Meet Malva, who has lived in Nerja, Spain twice. The first time she lived in Nerja with her family was in 2020 when she was 16 and attending high school in Sweden, which corresponded to 4o de ESO in Spain. The second time she lived in Nerja, she was 18, studying adult education (Komvux) remotely, getting her driving license, and working in Spain. Here, she shares her experience of studying, working, and getting a driving license in Nerja, Spain, based on her own experience.

What made you decide to move to Nerja to study and work?

My family and I had an apartment in Nerja and loved it there. We had been going there for breaks and holidays since 2015.

One day, we decided to move there for a while, partly to escape the darkness and cold in Sweden, and partly because we love Spain and Nerja.

How did you prepare for your move to Nerja, both practically and emotionally?

Of course, it was hard to leave relatives and friends for a while, but Spain is so close that it was reassuring to know we would see each other again soon. Practically, it was very simple – just make sure you have your passport, pack your bag, and go.

What was it like to study in high school in Nerja compared to your previous experiences in Sweden?

The first time we moved to Nerja, I was 16 and started school at "Sierra Almijara" in Nerja. I was in class 4:o (cuarto) de ESO (which is roughly equivalent to the first year of high school in Sweden). It was a very small school where the majority only spoke Spanish, and few, if any, spoke English (including the teachers), so it was important for me to learn Spanish.

The advantage was that it pushed me to learn Spanish. The disadvantage was that it was quite difficult to make friends initially, before I learned more Spanish. Other differences were that I had to bring a lunch box, and they only had one break – which was at lunchtime.

Regarding grades, it was roughly the same difficulty level as in Sweden. However, I was in class A, specializing in physics, mathematics, and French, which made it harder for me to get good grades (not my favorite subjects). In this school, at that time, students were also ranked based on their grades, from highest to lowest. Those with the highest grades were in class A (where I ended up because there was only space in that class), and they had the most pressure. Those with the lowest grades were in class E and had the least pressure.

You also have experience studying Komvux remotely?

Yes, the second time we moved to Spain, I had finished high school, but since I spent my last year of high school in the USA, I had to catch up on some subjects like Swedish and social studies. So, I applied for Komvux remotely in Sweden, and it was very easy to "bring it along" to Nerja.

This was definitely nice. The same setup as high school in Sweden, but I could study at home on the couch. I also had time to do other things during the day like work, exercise, sunbathe, or hang out with friends. I could sit at home and study on the couch, which saved time and money on transport. I also avoided being disturbed by other students. And last but not least, I could sleep in if I wanted to :)

For me, studying remotely worked well, but I can imagine it might be difficult to find the motivation when there's nothing pushing you to study.

What kind of work did you have alongside your studies? How did you find your part-time job?

I worked part-time at a tourist office where I was responsible for excursions. I really enjoyed it! I found this job through family friends.

How did you balance work, studies, and free time during your time in Nerja?

I worked in the mornings, then I often had free time during the day, and studied in the evenings. It worked out very well for me.

What cultural differences did you notice most during your time in Nerja?

Everything moves at a very relaxed pace, which I like. I would say the Spanish meal times are a bit different: breakfast around 10 AM, lunch around 2 PM, tapas around 6 PM, and dinner around 10-11 PM.

How did you adapt to the Spanish way of life, and what tips do you have for others who want to do the same?

My tip is to make sure you learn some basic Spanish. It helps a lot if you know some when you arrive.

How did you spend your free time in Nerja? Are there any special places or activities you recommend?

I took dance classes for a while in Almuñécar, which was a lot of fun! Besides that, I loved being on the beach. Nerja has plenty of beaches, but my favorite is Burriana. If you love dance, Spain is the right place for you, as there are plenty of opportunities for dancing.

What was it like to be young and live in Nerja? What was the social life and youth culture like?

Generally, the population in Nerja is a bit older, but during holidays, there tend to be more young people. If you like to go out and party, there are some clubs and bars in the Titti Frutti square and the surrounding area. The positive thing about Nerja is that it's relatively safe, so you don't need to be scared if you go out, but always make sure to be at least two people.

It's also quite close to Malaga or Marbella if you want to go out in a slightly larger city sometime.

What was the process like for getting a driving license in Spain? Was there anything special you needed to consider as a foreign citizen?

As a Swedish citizen, I first needed to get a "green card" proving I was a resident in Nerja. This could be obtained if, for example, you worked in Spain, which I did. The process for the driving license itself was relatively simple and inexpensive.

How does driving license training in Nerja differ from that in Sweden, in your experience?

I have never gotten a driving license in Sweden, but I've heard it's relatively expensive. In Nerja, each driving lesson (about 1.5 hours each) cost around €25.

From my experience, they were very meticulous with the driving test in Malaga, so you have to make sure to prepare well.

Getting a Driving License in Spain – in Spanish?

How Malva got her driving license in Spain, step by step

  1. You need to be a resident in Spain, meaning you need a NIE number (like a personal identification number for foreigners) and also a residency certificate (Certificado de Residencia). It can be a bit complicated, but not impossible! I had a job in Spain, which was one of the criteria for applying for the residency certificate, but there are other criteria you might meet that allow you to apply. Here are links and instructions in English. You can also ask for information at the tourist office in Nerja.

  2. Contact and enroll in a driving school. In Spain, you cannot practice driving privately; everything is through a driving school, so it might be a good idea to practice a bit privately in Sweden first if you have the opportunity.

  3. I was able to take the practice tests (on the driving school's computers) and the theory test in English. It might be worth checking with the driving school if they offer this. However, much of the text is directly translated, so it's not always easy to understand the English on the practice tests.

  4. The driving test is in Spanish. The driving instructor didn't speak much English, and that's actually good because when you take the test in Malaga, they will give instructions in Spanish. So, you must know enough Spanish to understand the driving instructor and the examiner's instructions.