Spain Explained

If you’re planning to move to Spain, whether to retire, work remotely, or buy a property, private health insurance is one of the first things you’ll need to arrange. Spanish immigration law requires most non-EU citizens to hold qualifying private health cover as a condition of their visa or residency permit, and getting it wrong […]

How many years have you lived in Spain? And how have your feelings changed over the years? We look at making that one final decision about where you will spend your final years. It’s a difficult decision to make but don’t put it off too long  Think carefully about future planning if you decide to […]

Whatever has been happening in the world at large, it looks as though the Spanish property market is still a popular choice with house prices continuing to increase. Between January and March 2026, house prices have risen by 3.2% The Valencian Community continues to be the second highest region to grow Spain has risen notably […]

The problem started for Mary with a missing water bill. ‘I really didn’t think it would be such an issue,’ explains Mary, who has lived in her property for the last thirty years. ‘But when I went into Águamed I was told that I couldn’t change the name on my contract because I didn’t have […]

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has been live at Spanish airports since October 2025 and will be fully operational across all border crossings by April 2026. For non-EU nationals who own, or plan to buy, property in Spain.  This new biometric border control system brings a fundamental change: the 90/180-day rule is now digitally enforced, […]

Renting a car in Spain is a great way of getting around and seeing more of the country. If you have your own property then it helps you catch up on those jobs you routinely have to do as well as making the most of your stay when you’re out here. However, there are some […]

We take it for granted- the ways in which we say hello to new and known people. Every country has its custom and getting it wrong can be both awkward and embarrassing. So, whether you’re new to Spain or still finding it confusing – here is our guide to getting it right. Spanish greeting protocol […]

The Spanish Notaries Association has released housing purchase figures for 2025. Although house prices are still on the increase and the market is buoyant, there are some trends emerging in the profile of who is buying and where. In 2025 there were 138,254 property purchases made in Spain by a foreign buyer. This is just […]

The High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community has partially overturned a moratorium on new tourist accommodation licences in Valencia. What does this mean for people who rent out accommodation? In 2024, Valencia city council agreed that licences for new tourist accommodation in the city would be suspended. This came amongst nationwide concern about […]

Spain offers foreign buyers one of Europe’s most robust legal frameworks for property investment, backed by a public Land Registry, an independent notarial system and a transparent conveyancing process. This article explains the institutional safeguards, real market data and practical steps that determine whether your purchase will be safe. At Ábaco Advisers, we have spent […]

Have you always had the desire to travel? Spain has so many interesting and varied places to visit and a campervan is a flexible way to reach and enjoy them. So, why not carry your home on your back?    Around Torrevieja you can see them parked up on the coast and in larger car […]

Property due diligence in Spain is the process of verifying a property’s legal status, tax situation, urban planning compliance, and physical condition before you commit any money. For foreign buyers, it covers four critical areas: registry checks, urban planning verification, tax and financial review, and technical inspection. Skipping or rushing this process is one of […]

Do you remember The Flintstones with Fred and Wilma, Barney and Betty? Their cave home was well appointed and benefitted from all the home conveniences you could wish for. Spain is, in fact, peppered with cave homes – but what would it be like to live in one of them? Far from being a stone […]

Every culture has its differences when it comes to being polite and general etiquette. In this article we give you some basic guidelines as to how you should treat others and can expect to be treated. Have you ever been surprised by the abruptness of a phone call greeting or equally impressed by the politeness […]

Illegal construction in Spain is one of the most significant risks foreign buyers face when purchasing property. From unlicensed swimming pools and enclosed terraces to homes built on rural land without planning permission, these irregularities can lead to fines, inability to connect utilities, or demolition orders. This guide covers the most common types of irregularities, […]

Buying property in Spain as a foreigner requires a series of legal verifications that can make the difference between a secure investment and a costly mistake. This guide covers the five essential checks every buyer should complete before signing: land registry verification, cadastral review, urban planning compliance, debt searches, and the deposit contract. At Ábaco […]

If you are buying property in Spain, one of the most important steps in the process is signing a contrato de arras — a preliminary agreement that secures the transaction through a deposit paid by the buyer. This contract defines the terms of the sale, sets consequences if either party withdraws and acts as a […]

When buying property in Spain, your lawyer should work exclusively for you. This article explains how to verify that your Spanish property lawyer has no conflicts of interest with estate agents, how to check their professional credentials through official channels, and what questions to ask before signing any agreement. You will learn to identify red […]

Spain continues to strengthen its regulatory framework for short-term rentals, particularly those advertised through online platforms. From January 2nd 2026, a new annual reporting obligation is in force, directly affecting many foreign property owners with holiday homes or second residences in Spain. This obligation is established by Order VAU/1560/2025, which develops the Single Register of […]

If you are thinking of purchasing a Spanish property then you could be in luck. From June 1st 2026 buying a home in the Valencia Region (Alicante, Valencia and Castellón) will be a little cheaper due to a reduction in property transfer tax and stamp duty. When buying a property we all appreciate an opportunity […]

Last updated on June 26th, 2025 at 09:21 am. When you are moving between countries, the tax implications of selling your property can be confusing. Typically, this is one of the most common questions that property owners ask and it’s always good to get clarity around these important issues.  Capital gains tax in Spain affects […]

Last updated on June 27th, 2025 at 12:29 pm. Someone wants to buy your property! It’s a great feeling when you can set the conveyancing process in motion. But have you got everything in place so that you can sell a property in Spain without a hold-up? We explain everything you need to know to […]

Last updated on June 26th, 2025 at 09:22 am. If you are a citizen from a non-EU country and you’re thinking of visiting Spain or staying for more than 90 days, you will need a Spanish Schengen visa. In this article, we explore what a Spanish Schengen visa is, who needs one and how to […]

Last updated on June 26th, 2025 at 09:24 am. Spanish property is a compelling prospect for investors from around the world. In 2025, experts predict the market will continue to be buoyant. In this article, we look at Spanish property price trends to help you decide if now is your time to buy.  Spain is […]

Last updated on January 19th, 2026 at 03:27 pm. Making plans and arrangements for when you die isn’t easy. However, it is an important process to go through and perhaps even more so when you have property in another country. There are many differences in the way inheritance works in Spain in comparison to elsewhere. […]