The Word on the Street - News and Information from Spain

News and Information from Spain

International Edition - March 2018

Welcome to the March 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.

Thinking of buying in Spain?

Thinking of buying in Spain?

Now that we’re into spring it’s the time of year for new beginnings. Sometimes the wish to start afresh and to try something new leads to thoughts of buying a holiday home or moving to a new country.

Spain’s often top of the list for countries to buy in.  It’s beautiful weather, traditions and colourful fiestas, and, of course, its food, make it a very popular destination.

If you are one of those people currently considering buying then this article could be particularly useful for you. In it we provide a guide to the buying process that explains each stage and what you can expect:

Guide to buying property in Spain

Time to be registered

Time to be registered

During the British Consul tour of towns in Spain, they had a firm message for British people. If you livein Spain make sure you are formally registered here. 

The impact of Brexit is very much uncertain and it seems wise to sign the paper work now, whilst we know the rules,rather than wait for the uncertainty of March 2019.

In this article we outline what the British Consul had to say when they visited the town hall in Torrevieja:

Consul advice for British citizens in Spain

Spanish residency guide for EU and British pensioners

Spanish residency guide for EU and British pensioners

If you are someone who wants to regularise their situation in Spain we would like to introduce you to David Ruiz’s guides to obtaining the paper work you need. David has been helping some of our clients to become resident and is very familiar with the procedures at different town halls in the region. 

His guide ‘The 2018 Spanish Residency Guide for EU and British Pensioners’ can be downloaded from his website. There is a special discount for Ábaco subscribers that lasts for 24 hours. So don’t delay!

Along with the guide you will get:

  • The 2018 guide to applying for your Spanish NIE number
  • The 2018 guide to applying for your Spanish health card
  • Unlimited Access to David to ask any questions

David also publishes guidance about exchanging the EU British licence for a Spanish licence.

Download 'The 2018 Spanish Residency Guide for EU and British Pensioners'

Spanish living abroad

Spanish living abroad

Europeans might be keen to come and live in Spain but this is something of a revolving door with many Spanish people also seeking residency in other countries. 

The Spain Report has produced an interesting graph and information explaining where they have moved to:

2.48 Million Spaniards Now Live Abroad

Zara and H&M ready to wage battle with internet shopping

Zara and H&M ready to wage battle with internet shopping

As Amazon and other online competition threatens the High Street store, there is definitely a spirit of ‘if you can’t beat ‘em’ emerging. Zara is just one example of a Spanish chain that’s pushing its own online business as much as possible to give Amazon a run for its  money:

Zara and H&M shore up defences as internet threatens

It’s spring!

It’s spring!

Although it may not feel very spring-like in some parts of Europe, here in Spain it’s already warming up. Now we are looking forward to those longer days and warmer nights that will stay with us well into October and even November.

To celebrate, The Local has put together some of its own suggestions and invites us to sign up to its newsletter too:

Seven glorious ways to celebrate spring in Spain

News update on ITVs

News update on ITVs

If you own a car in Spain then you probably already know that the ITV is the regular check that must be made on older cars, equivalent, for example, to the MOT in the UK.

Following changes to the law these vehicle inspections are due to become tougher and take account of changes to vehicle technology. To explain more about it, Think Spain has written a useful article:

ITVs get tougher: Details of new regulations out in May

Easter in Spain

Easter in Spain

Easter in Spain is a very special, religious occasion that provides plenty to see over its Semana Santa or Holy Week. Many of the numerous processions are solemn ones and they are all steeped in tradition. Wherever you are based in Spain, there will be some processions taking place. 

Some parts of the country are particularly renowned for the ways in which they mark this time of year:

Easter in Spain, not to be missed

As with many traditions, the Easter processions have developed differently in various parts of Spain. This article takes a look at what you might find across the country:

Easter in Spain

If you are in Spain over the Easter period then do take time out to check the local schedule and book in at least one procession whilst you are here.

Ditch the eggs and try these instead

Ditch the eggs and try these instead

It’s difficult and expensive to buy Easter eggs whilst you’re in Spain, so why not try something typically Spanish? The Local provides us with ten dishes that are traditionally eaten at Easter time and that are well worth sampling:

Ten mouthwatering dishes to enjoy at Easter in Spain

A floating city

A floating city

Many people enjoy the opportunity to take a cruise but perhaps not on a boat as big as this. The ‘Symphony of the Seas’ measures 362 metres in length and has space for 6,360 passengers. As you might expect, it has a wealth of additional facilities including its own theme park:

'Symphony of the Seas', world's largest cruise ship, docks in Málaga

Corvera back in the news

Corvera back in the news

Now this ‘on and off’ airport seems to be ready to take off, we’re following its fortunes again on Murcia Today. The latest is that we could see it open by January 2019 and that four airlines are already bidding to fly from there:

Four Airlines Already Negotiating With Aena Over Flights At Corvera Airport

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!