Perhaps you’ve always planned to retire to Spain or maybe it’s crept up on you after years of visiting on holiday. The desire to live in another country is something that many people experience, but, what is it actually like to live in Spain as a foreigner and is it right for you?    If […]

The permanent home, for most people, is the largest capital asset that they own. When income is limited, perhaps due to a static pension and increasing expenses, people can turn to ‘equity release’ and opt to sell their property whilst still having the option of living there. What are the pros and cons of freeing […]

You would think with its record for sunny days that Spain would be one of the world leaders in solar power. But in fact, it’s wind power where Spain is leading the way. In this article we introduce you to the ways in which Spain is looking creatively at its energy sources and how you […]

More or less every country has a procedure for collecting taxes to pay for the local infrastructure. Every day we are using facilities that need maintaining and replacing. In Spain, the tax that is charged to pay for these is called IBI. Many of the roads that you drive on, the lights that illuminate them, […]

Last updated on October 24th, 2022 at 12:28 pm. It’s one of the trademarks of Spain. A large dish of finely sliced ham served at any meal and at any time of year. There are few people could claim to dislike this traditional delicacy but an equally small number are aware of the full language […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

There are many obvious reasons to think about moving to Spain from the UK. Counting excellent weather, famously good cuisine and a wonderfully relaxed pace of life, it is easy to see why it is the choice for so many. Over the course of this article, we give some practical guidance on making the move […]

As you may already know, Alicante is a historic Mediterranean city on Spain’s Costa Blanca. It gained prosperity during the 13th century and became an important port for Mediterranean goods such as olives, wine and oranges. In the 20th century, Alicante boomed as a tourist haven; people came for its year-round sun, warm sea waters […]

Electricity can be quite an expensive commodity in Spain. In this article we explain how it is possible to reduce your electricity bills and not compromise on comfort.  Electricity in Spain Most people will agree that Spain is a relatively cheap country to live in. Council tax is very reasonable and food and drink can […]

When was the last time you relaxed? I mean properly relaxed. Switched off your mobile phone, computer, tablet, radio, and just sat still and calmed your mind? The answer to that for most would be “not in a very long time, if ever.” That is why we go through the best Spas in Spain, so […]

In some European countries these days, Easter can pass by almost unnoticed – except for the Easter eggs. Not so in Spain. Easter celebrations in Spain are very important and it’s well-worth understanding more about the religious and not-so-religious traditions.   Easter celebrations in Spain  Spanish people really know how to mark an occasion. What often […]

You see the distinctive green cross of the farmacia (chemists) dotted around the towns and suburbs of Spain. Pharmacies in Spain offer perhaps more than you would expect and function in ways you might not be used to. Pharmacies in Spain Whether it is for the occasional pain killer or for a regular, essential medication, […]

If you like visiting different parts of Spain then travelling by rail can be a good option. In this article we give some general advice about the Spanish railroad and the different types of Spanish trains and provide an opinion on travelling by AVE to Madrid.  Spanish railroad If you enjoy discovering Spain then you’re […]

Of course, we all know that the Spanish are mad about football but there are also some lesser known sports that are popular here. Maybe you heard about padel, but what is padel? And what is pilota? We’d like to introduce you to padel and pilota so you can really mix in with the locals. […]

Where would you choose to live if you could work anywhere? Remote working has become a plausible alternative for many businesses. Attitudes and technology have changed over the last few months. So where would you like to call home? Let’s discuss why moving to Spain after the coronavirus might be a wise choice. Why moving to […]

If you’re looking to take a short break in Spain for a special occasion such as a birthday or romantic weekend away, you would not (hopefully) book in to a large, all-inclusive, typical tourist monstrosity for the event. Hopefully, you’d be a little more selective with your choice and take the time to find that […]

Spain hides some really fantastic places, the Region of Murcia. If you want to visit the most striking places in Murcia and enjoy a memorable rural holiday in Spain, look no further than Cehegín. Cehegin: Rural Wonder of Spain 2019 The art and cultural attractions in Cehegín are sure to give you an insight into […]