Spain Explained

A guide for foreigners on every aspect of safe property ownership in Spain

Posts filtered by Life in Spain

Active in English thanks Ábaco

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:25 am. Most of the property sales that Ábaco assists with are for homes. They are on behalf of those residents and non-residents in Spain who recognise the importance of enlisting a solicitor who will look after their interests. However, there are occasions when Ábaco is asked to […]

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Where to go hiking in Spain

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:25 am. If you want to go hiking in Spain then you really are spoilt for choice. Spain has 14 national parks, every one of which can be an interesting alternative for a hike. We mention some of these routes in this article, but it is impossible to […]

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The rise and fall of solar energy in Spain

Solar energy in Spain

Last updated on May 18th, 2020 at 05:59 pm. You’d think with the seemingly endless sunshine in Spain that solar power would be its chief form of energy. However, this is not the case. Why doesn’t Spain invest more heavily in solar power? Spain has a reputation for the number of sunny days that it […]

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Spain tops the list for Erasmus +

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:26 am. Erasmus is a European Union student exchange programme which has built a reputation for being a life-changing and inspirational experience. Not surprisingly, many students want to come to Spain. In this article we consider why and what the benefits are. There are currently more than 4,000 […]

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Summer means the Moors and Christians

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:26 am. If you regularly visit Spain during the summer then you really should at least once watch a Moors and Christians parade. This mixture of history, tradition and sheer dressing-up madness is a must for all ages. It can also be a long night ahead if you […]

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Homely and sophisticated – the food in Spain

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:27 am. From the homely tapas to the sophisticated Michelin starred restaurant, the food in Spain has something for everyone. If you think of Spanish food, what are the first images that come to mind? It might be garlic, paella, tapas, or the display of hams and cured […]

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Salt and Sailors in Torrevieja

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:27 am. Some people think of Torrevieja as just a seaside holiday resort. In the hustle and bustle of the summer season you could be forgiven for this. However, it’s also a town with a history and salt is at its heart. Torrevieja’s population has rocketed in the […]

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Torrevieja – so much more than a beach resort

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:28 am. Most people think of Torrevieja as primarily being a seaside resort. It’s not a package holiday destination as such but, with its prime location on the shores of the Mediterranean, it’s a popular holiday destination for Northern Europeans and Spanish alike. Although this swells business during […]

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Spanish residency for the self-employed and businesses

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:38 am. This is the fourth article of a series of five articles on Spanish residency for EU and British citizens. David Ruiz of Torrevieja Translations explains the process and what you need to comply.   The table of contents is: Spanish Residency Overview Pensioners Workers Self-employed/business Unemployed Today’s article […]

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Understanding insurance in Spain

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:39 am. If you buy a property in Spain then you will need to take out insurance. Insurance in Spain works very similarly to that in other European countries, more or less. You pay a Premium and, unless you have to make a claim, that is it. However, […]

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Problems with noise in Spain

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:39 am. Noisy neighbours, barking dogs, bars and restaurants playing music to the early hours. We’re often asked what can be done about noise in Spain. In this article Marina Lorente from our legal department looks at the issue and the possible actions that can be taken. Spain […]

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Spanish residency for EU and British workers

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:34 am. This is the third article of a series of five articles on Spanish residency for EU and British citizens. David Ruiz of Torrevieja Translations explains the process and what you need to comply.   The table of contents is: Spanish Residency Overview Pensioners Workers Self-employed/business Unemployed This article […]

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Spain breaks its tourism record

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:35 am. The number of tourists visiting Spain keeps on rising. In 2015 68.1 million people came to Spain whilst in 2016 the number recorded had reached 71.6 million by November. In this Infograph we can clearly see how the number of tourists visiting Spain over the past […]

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What is the perfect recipe for paella?

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:36 am. Jamie Oliver certainly caused a storm when he recommended that paella be made with chorizo. Eduardo Simón from the Customer Care Department at Ábaco explains what should and shouldn’t be in this very important Spanish dish.  What conjures up Spain more than a large, colourful paella? […]

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What is carnaval?

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:36 am. Carnaval, the Spanish spelling of carnival, is quite an event in many parts of Spain. It can also be something of a conundrum if you are not a native of the country. In this article we delve a little into what ‘carnaval’ is all about. It’s […]

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Mini guide to Spanish residency – an overview

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:37 am. Many people are confused when it comes to what they need to apply for residency in Spain. In this series of four articles, David Ruiz of Torrevieja Translation, explains what the general requirements are.   Welcome to the Mini guide to Spanish residency. This is the first […]

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Spanish residency for pensioners

Last updated on February 19th, 2020 at 01:38 am. Many people are confused when it comes to what they need to apply for residency in Spain. In this series of four articles, David Ruiz of Torrevieja Translation, explains what the specific requirements are for pensioners. This is the second article of a series of five […]

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Enjoying Spain on a Harley

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. When Bob Bray first fell in love with Harley Davidsons at eight years old he didn’t envisage that he would be touring Spain on one. Now, he plans to share the varied and marvellous scenery with his wife too. ‘I was in Bognor Regis when I […]

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Exploring Bodegas in Spain

Last updated on April 9th, 2020 at 12:25 pm. Spain is famous for its wine and deservedly so. It has a huge number of vineyards many of which welcome people to come and find out about the grapes that are grown there and the wines that result. The bodega is officially the warehouse where the […]

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Taking care of your health in Spain

Last updated on April 8th, 2020 at 11:41 am. Spain has a reputation for having one of the best national health services in Europe. How can you make sure you can access it if you come to live here? Caroline Clinton explains what the options are. For those people considering coming to live in Spain […]

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Which country should you choose?

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. The HSBC survey aims to give people an opportunity to see how others rate the country they’ve moved to. In this article we look at the overall results and summarise opinions on Spain. If you live in Spain but are of a different nationality, what made […]

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Taking the train in Spain

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. How is it best to travel around Spain’s 500,000 sq km of land?  With 17 autonomous communities and countryside varying between the rugged and the rolling it really is worth exploring if you have the transport to do so. And if you don’t? You can take […]

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Getting the most from your plants in Spain

Last updated on May 8th, 2020 at 08:02 pm. With a hot, dry climate you might have low expectations of what’s possible when it comes to creating colour in your garden. However, you might be surprised. Nico Clinton provides some gardening tips to help your garden in Spain flourish. In the height of the summer, […]

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Enjoy the travelling lifestyle with a campervan

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. Some people have a travelling vein in their body. They simply can’t stay in one place for too long. Some people take advantage of their early twenties to tour foreign countries whilst others prefer to wait until they retire. Some, make it a life choice earlier. […]

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Is your dog on Spain’s dangerous dogs list?

Last updated on February 25th, 2020 at 03:12 pm. There are different rules in Spain to other European countries when it comes to dangerous dogs. Dogs are not banned in the way they are in the UK but the owners and those walking a dangerous dog in Spain must be licensed. The law that governs […]

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