal, and while both had a range of travel policies neither could include rental car excess. The guy from Abbeygate thinks it might be down to my age and suggested they only allow it as an add on up to the age of 65, but he wasn’t sure. Does anyone have any experience of such a policy existing in Portugal? In August and September we have six weeks of travel to various parts of the world and several hire cars booked for some of the destinations. ]]> Portugal sportpix https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/travel-insurance-include-rental-car-excess-958008/