I published Moving to Spain with Children back in 2014, at a point when I had already spent years answering the same questions from families packing up their lives to start again here. That first edition found its way into lots of households. Parents told me they packed it in their hand luggage, read it over and over again before the move, and then again once the reality of Spanish paperwork actually hit home.
Twelve years on, most of the heart of that book still holds true. Family life in Spain is still one of the best decisions many of you will ever make. But the practical details that influence that decision have changed enormously, and some of what I wrote in 2014 is now simply out of date, or wrong.
So I sat down and rewrote it properly, chapter by chapter, checking every fact and every process against how Spain actually works in 2026. By updating all the core topics, I aimed to make sure the book is exactly what families need for their move now and in the coming years.
What’s Actually Changed Since 2014
Brexit alone rewrote half the rulebook for British families. As non-EU citizens, British citizens now follow pretty much the same path as Americans and Canadians. Freedom of movement disappeared, and in its place came a whole new set of visa routes: the Non-Lucrative Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa, the Entrepreneur Visa, each with its own income thresholds, paperwork and pitfalls. Spain also brought in a new immigration law in 2025 that changed work permit durations, raised the age limit for family reunification, and shortened the residency period needed before applying for permanent status.
Driving rules have moved on too. The warning triangle you were once told to carry is being phased out in favour of the V16 beacon. Child seat rules now follow the i-Size standard rather than the old weight-based groups. Even the alcohol limit for new and professional drivers has changed.
Pet travel changed completely once the old pet passport stopped being valid for pets travelling from the UK, replaced by the Animal Health Certificate. Healthcare access rules shifted more than once, and depend far more heavily now on your specific visa and work status than they did in 2014. And the rental and property market looks nothing like it did back then. In the most popular areas, prices have climbed by thirty to fifty per cent over the last five years alone, and finding a good long-term family rental now takes real strategy rather than luck.
None of this is a criticism of the original book. It was accurate for its time. But if a family reads outdated advice about a NIE application, a driving licence exchange, or a visa income threshold, that mistake can cost months of delay or real money.
What’s New in the 2026 Edition
Every chapter has been rewritten and fact-checked from scratch. There’s a full new section comparing the Digital Nomad Visa and the Non-Lucrative Visa, now essential for non-EU families. The healthcare chapter now walks through exactly which route into the Spanish system applies to your situation, because assuming that residency alone gives you access to public healthcare is one of the most expensive misunderstandings I see families make.
Financial planning has been expanded considerably, including guidance for US citizens navigating their own tax reporting obligations alongside Spanish residency, something that barely came up in 2014. The property and schools chapters reflect today’s tighter rental market and today’s school waiting lists, not the market of over a decade ago. And there’s a completely new section on meeting people and building a real social life here, because that’s the part families often underestimate until they’re already feeling isolated.
What Families Said About the First Edition
The original book was never written to sell a dream:
“The Bible for any parent aiming to live in Spain. Up to date, clear and full of vitally important information, Lisa’s book is a must-have for any parent considering moving to Spain or here now with their children.” Nick Snelling, Gandia, author
“Essential reading for anyone considering moving to Spain with children, and in fact even without children, it is an excellent starting point.” Kelly Lawlor, Vejer de la Frontera
“I own three books on moving to Spain, and I purchased this one last – but I wish I had purchased it first. It gives a really good, basic overview of many of the most challenging issues with moving, and poses some good questions to consider. The author shares some of her family’s personal experiences, which are often quite entertaining, and has a lot of supplementary material on her website, Facebook, etc.
I recommend this book as an excellent, readable starting point to understanding a move to Spain overall, and to get you thinking about what you will need to dive into more thoroughly.” S.J. Locke, USA
“If you are thinking of making the move to Spain and especially if you have school aged children you absolutely must buy this book. I can’t praise it enough. I managed to read it through the weekend it arrived but I know over the coming year it is going to get read time and time again. We are currently planning our future life in Spain and have already done a lot of research, in fact researching Spain is my number one hobby, but there were so many things in this book that we would never have known until it happened to us because no matter how much research you do, its not the same as experiencing the move first hand. Lisa Sadler is an absolute expert on moving to and living in Spain with children and this book is wonderfully well written, informative and very easy to read and digest and then to refer back to. So glad we have it for the next chapter in our lives.” Clare Hunter, UK
“I bought this book as I thought it sounded pretty much perfect to suit our needs… & I was right, it was. I’ve read a few books on relocating to Spain, living in Spain etc, but this was the first one I’ve come across that seemed to be written by a real person who understood the concerns of ordinary parents. It certainly put my mind at rest about a few things & also confirmed a few things I had already thought about. All in all a really useful up to date book for anyone thinking of making the move to Spain with children to consider (although it also offers advice that would be useful to people without children). If Lisa writes another book I will definitely be buying it.” A. Miller, UK
“A well written, easy to understand guide to making the move to Spain. Lisa shares so much useful information and includes so many things you’ve not even thought about. It will be our bible when we make the move!!!” Cherry-Jo, UK
Still the Same Honest Approach
This has never been a book that tells you what you want to hear. It tells you what actually happens, the paperwork, the waiting lists, the costs that catch people out, and the parts of the process that are really simple once you know how they work. That hasn’t changed for 2026. What has changed is that every single fact behind that advice is now current.
If you’re planning a move, or even just starting to think about one, the updated edition is available now. And if you’re relocating to the Malaga area specifically, remember we now also run Orientation Tours to help families understand different areas properly before making any decisions. No sales pressure, just time to explore and ask the right questions.
Paperback NOW available on Amazon:
Amazon.com
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