What to Bring
Once you find out you will be moving to Rota, start preparing for your move as soon as possible. It takes a lot of planning and preparation to have a smooth move, and setting up a house in Spain requires a little more effort than it does in the U.S.
In general, expect rooms to be small, both on and off base, with narrow doorways and scarce storage, so select your household items carefully before shipping. California-size beds, for instance, will greatly limit available housing selections.
Assignment to government quarters typically takes approximately two weeks. Finding a home in the community typically takes less than 30 days depending on how your schedule as well as the Housing. July through August is peak season, which can extend the process beyond 45 days. The Housing Service Center (HSC) provides complimentary house-hunting services and transportation. Your sponsor should arrange temporary accommodations at the Navy Lodge or Gateway Inns and Suite.
Meanwhile, the HSC will help you with the rental contract and explain lease agreements. The lease is written in Spanish and English. Whether you decide to reside on or off-base, loaner furniture is available for a maximum of 90 days while you are waiting for your household goods shipment to arrive or after they have been shipped to your next duty station. This includes items such as beds, chest of drawers, couch/loveseat, coffee and side tables, kitchen table and chairs.
You are strongly discouraged from shipping appliances to Rota, since the housing office will provide loaner appliances for both on and off-base for your entire tour, free of charge. This includes dishwashers, refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers. Freezers can be provided upon availability.
Base housing offers American Forces Network (AFN). Internet, phone and Wi-Fi is paid by the resident. If you anticipate living off-base, you will need to purchase a European or multi-system television if you would like to view Spanish TV channels. Off-base residents can also receive AFN channels, AFN decoder is provided upon availability. A satellite dish is needed. The cost of the dish and installation are the responsibility of the resident.
90-Day Loaner Furniture
The 90-Day Loaner Furnishings Program allows eligible personnel to receive living room, dining room, and bed room furniture for a period of 90 days, or until your household goods shipment arrives. Please see the: 90-day Loaner Furnishings page for more information.
Advance (Express) Shipment
Expect your advance (express) shipment to arrive within 30 days of shipment. We strongly recommend you send your advance shipment as soon as you have your orders to ensure all of your necessary items arrive when you do.
We recommend you pack the essentials in your advance (express) shipment - small appliances (coffee pot, blender, toaster, etc.), pots, pans, utensils, sheets, blankets, pillows, and any other home wares you cannot do without. On-base housing is wired for: U.S. 110v/60Hz (and Spain 230v/50Hz), and the Housing warehouse provides 2 transformers to economy residents. Your U.S. appliances will work in Spain utilizing these options.
Household Goods (HHG) Shipment
As discussed earlier, large U.S.-made appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, washers, etc., are not compatible with Spanish electricity available in your housing unit and should not be sent.
Small appliances such as coffee pots, blenders, frying pans, etc., may be sent as they will work with the transformers provided by the Housing Warehouse.
To learn more about the PCS process, visit: Housing Information