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.
Spain has been one of the countries most affected by the coronavirus epidemic, both in terms of health and economics. The Spanish Minister of Health Salvador Illa said on Monday, December 14th that the vaccination campaign should start on January 4th, 2021, and assured that there would be "vaccine for everyone". Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the start of the coronavirus vaccination 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.
Spain begins the last stage of its “desescalada”, its deconfinement divided into several phases. As of Monday, June 15th, some regions are moving into phase 3, and Galicia will even go directly into the new normal. Certain regions such as Madrid or Barcelona remain in phase 2 and will go directly into the new normal on June 21st. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the phase changes in Spanish deconfinement on Monday June 15th.
It's official: Spain will open its borders with Portugal and France on June 22nd. The announcement was made this morning by the Spanish Minister of Tourism. The Spanish authorities had closed the borders in mid-March, except for Spanish citizens, border workers and the transport of goods when the country isolated itself to limit the contagion of the coronavirus. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the reopening of the Spanish borders.
Spain has set up a compulsory quarantine for anyone coming from abroad, even for Spanish nationals. This measure caused reciprocity on the French side which also imposed a quarantine for people arriving from Spain. This quarantine raises questions about the tourist season because few tourists will agree to stay locked up 14 days before being able to enjoy their vacation. The Spanish government has just clarified things through the Minister of Industry: there will be no quarantine for tourists arriving in Spain from July. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Spain, tells you all about the announcements about the end of the forced quarantine.
The head of the Spanish government Pedro Sanchez is strongly criticized for his management of the coronavirus crisis and for the application of the state of emergency for more than 2 months. A “desescalada” has been set up but it is too slow for certain regions which see it only as a means for the government to control them and the demonstrations which started in Madrid have spread to several large cities of the country. This Sunday, Pedro Sanchez announced the end of the state of emergency in the coming days in certain autonomous regions, and the government meanwhile said that the "desescalada" could accelerate. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the retreat of Pedro Sanchez and his government.
Spain is one of the most affected countries in the world by the coronavirus epidemic and is still in a state of emergency. Tourists and expatriates are affected by the measures implemented in Spain, but this could change quickly. Pedro Sanchez announced this Saturday that tourists will be able to come to Spain again in July, and also that the Spanish football championship (La Liga) will resume the week of June 8th, obviously with strict security and safety measures. 'hygiene. Professionals in the Spanish tourism sector (12% of GDP) will have to wait before hoping to raise the bar for a year which already looks bleak. Expatriate assistant Lisbob tells you all about Pedro Sanchez’s announcements.
Spain has embarked on the “desescalada”, the deconfinement plan which will be divided into 4 phases. As of Monday 25th May, certain regions which were still in phase 0 will go into phase 1 of the deconfinement plan, authorizing certain activities and businesses to resume. The others will go into phase 2 and will have even more freedom. As of Monday there will be no more Spanish territory in phase 0 of the “desescalada”. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you everything that is changing this Monday, May 25th in Spain.
With 27,650 deaths linked to the coronavirus, Spain is one of the most affected countries in the world and it is gradually implementing deconfinement measures. Tourism is one of the most impacted sectors, and travel restrictions are very strict in Spain. The borders being closed, neither tourists nor expatriates can move, except for valid reason. Spain announced on Monday its plan for the reopening of its borders and aims for free movement at the end of June, possibly at the same time as the end of the state of emergency scheduled for June 27th, if Pedro Sanchez obtains his extension. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the reopening of the Spanish borders.
Spain has embarked on the “desescalada”, the deconfinement plan which will be divided into 4 phases. From this Monday, May 18th, certain regions which were still in phase 0 will pass into phase 1 of the deconfinement plan, authorizing certain activities and businesses to resume. The others are still in phase 0, like Barcelona or Madrid, and will have to reapply next week. Some Spanish islands will have the chance to go into phase 2. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you everything that is changing this Monday, May 18 in Spain.
Spain has embarked on the “desescalada”, the deconfinement plan which will be divided into 4 phases. Nevertheless, the state of emergency is still in force and Spain has published two new decrees which extend the closing of the borders and which authorize 5 airports to receive people coming from abroad. The latter must justify a valid reason for going to Spain. These measures are in addition to the mandatory 14-day quarantine for those arriving from abroad, and clearly go against the European trend to reopen internal borders. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about extending border closings and open airports.
Spain has embarked on the "desescalada" for the past few days, but some have criticized the government of Pedro Sanchez and have made it known. After the United States and Germany, Spain is among the group of countries which has known protesters for containment measures and the management of the coronavirus crisis. Madrid residents began to demonstrate spontaneously 3 days ago, and have been demonstrating every night since. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about these protests against the government of Pedro Sanchez in Spain.
Spain has been engaged for a few days in the “desescalada”, the deconfinement plan which will be divided into 4 phases. Among the points that remain outstanding, the resumption of international flights as well as the opening of borders, important subjects for expats. A first measure was taken on Tuesday with the obligation to remain in quarantine for 14 days for anyone coming from abroad. This obligation will apply from Friday, May 15th, throughout the state of emergency. Also, border controls are extended to at least May 24th. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about this mandatory 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving in Spain.
