Name: Saskia Gruijters
Living in Spain since: February 2005
Where: Andalucia, Malaga
Year of birth: 1980
Website: Hypotienda
Website: Zorg in Spanje
Twitter: @Hypotienda
1. Why did you emigrate?
In February 2005 I went to live in Spain. I had just turned 23. Just graduated for a year (HBO Small Business in Haarlem). After my studies, I worked at Rabobank for less than a year and then moved to Spain with my partner in that moment. He went to work for his father in the family business. I had planned when I was still in the Netherlands to start my own business in Spain. Because I had some experience in mortgages, it was an easy choice to continue. I would guide foreign people in the mortgage process in Spain. This has happened and I still do.
2. And why exactly to Spain?
To be honest, Spain has never been a very conscious choice. My partner at that moment was able to work there with his father in the business and that seemed like a challenge to us. We were certainly a bit naive.
3. How did you prepare for your emigration?
I don’t remember much about it, but I think we prepared ourselves by not preparing. Without expectations we stepped into one big adventure. And I must be honest; if I had known beforehand what to expect, I probably would not have done it. But in retrospect I can say that I wouldn’t have missed this world experience for the world. Sweat and tears it has cost me in its time. Building a business in another (unknown) country with a different culture and mentality as a young, inexperienced woman without speaking the language, that was quite a challenge! Way back during my first few months in Spain, no, there was not one! The first year has been anything but easy.Everything came to me at the same time. And yet I dealt with it. How? Don't ask me. After the first year, it went well for me. A fantastic social life, I made friends for life!
There is now a beautiful modern office with a team of dedicated employees who work with enthusiasm for our customers every day. We assist, among others, the Dutch, English and Belgians in taking out a Spanish mortgage for the purchase of a home in Spain. In addition, we take out all necessary insurance and we assist with the claim settlement with Spanish insurers; We take care of all our customers' concerns. It is a complete translation of language, culture and mentality. And competing against the bureaucracy, it is still quite a challenge!
4. What was it?
I made friends quickly, I made friends for life here. Everything you experience together gives you a very close bond. With Dutch friends, you are all in the same boat.
5. And what was wrong?
Setting up a business did not happen automatically. I really had to fight for it. Once awareness has been created, confidence has been cultivated, and delivered on your promises, that has become the success of my business. And not an insignificant detail; we are still there in these times of crisis. The mortgage market has been hit hard, which has also impacted my business. Fortunately, I have always been careful, not to waste money so that there was a buffer for bad times. Fortunately, I have not yet had to use this (tap oppen).
6. How is your Spanish?
My Spanish is not what it should be; Flowing. Of course I can manage well, but I am not nearly as integrated as I would have liked. But I think many Dutch people in Spain can shake hands about this. Fortunately, I have a team in the office that is fluent in Spanish and fully integrated.
7. Are you integrated?
See above
8. What do you miss from the Netherlands?
I miss the efficiency of the Netherlands. I miss the Hema (how cliché). I miss the Friday afternoon drinks in the city and probably more. I regularly return to the Netherlands, so that I get the best of both worlds.
9. Heb je tips voor toekomstige emigranten die willen emigreren naar Spanje?
My tip is that you should prepare well financially. Nice, stable jobs are not there for the taking. Starting your own business requires a lot of discipline and patience. Think carefully about this, especially if you are leaving the Netherlands with a family for the Spanish sun. In addition, I think that future emigrants should be well informed about health care in Spain. Especially if you have a medical history. I have become a specialist in this, see our website Care in Spain.
10. Have your expectations come true?
I had no expectations so I wouldn't have missed all the beauty that Spain has brought me for the world, I mean that! In terms of my own development I have grown enormously. I got to know myself well. A huge dose of experience in all areas, I would recommend that to everyone!
