It is perfectly possible to live in a country without learning its language. You may not need or want to have any intercourse of any form with the locals, you may work elsewhere, or in an environment where you only need your own language, and so on. I know plenty of people in this situation.

Whether or not you derive the maximum benefit and enjoyment by not speaking the language is another matter, as is whether you are showing respect to your hosts, but to say you must learn the local language is wrong.

The argument that 'you are a guest' in that country is baloney too. If someone lives in another country, pays their dues and charges, and respects the laws and environment, they are no more a guest than someone who is paying to stay in a hotel.

Getting little bit off topic. However I find @seasexsun comments " f****ng guiri" a rather derogatory way of describing people who contribute to over 6.4% of Spain's GDP and over €62 billion annually. However I love Spain and believe if you are going to live in a country it is common courtesy that you learn the language, yes it is possible to live there and not, but why should the locals have to speak your language in their country just because you are too lazy!!!!!

Speed Alive, you are absolutely right. However, I have known dozens if not hundreds of foreign people in Spain and all of them used to speak Spanish, Catalan or both. Attacking foreign people is wrong, but not learning the language in a foreign country just because you "may not need or want to have any intercourse of any form with the locals" is very disrespectful and naive.

Except very few exceptions (countries with English as the second language, places like Dubai or companies providing their employees with absolutely everything they need) you will not survive in the long term without speaking the local language. You will be fine going to the supermarket or eating in restaurants, but go to hospital, discuss with the local HMRC, try to buy or rent a flat or anything requiring some paperwork and it's game over. You might choose not to interact with people living there (which, again, is disrespectful) but you don't want to have (for instance) a heart attack one day and not being able to explain to the doctor what's happening to you.

I am totally in support of your comments @vikdream. I personally believe you should learn the language in the country you are going to be calling home for whatever length of time. And to be honest ask yourself how many Britain's or Irish would tolerate someone living in their country and after a few years they still cannot speak English, simple they wouldn't tolerate it!! For the record I am Irish.

You need quite a good grasp of 'Spanish' and its vernacular to be an aficionado and the regular contextual exercise of that knowledge is one of the great joys of living in Spain. Of course, further practice can be gained in moving through South America following the carteles during the long dank and dreary European winter months.

Living in Spain.
 

Just another tip. The're just 2 places to live where you will pay less taxes for your income: Ceuta and Melilla.
The islands have regular taxes for your income.

About "buying": Balearic's have regular VAT like mainland (21%) and Canary's have a reduced VAT (7%).

That's about taxes. Cost of living is another tale.

Cheers from a Spaniard.

Car import to Spain
 

Maybe a bit off topic and has nothing to do with aviation, but I am a European planning on moving to Spain. My previous country of residence was the US and I would like to bring my car over from there. I'm looking for some information to make the decision whether or not it will be worth the hassle. I really like my car and it will last me a long time, supposed to buying something unknown with potential issues.

When a friend of mine moved to Spain from Dubai, customs asked him why he did not bring his car with him along with the rest of his goods, as he would have been able to import it free of duty. Is that still the case if you have owned the car more than one year?

By the way, the car is made in Germany so is mostly compliant with euro regulations. What is not I will ensure to comply with.

Check your PM

Having flown for 40 years I am now retired. What is the tax situation for a retiree who is on a self funded pension? Are the investments of the pension scheme and the pension payed to the retiree taxed?