The Word on the Street - News and Information from Spain

News and Information from Spain

International Edition - December 2017

Welcome to the December issue of 'The Word on the Street'. This is your monthly news and information from Spain provided by Ábaco Advisers. We hope to keep you in touch with the news, events and just a little bit of gossip.

Are you up-to-date with your non-resident obligations?

Are you up-to-date with your non-resident obligations?

If you are a non-resident with a property in Spain then you should be aware that you have two property taxes to pay. Many people do not realise that there is an obligation to pay non-resident imputed income tax. However, failure to do so can lead to your bank account being frozen. Check that this couldn’t happen to you:

Have you been paying your non-resident imputed income tax?

Worried you are paying too much for your gas?

Worried you are paying too much for your gas?

The price of bottled gas is fixed. If you want to check out that you are paying the correct amount then you can go to the Repsol website for the current prices of different sizes of gas bottles. Sometimes people find that they are being charged more as a ‘tip’. If you wish to pay a tip for delivery that’s up to you but remember you are not obliged to do so:

Productos y Servicios - Butano y propano envasado

All you need to know about healthcare in Spain

All you need to know about healthcare in Spain

We know that healthcare is a very important part of the jigsaw when you are deciding whether to come to live in Spain or not. In this article we summarise what the position might be depending on your status:

Taking care of your health in Spain

The Gov.uk site has the latest advice on obtaining healthcare in Spain, including for people who are just visiting:

Healthcare in Spain

This article from the Local also provides a perspective on obtaining healthcare albeit sponsored by a health insurance provider: 

Healthcare in Spain: What you need to know

Tips for renting property

Tips for renting property

Many people recommend that before you buy in Spain you try renting a property first. If you are considering this as an option you might like to read  Money Saver Spain’s Top Tips for renting property here. Many of these are common sense for wherever you buy. However, some are almost exclusive to Spain and are well worth taking note of:

Renting Property In Spain: Top Tips

Which are Spain’s most beautiful villages?

Which are Spain’s most beautiful villages?

El País has made its own selection. From the vineyards of Briones to the cobblestone streets of Castro Caldelas, take a look and see if you agree:

11 of Spain’s most beautiful villages

The world’s oldest man is Spanish

The world’s oldest man is Spanish

He’s 113 years old and now holds the title as the world’s oldest man. He also happens to live in Extremadura in western Spain. The secret to his longevity he claims to be ‘good genes’ and ‘hard work’ and perhaps it’s also down to the glass of red wine he drinks every day.

The Local tells us more about him: 

World's oldest man celebrates 113th birthday in Extremadura

Unfortunately, Europe’s oldest person, who was Spanish too, has just now died. She was 116 years old and lived in Barcelona:

Europe's oldest person dies in Spain aged 116

Skating in Alicante

Skating in Alicante

If you’re missing the ice and snow and are in Aicante over the festive season you might want to pay a visit to its temporary ice skating rink. Set up in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, you can borrow your boots and take a few circuits from 1st December until 7th January.

The rink is open from 10am until 2pm and from 4pm until 11pm from Monday until Sunday. It might be open until 12pm if you decide to go for a skate on a Friday and Saturday – depending on demand. It’s refreshing and definitely Christmassy and a good alternative if you’re a bit of a skater yourself or have got family visiting.

Stuck for something to do over Christmas?

Stuck for something to do over Christmas?

Murcia Today has plenty of suggestions if you live in the region. From iceskating to taking a look at the local Belén, there should be plenty to keep you busy. They also remind us of some of the traditions to expect in Spain around the festive season.

What's On Weekly Bulletin Today

A calendar of events for the festive season

A calendar of events for the festive season

If you are in Spain over the festive season or are just curious as to how Christmas and new year is celebrated here, then you might like to read this blog from Eye on Spain. It takes us from December 8th and and the Feast of the Inmaculate Conception to 7th January when Spain finally gets back to normal:

Christmas in Spain

Christmas with a difference

Christmas with a difference

Christmas in Spain is different from some other European countries. It seems to go on for longer but without the intensity of the big build up and shopping extravaganza that seems to begin in October elsewhere.

In Spain Explained we include a brief summary of the main dates you should be aware of:

Christmas and New Year in Spain

If you’re interested in finding out about Christmas in different parts of the world and not only Spain, then this is an interesting website for checking out the different traditions and customs. It’s of particular interest if you’re perhaps travelling to somewhere new:

Christmas in Spain

If you are based in Spain, or even if you’re not, you might want to take a look at one person’s view of the best towns and cities to spend Christmas in. You are spoilt for choice with each city having something slightly different on offer:

Six of the Best: Places to Spend Christmas in Spain

The Local focuses on traditional Spanish food at Christmas:

Ten traditional delights that make a real Spanish Christmas feast

In this article ‘Christmas in Spain: The ultimate guide’ Spain Buddy covers most topics we can think of. They’ve also included the videos to advertise Spain’s famous Christmas lottery (El Gordo) over the past couple of years:

Christmas in Spain: The ultimate guide

And finally, on a Christmas theme, we have Expatica’s run down of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Of course, Spain is included with Barcelona and Madrid taking the two top slots, but you might also be interested to find out where to go in some other countries too:

European Christmas markets: A guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe

Wherever you may be for Christmas, we wish you a very happy one! 

What interests you?

What interests you?

We would welcome any suggestions for future themes you would like us to cover either in the newsletter or in an article on Spain Explained.

Please let us know by email at newsletter@abacoadvisers.com.

Thank you!