THE WORD ON THE STREET
News and information from Spain
International Edition - May 2026
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.
Is Spanish property a safe investment? A guide for foreign buyers
Is Spanish property a safe investment?

If you have some money to spare and are looking for somewhere to invest, could Spain be the answer? In this article we explain what the legal protections are for investors, look into Spain’s political and economic stability and consider what any risks might be:

Is Spanish property a safe investment? A guide for foreign buyers
Property due diligence in Spain: the essential checks every foreign buyer should make
Our guide to buying with confidence

So, you’ve decided to buy a property in Spain. Perhaps it is for investment or for personal use. Perhaps it is a combination of both. Whatever your reason it is very important that you purchase safely and with ‘due diligence’. In this article we explain how you, as a foreign buyer, can ensure that everything is in order before you commit any money to your project. We describe what the due diligence process is, how you can go about putting it into operation and what the role of an independent lawyer might be:

Property due diligence in Spain: the essential checks every foreign buyer should make
EES rules in Spain: what property owners need to know in 2026
Entry and exit into Spain – where are we now?

It has been a confusing time trying to establish exactly what is expected when it comes to EU borders, particularly if you are from a country outside of the EU. In our article ‘EES rules in Spain: what property owners need to know in 2026’ we outline what the EES is, how it works at Spanish airports and the impact it might have on you if you are a property owner from a non-EU country:

EES rules in Spain: what property owners need to know in 2026
Who’s buying and where in Spain
Who’s buying where in Spain

If you like to keep an eye on property buying trends in Spain then this brief summary of the latest data will give you an idea of which regions, and cities are attracting the most buyers. There is also a break down on the country of origin of those buying – with an interesting turn-up for the books:

Who’s buying and where in Spain
More tourist licences for Valencia?
The latest on tourist licences in Valencia

Can you/ can’t you apply for a licence to let out your property to tourists in the Valencian region? There is a little bit of turmoil around this at the moment. We provide you with the latest update but, as always, watch this space:

More tourist licences for Valencia?
10 tips for renting a car in Spain
Car rental – 10 tips for renting

Do you have a favourite car rental company or are you between providers? Once you are settled with a company who you can trust and whose terms and conditions suite you, then you are lucky. For those of you who are still deliberating over what’s best for you, read our advice to help you make your decision and to avoid the pitfalls of the car rental market:

10 tips for renting a car in Spain
How to greet people in Spain
How to say hello in Spain

Getting a greeting right can be a little tricky. Every country has its protocols and you cannot expect a direct translation from one culture to another when it comes to what is considered to be appropriate behaviour. We provide a light look at how to avoid those faux pas and make sure you don’t look too much like a ‘guiri’ (foreigner):

How to greet people in Spain
Making the most of your campervan – legally
Making the most of your campervan – legally

Campervans have gained popularity recently and it’s easy to see why. They are versatile, flexible and far cheaper than having a property in each destination you want to visit. However, you shouldn’t take the rules around pit stops for granted. Spain is ramping up its regulations and we provide some pointers:

Making the most of your campervan – legally 
Living in Seville Spain: The Definitive Guide
Welcome to Seville

Seville is a personal favourite of mine and here David Ruiz provides his guide to it. Steeped in history, it ticks so many boxes for those people wanting to see the different faces of Spain. David outlines its history, introduces us to some of its main attractions and if it doesn’t make you feel like visiting, I don’t know what will:

Lifestyle value confirmed: Seville and Valencia among the world's happiest cities in 2025
Seville is a happy place to be

Whilst on the subject of Seville, you might be interested to know that it has recently been voted the happiest place in Europe, followed by Valencia in second place. Further afield, Spanish cities do well on the happiest scale too. Seville came in at number 9 in the world according to Time Out and Valencia just made the top 20 at number 19. Having said that, Glasgow was number 20!

Think Spain tells us more:

Lifestyle value confirmed: Seville and Valencia among the world's happiest cities in 2025
Supreme Court torpedoes Spain’s short-let rental registry
Good news for landlords

The Supreme Court in Spain has dissolved the National Rental Registry. Spanish Property Insight writes about this new development in the rental market:

Supreme Court torpedoes Spain’s short-let rental registry

Other sources also publicise this change in direction:

Holiday homeowners in Spain gain relief as Supreme Court scraps National Rental Registry
Greggs expands abroad with Tenerife airport launch and Spanish breakfast twist
First it was Wetherspoons now it’s Greggs

It looks like British food and drink chains are set on dipping their toes in Spanish territory. First it was Wetherspoons breaking barriers with an outlet in Alicante airport. Now, it’s Greggs with its sausage rolls making an entrance in Tenerife South Airport. To find out if you could be enjoying your favourite pastry soon:

Greggs expands abroad with Tenerife airport launch and Spanish breakfast twist

On the subject of Wetherspoons, it looks as though their push into the Spanish market isn’t just in Alicante. This article from Spanish News Today identifies two new airport locations for the popular UK pub chain:

Wetherspoon is already opening its 2nd and 3rd pubs in Spain! Here's where...
Costa Blanca skyline is getting a monster new addition as EU's tallest residential tower rises
Taking it one step further with TM Tower

It is an inspiring skyline. Driving from Alicante the skyscrapers hit you like a segment of New York. And Benidorm isn’t about to relinquish its hold on skyscraper development anytime soon. Developer TM Grupo has begun the building of a 230 metre skyscraper that will ultimately become the highest in Europe.

Alicante Today provides us with some interesting insight into this new Goliath on the doorstep:

Costa Blanca skyline is getting a monster new addition as EU's tallest residential tower rises
Moving to Spain as an EU Citizen in 2026: Complete Guide
Moving to Spain as an EU citizen

HealthPlan Spain has published their guidance for moving to live in Spain if you are from a country in the EU. This guide covers who it applies to, what you must do in the first 90 days and the subsequent steps you must take. It provides the different scenarios depending on your plans when you live in Spain and your personal circumstances:

Moving to Spain as an EU Citizen in 2026: Complete Guide
A Dutch couple bought an abandoned village in Spain – and want strangers to come live there
Could this solve the problem of rural decline?

Young Spanish people have been leaving rural villages for the job opportunities and life experiences of the cities. As a result many Spanish villages are now in decline, some to the point of no return. One such was Bárcena de Bureba in the province of Burgos. This village, almost entirely deserted, has now been bought by a Dutch couple intent on re-populating it. EuroWeekly report on this colossal project:

A Dutch couple bought an abandoned village in Spain – and want strangers to come live there
Five frequently asked questions about getting a Spanish mortgage
Applying for a Spanish mortgage

With increasing enthusiasm for investment in Spain, you might need a little help with the finance to make the dream come true. Can foreigners obtain a Spanish mortgage? The answer is yes and in this article Place in the Sun answers five frequently asked questions about the process:

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.

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