Thinking of investing in rental property?

Now might be a good time if you’ve been thinking about buying a property to rent. With the rise of online rental opportunities such as AirBnb, the process of renting out your property has never been simpler. Just make sure you comply with the tax requirements! Here we explain about this growing market and what your obligations are:

One million euros a month through Airbnb

Why you should make a will in Spain

It might not be compulsory but it most definitely is a good move to make. Making a Spanish will can help your inheritors and enable transfer to go ahead more smoothly. In this article we outline the reasons why:

The importance of making a will in Spain - protect your assets for inheritors

It’s resident tax time!

If you are a resident living in Spain then the run up to the end of June is when you  should submit your resident tax declaration. Paying Spanish taxes still causes some confusion, so here’s an article that aims to explain what the requirements are and what you should do to fulfill them:

All you need to know about resident taxes in Spain

They celebrate St. George's Day here too

April 23rd is the day of Sant Jordi or Saint George and it might come as something of a surprise to know that it’s celebrated here too, albeit with a difference. The tradition is for people to give each other a rose or a book as evidence of their love and culture. 

It was in the 15th century that Catalonia adopted St George as their patron saint. Now it’s a bank holiday and opportunity for flower sellers to do a very good trade. The Local tell us about it:

Why St George's Day is marked in Catalonia with roses and books

Mercadona in the UK?

Mercadona is already known as having prime position asone of the most popular supermarkets in Valencia. Now, it looks as though the UK High Street is going to become familiar with the name too. However, don’t go rushing out just yet to buy your alioli. It’s only a trading office that they’re opening at the moment - but who knows in the future?

Mercadona opens buying centre in Harrogate, UK

Taxi!

If you sometimes need to hail a taxi in Spain you might find this article by Money Saver Spain quite useful. It explains about your rights, how the cost of the taxi ride is calculated and some apps that you might find useful:

Taxis, Uber and Cabify in Spain

Buying online tips

Money Saver Spain has one or two suggestions for online purchases you can make to access your favourite UK brands. It includes some handy general tips too:

Your Favourite UK Brands In Spain

Insects break into the Spanish food market

Eating insects might not sound too appetising but there are people who believe that insects are the way to go when it comes to searching out new food markets. Now Carrefour is offering shoppers the chance to buy their very own spicy chilli buffalo worms and smoked crickets.

If you’re looking for new tastes – then why not give it a go? Eating insects is plugged as not only being both a tasty and nutritious option but also environmentally friendly:

Grubs up: Carrefour offers Spanish shoppers insect-based snacks

Is this another planet or just Spain?

It’s often said that Spain has one of the most varied lanscapes in the world. From skiing in its mountain ranges to desert-like expanses of rock and sand, there aren’t many types of terrain that are missing completely. 

Now El País has put together its collection of Spanish landscapes thatcould be from another planet. You might even spot one that’s very close to Ábaco’s offices:

12 landscapes that look like they’re from another planet (but are actually in Spain)

Are you looking at me?

As a foreigner in Spain you can feel very conspicuous. Spanish people are often quite open in taking a good look if something intrigues them. The Local has put together a list of reasons why you might be getting that second glance:

10 reasons why a Spanish person might be staring at you

The perfect back drop and not far from home

What could provide a more fitting and beautiful back drop to Zara's most recent line of clothing? It's our very own Torrevieja salt lakes which proved to be the attraction in their latest photo shoot.

It certainly provides stunning scenery that some of us perhaps take for granted:

Zara ‘Salt Lake’ Spring Summer 2018 Women Collection

Asturias song goes viral

Oskar Proy certainly made an impact during Australia’s version of the Voice when he sang the Asturian anthem in honour of his grandmother. At only 18 years old thisyoung man sang in Spanish to an appreciative group of judges.

You can listen to him sing here:

Oskar Proy sings Asturias, Patria Querida | The Voice Australia 2018

Time for the May fair!

It's time again for this very popular fair that usually features in Torrevieja in May. We say ‘usually', because last year, due to contractual problems, it found itself taking place in October instead.

This year it runs from May 23rd to the 27th and you can visit the numerous huts which are home to different local societies and sample paella and many other traditional dishes.

You can pause by the different tents and see spontaneous as well as carefully prepared demonstrations of flamenco. On Friday and Saturday the partying continues on into the evening and there are organised dance displays as well as those scattered around the different tents.

Much of what you will see has its roots in Andalucia and flamenco is the order of the day, and well into the night! At the weekend there are also processions of horses and carriages with traditional dress sevillanas dress. It must qualify as one of the most colourful and vibrant fiestas held in Spain. If you do have a chance to visit it really is worth seeing.

You can get a flavour of what it's all about from these YouTube clips:

Torrevieja Feria de Mayo 2015 May Fair

Feria de Sevillanas. Encendido. Torrevieja 11.10.2017

Feria de Sevillanas. Academia QK Torrevieja 11.10.2017

Alternatively, why not come along and take a look!

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!