Spainfully Honest

Spainfully Honest
  • 4.5 (2)
  • Society & Culture
  • Weekly

The Spainfully Honest podcast is your friendly guide to moving to Spain, living in Spain, and actually feeling at home once you arrive. We talk openly about Spanish visas, paperwork, working in Spain, relationships, and everyday life in Spain. No hype, no horror stories for clicks, just real conversations, honest advice, and the things we wish we’d known earlier. Hosted by two friends and long-term residents of Spain, Catherine and Paul, the podcast is based on their real experience of relocating to Spain, settling in, and building a life here.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 67: Life in Cádiz: From Portsmouth to Puerto Real

    What happens when a move to Spain comes about unexpectedly, and you find yourself building a completely different life from the one you had planned? This week, we're heading south to Cádiz to chat with George, an English-born former teacher who moved from Portsmouth to Spain in 2018 after her Spanish partner found work near Sevilla. George now lives in Puerto Real, a laid-back coastal town where the beach, promenade and natural park are all close by. She tells us what attracted her to the area, what everyday life is really like and why she wouldn't want to live anywhere else. We also get into some of the practicalities of making Spain home, from navigating residency paperwork and registering as a pareja de hecho before Brexit to buying a property and dealing with the sometimes unpredictable world of Spanish bureaucracy. And, of course, there's the language. George is refreshingly honest about the challenges of following conversations in Andalusian Spanish, the moments when her brain simply freezes and why she wishes he'd learned more before making the move. In this episode, we talk about: Moving from Portsmouth to the Cádiz area in 2018 Everyday life in Puerto Real and what makes the area special The importance of learning Spanish and getting to grips with the Andalusian accent NIE, residency, pareja de hecho and the paperwork involved in settling in Spain Buying property in Cádiz province and how prices compare with Cádiz city The realities of Spanish bureaucracy Cultural differences, integration and finding your place in a new country Here is the link to the Spainfully Honest YouTube account so you can watch out for the vlog coming soon: ⁠SpainfullyHonest - YouTube Here is our referral link for Lobster: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Referral | Lobster⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And finally here is the link to our Facebook Group! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(2) Spainfully Honest Community | Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you for listening!

  2. Oct 27

    Episode 66: Why They Fled Spain: Real Expat Horror Stories (Halloween Special)

    Not all dream moves to Spain end with tinto de verano by the beach. This Halloween, Catherine and Paul dig into the spookiest tales of all: five real-life stories of people who packed up, left Spain, and moved back home. From terrifying tax surprises and bureaucracy jumpscares to missing family and regional school shockers, we break down what went wrong, what drove them out, and the practical lessons every future expat needs to know to keep their dream move from turning into a horror story. Plus, Catherine shares the hilarious and honest tale of her own move back to Dublin! Here is the link to the Spainfully Honest YouTube account so you can watch out for the vlog coming soon: SpainfullyHonest - YouTube Here are some other episodes you might be interested in: Episode 18: Halloween in Spain Episode 38: Spanish Visa Options Episode 50: Why Spain? Expats Share Their Honest Answers Here is our referral link for Lobster: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Referral | Lobster⁠⁠⁠⁠ And finally here is the link to our Facebook Group! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(2) Spainfully Honest Community | Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you for listening!

  3. Oct 20

    Episode 65: Spanish slang, swear words & the art of sounding like a local

    Living in Spain is a great way to learn Spanish, but knowing the words and understanding how people actually use them are two very different things! This week, Catherine and Paul look at the everyday expressions, slang and little filler words that can make all the difference. They get into the tone behind certain phrases and how the strength of a swear word can change from language to language! Whether you’re new to Spain or have been here for years, you’re bound to pick up something useful!If you enjoy the episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who is thinking about moving to Spain or already calls Spain home. Here is our referral link for Lobster: ⁠⁠⁠Referral | Lobster⁠⁠⁠ And finally here is the link to our Facebook Group! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(2) Spainfully Honest Community | Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you for listening!

  4. Oct 13

    Episode 64: From MasterChef Canada to Murcia: Meet Dre Pao

    What happens when a Canadian food creator brings his own ideas to Spanish cuisine? In this episode of Spainfully Honest, we chat with Dre Pao, better known as the Paella King, about food, creativity and making a life in Murcia. Dre shares how he went from creating food content on social media to experimenting with Spanish dishes, earning a nickname that has sparked plenty of conversation along the way. We talk about his unconventional paella recipes, the backlash that can come with doing things differently, and his experience on MasterChef Canada. We also get into what it's like building a life in Spain, learning the language, cultural differences and finding your place in a new community. Dre shares some of his favourite local food discoveries in Murcia, his plans for the future and his advice for anyone thinking about moving to Spain. If you love Spanish food, enjoy seeing traditional recipes given a new twist, or are curious about what it takes to build a life doing what you love in Spain, this one's for you. Check out Dre Pao's content on the following links:Dre Pao - 🇨🇦 Foodie in Spain (@drepaoofficial) | TikTokInstagramDre Pao Official Website If you enjoy the episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who is thinking about moving to Spain or already calls Spain home. Here is our referral link for Lobster: ⁠⁠Referral | Lobster⁠⁠ And finally here is the link to our Facebook Group! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(2) Spainfully Honest Community | Facebook⁠⁠⁠ Thank you for listening!

  5. Oct 6

    Episode 63: Spanish Visa Mistakes & Myths

    Thinking about moving to Spain and feeling slightly overwhelmed by the paperwork? You’re definitely not alone. In this episode of Spainfully Honest, we’re joined by Alba Fernandez, a sworn translator who specialises in Spanish visas and immigration documents. Alba takes us through some of the most common mistakes people make when preparing their visa applications, from getting documents legalised incorrectly to ordering translations they don’t actually need. We also talk about document validity, police certificates, bank statements and why leaving everything until the last minute can cause serious problems. We also clear up some of the confusion around sworn, certified and notarised translations, and look at some of the visa advice doing the rounds online that isn’t necessarily as straightforward as it sounds. And importantly, Alba explains where the role of a sworn translator ends. While they can help make sure your documents are correctly translated, they cannot decide whether you are eligible for a particular Spanish visa or immigration route. If you would like to contact Alba directly here are the details: Alba Fernández Carrasco Sworn English-Spanish Translator Email: alba.fernandez.c@gmail.com Phone / WhatsApp: +34 645 654 998 Website: https://www.sworntranslationspain.com If you enjoy the episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who is thinking about moving to Spain or already calls Spain home.Here is our referral link for Lobster: ⁠Referral | Lobster⁠ And finally here is the link to our Facebook Group! ⁠⁠⁠⁠(2) Spainfully Honest Community | Facebook⁠⁠ Thank you for listening!

  6. Sep 29

    Episode 62: Autumn in Spain: Food, Festivals, Weather and More

    Autumn doesn't always mean crisp mornings and jumpers in Spain. In many parts of the country, September and October can still feel very much like summer, while the evenings start to cool down and the seasons slowly change. In this episode of Spainfully Honest, we talk about what autumn is really like in Spain, based on our own experiences of more than 50 years of living here between us. We also talk about some of the dates to remember during the autumn, including Spain's National Day, All Saints' Day, Constitution Day and the Immaculate Conception. So if you're wondering what happens in Spain once the summer crowds start to disappear, come along with us as we head from beach days and chiringuitos towards chestnuts, stews and the first signs of winter. No hype, no horror stories for clicks. Just our honest experiences of life in Spain. If you enjoy the episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who is thinking about moving to Spain or already calls Spain home. The movies that Catherine spoke about are: The Baztán Trilogy — The Invisible Guardian, The Legacy of the Bones, and Offering to the Storm. And they are available on Netflix. Here are some previous episodes that might interest you: Episode 60: Emergencies in Spain: Everything You Need to KnowBonus Episode: DANA Alice Storm in Spain Episode 19: Winter in Spain Episode 20: Weekly Grocery Shopping Spain v UK Episode 18: Halloween in Spain Here is our referral link for Lobster: Referral | LobsterAnd finally here is the link to our Facebook Group! ⁠⁠⁠(2) Spainfully Honest Community | Facebook⁠

  7. Sep 22

    Episode 61: Spanish bureaucracy explained: An ex-immigration officer answers your questions

    This week on Spainfully Honest we're talking to Claudia, a former immigration officer and founder of The Expat Suite, who shares her insider knowledge on Spanish immigration, visas and some of the paperwork that comes with living in Spain. We get into some of the questions that regularly come up for expats, including the difference between an NIE and a TIE, whether you can apply for an NIE before your visa is approved, and what happens if your visa or residency situation changes. Claudia also explains some of the everyday admin that can leave you scratching your head, from digital certificates and Cl@ve to empadronamiento, the volante and the padrón certificate. We also look at some of the residence options that can be applied for from Spain, including routes for highly qualified professionals, digital nomads and entrepreneurs, and talk about what “administrative silence” actually means. And because living in Spain isn't just about getting the paperwork sorted, we chat about learning the language, integrating and avoiding the isolation that can come with living somewhere without feeling fully connected to it. There are plenty of practical tips in this one, for people thinking about moving to Spain, who are in the middle of the process or who have been here for years and are still trying to work out what piece of paper you actually need. Reach out to Claudia at The Expat Suite if you would like more information Some previous episodes that you might be interested in that we mention in this episode: Episode 38: Spanish Visa Options Episode 32: Digital Certificates and Signatures in Spain Episode 31: The Padrón in Spain Explained Episode 30: TIE Renewal in Spain: A Practical GuideHere is the link to the Spainfully Honest Community on Facebook: ⁠⁠(2) Spainfully Honest Community | Facebook⁠ ⁠⁠⁠And here is the referral link for Lobster: ⁠⁠Referral | Lobster⁠⁠ Thank you so much for listening to Spainfully Honest! If you enjoyed the episode, make sure you hit subscribe and follow us on socials so you don’t miss what’s coming next. Or if you’ve got a story to share, a guest suggestion, or just want to say hi, you can always email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@spainfullyhonest.com

  8. Sep 15

    Episode 60: Emergencies in Spain: Everything You Need to Know

    What would you do if your phone suddenly warned you about a flood? What happens if a wildfire gets close to your home? And do you actually know what to do during an earthquake? In this episode of Spainfully Honest, Catherine and Paul look at some of the main emergencies you might face while living in or visiting Spain, from DANAs and flash floods to wildfires, extreme heat and earthquakes. They talk through what the warnings mean, what you should do if an emergency happens near you, how to prepare your home and family, and where to find reliable information when things start to go wrong. Make a note of the official emergency and weather services mentioned in the episode and use them as your first port of call during an emergency. 112 is the emergency number across Spain. For weather warnings, check AEMET, Spain's national weather service, and pay attention to official warnings from your regional emergency services and local authorities. Check out the resources used to make this episode by joining the Spainfully Honest community Here is the link to the Spainfully Honest Community on Facebook: ⁠(2) Spainfully Honest Community | Facebook ⁠And here is the referral link for Lobster: ⁠Referral | Lobster⁠ Here are some follow up episodes you might be interested in: Episode 55: Heatwaves in Spain: Everyday Life in Intense Heat Bonus Episode: DANA Alice Storm in Spain Thank you so much for listening to Spainfully Honest! If you enjoyed the episode, make sure you hit subscribe and follow us on socials so you don’t miss what’s coming next. Or if you’ve got a story to share, a guest suggestion, or just want to say hi, you can always email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@spainfullyhonest.com

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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Spainfully Honest podcast is your friendly guide to moving to Spain, living in Spain, and actually feeling at home once you arrive. We talk openly about Spanish visas, paperwork, working in Spain, relationships, and everyday life in Spain. No hype, no horror stories for clicks, just real conversations, honest advice, and the things we wish we’d known earlier. Hosted by two friends and long-term residents of Spain, Catherine and Paul, the podcast is based on their real experience of relocating to Spain, settling in, and building a life here.

Information

  • Creator
    Spainfully Honest
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Spainfully Honest
  • Show Website
    Spainfully Honest

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