THE WORD ON THE STREET
News and information from Spain
International Edition - December 2022
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.
It’s time to file your Modelo 720 form in Spain
Time for the 720

If you have recently moved to Spain or you are a resident and your circumstances have changed then you may need to submit an asset declaration form – modelo 720. This is the form you need to complete if while being resident in Spain, you still have assets or investments abroad over the value of 50,000€, or any property outside Spain.

Usually, it is a one-off form that you must complete and only needs resubmitting if circumstances have changed such as purchasing or selling property abroad, if your assets have altered by 20,000€ or investments have matured. To find out more about the form and whether you must complete one or review an existing one, read our articles:

It’s time to file your Modelo 720 form in Spain

The 720 asset declaration form

There are fines for either not completing the form or for completing inaccurately so it is worthwhile consulting your tax adviser if you are unsure about whether you need to complete one or whether you should change an existing one. Forms can be sent from January 1st to March 31st.

Living in Biar Spain: The Definitive Guide
Living in Biar

Have you heard of the town of Biar? It’s a small, inland town that dates back to Roman times and has the archaeology to prove it. As it isn’t directly on the coast and is less well-known as a destination, the property prices are significantly lower than those you might find elsewhere.

In this guide, David Ruiz points out that there are some properties here that are available for renovation. If you are thinking of buying a home in Spain you might want to take a look. If not you might still be interested in making this a port of call when you next have some time to spare:

Living in Biar Spain: The Definitive Guide
Measures announced to help with the cost of living

The President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has announced a range of measures to help families in the new year with the cost of food and some other essentials. It includes removing VAT on some basic food items such as bread and a one-off payment of 200€ for those on a low income. To read about the full range of measures:


Sur in English has an article speculating on how you might apply for the 200€ grant. This is an online source of information for English speakers living in or visiting the Malaga region:

Who will benefit and how to apply for the 200-euro ‘food cheque’ announced by Spanish government?

On ‘Sur in English’ Facebook page they have provided information about current electricity prices and the best times of the day to use it in order to keep the cost down; though this may vary depending on your company and tariff:

N332 Facebook Page
N332 – new programme for 2023

Many of you will already be familiar with the N332 Facebook page that offers advice about driving in Spain but also about other topics of relevance to residents from other countries. Now they have announced a new schedule of posts with a different focus for each day of the week:
World’s Best cuisines
World’s Best cuisines

So, which country would you rate as having the best food in the world? Of course, we’re a little biased here but it looks like Spain will get a favourable mention at third place. Who will beat them? Take a look at this table from tasteatlas and see if you agree with the selection and their order:

The three kings are coming
The three kings are coming

In Spain, the focus isn’t just on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve is the traditional time to celebrate and you don’t have to stop wishing people a Happy Christmas with the arrival of new year. On January 5th the three kings arrive and this is Spain’s final, and for the children perhaps the most important part of the festive calendar.

This is the time when traditionally the presents are given and families celebrate with a day off on the bank holiday January 6th . So just when many countries are facing their dreariest time of the year, there are still celebrations to enjoy and take part in.
Most towns and villages will have their own traditional three kings’ parade. However, some are renowned for the spectacle:

Alcoy is well known for its build-up and parade:

Three Kings Parade

You can watch Madrid’s parade on the TV:

Three Kings Parade
It’s been a warm, warm Christmas
It’s been a warm, warm Christmas

Well, we couldn’t have asked for better Christmas weather on the Costa Blanca. We’ve seen wall to wall sunshine over the Christmas period and we’ve been basking in the glorious 20s for weeks. We are often blessed with some sunshine around Christmas time however, the recent weather has taken even long-term residents by surprise.

With barbecues for Christmas dinner and dips in the sea on Christmas day, we have to give a heads up to La Zenia’s playa del bosque with its record breaking Christmas Day crowds. The popularity of this annual event has grown and grown and after a couple of years of disruption due to Covid measures it was certainly back with a vengeance this year:


And talking about the weather is Spain in English:

After waiting for 20 years, Murcia finally has a high-speed train to Madrid
Improved train network

We’ve written before about the reliability and quality of Spain’s railway – RENFE. The only criticism is that the trains do not always link in all towns and cities. Now, one of those gaps in provision has been closed with extended lines to the region of Murcia:

Christmas In Spain 2022: Kings Speech, Festive Cards From The Uk Embassy And More
Christmas news

Murcia Today provides a roundup of some of the most important recent national events as well as those local to Murcia. Find out about what Spain’s King Felipe had to say in his address to the nation:

Happy Christmas!
Christmas card competition

Every year the British Embassy holds a Christmas card competition and the winning card is used by them to send out. The cards are created by the children in La Paz hospital next door to the Embassy building. You can see them all on this Facebook video:

Happy Christmas!
Bringing villages back to life
Bringing villages back to life

Many of Spain’s traditional villages are under threat. With dwindling populations, often consisting now of only the oldest members of society, there are different plans in place to keep these traditional hamlets alive.

This is a rather unusual twist – falling population numbers? Why not create your own nude calendar? It’s a fascinating idea that has brought publicity to the hamlet as well as expressions of support from other areas facing a similar fate:

Flavour of the month: the Spanish hamlet (population: 16) that created a hit nude calendar

This Guardian article points to another solution to keep rural areas afloat – using them to house people with no other home. In this case villages with under 500 inhabitants are becoming home to refugees from around the world. Here is the story of Orwa Skafe:

First refugees arrive in tiny Catalan villages under repopulation plan
Happy new year!
Happy new year!

We would like to take the opportunity to wish all our clients and readers a healthy, happy and prosperous new year! 
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!
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