'I ditched UK for Spain six months ago but found it was 20 years behind'
A British expat residing in Spain has declared that the European country is "20 years or so behind the UK" when it comes to one thing.
In a daring decision six months ago, Mark Danby, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, abandoned the UK to pursue Spain's warmer weather. He relocated his entire existence to Manilva, a municipality within Malaga on the Costa del Sol.
Nevertheless, whilst enjoying an "absolutely wonderful" experience in Spain thus far, Mark has admittedly faced several obstacles, having previously discussed the intricacies of the local visa procedures.
Mark, who operates in IT whilst also producing Spain-focused material for his emerging YouTube channel, Tapas Guy, arrived in the country using a digital nomad visa. This permits foreigners to reside in Spain whilst working remotely for an external company (or as freelancers).
Yet, it seems bureaucratic machinery operates sluggishly regardless of location, as Mark also mentioned that "everything takes so long". Though this might partially stem from a notable "contrast" between both nations, reports the Express.
He highlighted one particular distinction when questioned about the "biggest culture shock" he'd faced following his overseas relocation. Expanding on this, he explained how Spain was "about 20 years or so behind the UK" in one of his videos.
He remarked: "And I describe it as being Spain being about 20 years or so behind the UK in kind of technology. Everything takes so long. They don't go for electronic systems. They like their pieces of paper; that is the biggest shock.
"They are paper pushers; they're pen pushers. Everything is paper, like when you go for your...your sort of your visa applications or your... as I'm now waiting for my TIE card, which is my foreign residency card, everything is paper processed."
Mark detailed his experience while waiting for his card, noting that they'd "already kind of accepted it". He described how applicants submit their documents at a police station, get fingerprinted, and then wait for the card to be produced.
He lamented: "If they had a little printer machine by them, they could just press a button and print it out, but oh no. You know, it has to go through the paper process and it has to.."
Mark went on: "You know, it can take another...you have to sort of make another appointment to go back. Everything's booked up solid and, you know, I've still not got it. Everything takes a long time, a very, very long time."
A TIE card is a Spanish Foreign Identity Card (or tarjeta de identidad de extranjero in Spanish), which serves as proof of legal status for foreigners in Spain and is necessary for those with visas permitting stays longer than six months.
Spain adheres to the regulations of the Schengen area, which dictate specific passport prerequisites and permit individuals to travel visa-free within the zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
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