Elena
Valencia specialist and cultural consultant
Elena is our Valencia specialist and cultural consultant. She is a native Spanish and Valencian speaker, speaks English fluently and understands French.
Valencia Resident Since 2016
About ValenciaMove: Valencia relocation by an expat, for expats
ValenciaMove was founded by Michael Bastin - a Belgian expat, translator, and multilingual SEO specialist who has called Valencia home since 2016.
Michael Bastin: founder of ValenciaMove
Founder & Lead Consultant
Valencia was the answer. He arrived in 2016 and never left.
That gap became ValenciaMove. Founded in 2026, it brings together everything Michael has built over 25 years - multilingual fluency, deep bureaucratic knowledge, and a trusted network of legal, tax, and property professionals - into a single, clear service for people making the move to Valencia.
He lives in the Albors neighbourhood of Camins al Grau, and leads every client engagement personally.
- Valencia resident since 2016
- 25+ years in translation, interpreting and multilingual SEO
- Founder of BeTranslated
- Languages: French (native), English and Spanish (C2), Dutch (C1), German (B1), Italian (A2)
Read Michael's full story and the ValenciaMove timeline
Michael is originally from Belgium. After sixteen years living and working in the Dominican Republic - supporting international clients through his translation and multilingual communications company, BeTranslated - he was looking for a European base with the right combination of lifestyle, infrastructure, and international connectivity.
Over a decade in the city, and through years of helping international clients with document coordination, legal translation, and cross-border processes, he saw the same pattern repeat: the relocation process for foreigners moving to Spain is fragmented, opaque, and unnecessarily stressful. The information exists - but it's scattered across a dozen official websites, half of it outdated, and none of it joined up.
The ValenciaMove Story
- 2000s
Michael founds BeTranslated - 25+ years of translation, interpreting & multilingual SEO across multiple industries and countries
- 2000s-2016
Sixteen years in the Dominican Republic, between Sosúa, Cabarete and Santiago, supporting international clients in European and Caribbean markets
- 2016
Moves to Valencia - drawn by the city's quality of life, infrastructure, and position as a European hub for international business
- 2016-25
Spends a decade in Valencia helping international clients navigate Spain's bureaucracy, visa process, and relocation practicalities through the lens of his translation and coordination work
- 2026
ValenciaMove formally launched - bringing structure, multilingual expertise, and a vetted partner network to the relocation process
A welcome from our founder
A short hello from Michael, on why he started ValenciaMove and what you can expect when you work with us.
The seven countries Michael has called home
- Belgium25 years
- Dominican Republic16 years
- Spain10 years
- United States1 year
- Costa Rica6 months
- Mexico6 months
- Netherlands3 months
The people behind ValenciaMove
Michael leads the work, and these are the colleagues you are most likely to deal with directly, depending on where you are moving from and which language you would rather work in.
Annalisa
Admin and sales
Annalisa looks after admin and sales, and is usually the first point of contact for enquiries from Europe, though not only. She works in Italian, Spanish, French and German.
Caridad
Event manager
Caridad manages events and works most often with clients in Latin America, though not exclusively. She works in Spanish, French and English.
Maral
North American market
Maral works most often with clients in North America, though not exclusively. She is a native English and Armenian speaker, and also works in Spanish.
How ValenciaMove works and who we work with
Valencia Relocation Values: What We Stand For
Radical Honesty
We tell you what we actually know - not what you want to hear. If a visa is unlikely to be approved or a neighbourhood doesn't suit your lifestyle, we say so up front.
Local Standing
Ten years of living and working in Valencia means real relationships - with landlords, gestorías, schools, and legal professionals. That standing works in your favour from day one.
Multilingual by Default
Michael works fluently in French, English, Spanish and Dutch, and gets by in German and Italian. Nothing gets lost in translation - especially on legal documents, lease clauses, and official correspondence.
No Surprises
A written quote before we start. No hidden fees, no hourly overruns, no 'Spanish surprises'. You know what you're paying and what you're getting before any work begins.
Our Professional Network
ValenciaMove is not a one-person operation. Michael leads a small, specialist team and coordinates with 20+ vetted local professionals to deliver end-to-end service.
Legal Partners
Specialist immigration lawyers for DNV, NLV, and family reunification applications.
Tax & Accounting
Gestores and Beckham Law specialists who file Modelos and optimise your tax position.
Property Contacts
Off-market contacts and vetted estate agents across all Valencia districts.
School Admissions
Direct relationships with admissions at Valencia's key international schools.
Healthcare Navigation
English-speaking GPs and private health insurance brokers for fast setup.
Sworn Translators
Certified Spanish translators for all document requirements (apostilles, DGT, NIE).
Ready to Move?
Contact ValenciaMove: Start Your Valencia Relocation
Send us a message and Michael will get back to you personally. No sales pitch - just honest, practical advice about your move.
- Call Us: +34 652 45 48 22
- hello@valenciamove.com
- Connect on LinkedIn - Michael Bastin
- Calle Doctor Ferran, 13 (Bajo derecho), 46021 Valencia, Spain
By appointment only. Book a consultation first - we want to give you our full attention.
Calle Doctor Ferran, 13 (Bajo derecho)
46021 Valencia, Spain
More about moving to Valencia