Spain Explained

When thinking ahead to what will happen to your property in the future you might have considered donating it to your family and those you care about rather than passing it on through inheritance. There are a number of advantages to taking this route and we have supported many people who chose to manage the […]

It’s always good to know that you’ve helped people achieve their dreams. At Ábaco we are lucky to often have the opportunity to provide the legal knowledge and assistance to do just that. Usually this is when it comes to assisting people in buying their Spanish home. But on 25th February we were delighted to […]

We all enjoy a love story with a happy ending and even more so when you’ve been a part of the proceedings leading up to it.  So, we’re delighted to be able to share a very special journey with a very special outcome – a Costa Blanca wedding that Ábaco had the privilege to be part […]

When property is transferred from one person to another in Spain there is a tax to pay. From January 2022, inheritance, donation and transfer tax, will all be affected by the new ‘reference value’ in Spain, in Spanish it is called Valor de Referencia. If you have property in Spain or are considering buying somewhere, […]

This is the fifth Quirónsalud centre in the province of Alicante. The company has more than 40,000 professionals in over 125 healthcare centres.   This past July, Quirónsalud inaugurated a new medical centre in Gran Alacant, Santa Pola. With this new opening, Quirónsalud continues to grow in the province of Alicante, this being the fifth […]

During the height of the pandemic and post Brexit it was to be expected that there would be a lull in the housing market. Now, moving forward, the market is recovering and we are seeing an increasing number of homes being sold and on the market. Unfortunately, with this increase in activity comes an increase […]

Spain, like most other countries, has a system whereby property owners contribute to the maintenance of local infrastructure. Here, the tax is called IBI. In this article we explain what IBI is, when you pay it and why it’s important. IBI stands for Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles or, literally translated, Real Estate tax. It’s a […]

You have a tried and trusted home insurer and then you go into the bank one day and they point out how much you can save with their own insurance. What should you do? Think twice. We give our advice when it comes to taking up offers you think you can’t refuse. We’ve all felt […]

In the near future it is expected that the Spanish Government will introduce a ‘fiscal harmonisation’ policy. The purpose of this policy is to eliminate the different practices between regions. However, it could mean that there will be an increase in inheritance and donation tax for some people. Currently, inheritance and donation tax legislation has […]

For non-resident Spanish homeowners, the prospect of returning to Spain is tantalisingly close. It’s what everyone’s been waiting for and a few weeks in the sun, enjoying their Spanish property is long overdue. In this article we consider how you might make sure that your return goes to plan. We can’t wait to see our […]

Many people live in families with stepchildren. They have perhaps grown up with a stepparent who they have come to look on as they would a natural mother or father. So what happens when a stepparent dies? There are aspects of Spanish inheritance tax related to stepchildren that you need to be aware of. When […]

There are inheritance and donation tax changes on the horizon that could mean that some of the benefits that people are currently enjoying might disappear or at least be reduced. What action can you take to preserve your assets for those you love? As you may know, the different regions of Spain have relative autonomy […]

Changing ownership of property in Spain is an important process that must be done correctly. Make sure to have legal advice in Spain, our professional lawyers and legal experts are here to help you. There are a number of reasons why you might want to transfer the ownership of a property into someone else’s name. […]

Many people choose to live together rather than get married. In many countries there is no difference to your rights whether you are married or cohabiting. However, in some Spanish regions there is little to no recognition of cohabiting status. Is it time to consider getting married in Spain? Many couples choose to continue a […]

Many people are unaware that there are significant differences in the way that the inheritance process works when transferring a property to your spouse in Spain. In this article we outline what you should know and how you might prepare. For many people, owning a property in Spain is a dream come true. The purchase […]

Talking about the Spanish inheritance process isn’t easy. Many people will try to avoid the discussion and, it’s understandable. However, avoiding it isn’t the answer. If you have property in Spain at some point in the future it will be transferred either through donation or inheritance. It’s most important that you take the initiative, explore […]

Last updated on September 28th, 2021 at 12:53 pm. The news that you are due to inherit a property in Spain may be a surprise or you might have known for a while. What you may be unaware of, however, is how to proceed to ensure that you really are the legal owner and how […]

Congratulations on owning a property in Spain! You might now have some ideas for how you would like to improve it. There are lots of options, but you must also be aware of what the legal implications are. In this article we explain what licences you must have and the implications.   It’s natural that […]

When thinking in having things tied up for the future of your love ones, most people make a will to prepare the inheritance for when they die. They want to ensure that they help the people they love by bequeathing their assets to them. However, the inheritance process in Spain is not the same as […]

If you own a property in Spain but are not a resident here, then the prospect of squatters may be a worry. The okupa movement has gained ground here and there are stories of people moving into unoccupied properties. So, how can you protect your property from squatters in Spain and what can you do […]

People with a house to sell and those thinking of buying shouldn’t expect the same level of slump within the housing market post COVID as there was in 2008. The situation is proving to be quite different with some types of housing more, not less, in demand than before. It’s still a bitter memory. The […]

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? If you have had building work done on your house you might discover that the sale will […]

Last updated on October 1st, 2020 at 04:06 pm. As the transition period draws to a close details have been released by the Spanish government of the new identity card to validate residency for those UK nationals who live in Spain. In this article we explain what the TIE card in Spain is and what […]

You might have signed a Spanish will some time ago and think that it is now arranged. Indeed, your will is still in place and perfectly valid, but it is important to have its content and wording checked from time to time to ensure that it is in line with the latest law updates so […]

If you’re selling your property in Spain there are several costs and taxes you have to consider. Some, you’re likely to have heard of before, like capital gains tax or stamp duty. Others, however, are taxes specific to Spain that you may be less familiar with. One such charge is the plusvalía tax. In this […]