Welcome! My name is David Ruiz and I’m a legal and registered Spanish relocation adviser (as well as an author) fully devoted to solving your problems in Spain since 2010.
My areas of expertise are:
- Relocation: Spanish residency for EU citizens and non-EU citizens, as well as non-lucrative visas
- Legal procedures such as notaries, healthcare in Spain, and other ones I will provide through my team of Spanish legal advisers and lawyers (wills, inheritance, and property purchase/selling process)
- Official translations: here is my Ultimate Guide on Official Translations
Would you like to have an online session to clarify doubts about moving to Spain? Please click here.
People love the “Hall of Happy Clients” where my clients tell their experience about my services 
Meanwhile, let me guess… I’m almost sure I will get at least one of the following right:
- You want to legally settle in Spain but don’t know where to start.
- You already live in Spain and you have taken your friend (who speaks very little Spanish) with you as your interpreter to sort out important things at immigration offices, public offices, notaries, driving licence offices, police stations, and other places you’re thinking about right now… and something went wrong because of the language barrier.
- You may have tried to do things on your own thinking that everybody will understand what you say in Spain because they reply in broken English.
- You are overloaded and confused with lots of contradictory information from forums, cloned Websites, Facebook Groups, and comments from what neighbours and friends have to say about visas, Spanish residencies for EU and non-EU citizens, as well as healthcare in Spain.
- You’re looking for a real professional expert who gives you peace of mind and solves the problems I mentioned.
Welcome once again, you are in the right place, right at the beginning of having your Spanish worries solved
Your voice in Spain
Believe me, a person who speaks bad and broken English does not fully understand you in the same way you do not fully understand them.
I promise you this because I once spoke in broken English and my understanding was at the same level: awful.
Also, in Costa Blanca Spain and Costa Calida Spain there are thousands of English-speaking residents from many different areas. I hear dozens of accents every week; some stronger than others.
Are you sure they understand what you say at those places I mentioned before?
I do not see that clearly, as I’ve witnessed very many good ones over the years.
But it’s not their fault, as we are in Spain and Spanish is the official language.
And, let me be honest with you, it’s not your fault either. Where’s the law that says you must learn Spanish while living in Spain?
Nowhere.
You’ve come here to enjoy life, the sun, the good weather, and you want to keep away from trouble.
Piece of mind
Living in Spain all year long has nothing to do with coming to visit the country for a few weeks.
As a tourist, the situation does not vary much worldwide: you spend a limited time in the country you are visiting, have fun, and then go back home. Unless unexpected problems rise, that’s the end of the story.
Permanent residents however encounter a number of problems that tourists don’t, dealing in general with Spanish residency, healthcare, police / court matters or official translations.
Since 2010 I’ve been helping people from many different nationalities with all the legal documentation you will need as a newcomer, as well as to solve everyday Spanish issues and other legal documentation required as a resident.
My services will give you the peace of mind we all want when living in a foreign country.
I’m here to help, just get in touch with me anytime and let me know those concerns or problems that you may have.
“Let me support you. Let me be your voice in Spain”
The good and the bad news
Spain is not perfect, like every single country on the earth.
I know that some of the reasons why you are living in this area or dreaming of moving here are to:
- Have a more peaceful and relaxed existence
- Enjoy the 300+ sunny days
- Live without stress and anxiety
- Start a new exciting life away from routine
- Learn Spanish
- Experience the Spanish culture
- Have a social life
All this (and more) is definitely what you will find in Spain. That’s good news, isn’t it?
Such an ideal life.
A dream that can come true very easily.
Almost every single client I have feels as if Spain is their own home and loves living here.
We are laidback and friendly people
Unfortunately, I’m bringing some bad news too, which comes up in the same package as the dream.
You may have to deal with:
- Health problems (all kinds, no exception)
- Legal documentation to purchase/sell property, stay or work in Spain legally
- Unexpected police/court issues
- Bureaucracy and paperwork that seems to never end
- Lots of confusing and contradictory information
But…
I’m here to help and be your voice in Spain, without worries
You are not alone
It is a horrible feeling not to understand what people say because you don’t speak the language.
Even more frustrating (and scary) is being at official and public places where people talk to you, give you directions and seem to speak ten times faster than you do in your own language.
And what about wasting your time, spending money for nothing as well as ending up in the wrong place, going round in circles over and over again?
I understand you. I have been there before and experienced similar things living abroad in the USA, especially in the early days back in 2001 when I spoke no English at all.
Lots of frustration and uncertainty.
You don’t need to go through all that mess on your own if you don’t feel confident.
Let me help you out. You are not alone.
Why choose David?
Some of the benefits you will get through my most common services are:
- Obtaining your EU and non-EU Spanish residency cards without headaches
- Assisting you with your visas
- Using my official translations being aware that they are 100% legalised and stamped by my certified official translators
- Peace of mind because David controls the situation
Also, my services will help you avoid:
- Spending hours and hours reading misleading and confusing information on the Internet
- Getting wrong information from rumours that jump from one group of people to another
- Worrying because you don’t know how to speak Spanish
- Struggling with the Spanish system
I don’t pretend to exaggerate anything nor to make up my message. All I’m telling you is based on the years of experience I have and the number of problems I have solved every day since 2010.
Would you like to know why services are different?
Here are some of the reasons:
- I’m a native Spaniard and fluent in English
- The Spanish system is not a mystery for me
- I don’t leave any stone unturned
- I’m a professional problem solver
- I am 100% reliable and never let down clients
- I know how to treat people politely, with respect, and make them feel they are valuable clients
Send me an email or give me a ring and let me know your problems
Other things you will/will not find on my website
On my blog I speak about:
- Interesting facts that you won’t learn in any textbook
- Valuable tips about how to get established in Spain
- All the basic legal things that you will need in the beginning and maybe during your long-term stay
- Recommendations about things you should not do in Spain if you don’t want to get into trouble
- My own personal stories, advice and points of view which will help you improve your life in Spain
And I don’t speak about:
- Nightlife and entertainment
- Bars, restaurants and Spanish meals
- Local/national Spanish holidays
- Sensational, gossip or TV stuff
My best articles
Here are the most useful articles you will find on my website:
New to Spain?
Start here: Moving to Spain – the 2023 guide
Spanish residency for EU citizens
The 2023 ultimate guide on Spanish residency
Stop reading nonsense on the Internet: NIE number vs Spanish residency
Spanish residency rules: The one thing nobody will tell you
Spanish residency card renewal: Bad news
Spanish residency requirements: The 3 key elements
Living in Spain for non-EU citizens
Living in Spain for US Citizens
The 2023 guide for US citizens
On emigrating to Spain from USA (avoiding the James Bonds and the smiley souls)
A mini guide on immigrating to Spain from the USA
Emigrating to Spain as an American family
5 Tips for living in Spain as an American
Living in Spain for British Citizens
Moving to Spain from the UK: The 2023 guide
Living in Spain for Canadian Citizens
The 2023 guide for Canadian Citizens
Living in Spain for South African Citizens
The 2023 guide for South African Citizens
Living in Spain for Australian Citizens
The 2023 guide for Australian Citizens
Living in Spain for New Zealand Citizens (coming soon)
Spanish residency for non-EU citizens married/family members of EU citizens
On Spanish residency for non-EU citizens
Spanish visas
The 2023 definitive Spain visa guide and types of Spanish visas
How I got my Spanish non-lucrative visa
About non-lucrative visas in Spain
Tax & Legal
The 2023 mini guide about non-resident tax Spain
The 2023 guide about tax in Spain for residents
Power of attorney in Spain: the 2023 guide
Capital gains tax in Spain: The 2023 guide
Alicante Province
Costa Blanca: cities and towns
Costa Blanca (Spain): The 2023 guide
5 top beautiful towns near Alicante
North Costa Blanca
Benidorm Spain: The 2023 guide
Villajoyosa Spain: The 2023 guide
Finestrat Spain: The 2023 guide
South Costa Blanca
Alicante Spain: The 2023 guide
Guardamar Spain: The 2023 guide
Torrevieja Spain: The 2023 guide
Santa Pola Spain: The 2023 guide
Orihuela Costa Spain: The 2023 guide
La Marina Spain: The 2023 guide (coming soon)
Inland Alicante province
Orihuela Spain: The 2023 guide
Guadalest Spain: The 2023 guide
Los Montesinos Spain: The 2023 guide
Rojales Spain: The 2023 guide (coming soon)
San Miguel de Salinas Spain: The 2023 guide (coming soon)
Almoradí Spain: The 2023 guide (coming soon)
Murcia Province
Costa Calida
Costa Calida (Spain): The 2023 guide
San Javier Spain: The 2023 guide
San Pedro del Pinatar Spain: The 2023 guide
Los Alcazares Spain: The 2023 guide
Mazarron Spain: The 2023 guide
Mar Menor Spain: The 2023 guide
La Manga Spain: The 2023 guide (coming soon)
Cities and towns in Murcia province
Cartagena Spain: The 2023 guide
More useful articles
Spanish residency: The difference between EU and Non-EU
Spanish residency: EU vs. Non-EU
Spanish citizenship
The 2023 definitive guide to becoming a Spanish Citizen
Healthcare
Healthcare in Spain: How to protect your health
Official translations
The ultimate guide on official translations in Spain
Ultimate guides on the NIE number, Padron and Spanish notaries
The 2023 ultimate guide to obtain your Spanish NIE number
The 2023 ultimate guide on the padron certificate
The ultimate guide on Spanish notary
Driving in Spain
Warning: 200 Euro fine for not renewing your driving licence
Renewing your EU driving Licence in Spain: 3 case studies
9 facts you must know about renewing your EU driving licence in Spain
8 Revealing Answers About the Medical Certificate for Driving in Spain
Driving in Spain: Renewing vs. Exchanging your EU Licence
What really took me to this point
Before this business, I worked as a computer analyst / programmer for six years developing software mainly using Microsoft technologies.
I hated it.
Coding was fun, but all the companies I worked for burned me out for one reason or another (stress, tight deadlines, badly paid, horrible working environment… you might know what I’m talking about).
In July 2010 I was happily laid-off from the last job I had as a computer analyst / programmer.
Such an unexpected miracle.
Although I should say that for years I had been looking forward to a change like this.
That’s why I created Torrevieja Translation.
Expressing myself in English is something I truly love. For me, my business is a form of gratitude, something I’m giving back to English language for all the opportunities it has given me over the years.
10 THINGS ABOUT DAVID
1. I was born and grew up in Murcia, southeast Spain, back in 1978.
2. From 2001 to 2006 I lived in Peoria, Illinois (USA).
3. I graduated from college in December 2005 in Computer Programming (Illinois Central College. Peoria, Illinois. USA), a two- year degree. Taking some more courses here and there allowed me to do what appears in the following point.
4. From 2009 to 2010 I was able to finish my Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, online (Franklin University. Columbus, Ohio. USA), four-year degree, while I was already living and working in Spain.
5. I’ve been involved in a love/hate relationship with technology since 2001. First in college, when projects drove me crazy. Second as a professional computer analyst programmer for 6 years, feeling frustrated over and over again because of the complexity of this field. Third being self-employed, dealing with my websites, online marketing, SEO and things like that.
6. Languages are one of my passions. I learned French at school and high school. I had three years of German at the Official School of Languages in Torrevieja and know a little bit of Norwegian (I love Scandinavia in general).
7. Music is another passion. My aunt had an old Spanish guitar and I taught myself how to play it. That lead to electric guitar, piano and bass guitar. I only play the piano at present (not constantly).
8. Writing is definitely my third “identified” passion. I’ve taken around seven creative writing courses in my life. At present I’m studying online marketing and blogging (in English) through reputed professionals. Every now and then I participate in writing contests, in Spanish, of course… and I never win.
9. I’m a natural problem solver and love building things from scratch. My anti-quitter attitude does not allow me to leave a single possibility unexplored or to give up in the middle of a round.
10. Challenges and changes were once invented for me. Give me a new project, situation, or a complex solvable problem and my other self inside will be jumping happily like a child with a new toy.
¡Muchas gracias!
I would like say thank you so much for reading my books, blog and/or trusting me to be your voice in the Costa Blanca South.
None of this would have been possible without you, whether you are just an anonymous reader or one of my in-person clients.
Thank you very much for your support. I would love it if you could drop a line or two on my Facebook Page!
Just get comfortable and walk around my Website. Visit my blog and send me your comments or opinions anytime if you wish.
I am pleased to have you on board
David