It might not be the whole property that is illegal but many houses include a construction that has not been approved. Perhaps it is a swimming pool, an extension or a conservatory - people have not always followed the correct procedures when improving their homes.

In this article we explain how this situation can be rectified and how you can be protected if considering buying a property with irregularities:

Illegal construction in Spain: how to verify your property and what you need to know about the AFO

If you are, then congratulations! Spain has so much to offer. Whether you are buying as a non-resident holiday maker, an investor, or someone with a view to making Spain your home - the lifestyle, the weather and the rich culture, will reward you.

But, first and foremost, you must get it right. You are investing a lot of money and you want to make sure that the property you settle on is present and correct. In this article we explain about the legal verifications your solicitor needs to apply in order to protect you:

Legal checklist for buying property in Spain: what to verify before you sign

With so much paperwork in Spain, it’s no wonder that there is an individual whose job it is just to deal with it. You may be familiar with the role of the abogado as a legal expert but do you know who can help you if you are transferring the ownership of your car?

Knowing your gestor from your abogado in Spain

Located in the southeast of Spain, Almería has a lot to recommend it. In this article David Ruiz takes us through its history, main architectural features and a number of its natural attractions. It is home to the Tabernas Desert which is Europe’s only true desert and was the setting for a number of Western films in the 1960s and 1970s. read more about this fascinating part of Spain, its beaches, climate and attractions:

Living in Almeria Spain: The Definitive Guide

Spanish people are well-known for their ability to celebrate and make the most of life. So, if you are in Spain during May why don’t you join them? The May fair is hosted in many areas but is particularly popular in Andalucía.

We provide a summary, not only of the May fair/ horse fair, but also Spain’s other major fiestas:

To find out more about Torrevieja’s very own May Fair, this article in The Leader provides the days and events that you can expect at Antonio Soria Park from May 7th to May 10th:

Not to be outdone, Orihuela has also announced their list of events for May:

New rules came into force on April 22nd that mean bringing your pet to Spain with you could become a little more difficult. Since Brexit many British people have continued to use an EU-issued passport for their pets. A tightening up of the rules means that now, if they do bring their pets with them, they must follow the non-EU rules which include obtaining an Official Veterinarian Certificate before each trip:

The EuroWeekly explains how new legislation could help remove squatters in less time. Concerns about protecting your property whilst your away remain high amongst foreign Spanish property owners. However, a new fast-track system could help reduce delays and is intended to reassure homeowners that the law can be on their side:

Rojales is described by euro,news as a ‘hidden gem’. Not far from Ábaco’s offices, Rojales does indeed have a lot to offer and is definitely worth visiting although it was something of a surprise to see it featured in this way:

These are the top trending rural destinations in Europe

Do you remember taking bottles back to the shop to collect some spending money? Well, it looks as though Spain will be introducing this past practice in November according to EU requirements. Alicante Today explains how returning your empties will be rewarded with 10 cents. The only problem being that this will be added to the cost of your drink in the first place:

Get paid to recycle: Spain is finally introducing its long-awaited deposit return scheme

If you have had this unfortunate experience then you might be interested to hear that the DGT (Spain’s government agency responsible for traffic) has launched a new service aimed at those suffering the repercussions of an accident. The helpline is available in 50 languages and Alicante Today explains more about it and what it offers:

If you live in or near to Torrevieja you are probably already familiar with the vast number of changes it is undergoing at the moment. If not, or you are simply interested to read more, you might want to take a look at this article from Your New Home in Spain:

Casa Espania has also produced a video that takes you round the proposed developments:

With Ireland remaining in the EU, you have an easier procedure if you are Irish and want to live in Spain – easier but not without its hurdles. No visa is necessary but you do have to obtain paperwork and what this is depends upon what you will do whilst you are living here. Healthplan Magazine explains what is needed:

Once you’ve decided to buy your property in Spain then it’s a case of whereabouts exactly. You might already have a very clear idea and know your target area already. But, if not, how do you begin your search? In this article from A Place in the Sun, they provide a step-by-step guide to narrowing down your field:

Spain in English explains where Spain’s current stock of fuel is coming from and where it’s hoped it will come from in the future. For those expecting to fly to other countries the jet fuel issue is also a major concern:

Spain signals support for EU jet fuel sharing as imports from US & Nigeria increase

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!