The Word on the Street - News and Information from Spain

News and Information from Spain

International Edition - May 2017

Welcome to the May 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.

Resident taxes

Resident taxes

The deadline for making your resident tax declaration is fast approaching. The end of June marks the time when the vast majority of people who live more than 183 days in Spain should have completed the form. In this article we explain about your obligations as a resident, including the resident tax declaration and the 720 asset declaration form:

All you need to know about resident taxes in Spain

The power of attorney makes it easier

The power of attorney makes it easier

If you are considering buying a property in Spain you might want to take a look at this article. Whether you can travel to Spain or not, when your solicitor has a power of attorney, the process can be so much easier. Find out what the power of attorney is and how to go about making one:

Power of attorney: The easy way to your Spanish property

Water safety

Water safety

As people begin to venture into their pools in Spain it’s worthwhile reviewing your own pool safety and making sure that your guests are aware of it too. Taking a dip in the sea is a wonderful way of cooling down but you should also be aware of how to do it safely.

Check our article ‘Water safety in Spain’ for some useful tips:

Water safety in Spain

Mar Menor worries

Mar Menor worries

If you have property in this area then you are bound to already know about the recent difficulties with agricultural run-off finding its way into the Mar Menor. This has resulted in loss of water quality and an increase in ‘algal bloom’. Murcia Today provides a very good update on what the current situation is for anyone with an interest in the area or who is just curious about what has been happening to this intriguing laguna:

Murcia and Spanish news round-up week ending 12th May 2017

Addicted to Amazon

Addicted to Amazon

For those who spend a lot of time in a foreign country, Amazon can be a real saviour. Able to order almost anything, delivery vans have become frequent visitors to many expat homes. So what is this giant up to now?

Amazon is primed to take over every aspect of our lives

Watch out for rental scams

Watch out for rental scams

We’re coming up to the summer season and people are looking around for good value rental accommodation. This article from Money Saver Spain provides some good advice for those who are relying on the internet to find their holiday accommodation:

Avoid Scams On Holiday Rentals In Spain

Summer is here

Summer is here

Yes, the hot weather has finally arrived and this means not only a change to your wardrobe but a change to your lifestyle too in Spain. If you want to find out more about what changes to expect with the warmer weather, this Local ‘Ten things’ is a good place to start:

Ten things that only happen in Spain when summer arrives

Neanderthals in Spain, not a friendly bunch

Neanderthals in Spain, not a friendly bunch

This is an interesting blog about the Neanderthal remains found in the northern Spanish cave of El Sidrón in Asturias. It appears that the Neanderthals were, in some respects, more civilised than we give them credit for. However, in other ways, they were not a very pleasant bunch at all. An interesting read if a pity about the ‘there’ in the title:

Spanish Neanderthals had there own medicine

Spain’s Banksy

Spain’s Banksy

Sam3 is Spain’s alternative street artist who has most recently made an impact in the town of Santa Pola. Many people who visit Alicante airport are familiar with the Osborne bull that can be seen from the N332 as travellers leave the airport to other destinations. Now Sam3 has painted the bull in the style of Picasso’s Guernica as a protest against bullfighting.

To see his artwork on the Santa Pola bull:

How the Spanish Banksy used Picasso in unique protest against bullfighting

To see what else he has created:

Sam3 Paintings

Looking for things to do?

Looking for things to do?

If you’re coming over to Spain during the summer and want to catch up with some local events then the Eurotourguide would be a good website to check out. They keep an up-to-date record of what’s happening in different areas and there is also more detailed information about some local fiestas and other celebrations:

Euro Tour Guide

Yacht window shopping

Yacht window shopping

Are you one of those people who likes to saunter past the luxury yachts in the port, choosing which one you might buy? If so, then you might be interested to hear that the superyacht ‘Rising Sun’ has recently docked in Mallorca:

Superyacht Rising Sun which Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen partied on docks in Mallorca

You might like to take a look at these top 100 superyachts:

Top 100 SuperYachts

You might also like to do some browsing of your own at these brand new yachts:

The coolest new superyachts of 2017 so far

Dress codes for the summer

Dress codes for the summer

Apologies to all our female readers but, you might just enjoy reading this too. The Telegraph has produced their ’15 mistakes every man over 40 makes in a heatwave’. Some of these warnings for what not to wear could be applied to holiday makers enjoying the Spanish sun:

15 mistakes every man over 40 makes in a heatwave (and how to correct them)

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!