The Spanish real estate market has recovered since the crisis of 2008 and there are still many opportunities. Nevertheless, when you don’t know the language and even less the rules, it is important to prepare yourself for this important step that is the purchase of a property. Spain is not so different from other European countries, but it has specific rules that must be taken into account before starting. What are the steps to buy a Spanish property? I am Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I will explain everything you need to know about buying a property in Spain.
As an employee or self-employed person living in Spain, you will have to pay income tax. The Spanish tax is progressive and is directly deducted at source by the employer who pays it to the State. There are 7 tax brackets ranging from 19% to 49% and they start from the first euro of salary received, with some possible deductions. I’m going to tell you everything about income tax in Spain.
The Spanish real estate market has recovered since the crisis of 2008 and there are still many opportunities. Nevertheless, when you don’t know the language and even less the rules, it is important to prepare yourself for this important step that is the purchase of a property. Spain is not so different from other European countries, but it has specific rules that must be taken into account before starting. What are the steps to buy a Spanish property? I am Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I will explain everything you need to know about buying a property in Spain.
Among the administrative procedures to be carried out during an expatriation in Spain, obtaining the NIE is one of the most important. Indeed, the Foreign Identity Number (NIE) is a unique and personal identification number that is mandatory when registering as a foreign resident living in Spain. Without this NIE number it will be impossible for you to rent an apartment, open a bank account, find a job or even take out subscriptions. In short, the NIE is a mandatory step as an expat in Spain. How do I get it ? What documents are needed ? I am Lisbob, the expats assistant, and I am going to tell you all about the NIE in Spain.
While this measure was already in place for many months in other European countries, Spain has just put in place the obligation to have a negative PCR test for all travelers coming from countries at risk and this from November 23rd, at an airport or port in the country. The test must be done up to 72 hours before arrival in Spain. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about this new measure of Spain.
Spain is one of the countries most affected by the coronavirus epidemic at European and even global level, but the incessant hype has clearly not been enough to encourage Spaniards to get vaccinated en masse. Indeed and while the vaccine is supposed to arrive shortly, a survey by the newspaper El Pais shows that the Spanish are rather reluctant to be vaccinated with 24% who want to do it as soon as possible, and 40% believe that the vaccine is part of a conspiracy. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about what the Spanish think about the coronavirus and the vaccine.
The situation of the coronavirus epidemic is serious in Spain according to Pedro Sanchez, the head of the Spanish government, and he decided this Sunday, October 25th, in coordination with the various autonomous regions, to declare a state of emergency throughout the country and this until May 9th, 2021. The country records a “second wave” of high intensity according to the country's health authorities, and a second general confinement as in March-April is to be avoided at all costs in order not to further ruin plus the country. A curfew will be implemented from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., putting an end to the hopes of the middle of the night to survive this year, and travel between autonomous regions may be prohibited unless there is a valid reason. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the declaration of the state of emergency in Spain until May 2021.
Pedro Sanchez decides to pass in force. Following the cancellation this Thursday of the confinement by the Superior Court of Justice of Madrid (because they affect the freedoms of citizens), the Spanish government did not leave the choice to the regional president and decided to declare the state of emergency in Madrid to impose containment, which aims to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you the entire declaration of the state of emergency in Madrid.
You have to be motivated to follow and understand all the decisions of the Spanish government. After being one of the first countries to make it compulsory to wear a mask outdoors, the Autonomous Region of Madrid has decided this time to ban the wearing of category FFP2 and FFP3 masks, deemed “selfish” by Fernando Simon because they are designed so that the wearer is not infected. The use of these masks will be reserved for professionals. These masks with filter valve will therefore no longer be valid in the street. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the new ban on wearing the FFP2 and FFP3 mask in Madrid.
This is a new law that will make smokers cringe. After obliging people to wear the mask in the streets and even with a safe distance, the Spanish autonomous region of Galicia wishes to ban smoking in the streets from this Thursday. Indeed, the coronavirus would be transmitted in cigarette smoke, and the Spanish region thus wishes to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about banning smoking on the streets of Galicia in order to fight the epidemic.
This is an announcement that may surprise or annoy some to say the least. Today, during the parliamentary committee on the management of the coronavirus epidemic, the Minister of Health Salvador Illa indicated that the committee of experts, on which the Spanish government officially rely to support its decisions, in particular about the “desescalada” , never existed. The opposition demands accountability, accuses the government of lying and judges and judges the country's situation "chaotic". Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the Spanish Minister of Health's revelation about the fake coronavirus expert committee.
Andalusia joins the list of autonomous Spanish regions which have decided to make the wearing of masks compulsory, even on public roads and even if safety distances can be respected. The state of emergency being ended in Spain, each region can impose the rules it wishes. Andalusia has therefore decided to make it mandatory to wear a mask, even at the beach and at the swimming pool. This measure will be implemented from tomorrow Wednesday July 15th. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the obligation to wear a mask in Andalusia, even at the beach.
