Latest news with #MarkDanby
Daily Record
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
'I ditched UK for Spain six months ago but found it was 20 years behind'
EXCLUSIVE: Six months ago, Mark Danby left the UK behind for the sunnier climes of Spain, uprooting his life and moving to Manilva, but noticed a certain "contrast" between the two countries. 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 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 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.
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Man quits UK for Spain but is left fuming after discovering 'biggest culture shock'
EXCLUSIVE: Six months ago, Mark Danby left the UK behind for the warmer climes of Spain, uprooting his life and switching for Manilva, but noticed a certain "contrast" between the two nations A man has claimed Spain is "20 years or so behind the UK" in a specific aspect. Mark Danby from Stockport, Greater Manchester, decided to shake things up and moved to sunny Spain six months ago, making his new home in Manilva, part of Malaga on the Costa del Sol. Enjoying his new life under the Spanish sun, Mark has encountered some hurdles, previously opening up about the challenges of the local visa system. As an IT professional by day and the ' Tapas Guy ' on YouTube, he made his move via the digital nomad visa, aimed at those working remotely for companies overseas or as self-employed. Despite the benefits, it seems that slow bureaucratic processes can be a universal headache, with Mark noting that "everything takes so long". This may stem from a stark "contrast" between life in Spain compared to the UK. Mark was struck by the "biggest culture shock" following his move abroad, which he shared in an online video. He pointed out how Spain appears to trail "about 20 years or so behind the UK" in terms of technology adoption. He explained: "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 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 highlighted that he is in the throes of waiting for his card and revealed they've "already kind of accepted it". He described the bureaucratic process where applicants must go to a police station to hand in paperwork and have their fingerprints taken, and the individual produces the card He added with a hint of frustration: "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 elaborated on the nature of the procedure: "You know, it can take 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 refers to a Spanish Foreign Identity Card (or tarjeta de identidad de extranjero in Spanish). It allows people to prove their legal status as a foreigner in Spain and is required by people with a visa that lets them stay for longer than six months. Spain complies with Schengen zone rules, which stipulate particular passport criteria and allow individuals to roam freely across the zone visa-free for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day timeframe.
Dublin Live
02-07-2025
- Dublin Live
Brit who moved to Spain warns expats of little-known rule that could catch you out
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Brit who relocated to Spain is sharing a word of caution with fellow expats about an easy-to-miss visa rule. Mark Danby, the face behind the YouTube channel Tapas Guy, which dishes out Spain-centric content, has offered a vital heads-up on the Spanish visa system's intricacies. In his recent video, 'Things I wish I knew before moving to Spain after 6 months living here', Mark discusses a timing snag he encountered during his visa application, which took roughly three months to arrive. Spain adheres to Schengen area rules, which include specific passport requirements and allow for visa-free travel within the zone for up to 90 days in any 180-day stretch. But when Mark finally got his visa, the 90-day window had already closed, and despite believing that his visa would permit him to exit and re-enter Spain, he discovered he was wrong. (Image: Tapas Guy/YouTube) Mark explained: "I wish I had known before leaving that after I got my visa, I would not be allowed to leave the country and return. So, what's all this about? "Okay, so what happened is, it took me about three months to get my visa, which is obviously about 90 days. So, by the time I had got my visa, I had used up all my 90-day allowance. "Now, I thought that once I got my visa, that that would not then be a problem. I thought after I had my visa that I would then be able to freely leave the country and return. "Once again, no. Once you have your visa, that then allows you to apply for your TIE, and it's your TIE card that allows you back into the country, so having the visa alone is no guarantee of being allowed back into the country." The Spanish Foreign Identity Card, or tarjeta de identidad de extranjero (TIE), is essential for proving legal foreigner status in Spain, especially for those with visas permitting stays over six months. (Image: Tapas Guy/YouTube) Mark then claimed that obtaining a TIE can take "months and months and months", meaning there's a gap between getting your visa and securing your TIE, which can take "three or four months very easily". During this time, he points out, one might exhaust their 90-day limit, leaving them "technically" unable to exit and re-enter Spain. Yet, Mark reveals there's a workaround involving a document called a "Regreso", although obtaining it can be "very difficult", especially before the initial TIE appointment. He said once this has occurred, it becomes a "lot more simple", but also claimed that during the period between getting your visa and then applying for your TIE and getting your first appointment, it's "almost impossible to get a Regreso form". Mark stressed that people should ensure they don't fall foul of this, not leaving the country and attempting to return to Spain in the period between getting their visa and getting their TIE card if over the 90 days. For more Spanish travel advice, visit the GOV website here.
