Spanish banks can work differently to the banks you will have encountered in your own country. If you do not provide them with the correct paperwork they can freeze your account, or you owe money to the tax authority, for example, they can embargo your account. In this article from our blog we explain about embargoes, charges and provide advice about taking out insurance with them:

The NIE or Número de Identidad de Extranjero is an individual tax number for foreigners that you need when completing any major financial transaction in Spain. You are often asked for it, even when collecting your post! Before you buy, inherit or donate an NIE is necessary whether you are a resident or a non-resident. In this article we explain what it is used for, why it’s important and how to obtain one:

How to obtain an NIE document in Spain: all you need to know 

At only around 20 minutes from Alicante airport, Santa Pola is a very handy destination to choose for a visit or to live in. You can also take regular ferries from this coastal town to the nearby island of Tabarca. With many other interesting features to boast about you’ll want to make a return visit or even buy a house there. In this article David Ruiz tells us about its history, its attractions and architecture:

Living in Santa Pola Spain: The Definitive Guide

Are you an Irish citizen thinking of moving to a warmer climate? In this article David Ruiz explains the essential steps you must take if you would like to come and live in Spain:

Moving to Spain from Ireland: The Definitive Guide

If you are a non-resident but your car is registered in Spain then this can cause a problem if you are stopped by the police. The police cannot identify whether you really are a non-resident or not and so you might be given a fine for not having a Spanish driving licence. In order to prevent this misunderstanding you should carry with you a non-resident’s certificate. In this Facebook post the N332 explain further and also provide a link where you can apply for a non-resident certificate:

On the flip side of the coin – what do you need to do when you have finished paying your mortgage? ThinkSpain takes us through the actions you should complete to ensure that your repayment is confirmed and that your new life without a mortgage can begin:

What to do when a mortgage is paid off in Spain

A Place in the Sun have many useful articles when it comes to buying property in Spain. In this one they highlight the five biggest mistakes people make when buying Spanish property:

FIVE Biggest Mistakes When Buying in Spain 

Do you watch a Place in the Sun? If you do then you might have seen the episode where couple Gary and Sandra settle on their new holiday home in Mazarrón, Murcia. In this article we learn a little bit more about the couple and their experiences since filming:

Why We Chose Mazarrón to Buy a Holiday Home for £60k 

Sir Alex Ellis has been appointed as the British Ambassador to Spain. You can find out more about him on this Government page:

A new British Ambassador, Sir Alex Ellis, arrives in Spain

The answer simply is ‘no’. However, large numbers of tourists in specific areas such as Barcelona are creating some bad feeling – not towards individuals but the impact of the businesses around them. A large part of the unrest is to do with rental prices. Local people on relatively low Spanish wages cannot afford a property to rent and, understandably, this is a large part of the problem. In this article we read about how one area has ‘capped’ the number of tourists:

‘People understand the cap’: how a Spanish eco-beauty spot tackled overtourism

There are lots of different answers to this depending on who you ask. However, in this list Torrevieja is given a mention. See if you agree:

Is this the best place to retire to in Spain?: 'It has an incredible climate and a low-cost of living'

The German celebration of Oktoberfest is now firmly a part of the Spanish calendar. Different regions have adopted their own styles and dates:

Barcelona are celebrating from the 3rd to the 20th of October:

Denia has already started and will continue until October 12th:

Some of the dates for the festival still have to be confirmed but you should look out for this annual event in Calpe:

La Nucía has announced their dates as the 3rd to the 13th of October:

Oktoberfest CCC La Nucía

Unfortunately, some of the festivals we have missed as they took place in September!

What’s your tipple? In this article from Andalucia Today we can read about the changing fortunes of red to white wine in the Spanish vineyards.

It’s perhaps no surprise that Mexico and the Seychelles boast the two whitest beaches in this top 30 list. However, Spain also gets a mention – in fact six times:

Spain is home to six of the world’s 30 beaches with the whitest sand

As an endangered species, loggerhead turtle eggs are given five star treatment when they are laid. Following the sighting of a turtle on Poniente beach in Benidorm the protocol was put into place and now ten baby loggerheads have hatched:

We’ve reported on unusual reasons for delays and detours before but this has to be one of the strangest. A flight from Oslo to Malaga had to make an unscheduled landing when an unwelcome rodent was found on board:

Johnny Depp’s name goes without explanation but for many Amber Heard was a relatively unknown until the famous court case in 2022. Now, she’s found peace by moving to Madrid whilst Johnny was drawn to London for his permanent home. As the San Sebastian film festival rolls on they both find themselves in the same country:

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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