What exactly is the AIPP?

Last updated on October 28th, 2019 at 04:09 pm. Ábaco is a member of AIPP. In this article we explain a little  more about this organisation and why membership can provide added assurance surrounding the services we offer. When buying a house in Spain you want to be sure that you are given the correct […]

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Driving legally in Spain

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. How to drive legally in Spain is one of the most talked about and written about subjects amongst the expat population. We frequently receive questions from clients directly and on the forum about licences, vehicle registrations and driving laws in Spain. Here, Graham Shelton of www.spanish-number-plates.com answers some of the […]

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Federico García Lorca – talent and untimely death

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. The body of the Spanish writer Federico García Lorca remains buried somewhere in southern Spain. Murdered by Franco’s Spanish nationalists, he remains one of the many individual tragedies of the Spanish Civil War. Lorca is one of the most important Spanish poets and dramatists of the […]

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Exploring Córdoba

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. Most people who are wanting to explore Spain will visit its major cities of Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Granada. Each one is special and different and provides examples of Spain’s rich past. But if you want to travel to somewhere a little different that has a […]

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Your will in Spain – should you make a new one?

Last updated on March 19th, 2020 at 03:11 pm. A new inheritance law has been causing lots of discussion amongst foreigners living in Spain.  The Regulation (EU) No. 650/2012 and the creation of a European Certificate of Succession has raised many questions about the validity of existing Spanish wills covering property in Spain for those […]

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Changes to donation tax in Spain

Last updated on March 19th, 2020 at 03:11 pm. Some people make a choice that they would rather donate their property in Spain to family or friends rather than pass it on as inheritance when they die. Taking this decision needs careful consideration. However, if it is your preference then it can be done for […]

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Changes to inheritance tax in Spain

Last updated on March 19th, 2020 at 03:10 pm. Inheritance in Spain works very differently to how it works in many other countries. For example, even between spouses there is no automatic transfer of ownership. If one of you should die then the remaining spouse does not automatically inherit the deceased spouse’s share of the […]

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The worst airports in the world

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. Of course, what you consider to be the best and the worst will depend on your own personal preferences and experiences. For example, if you have had a particularly bad experience at one airport – perhaps you lost your luggage or had something stolen – then […]

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Smoking trends in Spain

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. Smoking banned indoors in Spain? Never! Many people initially felt that Spain was a country that would never introduce or enforce such a ban. They were mistaken. Certainly the introduction in 2011 of a number of strict measures went relatively smoothly. Smokers have perhaps been helped […]

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Going off with a bang in Elche

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. If you are anywhere near Elche in the middle of August then you cannot let the Mystery Play pass you by. There are three important dates to put in your diary. On the 13th August it’s La Nit de l’Albà when fireworks and firecrackers are let […]

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10 tips for buying a house in Spain

Last updated on October 28th, 2019 at 04:10 pm. You don’t need to be a legal expert to find your way round the buying procedure in Spain, but it is useful to have a few handy hints to follow. Handbooks and legal advice can be full of the official information but good tips for buying […]

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Location matters. Buying in Orihuela Costa.

Last updated on October 28th, 2019 at 04:10 pm. When Magnus came to Orihuela Costa on his mission to find a property in Spain he thought he had plenty of choices lined up. ‘We had been searching on the internet,’ says Magnus, ‘and we’d found a real estate agent too. But when we came to […]

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La Vuelta makes it to 80

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. The Tour de France this year proved to be a spectacular victory for the British cyclist Chris Froome as he cycled away with the yellow jersey. However, he wasn’t on his own in deserving a mention. The Spanish riders Alejandro Valverde and Quintana made the final […]

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Retiring to live in Spain

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. For many people, it’s their dream. After years of the daily grind, to make the most of their retirement by coming out to live in Spain. What better place to enjoy the extra time you have than in a beautiful climate with fresh, healthy food and […]

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Cost of buying a house in Spain

Last updated on March 27th, 2020 at 07:50 pm. One of the first questions we ask of those considering buying a house in Spain, is ‘What’s your budget?’ Knowing what your budget is, is crucial if you are going to make the right purchase for you. What many people do is forget to include buying […]

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Stirring up the town halls

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:08 am. It may seem very far removed from beaches and bars, but what happens in Spain’s local and general elections is of great importance to everyone with a property in Spain and not only those who live here. The political climate impacts on day-to-day lives probably more […]

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Living in Spain during the winter

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 am. People who have property in Spain fall into one of two groups – resident or non-resident. You are a non-resident here if you live less than 183 days in Spain – and these don’t need to be consecutive days. However, there is perhaps another group within […]

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Cheap flights – good or bad?

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 am. Most people with property in Spain have enjoyed cheap flights for a few years. Without doubt it’s one of the reasons why people choose property here. With good, predictable warm weather in the summer and milder winters on the coast, you’re not far away from family […]

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Making your home perfect

Last updated on October 28th, 2019 at 05:00 pm. Some people like to buy their property brand new and ready to move into. Others prefer to buy a resale property in Spain and customise it to exactly how they want. There are advantages in both approaches. However, at some point, even if you buy a […]

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Making a resident tax declaration in Spain

Tax declaration in Spain

Last updated on February 28th, 2023 at 11:53 am. If you are a resident in Spain then it is very likely that you will have to make a resident tax declaration annually. This declaration or tax return provides evidence of your income in Spain that can be used for a number of reasons, including determining […]

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Tightening up on energy efficiency

Last updated on October 28th, 2019 at 05:00 pm. A new law in 2013 established the requirement for an Energy Efficiency Certificate (EEC) or Certificado de Eficiencia Energética (CEE) to be made available to purchasers of Spanish property. The idea is that making this information more accessible will encourage home owners to make their property […]

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Buying Safely in Spain

Last updated on October 28th, 2019 at 04:11 pm. Perhaps one of the main concerns of potential buyers of property in Spain is – is it safe? In this article we look at the measures you should take to make sure that it is. It’s your dream to own a property in Spain. Perhaps as […]

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Financing your property purchase in Spain

Last updated on October 28th, 2019 at 04:11 pm. So you have found your ideal property in Spain. It’s the perfect time to buy and the exchange rate is right. However, it’s a little more than you have available in cash at the moment. How do you go about taking out a mortgage in Spain? […]

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A dream come true in Torrevieja

Last updated on October 28th, 2019 at 04:12 pm. When Jörgen and Sari Johansson got married in Torrevieja they never guessed that they would end up buying an apartment here too. They share their story of becoming non-resident property owners in Aguas Nuevas. Jörgen and Sari are from Sweden, but that’s not where they wanted […]

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When should I set up a bank account in Spain?

Last updated on October 28th, 2019 at 04:13 pm. This is a question that we have been asked quite frequently recently. It’s a busy time for buying in Spain and those who do have their sights set on having their own property here want to do it right. It seems logical that setting up your […]

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