As one of Ibiza’s biggest success stories, long-time local Paddy Anne McAllister is a force to be reckoned with. Founder of Next Stop Ibiza, a business that provides solutions across property and visas for those seeking a new life on the White Isle, there’s little Paddy Anne can’t do. Originally from Ireland, Paddy Anne is no stranger to the relocation experience herself and so intertwines a distinct level of care and empathy with every client. Lifting the lid on her career motivations and favourite spots on the Balearic island, we spend some time with our very own Paddy Anne so you can get to know her more.
Paddy Anne, what was your main motivation to establish Next Stop Ibiza?
In all honesty, it was all very organic and kind of just happened. Back in 2016, when my daughter was born, I would help friends and contacts with any of their paperwork requirements which were generally regarding relocation. From visa submissions to setting up bank accounts, I upskilled in the area and the whole process became second nature. Before long, I was renowned on the island as word of mouth came into play and demand for my work increased, so I decided to go professional with it. In order to expand and scale the business, I soon employed a team of staff to support me.
I'd also say I'm a real fixer and a people person at heart, so my motivation remains to guide people with an earned level of trust. I’ve experienced the motions of moving to a new country; not speaking Spanish and not knowing how things work, and so I’m all too aware of the value of having an expert to hand. Plus, I’ve always loved property - it’s been a career dream of mine and an area I'm really enjoying growing further.
Describe the concept behind Next Stop Ibiza?
Next Stop Ibiza is essentially your one-stop shop for those planning a relocation to the Balearic Isle. We now offer lots of services, including property search, visa arrangements, employment finder, advice on schools and Spanish bureaucracy which is never easy. This list goes on…
How long have you been based in Ibiza and what first brought you to the island?
I first came to Ibiza when I was 14 years-old and on a two-week holiday to visit my sister who lived here (and still does). As corny as it sounds, it was love at first sight. I promised myself I would return for a longer stint as soon as I turned 18, visiting every summer in the interim. Sure enough, two days after my eighteenth birthday in 2001, I was on that flight and to start my first summer season. In the end, I fulfilled six seasons in total which was incredibly fun, however I soon decided 2008 would be my last year and I would settle back in Ireland or England, however for one reason and another, I ended up staying the rest of the year and have been based in Ibiza permanently ever since!
Describe your typical working day.
I’m always out and about, with and talking to people with my days generally spent in meetings. From introductions to new clients, providing support to my existing clientele or working with my network of lawyers, estate agents or contacts seeking to buy, sell or rent properties, I'm on the go a lot with a lot of property viewings throughout the day, too. We’re still very active in the immigration world and so a fair amount of time is spent going over different visa options with clients, from NIEs to Golden Visas. I also offer a Clarity Call service which is a virtual meeting I hold with potential relocators to iron out any niggles they may have before finalising a move to Ibiza.
Where do you live in Ibiza?
I’m based in Figueretas and in a property that's a stone’s throw from the beach - you can literally hear the sea from bed, it’s bliss. It’s also about 100m from the first place I stayed in when I was 14 years-old and so I feel like I have great roots here. The area has a very tight knit community and I have known many of the locals since I was a kid. I love it.
What's your greatest success story of Next Step Ibiza?
Though Brexit bought challenges, it enabled me to provide life-changing solutions for my client base and as I worked with them on their pre-Brexit residencia applications. I’m incredibly proud to have an almost 100% success rate on the hundreds of applications I worked through, which I don’t think anyone else on the island can claim. The whole application process was exceptionally complex and we were able to navigate the system beautifully.
What's the one piece of advice you would give to anyone considering a move to Ibiza?
It’s really to think about where you want to live and when you want to make the move. Ibiza is a wonderful place and I love it tirelessly, however it’s full of little idiosyncrasies and peculiarities you wouldn't ever predict or know until you’re here (some say it’s part of the initiation process!). The property space is generally where people need the most assistance with both renting and purchasing property expensive. Getting impartial and honest advice on location is definitely recommended.
Describe your perfect day in Ibiza.
That’s definitely a tricky one! In the summer, it would be a chilled day at a lesser-known beach club, relaxing and eating great food from the luxury of a day bed with my daughter and friends. I'm really excited to get back to San Trinxa in Las Salinas this summer, especially on a Sunday. In winter, I love hiking to some of my favourite (secret) spots to wash it all down with a nice lunch on the beach somewhere, probably Sa Caleta.
For anyone considering a move to Ibiza, however perhaps put off by assumed Brexit restrictions, what are their options? Are there new visa options?
Post-Brexit, the new Nomad Visa is certainly making life easier for many people. The Non-Lucrative Visa also looks set to stay and has solved relocation challenges for many. There’s some speculation Spain may also follow suit with Portugal to withdraw the Golden Visa.
What's your top Ibiza secret?
The beauty of secret places are they’re kept secret, so I only really share my list with locals, especially as summer arrives and the tourists descend. With this, the joy of Ibiza is that it never fails to amaze me and even after 20 years on the island, I’m continually finding new places. One I will share is a little church, Sa Capelleta dén Serra, at the top of KM4. Miles away from anywhere, it’s truly magical and a great place to hike to enjoy some incredible views along the way. There’s always a candle lit with little books for people to write their thoughts and wishes. It has a bittersweet story behind it, too - built in 1919 by Vincent Serra who proclaimed that if he ever returned home safe after the war, he would build a shrine, however he sadly passed away just five days before its auguration.
What's the best thing about living in Ibiza?
Definitely the people - I love the eclectic mix of weird (in a good way!) and wonderful characters that it attracts. With Ibiza quite transient, those that do stay form an untenable community and a mutual spirituality. Maybe it's this paired with the sea, open water and the gorgeous landscapes, that all contributes to an amazing sense of energy that feels almost therapeutic.
How can Next Stop Ibiza support my move to Ibiza once I actually arrive on the island?
I'm so glad you ask, as for me, the aftercare is everything. Through Next Stop Ibiza, I offer different levels of support packages, ranging from bronze, silver, and gold. Each tier enables a service agreement of how we further support clients to resolve any teething problems and issues that arise. Some people and businesses continue to work with us on a monthly retainer basis, too. My friends always joke that “she’ll fix it” and yes I can!
Keen to explore your Ibiza relocation options with Paddy Anne McAllister, founder of Next Stop Ibiza? Contact Paddy Anne today on hello@nextstopibiza.com