January can be a difficult month so let’s include a piece of good news to set us off as we’d like to continue. We’re always hearing about taxes increasing so it’s a breath of fresh air to find out that one property tax is, in fact, coming down. If you are thinking of buying a property in the Valencia region then you should know that transfer tax and stamp duty will be slightly reduced from June 2026. We explain more about the reductions and how they might apply to you in this article:

Good news for property buyers in the Valencia Region

If you are a landlord of a Spanish property then it is important that you keep abreast of the news. Short-term lets are in the spotlight at the moment and not following the rules can leave you vulnerable. In this article we explain what qualifies as a short-term rental, what you must submit and how. It is important to note that the deadline for this is February 28th so if it does apply to you, time is running out to make your declaration:

ÁbacoClub was created to provide something extra and different for our clients. We wanted to go above and beyond by taking you to new places, introducing you to Spanish culture and bringing people together to make friends and enjoy Spain even more. We love getting to know you and are delighted with the response that we have following our events. Thank you!

Just to make sure that everything runs smoothly in 2026, we have some small requests for those of you who are keen to join in.

Our ÁbacoClub newsletters are a key way to find out what’s planned. We know you are receiving ‘The Word on the Street’ newsletter – you’re reading it! But if you are signed up to the AbacoClub and aren’t receiving its newsletter, please check:

• Have you ticked the confidentiality box?
• Have you checked your spam?

If you’ve answered ‘yes’ then please contact our office so that we can help you.

We are delighted that our trips are so popular but please help us make sure that everyone gets a chance to take part. There is limited capacity at the events we plan and although we would love to cater for you all, it isn’t possible for us to do that.

Please remember that our trips are for two family members and are intended for adults only. If you are booked in and then are unable to attend, do please let us know so someone from our waiting list can take your place.

We take great care in sourcing places to visit and try to make them as accessible as possible both in terms of venue and language. Please be patient with us if your ideal location isn’t always available – we have clients in many parts of Spain! We also like to make sure that when a particularly popular trip is repeated, it can be enjoyed by those who haven’t had chance to go before.

We are busily preparing our calendar for 2026 and are excited to share it with you. We thank you for helping us make our ÁbacoClub full of fun and memorable experiences!

 
Welcome to ÁbacoClub 2026

Zamora is a historic city in north-west Spain. Could it be the perfect destination for you? David Ruiz describes a city steeped in history and he takes us through its architectural wonders. There is certainly plenty of places to visit here and much to recommend it:

Living in Zamora Spain: The Definitive Guide

The NLV stands for Non-Lucrative Visa and is currently the most popular way to apply for residency in Spain. There was some concern that the expectation around the finance you would need for 2026 would be higher than previously. However, the good news is that it hasn’t changed. If you are interested and would like to know more then this article from A Place in the Sun explains:

We also have our own article on the subject:

 
The Non-Lucrative Visa explained

Have you installed a security camera in or outside your property or are you thinking of having one? Either way you do need to be aware of what the rules are around its placement and range. In this article from Euro Weekly News they explain what’s allowed and what isn’t:

Sometimes it feels as though they are attacking us from all sides. Suffice to say, when it comes to unsolicited communications – beware! This is the latest scam posing as the Spanish Social Security. Euro Weekly News warns us of this new attempt to take our money and reminds us of the importance of not sending important financial and personal details without absolute verification that the source of the request is genuine:

Urgent warning for expats in Spain: Fake Social Security letter scam circulating nationwide

If you own a property in Spain you might have noticed that your property insurance has been creeping up over the years. Mark Stücklin from Spanish Property Insight sheds some light on why this is the case:

The quiet surge in Spanish home insurance costs

Did you know that you can claim compensation if your flight is delayed by more than three hours? That is as legislation currently stands although there are moves to increase the delay time to four hours. This extension has recently been blocked by the European Parliament. Find out where you stand at the moment if you’re left waiting at the airport:

If you own a property in Spain you might be interested to read about what the changes are in terms of legal requirements for the new year. Think Spain provides its take on what’s new and what you need to be aware of:

Spanish property law: What changed in 2025 and what applies in 2026

It’s not uncommon to discover that you’ve perhaps spent a little too much over Christmas to be followed by an interminably long January. Spanish News Today picks out some ideas provided by Bankinter to help you overcome the post festive season, financial blues:

It rarely happens, but what should you expect if you are pulled over by the Guardia Civil? Euro Weekly News provides their advice on understanding the Guardia’s signals and the documents that you should have ready:

If you would like to spend more time out in Spain but aren’t ready to buy a property yet, you might have considered renting on a long-term basis. It does have advantages and is a good way of discovering if the area you choose is right for you. Health Plan Spain provides its advice:

Which would suit you better? A brand-new home in the latest style or a used property that has already had chance to ‘settle’? There are pros and cons of both and this article from Your New Home outlines the main points to consider:

If January isn’t your favourite month - it’s important for our newsletter to end on a high. In this article from A Place in the Sun, Spain can once more celebrate coming out on top when it comes to best places to buy abroad. So if you’ve already bought – then you are in good company. And, if you are still thinking about it – what’s stopping 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!