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 […]

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 […]

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 to pay the mandatory taxes. This article provides a […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Last updated on July 16th, 2020 at 12:24 pm. Are you thinking about living in Spain but not needing to work because you have your own financial means? If yes, the Spanish non-lucrative visa is your visa. What is the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa? A non-lucrative residence visa entitles the applicant to reside in Spain while […]

If you are living in Spain, one of the most important documents you will need is a Spanish residency permit. Applying for residency is compulsory if you intend to spend more than three months in the country and is essential for various administrative processes. For example, If you are a pensioner, you will need a […]

Last updated on June 30th, 2020 at 09:27 pm. As a client of Ábaco Taxes you are entitled to a number of ‘extras’. We want to make sure you are getting the full benefit from them. We explain how Abaco Online and our team of tax lawyers can help you keep in touch and informed. […]

Last updated on July 13th, 2020 at 12:55 pm. Your Spanish citizenship will allow you to remain living in Spain permanently, no more the 90-day rule, no more applications for your residency, no more renewals, no more fear of having your Spanish residency removed. And, most importantly, at the end of the process, this will […]

Even the most perfect dream home in Spain will need some renovation from time to time. Whether it is anything from glazing a balcony to building a new pool, there are some legal implications that you need to be aware of. Also, if you are buying a property that has had work done on, there […]

As we all know, time goes by and circumstances change. A common question our clients ask us is about gifting a property. If you own a property in Spain, you may wish to gift your home in Spain to someone else, either as a true gift or as a way to reduce inheritance expenses. In […]

Did you know that even minor works to Spanish property need a planning permission? Many home owners in Torrevieja have found out to their cost that work they’ve had done has not been legalised. Here, we explain what might happen next. Types of planning permissions in Spain Improving their property is something that many people […]

In this article we talk about the process of voting in Spain: how the voting works, how you can register to vote, how you can vote and what happens after the voting. Spanish government The government in Spain is arranged according to four tiers: National – the elected government of the country Regional – the […]

Last updated on June 15th, 2020 at 07:55 am. More and more people are recognising the importance of obtaining Spanish residency if they live in Spain. But it isn’t just civil residency that is important. There’s fiscal residency too. In this article we explain what civil and fiscal residency are and how you can obtain […]

We might talk about legal advisers and executives, solicitors, barristers and lawyers. But there’s one professional in Spain who is even more difficult to pin down – the Spanish ‘gestor’. What is a gestor? Many people who find themselves living in or visiting Spain frequently, have had some contact with the multi-talented ‘gestor’. It might […]

At different times of our lives we need different facilities. The swimming pool and villa in a rural location can be perfect for a growing family but less attractive as you become older. There are times when we all need to take stock of our family or holiday home and perhaps make a move to […]

Many people who are emigrating to Spain wonder, which comes first, the padrón or the empadronamiento? For those who aren’t familiar with these terms, the padrón is the town hall’s register of those living in the area. Essentially, the local government uses the register to keep a headcount of how many people are resident, and […]