The Word on the Street - News and Information from Spain

News and Information from Spain

International Edition - January 2018

Welcome to the January 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 or selling property in Spain?

Thinking of buying or selling property in Spain?

Ábaco can help you. We make it a priority to provide good, objective advice and you can select several different options to receive it for free. Whether you prefer to chat online, browse our articles or meet face-to-face, we can help you take those first steps.

This article explains how you can access free information and ensure that the process goes smoothly whether you are buying or selling in Spain:

Some good advice on buying and selling

Good news for those donating or inheriting

Good news for those donating or inheriting

If you are planning to donate your property or you are about to inherit there is, at least, some financial good news. Some regions are changing the threshold above which inheritance and donation tax is payable. In some cases this means that there is no tax to pay at all. We explain in more detail in our article:

Positive trends for inheritance and donation tax

Did you miss the non-resident tax declaration deadline?

Did you miss the non-resident tax declaration deadline?

The deadline for the non-resident tax declaration was December 31st. It can still be completed, although you will now have a small fine to pay. We explain how to  put your house in order and avoid further penalties and bigger fines:

Did you miss the non-resident tax declaration deadline?

It’s the sales in Spain!

It’s the sales in Spain!

Otherwise known as ‘rebajas’ the sales take place twice a year during the summer and the winter. The summer sales are usually during July and August and winter sales in January and February. 

They follow a particular pattern too and are quite standardised. Sales items should have been offered at a higher price before the sale begins and labels should show the previous and reduced price.

If you want to know what your consumer rights are then Money Saver Spain includes a useful article:

Sales in Spain – Know Your Consumer Rights

Where to go skiing in Spain

Where to go skiing in Spain

Not everyone would associate Spain with skiing. However, the country does in fact have some excellent resorts from the well-known Sierra Nevada in Granada to a number of lesser known resorts.

The Local share with us their top eight giving us a brief description of each one.

Eight amazing ski resorts in Spain

If you want to find out more then each resort will have its own website where you can check the number and type of runs and the facilities available there.

Spanish bank holidays

Spanish bank holidays

Spain is often considered to have more bank holidays than other countries. It is true that there can seem to be holidays at unusual times of the year when you don’t expect them (for example at the beginning of December). However, when one does fall on a weekend it is not usually re-scheduled for another day.

It is useful to have a record of the national holidays as well as regional ones so you can plan to stock your fridge and avoid the busiest restaurants. However, as with most countries now, shops won’t be closed for long, if at all.

Spain’s public holidays in 2018: Official list

It’s busy in Spain

It’s busy in Spain

We’ve heard a lot about the increase in tourism in Spain recently. However, it’s not just tourists that are making the cities here feel pretty busy. This interesting article compares the distribution of the population in Spain and explains why, although much of Spain can seem empty, it could claim to be the most densely populated major European country:

Think your country is crowded?

Renting an apartment unseen

Renting an apartment unseen

If you’re considering renting in Spain but are not going to be able to view initially yourself, this article from Expatica is worth reading. Using the internet you can feel more confident that you know what you’re getting. However, these basic tips are worth applying if you are thinking or renting unseen. The article refers to renting property in both Spain and France.

Renting an apartment sight unseen: the dos and don’ts

Spanish for beginners

Spanish for beginners

Learning online isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but if you can stay motivated and need tuition that fits around you, then this could be a good alternative. It’s an Open University course and is aimed at people who have no knowledge of Spanish – so absolute beginners. You can join for six weeks for free and then upgrade if you like at a cost of €39.

Spanish for Beginners 1

Eleven influential Spaniards

Eleven influential Spaniards

The list comes from Forbes magazine’s list of the 30 most influential Europeans aged under 30. Think Spain provides a summary of the Spanish sports personalities, artists, designers and entrepreneurs who receive a mention:

Forbes' '30 Under 30 Europe' list includes 11 Spaniards

Favourite Spanish foods and their recipes

Favourite Spanish foods and their recipes

It’s Expatica bringing us this selection of Top 10 Spanish foods and recipes. There perhaps aren’t any surprises in what they’ve chosen to include but the link to the recipes is a useful idea. Spanish food may not be renowned for its spiciness but it is definitely full of flavour. These traditional examples are worth trying for yourself:

Top 10 Spanish foods – with recipes

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!