Spain Explained

One of the main concerns people have is the impact that having to pay inheritance tax might have on those they leave behind. How is inheritance tax applied in spain? Inheritance tax is applied very differently in Spain to many other countries. To begin with, all beneficiaries must declare it, even the husband or wife […]

What is the Wealth tax in Spain? The wealth tax, or patrimonio, is something that many people are caught out by as it has no equivalent in several other European countries. Although there was a 100% discount in 2009, now, if you have worldwide assets of over €700,000, you are liable for wealth tax of […]

How will house prices in Spain be affected? At the moment it may not be at the top of your agenda. The extent of the pandemic has taken most of us by surprise. However, we are now seeing a glimmer of hope in the newsreels. Some countries are looking towards relaxing their measures and after […]

The latest statistical release from the Spanish Land Registry has one or two surprises in store. The ‘Estadística Registral Inmobiliaria’ presents a positive picture. What is clear is that overall, a higher percentage of houses are being sold to foreigners than ever before. In 2006 8.97% of property bought in Spain was purchased by foreign […]

Before opening an account in Spain you might have thought that banks worked similarly across the world. In some respects they do, but there are also many differences and these can cause confusion or worse. In this article we aim to unpick the practice. Opening a bank account in Spain If you have a property […]

Unlike what many expat forums and Facebook pages would have you believe, you can’t simply choose whether or not you are a tax resident of your home country or Spain. Who is classed as resident in Spain? The rules are actually very clear cut – if you live in Spain for more than 183 days […]

What often confuses non-residents is that there is more than one tax to pay. Most people understand that there will be some form of council tax in Spain that will need to be paid annually. In addition to this, however, non-residents must also pay either: Rental income tax if they rent out their property Imputed […]

I was reading an article this morning written by a philosopher in lockdown. He said that he was using the time during coronavirus confinement to reflect. I think he is an elderly gentleman, required to self-isolate. He certainly isn’t in charge of young children. He’s lucky to find a path that gives what’s happening some […]

At the time of writing, we are almost at two weeks of lockdown in Spain because of coronavirus. The expected date when restrictions might possible be relaxed is now April 11th.  The current situation means that we are only allowed out of our houses for some essential reasons and when we do venture out this […]

Many people have assumptions about what is arguably Spain’s most famous beach resort, Benidorm. When you mention the name of this enduringly popular destination, for lots of people, English bars, chips, sunburn and other ‘Brits abroad’ stereotypes spring to mind. There’s no denying that the Brits particularly love Benidorm, with 7 out of every 10 […]

La Manga Del Mar Menor – better known simply as La Manga – is a long, narrow strip of land on in Murcia, southeast Spain. At approximately 13 miles long but just 100 yards wide, this slim sandbank splits the Mar Menor from the Mediterranean sea, creating a beautiful lagoon-like area of water fed by […]

If you’re starting a new life in Spain, it’s likely that you’ll be looking to buy a car. This is especially the case if you’ve purchased a rural retreat, where it’s highly probable that your car will be your key form of transport. However, purchasing a vehicle in any country comes with a healthy dose […]

The Golden Mile, Marbella, is one of Spain’s most glamorous residential areas. Lying to the west of the beautiful Andalusian resort, this strip of exclusive apartments, homes, shops and restaurants stretches west from Puerto Banus to the eastern edge of Marbella city centre. The Golden Mile has attracted the rich and famous since the 1950s […]

Spain is widely known as a relatively inexpensive place to live, at least by European standards. This is especially true in comparison with northern European countries like the UK where the cost of living is quite high. The cost of living in Spain compared to the UK can mostly be seen in the lower cost […]

If you choose to spend a significant amount of time in the country, then getting a Spanish SIM card is one of the most practical and sensible decisions you can make. Spain is, for many reasons, a fantastic country to explore. Not being able to connect can be a wonderful excuse to switch off. If […]

Kitesurfing, particularly Tarifa kitesurfing, is one of those rare joys. Your first forays into the waves are marked by sheer surprise at the power of the wind and the speed of the board. It is a tricky sport to get the hang of, but once you do you feel like you are flying across the […]

Retirement in Spain is still a very popular choice. When better to take advantage of Spain’s beautiful climate and perfect pace of life than when you have the time to really enjoy it? However, what you don’t want whilst you are enjoying your new lifestyle are worries about tax or documentation in a foreign country. […]

If you’re moving to Spain, there are many reasons why you might decide to bring your car from the UK. Although buying a car in Spain may seem like the most straightforward option – not least because Spanish cars are left-hand drive – there are likely to be circumstances where it will be more convenient […]

Torrevieja is a small city on Spain’s Costa Blanca, in the province of Alicante. Originally built to produce salt which was then distributed around the world, the city is now a tourist centre. The city is very popular with people from all over Europe with Brits feeling particularly at home here. More British people live […]

Living in Spain brings with it fantastic opportunities to enjoy a different culture, climate and pace of life. Whatever stage of life you are at, it is a rewarding experience. When moving to another country, though, one must be aware of the tax procedures in place. In this article we outline some of the Spanish […]

Spanish bureaucracy can be complex and unfortunately, you can’t apply for an NIE number online. However, with a helping hand, applying for an NIE is simple.  If you are moving to Spain or have any economic, professional or family connection with the nation, you will need to apply for a Número de Identidad de Extranjero, […]

Living in another country is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. It exposes you to new cultures, places, often a new language, and is an incredible way to make new friends. These experiences teach you to be more open-minded, flexible and resilient, not to mention bringing plenty of fun and laughter along […]

Moving to another country is a big decision. Perhaps you know someone who has taken the leap or you’ve been on holiday somewhere and fallen in love with the people and its culture. Whatever your motivation or inspiration, it’s important not to jump too quickly. Your move will have implications not just for you but […]

Confusion about Spanish inheritance tax is rife on expat forums and on social media. This is because inheritance tax calculations are  based on numerous factors. Often, these variables are complex to determine, thus producing conflicting calculations. Furthermore, each autonomous region in Spain has different legislation in regard to inheritance, which creates important differences depending on […]

Spain has some of the best weather in Europe and spending a day out in the sunshine is ideal for families. Water parks offer a great opportunity to have fun with children or grandchildren as the youngest play and splash about and older siblings can have fun on the water slides. If you have recently […]