Spain Explained

A buy to sell mortgage is a popular option for those looking to invest in property in the UK.  These loans are issued to individuals who plan to purchase a property and sell it on soon after. Often, applicants will use the money to buy a home that needs some work at a bargain price. […]

Horse riding in Spain conjures images of a lonely beach, virgin sand, and the steady rhythm of a fine stallion galloping along the shoreline. Imagine holding its broad neck with the wind flying through your hair as you breathe the sea air in deeply. All of this is possible in Spain, where there are a […]

If you enjoy golf Benidorm is the place to go. Far more than an ITV series, Benidorm is one of Spain’s, if not Europe’s, most underrated golf resorts.  With gorgeous weather, a wealth of stunning courses and a variety of properties – both traditional and new – Benidorm is the place to be if you […]

If you want to relocate to Spain permanently, it’s important that you understand how to get Spanish residency.  After all, if you’re going to invest in property, it’s essential that your affairs are in order. For instance, if you live in Spain for 183 days a year, then you’re classed as a resident. Many expat […]

If you live in Spain or visit during the springtime, you might have heard people talking about the pine processionary caterpillar.  This specie is often mentioned by dog owners who are warning others of the danger. They’re a real threat too; we don’t usually associate caterpillars with the potential to kill, but this species has […]

Post-2008, the Spanish banking sector made a series of gains from property repossessions. Now, banks are eager to sell these properties to recoup losses from the recession era. These homes are available at extremely attractive prices – however, it is essential to be vigilant when searching for repossessed property for sale in Spain. As is […]

If you have property in Spain you will want to have arrangements in place so that everything goes smoothly when you die. It’s a difficult subject, but failing to look ahead can leave your inheritors with unexpected inheritance tax bills. Nobody is really prepared for a bereavement but unfortunately all legalities need to be completed […]

Did you know that all changes made to your home, however small, need approval from the town hall in Spain? If you go ahead without the proper permission you may have to go through a process of having it legalised. Alternatively, you might even have to restore it to its original state if legalisation’s not […]

Nowadays it is very common for couples to live together without getting married. However, this can have legal and tax disadvantages. If you don’t want to marry but do want to keep your costs down then there is an alternative in Spain. This option rests somewhere between being married and simply living together. If you […]

Imagine that before you die you have the privilege of rubbing a magic lamp, just like Aladdin, to make a wish come true. You perhaps have opportunity to wish for something that you have never been able to do before. A last wish. Four health workers have established in Murcia a scheme that enables people […]

Many people travelling up and down the old Alicante Road or Cortes Valencianas in Torrevieja will never have noticed ALPE (Asociación Comarcal para la Rehabilitación del Discapacitado). It’s on the side of this very popular stretch of road and provides education and life-long learning opportunities for children and adults who have a disability. The facilities […]

As we move closer to the Brexit due date many British people are increasingly anxious about what to expect. However, the reality is that even at this late stage, we don’t really know what will happen once Britain leaves the EU. What we do know is that we can’t expect it to be as easy […]

Between April and June 2018, 134,196 properties have been sold which is 12.4% up on the previous year. This figure is the highest recorded since the same period in 2008 when 152,630 sales were registered in Spain. This renewed interest in purchasing houses is not expected to stop any time soon. The forecast is that […]

Most people are aware of the importance of making a will. Ensuring that those you love receive the inheritance you’ve worked for is recognised as one of those tasks we should do in good time. However not many people are aware that you can also make a living will. A living will enables someone to […]

Now, we interview our expert, María Wiedemann, from our Legal Department to find out just what the advantages are of making a will in Spain and what the disadvantages can be, if you don’t. Maria Wiedemann has been helping foreigners in Spain protect their assets for 16 years. As a qualified lawyer, she understands exactly […]

One thing you will soon become familiar with if you spend time in Spain are the range and variety of taxes. Most of them are the same as you would expect in your home country. However, one or two might take you by surprise. Like all countries, public services in Spain are paid for through […]

It’s not a subject that we like to talk about. However, not preparing for when you die can leave those you love with additional arrangements to make. Ábaco’s Inheritance Planning Pack can help answer those difficult questions and prepare for when the time comes. You have spent many years building up your assets through hard […]

The role of the notary in Spain can be a little confusing to people who are not familiar with the system here. We’d like to introduce you to Doña Tatiana Martín Ruiz, the notary that many Ábaco clients have already had the pleasure of meeting. If you have bought a property in Spain then you […]

If you have property in Spain you will want to have arrangements in place so that everything goes smoothly when you die. It’s a difficult subject, but failing to prepare can leave your inheritors with unexpected inheritance tax bills. We can all be reluctant to make plans for when we or a loved one dies. […]

If you have taken the decision to put your Spanish property on the market, we’d like to offer some advice. People can think that solicitors are only useful when you’re buying but sellers need their interests protected too. Most people know that having a solicitor to protect your interests comes highly recommended when you’re buying […]

Perhaps you’ve got your eye on a bargain, or it’s just time to make some changes to your house in Spain. It’s a good time to refurbish property, just make sure that the Town Hall know what you’re doing too. Jessica Martínez, from our Legal Department, tells us there is no doubt that you can […]

Rental property is in demand and many investors are making their money work for them by purchasing property to rent. It’s important that if you do, you take the time to ensure that legal requirements are met. In this article Susan Partridge from our Fiscal Department explains what these are and how you can comply. […]

In the UK it is very common to have an executor, ‘albacea’ or ‘contador partidor´, to help ensure that your wishes are carried out when you die. However, in Spain this is much less frequent and executors are only usually named when a will is particularly complicated or where problems exist between heirs. The executor […]

The phenomenon that is Airbnb is proving to be lucrative for those renting out their property in Torrevieja. It is estimated that around 3,153 properties are being rented through the online platform and that there is the potential availability of 250,000 places altogether. In 21 months, from February 2016 to October 2017, there has been 20 million […]

It’s a difficult but very important subject. We recommend to all our clients that at some point they make a Will in Spain, even if they have made provision in their home country. Here we list some frequently asked questions to help you take that step forward when contemplating making a Spanish will: I have […]