Things To Consider When Moving To Live In Spain

'It is a fact that many ex-patriot residents living in Spain have decided to escape from the grey skies of Britain, and also from the cost of living that seems to rise daily.

Many restaurants and bars in London for instance, charge what for some is a day's wages for a meal, whereas in inland Spain, in the Cantoria area for instance, the cost of eating out is still relatively cheaper, and one can still enjoy a wide variety of foods for a fraction of the cost of similar in the UK. The all year-round sunshine, and for some, the relaxed way of life makes Spain a paradise for the million or so people from northern Europe who have made Spain their home.

For many of the million or so Britons who have made the transition, there have been problems related to the property market, and although care was taken in choosing a property, and legal advice was sought and used, many have still had bad experiences and lost their home due to fraudulent practices.

In the Andalucia region and specifically in the Almanzora valley, and the Albox areas, approximately 8,000 homes were built and the new owners, who had paid on average €200,000 for a new build, and taken all of the legal advice that was available to them during the period 2002 to 2003, have only afterwards found some of their properties to be illegal one way or another. Many new owners have suffered as a result of demolition threats and the legal expenses that they have incurred because of this.

It is therefore important when choosing a property, that a buyer should not only seek legal assistance, but also to speak to local residents and council officials who can provide them with more details of who originally owned the property, and even give contact information to the families who originally owned the property, so that the buyer can satisfy themselves that a claim on the property will not be made at a future date. Local Internet forums are easily accessible, and a lot of information is available, as well as contact with other expats who will readily agree to explain the situation within their areas.

Even though such advice has been sought and the legal matters and licences put into place, some families have had their homes demolished.

If the property is a new build, then the same thing applies. The ownership of a piece of land should be verified, and full consent should be assured before the build commences. Once again, it would be prudent to find as much information as possible about the situation in the area of choice, and to also visit the local forums for that area, and this can be done by searching on the internet and using the correct search terms such as 'Spain property fraud victims' and selecting the result that are produced in that search. Also to seek out other British expats in the chosen area and to ask about any possible problems that might exist.

It is so important that all of the legalities are take care of, so that one can then relax and enjoy the great Spanish weather, and to then enjoy the local activities without the fear of waking up one morning to find a letter in the post box ordering them to move out as the property is illegal and is about to be demolished.

Many people move to Spain to escape problems in their own country - only to find that they are confronted with a new set of problems which are even worse than the ones they left behind.

The Spanish have a different way of doing things than most Europeans; the language can be a problem in certain areas although there are many ways to learn the differences in dialects, and there are lots of local tutors eager to help for €10 to €15 for each lesson.

All is not doom and gloom though, as for the majority of British expats; there have been no problems, but always the thought in the back of the mind that perhaps they too would be contacted by the local junta at some time in the future.

For the most part, it has been sunshine and Sangria, and the fun of the local festivities and markets that the Spanish people have built a reputation for providing.

Some people just can't cope with the summer heat of the southern coastal resorts even though sunshine was probably the biggest factor in their decision to move to Spain. This does take time to adjust to, but after a while, one realizes that as long as you live as the Spanish people do and take the mid day siesta, and drink lots of fresh water, they can become more acclimatized as time goes by.

One of the most endearing things about the Spanish is their wonderfully relaxed attitude. If you don't have enough cash to pay a bar bill in rural areas of Spain such as the Cantoria area, the owner will normally just shrug his shoulders and tell you to come back tomorrow. That's great - unless you're a businessman who wants something done in a hurry at a specified time of day. That's when Spaniards can drive you nuts!

There is always the issue of leaving close friends and family in the UK, but the air fares and boat crossings are so very affordable these days, reaching home base within the UK is not a problem, and family and friends can always visit.

Making Spanish friends is not hard at all, and it all depends on having the right attitude towards the local peoples. The old saying of 'when in Rome do as the Romans do' works very well, and as long as we realize that the Spanish people are cautious about making new friends due to bad press in the past, we should always make a special effort to make allowances for that, and foster good relations by setting better examples of ourselves.

If you're planning to work in Spain you need to be aware that job opportunities are fairly limited, especially if you don't speak fluent Spanish and wages are much lower than in north European countries. If you are a younger person looking for work, then it is important that you seek advice from a person who is locally called a jester. This person will help you to put all of the legal issues into place, so that you can work without the fear of being asked to leave because you do not have the correct documentation to support your rights to live and work in Spain. Changing to the Spanish system can be quite expensive, and it is important that good health insurance is taken in order that you are fully covered if you require medical assistance.

The key to success is to visit different areas a few times, and to try it out before you make a long-term commitment to moving to Spain which could cost you dearly in terms of both money and emotional trauma.

For those who make a success of life in Spain, the country is a wonderful cocktail of cheap food and wine, non-stop fiestas, freedom from the poor weather in the UK, and a year-round outdoor lifestyle with like-minded souls who believe life's simply too short to spend in a grey London office block.

There is nothing better than an adventure, and moving to a new country is certainly that. Life is for living, and it can be so rewarding to try something completely new before one reaches a time when it is too late to give it a try.

With the right attitude, and by seeking the proper assistance from the legal angle, the transition can be smooth and very rewarding.

The Spanish people are usually very friendly, and after a short time, you will be greeted warmly by everyone that you meet. Where there might be some resistance, this makes it a challenge to prove to the Spanish people, that you are there to join in and contribute to the overall living experience, and in time, even those who might resist, come around to the conclusion that you are there to be a part of their lives, and to add benefits rather than to take away what is considered by them to be theirs.

Living in Spain is a wonderful way to enhance your life, and you will never know how good it is unless you give it a try.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gordy_Mitchell

Sociable Eating - The Spanish Way

Breakfast

Breakfast the Spanish way is usually a light and late affair. It isn't unusual to have breakfast as late as 10am although most Spaniards eat about around 8.30am. Breakfast usually consists of small sandwiches, tapas dishes or Churros (sweet pancakes). This will be followed by coffee and fresh juices to kick-start your day. Breakfast is usually attended by the entire family.

Coffee Breaks

The Spanish make a mean coffee and tend to take regular coffee breaks throughout the day. This is usually a sociable event, allowing time for friends to natter and gossip.

Lunch

Lunch time is Spain is a big deal. Shops have even been known to close during lunch time so that families and friends can get together at the same time. A Spanish lunch is a lengthy affair and can last anywhere between 1 and 5 hours. Food will be shared amongst friends and family and will be accompanied with lots of drinks and good conversation. After lunch a siesta may follow, this is a short nap, allowing diners to relax and refresh.

Afternoon Snack

Dinner is served very late in Spain, so an afternoon snack is sometimes necessary. Much like the coffee break, afternoon snacks allow friends to get together and chatter. Afternoon snacks usually consist of sandwiches and pastries or maybe just a drink.

Dinner

Dinner the Spanish way usually starts much later than that of the average dinner. Dinner can start anywhere between 9pm and midnight! Dinner time is a chance for friends and family to get together once more, to enjoy and appreciate one another's company and to bond. Tapas is often served at dinner time. Tapas consists of lots of small dishes of food, shared out amongst the group. These small, bite size plates of food allow people to chat between courses and to really enjoy eating together. Dinner is a celebratory time in Spanish culture, full of love and laughter.

Looking for a Spanish tapas restaurant? La Mancha is a Tapas restaurant in Putney serving up great Spanish food and fantastic prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Dawe

Spain 2011, To Buy or Not to Buy? That Is the Question!

I am going to leave Statistics to the Statisticians and concentrate on what the statistics don´t tell you about the Spanish Property Market for 2011.

To be reading this you must have at least a passing interest in Spain and Spanish property. Why wouldn't you, it is a beautiful country steeped in history, art and culture. The food is great and the people are warm and hospitable. You can find it all. The country has everything from large cosmopolitan cities to sandy beaches and high mountain ski resorts. Yes, I am a Fan! I am going to look at whether to buy a property in Spain from the perspective of a British property buyer, basically because I am one myself.

Buying with a Mortgage

Well I think that this covers a large number of us when we look to buy a property.

In Spain right now you can obtain up to a 100% mortgage for the purchase of new build Spanish Property direct from major Spanish Banks and lending institutions. You won´t find that in the U.K., if you can let me know where! This might at first glance seem like Lunacy, on behalf of the Spanish Banks and on the part of you the potential buyer!! Surely careless lending and high loan to value mortgages were part of the cause and effect that led to the worldwide property and financial crisis!?

Yes all that is true but, and it is a big but, What needs to be observed is that:

* The Spanish Property Market has undergone a significant downward adjustment in prices and is in my opinion Property Prices are bottoming out, certainly for the better properties.

* Availability of Mortgage Finance up to 100% as the Spanish Banks look to sell their New Build Property Stocks. So what appears to be Lunacy and a lack of short term memory is in fact a pragmatic approach to the Spanish Banks problem of having to take possession from Spanish Property Developers of large numbers of developments and in turn sell them. So with UK mortgages requiring ever bigger deposits someone looking for a property investment you can enjoy for years to come Spain is a compelling proposition.

* The maxim of Location, Location, Location is to be paired with Timing, Timing, Timing! The best properties will sell first so waiting to the last minute will leave you with what is NOT WANTED

You need to consider that even if in the short term prices fell a few percentage points the opportunity that exists for you to secure that Spanish Home is at hand because as any British property buyer will tell you 100% mortgages do not exist and certainly not on new build properties. Combine this with record low interest rates and low prices a smart new Spanish home has become a realistic affordable option for you!

Buying with Cash

Cash as ever is King so no need to drum on about that, what is good to know is that if you are buying with cash you have a window of opportunity to extract a further price reduction, perhaps not the headline grabbing kind of 2010 but Banks are willing to enter sensible negotiations for serious cash buyers.

If "That" is the question What is the Answer

Spain is a definite buy for me with all it offers combined with up to 100% mortgage finance available and properties from city apartments, beach, mountain and country homes. I have been looking at coastal properties with pools and near beaches for as little as €65,000 I don´t think opportunities like these will be around forever and judging by the rate Spanish buyers are purchasing I sense the best buys will continue to sell well in 2011.

British buyers who like property as a medium to long term investment and are fed up with the British Banks and Mortgage Companies inflexibility regarding lending should take a serious look at Spain where there are many second home opportunities and rental investments. I also feel that savvy first time buyers who are saving for deposits could look to make an investment in Span taking advantage of the ability to borrow and use a Spanish property to form part of their plan to build a deposit over a 3 to 5 year period and have all the enjoyment of owning a home in Spain with easy access via low cost airlines. Renting the property out during the periods it is not in use should in my opinion contribute to the cost of the mortgage.

In conclusion 2011 is a year of opportunity for Spanish Property Buyers, I certainly will be looking to take advantage of these favourable conditions for buyers.

Written by Robert Evans, Manager Basico Homes UK a Division of Basico Homes Gestion SL Spain

http://www.basicohomes.co.uk/
robert.evans@basicohomes.com

http://blog.basicohomes.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_S_Evans

Expats in Spain and the Cost of Banking

If you decide to go and live Spain you will need to open a Bank Account over there.
As in the UK there are different types of bank accounts. If you have got a Halifax account in the UK then retain it and open one with the Halifax in Spain. All transfers each way are free.

In Spain cash tends to be king. So, you can expect to pay for the privilege of holding credit or debit cards, maybe 1 euro per card per month. Pay in a Spanish cheque and you will pay perhaps 1 euro for that transaction. Transferring money usually costs you, and you might pay 1 - 3 euros per transaction, depending on whether you do it over the Internet or at the bank. And as if it wasn`t bad enough having to pay out for individual items a lot of banks will charge a flat rate fee just for handling your account. This could work out at around 20 euros a year. Negotiating might get some fees reduced.

Basically, for virtually every transaction you will have to pay. Some charges can often be minimize by keeping a certain amount in your account.

Like most things in life it`s worth shopping around and getting the account that is right for you. You could even end up with several bank accounts held at different banks.

Apart from the Spanish banks there are also a number of foreign ones to choose from, including Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Citibank and others those of us in the UK are familiar with. But don`t think that the banks out in Spain are just foreign extensions of their UK counterparts, they are most definitely not.

If you can make any sense of their likely charges that will help when deciding to set your account(s) up, but unlike in the UK clarity isn`t one of their strong points.

You can get a cheque book in Spain but the Spanish prefer to do transactions in cash or credit card. If you visit a bank in Spain then be prepared to have to queue for an hour to get served, as the staff tend to chat on the phone (both mobile and landline) drink tea/coffee, talk to their workmates and until recently, smoke whilst serving you. Internet banking is starting to become more popular, which takes the tedium out of having to go to the branch.

The interest on your savings is low, usually about 1.5% and remember they charge for having an account with them. You can withdraw cash from the cash machines outside of the bank, but take care as robbery and copying of PIN numbers is unfortunately quite common.

Our Current account and Savings account are the opposite over there, so if you open an account make sure it`s what you want. Your passport is essential for opening an account and the paperwork can take about 45 minutes to complete.

The banks open around 8.30 a.m and close at 2 p.m. although in the summer they may open an hour or two at night. When transferring money (usually over £5000) there are several money companies that will do this for you at a better rate than a holidaymaker gets and with no commission. To make comparisons, get a quote from your own bank first (who will always charge a commission from £25-£70 and give a lower exchange rate) but it is a guide.

Finally, avoid going into the red if at all possible. In Spain they are notorious for their high charges for normal day to day transactions. Go overdrawn and you will pay dearly for it. the penalties can be very heavy. Whilst it might not affect too many British out there I do feel sorry for the Spanish who may be unemployed at this time. The banks can and will penalize those unfortunate enough to miss payments, which just makes their already difficult lives even worse, and puts them further in to debt.

Apart from discussing Life in Spain Geoff also runs the Strathwood Patio Furniture website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoff_Cummings

Eating Habits in Spain - What You Need to Know

It's of general consensus that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and a Peruvian saying goes "you should eat breakfast like a King, lunch as a Prince and dinner as a pauper". Well, generally speaking in Spain, that's nonsense. A typical Spanish breakfast is a very quick affair, and often usually consists of just a quick drink of orange juice, chocolate milk or a cup of coffee occasionally accompanied by a pastry such as a croissant. Many people actually have this out in a café or bar, and don't have anything in their own home at all.
As anyone who is accustomed to eating a bigger breakfast will know, this kind of Spanish start to the day won't last you very long, so at around about 11am, there's a "merienda" or elevenses which is almost always a "bocadillo" or sandwich made from a baguette and filled with anything from tuna fish, cured ham, cheese, or meat. This means that lunchtime is still a good couple of hours away, despite it nearing midday already.

Lunch is a big deal in Spain compared to northern European countries, and often lasts over an hour. Depending on the region of Spain and especially the time of year, this is also time for "siesta" and many shops and establishments will close for a couple of hours. Lunchtime is a great time to venture out to a restaurant, as all Spanish restaurants are required by law to provide a "menu del dia" which is a 3 course menu at a fixed price and is very economical compared to the actual menu itself and often contains seasonal ingredients. For those people not used to such a heavy meal at lunchtime this can certainly bring on the feeling of wanting a siesta, too! A "menu del dia" usually consists of two or three starters, two or three main courses to choose from and some options for dessert which may be something simple like a yoghurt or a piece of fruit, but can be a normal desert from the menu. Bread, and drinks are also included in the price and sometimes a coffee at the end as well.

Younger children then often have something when they finish school at around 5pm although most adults don't usually eat at this time - indeed some will have had a late lunch, and may just have finished their coffee at that time!

The working day usually finishes around 8pm, but can be later. Many people go for a quick drink after work to socialise, and although I have no proof of this, I believe that this is where the Spanish tradition of "Tapas" came from - bar owners would give a free "snack" to keep people in the bar, and not return home with a rumbling stomach. In Southern Spain, Tapas is still given with the purchase of a drink whereas cities such as Barcelona and Madrid have capitalised on the niche and have Tapas restaurants in prime locations which are always full of paying customers.

An evening meal, then, can start as late as 9 or 10pm at home and certainly on a weekend if you go to a restaurant before 9pm, the only people there will be the waiting staff and the odd couple of tourists. Kitchens in restaurants usually don't open until 8pm, and often close as late as 1am. It's no surprise to learn that nightlife in Spain also starts a lot later than many other countries - and goes on later, too. Although that's another article altogether!

David Brydon has been living in Barcelona for 9 years and writes about Apartment for rent Barcelona and regularly contributes to this great Barcelona Guide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Brydon

Ten Things You Should Know Before Moving to Spain

Moving to Spain is not like moving to paradise. Yes, it's sunny throughout, has beautiful beaches that run for miles and looks really pretty, but it's also a place which can drive you wild if you don't know it right.

In the Garlic authors Valerie Collins and Theresa O'Shea share their top 10 tips about life is really lived here in Spain.

Tip 1

When dealing with any facet of Spanish bureaucracy, remember The Law of Falta Uno: that however many documents and photocopies you take along there will always be ONE missing. Always double check that you have every piece of paper that you think you might need (and possibly even a few more that you don't).

Be patient. Be assertive. Take plenty of reading material. Rope in a friendly mentor who speaks the lingo, and check any papers you are given with a fine tooth comb for names, dates, accounts numbers and more BEFORE you leave the desk or ventanilla (window). Any undiscovered glitch may set you back years. Oh, and don't forget the rabbit's foot.

Tip 2

Do not forget to tip the butanero - the man (and it will be a man) who throws those two-ton orange gas-bottles on his shoulder and climbs four flights of stairs when the lift is broken to deliver what may well be your main source of heating and fuel.

Tip 3

If it is your birthday, don't stand around grinning, waiting for someone to buy you a drink, or bounce jauntily into work expecting to be showered with goodies. Not only do the Spanish drive on the wrong side of the road, they've also got the whole birthday thing completely wrong.

It's your birthday, it's your shout. As if it's not bad enough chalking up another year, you have to treat your colleagues and friends to boot. If it's your child's birthday, make sure he /she takes a big bag of sweets to school to share with his / her classmates.

Tip 4

Do not go to the beach in August. Three quarters of the population of Spain and their families will be there, too. Along with several kitchen sinks. You will wait nine hours to get served at a restaurant, another nine hours for the food to arrive, plus two or three more before you get fed up waiting for the bill and do a 'sinpa' (ie a runner, from sin pagar - without paying).

Tip 5

Do not pop into the bank / gestor's office / estate agent / post office / mechanic's between 9.30 and 11 in the morning. There will be a queue and one over-worked, stressed-out, don't-you-dare-complain employee will be holding the fort.
Should you wish to see a specific somebody, you can be sure said somebody will be in the nearest bar, tucking into his/ her segundo desayuno (second breakfast). If you can't beat them, join them, and order a nice large café con leche with a torpedo-sized toasted roll drizzled in oil, rubbed with tomato and stuffed with ham / cheese / tuna/ tortilla / or any combination thereof.

Tip 6

Remember, children are not only to be heard and seen. They are also to be picked up and cooed over at every possible instant, allowed to stay up as late as their parents during the summer holidays, and thought of as nothing but cute as they scream around your table while you try enjoy a quiet drink.

Tip 7

If you need to attract the barperson's attention, a polite raised finger and a timid 'Perdone' or 'Disculpe' (Excuse me) won't get you very far.

Clear your throat, along with however many decades of ingrained politeness, and yell: '¡Oiga!' (Listen, person-that-I-don't-know), or if you're really, really brave, '¡Oye' (Listen, person-that-I-don't-know-but-will-speak-to-as-if-I-did).
That should do it, you'll fit right in, and no-one will mutter anything about 'manners' and 'upbringing'. Forthright and direct is ok. Just remember you can make your intonation sound polite - and smile.

Tip 8

Remember, time is relative. In Spain la mañana lasts until about 2pm, la tarde (the afternoon) stretches to nightfall, there is no word for evening, and the early hours have their own special name: la madrugada.

Tip 9

Do not attempt to buy a house, get a new kitchen put in, renew your driving licence, make an insurance claim, see a doctor, give birth etc in August. Spain is not in (It's gone to the beach. See 4).

Tip 10

Do not refer to catalan, valenciano or gallego as dialects of 'Spanish' or Castilian - unless you want to get right up the nose of a Catalan, Valenciano, Gallego big time. They are all languages in their own right, and are co-official with castellano in the autonomous communities in which they are spoken (ie Catalunya, Valencia and the Balearics, and Galicia).

Natasha Gunn is the Editor-in-Chief at Expatica.com, where she develops and directs editorial strategy across Expatica's country sites. Natasha's advice-filled articles help ease the transition for expats who are moving to Spain and other European countries.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Natasha_Gunn

The Alicante Weather Is Perfect All Year Round

You can expect lovely weather all year round in Alicante, Spain. The Alicante weather is a mild Mediterranean one, which means the summers are hot and dry and the winters are mild and pleasant. The weather makes this spot a popular vacation spot for Spaniards and foreigners alike. The geography of the region helps with this weather phenomenon. Since there are large mountains and some hills in the north this provides protection from the northerly winds. This helps keep the winters mild. If you are looking for a great vacation spot then both summer and winter are excellent options.

If you are visiting Alicante in the Summer or Spring you can expect an average high of 22-26 degrees Celsius, but don't be surprised if you catch a few days that can reach up to 40 degrees. At nighttime the low is around 17 degrees. Since you get almost 12 hours of sunshine during the summer this makes Alicante a great place to get a tan! There is hardly any rain at all during the summer.

This sunny weather makes summer the most popular time for a trip to Costa Blanca. You can enjoy the beaches with this lovely weather, as well as partake in a wide variety of water sports. Take a side trip to Torrevieja too. On the flip side you do need to be aware of the influx of tourists during this season.

The spring is a great option for you if you want to enjoy Alicante without as many tourists. You can still hit the beach without extreme heat. You will also avoid the crowds that can ruin a peaceful vacation.

The spring is rainier than the winter, but still sunny most of the time. Usually the temperature ranges between 14 and 19 degrees Celsius. You can expect a nighttime range of 8 to 13 degrees. There are usually about 7 hours of daylight in early spring, but it gets up to 10 hours of light per day during the later part of spring.

If you don't mind the rain then go to Alicante during fall. In the earliest part of autumn there is not much rain and the weather is still quiet warm. You could still hit up the beach and avoid the crowds if you go there during autumn. You should make sure that your vacation destination has a year round economy so that things are open wherever you choose to vacation if you go during the fall.

These areas are also popular during the wintertime, especially for people come from Northern Europe and other colder climates. Since snow is very rare in this region, it is a welcome escape for people from anywhere from London to Stockholm.

During the winter you can expect an average temperature of 12 to 16 degrees Celsius. At night you can expect the temperature to go down around 5 to 8 degrees. There are seven hours of daylight in the wintertime, but the temperature is the particular appeal.

Clinton Maxwell's web pages can be encountered on large numbers of web publications associated with Torrevieja and Benidorm. His writings on the weather in Alicante are published on http://www.alicante-spain.com/alicante-weather.html.

A Guide to the Social Security System in Spain

All workers (employees, self-employed individuals, domestic workers etc.) must be registered with the Social Security system in one of the following regimes:

• General Contribution Regime

• Special Social Security Regimes (agricultural workers, civil servants, seamen, domestic employees, self-employed persons, public officers, etc.).

As a regular employee, a worker would be subject to the general contribution regime. In this regime, social security contributions are paid partly by the employer and partly by the employee. These payments vary according to different factors, but the average total payment may be estimated at 37.20% of the employee's monthly base (monthly salary plus proportional amount of extra payments-generally 2 a year) of which about 6.40% is paid by the employee and the remaining 30.80% by the employer. These percentages can vary slightly depending on several factors for example the type of contract, the sector in which you work etc. as well as from year to year. Essentially, the contributions made are categorised in the following way: general contingencies (the lion's share of the contribution), work-related accidents and professional illnesses, unemployment, professional training and a contribution to the salary guarantee fund (used in cases of company bankruptcy or other situations where companies are not able to meet their salary responsibilities). If the employee's monthly base (roughly speaking their gross monthly salary) is above the maximum amount (3,230.10 Euros for 2011), then these percentages will apply to that maximum figure. It is also important to note that your corresponding rights (unemployment benefit, pension etc) will also relate to this base which once again need not coincide with your actual salary if the latter is over the maximum limit.

The Social Security system provides cover in the following main areas:

a) Health assistance (maternity, common or professional illness, and accidents)

b) Financial assistance in the following cases: temporal incapacity, maternity, invalidity, retirement, unemployment, decease.

In order to avail of the financial assistance provided under the system, a certain number of conditions must be met which will vary according to the particular nature of the cover. For example, in the case of retirement, the worker must have reached the age of 65 and have made a minimum of 15 years' contributions of which 2 must have been within the last 15 years. The actual monthly amount due will depend on the following factors: 1) the regulatory base (essentially calculated as an average of past bases on which your social security contributions will have been made) 2) the applicable percentage applied to that regulatory base being 50% for a minimum of 15 years' contributions rising to a maximum of 100% for 35 years' contributions.

It is also worth bearing in mind that there are plans to modify the prevailing regulations in the near future although it is still not clear exactly what these modifications will be.

The author provides services to both foreign companies and individuals in Spain helping them get the appropriate legal, business and accounting assistance they require. To find out more click on the link - Lawyers Spain; Accountants Spain.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Leacy

Learning Spanish Can Help You in Everyday Life

Each day, someone is in the process of learning a new language. The reasons these people learn new languages vary greatly. One very popular reason that people decide to learn a new language, especially Spanish, is to help them in the business world. Some other reasons to learn a new language are because that person wishes to learn about another culture, or they are with someone who speaks Spanish and want to learn the language to communicate with their loved one in 2 separate languages.
Where you work may have in influence on the language you wish to learn. Also, your neighboring countries should have an influence on what language you wish to learn. Since Spanish is one of the most common languages in the world, it would benefit you to learn this language.

These days, a lot of the big corporations need bi-lingual people to work for them. The reason for this is that these companies do a lot of business with people who are in other countries, and a lot of these countries have Spanish as their main language. A lot of the time, a bi-lingual entry on a resume will help you get a job over a different candidate.

Learning Spanish is no longer a difficult task. Thanks to the internet, there are many different ways to learn Spanish. Today, there are tons of different programs that you can download online to help you learn Spanish. Some of these programs are specifically for the computer, while others that you can have shipped are audio and can help you while you are driving in your car. If you do not want to pay for a program, take a trip to your local library. You will be able to listen to all of the audio you want, and the best part is that it is completely free. If you are thinking about learning Spanish, remember all of the different benefits that can come from it. A second language will take you a very long way in the work force. Take the time to learn now and you will prosper in the future.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Celine_Carlson

Living in Spain - Top 5 Tips

Spain is the number one tourism destination in Europe, therefore it is also one of the most popular places to move to, to live, study work and even retire for expatriates from all over the world. And if you're looking around for a sunny spot where the way of life is excellent, the standard of living is high and the climate, culture, history and lifestyle are so rich and varied that you're practically guaranteed to find a better quality of life, it's certainly a country to consider.

However, living in a foreign country is a very different experience to visiting it on holiday - and if you want to avoid the culture shock and homesickness sometimes associated with moving abroad, any top tips from expatriates who have already made the move overseas will likely stand you in good stead and be well worth reading and noting.

Therefore, if you're contemplating a relocation to this stunning and vibrant Mediterranean nation, here are the top 5 tips from expatriates for living in Spain and settling in so that you can get the very most from your new life abroad.

1) Learn the Local Language - if you want to truly settle in and get the most out of your move, even if you're living in an English speaking enclave and working in a position where you need know nothing of the local language, learn Spanish! You will be more accepted by your colleagues and the local community, you will get far more out of your new life, you will be able to communicate with everyone and understand everything - from signposts and menus, to popular culture and politics. This will allow you to get so much more out of your new life. If you have children you will be hugely embarrassed at your own lack of language after about a month when they come home and are fluent in Spanish - so make a real effort and learn, practice and adopt the local language if you want to settle in completely.

2) Adopt Spanish Timekeeping - the Spanish work to live, they do not believe in slogging their guts out in a pointless job for the love of the corporation that employs them! As a result they have a completely different - and very healthy - attitude to life. They enjoy 2 hour lunch breaks every day, they get up late, eat late, party and socialise late, they enjoy longer holidays than much of the rest of the world and generally don't give a hoot about keeping to anyone else's times or rules! Whilst you will be expected to turn up in good time for work, and the local transportation networks do follow a timetable, you need to become far less rigid and controlled when it comes to keeping time. And don't ever turn up to a restaurant for dinner before 8 or 9 in the evening, because it may not even be open to serve you!

3) Don't Fight the Bureaucracy - many people are employed by the government and in the public services sector, meaning that they all need to justify their employment! This results in reams of paperwork and bureaucracy whenever you want to register for anything or apply for any sort of permit or licence. Get used to it. Get used to queuing, visiting and revisiting public offices with random bits of paper, of having to submit your personal details time and again on various forms. You will never change the system so accept it and factor in a whole day to get anything changed, done, registered or applied for! That way you will reduce your expectations sufficiently and avoid stress.

4) Explore Your New Nation - Spain is a stunning and diverse, beautiful and blessed nation. And it's vast! Don't be content with landing up in Barcelona or Benidorm and thinking that's it. To get the most out of your new life you need to get to know the whole country and what it can offer you in terms of beautiful places to live, visit, eat or enjoy. The more you know Spain, the more you will love it. The more you love it, the more it will feel like home...and the more it feels like home the closer you will be to happiness!

5) Integrate Fully - The final top expatriate tip for living in Spain is to integrate as fully as you possibly can into the local way of life, and into your local community. Once you relocate overseas you leave behind your support network of friends and family - but the sooner and more comprehensively you can integrate into your new place in life, the more quickly you will rebuild the support network that's vital for you to lead a complete and satisfying life.

Rhiannon Davies writes about living and working abroad, to read more about living in Spain visit her site ShelterOffshore.com.

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Residency in Spain

A lot if foreign nationals moving to Spain to live and work are often confused as to what their residence status is especially regarding tax. This is even more the case when they are EU citizens that do not require a work and residence permit. It should be borne in mind however that your residence status is not based on whether or not you have gone through the formal motions for registering as such. Taxation treaties signed by countries will provide more specific criteria for establishing what an individual's residence status is but most of them will tend to follow the criteria outlined below. In general, a person is considered to be a resident in Spanish territory when any of the following circumstances occur:

1) When he/she stays longer than 183 days a year in Spanish territory. In the calculation of this 183 day period, temporary absences in other countries are not deducted unless they in turn imply effective residency in that country (i.e. a stay or series of stays of more than 183 days).

2) When the main base of his or her business or professional activities or, in general, his or her economic interests is in Spain. A person who is on a long-term contract in Spain would therefore be considered a Spanish resident.

3) When his/her spouse (from whom he/she is not legally separated) and children under the age of 18 are habitually resident in Spain. This last case allows the individual in question to present proof against this assumption if they are not in agreement.

Establishing residency is of the utmost importance when it comes to dealing with the issues of taxation and social security. There are many cases of individuals who, technically speaking, would be considered Spanish residents who still continue to make their tax and social security contributions in their home countries. This is an anomalous situation which should be rectified in order to avoid possible problems with the Spanish authorities.

The author provides services to both foreign companies and individuals in Spain helping them get the appropriate legal, business and accounting assistance they require. To find out more click on the link - Lawyers Spain; Accountants Spain; Immigration Spain.

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The Law on Rental Deposits in Spain

Many people moving to Spain are sometimes quite confused regarding the need to pay an initial deposit to secure a rental or letting agreement. Over the years, the actual amount corresponding to a number of months rental has varied also depending on the type of rental agreement. The legislation that specifically governs rental or letting deposits can be found in the law for urban rentals ('LAU') 1994 under article 36. The following are some of the main points to be borne in mind.

When you are signing a rental or letting contract for a house, flat or office, it is important to remember that in Spain you are required to pay a deposit at the beginning of the term which acts as a guarantee of payment of any outstanding bills on finalising the contract as well as a safeguard that the property will be returned to the owner in the same state as before the effective occupation of the property. It is also a safeguard that the tenant will abide by the general conditions of the rental contract signed. The deposit then is a monetary payment which will be equivalent to one month's rent for housing and two months' for offices and business premises although the landlord can request a higher payment (i.e. these are minimum legal amounts).

This money must be lodged by the owner in a non-interest bearing account with the local authority, for the first 5 years will not require a revision to bring it in line with increases in the actual amount paid in rent. Thereafter, rental increases will require the necessary and corresponding increase in the deposit. At the end of the rental contract, and on ensuring that there are no outstanding debts and that the property is in a good state of repair, the deposit must be returned to the tenant, accruing interest after one month of the finalization of the contract.
You should also be aware that in Spain landlords are also permitted to request further guarantees if they see fit. These guarantees can be in the form of bank guarantees, personal guarantees by a property owner, personal references.
A last thing to note is that although landlords are required to return the deposit on finalization of the contract and on establishing that everything is in order, unfortunately in Spain some of them can be quite reticent to do so and indeed some of them can invent cost in order to have to pay the money back. For this reason, in practice though not strictly speaking legal, a lot of tenants who have paid the one month deposit on handing in notice simply do not pay the last month's rent.

The author provides services to both foreign companies and individuals in Spain helping them get the appropriate legal, business and accounting assistance they require. To find out more click on the link - Lawyers Spain; Accountants Spain.

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Buying Property in Spain - Understanding the Legal Documents

Congratulations on your decision to buy property in Spain and we hope you love and enjoy every moment of your purchase and stay in the Spanish coast, however, we are here to help you with some information, which is legal.

Just because you now have the services of a reputed lawyer doesn't mean the task is done, it is important that you understand the laws and the legal documents to the core, since we are talking huge financial transactions here and you wouldn't want to juggle around with such a large investment.

Please read on and keep the following terms and clauses in mind when understanding the legal documents in Spain.

The plan parcial is what the Spaniards call as the piece of land and the location where you plan to buy your property. This needs to be registered by the TOWN HALL and this means that you would know if any future urbanization projects would or wouldn't affect your property at large.

Next you would hear of the Registro del La Propiedad, especially if you are buying real estate near Costa del Sol or anywhere else in Spain. This has to be registered with the registry that registers properties and is the last paper which needs this act. It would include property details, the title owners information, the notary responsible for the escritoire and mortgage details.

Even though the property you intend on buying may have been built to perfection, one needs to check small alterations if any, permissions by the authorities need to be taken for any small or big alteration and this would reflect in the solicitud de licencia de obras which comes at a small fee.

Check for reservation contracts as well, which would have the purchaser private information, the agents private information, property type and the plot of the property, the price of the property in question(Euros only), payment method and the formula that derives it and finally, the signature and date of the buyer and seller.

The nota simple would be another legal term which means simple note. The land registry office gives it out for a small fee and would entail the registration details of the property for you to check and keep an eye on.

The all important contract would be the most needed document when you buy a house in Spain. It entails the house plan, the simple note, the contract, the signatures and the mortgage and financial dealings details.

There would also be a term called community charges on the legal papers, which entails, common facility maintenances and usage charges by all who reside where you have bought the property.

The Certificado Final de La Direccion de Obra or the Certificate of the Termination of the Building is when the document comes from the architect who completes building the house. This would be important for The Licencia de Primera Ocupacion which is responsible for occupation and the tax payments of the house in future.

Finally we hear of insurance for the house which needs no explanation and we all know why it is so important and the ESCRITURA which is the house deed, that has the name of the owner on it.

Angela Rafferty is an employee of Owners Direct Spain - an online resource for buying and selling property in Spain.

Click the following link for articles, guides, resources and recommended reading Blog

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Spain 2011, To Buy or Not to Buy? That Is the Question!

I am going to leave Statistics to the Statisticians and concentrate on what the statistics don´t tell you about the Spanish Property Market for 2011.

To be reading this you must have at least a passing interest in Spain and Spanish property. Why wouldn't you, it is a beautiful country steeped in history, art and culture. The food is great and the people are warm and hospitable. You can find it all. The country has everything from large cosmopolitan cities to sandy beaches and high mountain ski resorts. Yes, I am a Fan! I am going to look at whether to buy a property in Spain from the perspective of a British property buyer, basically because I am one myself.

Buying with a Mortgage

Well I think that this covers a large number of us when we look to buy a property.

In Spain right now you can obtain up to a 100% mortgage for the purchase of new build Spanish Property direct from major Spanish Banks and lending institutions. You won´t find that in the U.K., if you can let me know where! This might at first glance seem like Lunacy, on behalf of the Spanish Banks and on the part of you the potential buyer!! Surely careless lending and high loan to value mortgages were part of the cause and effect that led to the worldwide property and financial crisis!?

Yes all that is true but, and it is a big but, What needs to be observed is that:

* The Spanish Property Market has undergone a significant downward adjustment in prices and is in my opinion Property Prices are bottoming out, certainly for the better properties.

* Availability of Mortgage Finance up to 100% as the Spanish Banks look to sell their New Build Property Stocks. So what appears to be Lunacy and a lack of short term memory is in fact a pragmatic approach to the Spanish Banks problem of having to take possession from Spanish Property Developers of large numbers of developments and in turn sell them. So with UK mortgages requiring ever bigger deposits someone looking for a property investment you can enjoy for years to come Spain is a compelling proposition.

* The maxim of Location, Location, Location is to be paired with Timing, Timing, Timing! The best properties will sell first so waiting to the last minute will leave you with what is NOT WANTED

You need to consider that even if in the short term prices fell a few percentage points the opportunity that exists for you to secure that Spanish Home is at hand because as any British property buyer will tell you 100% mortgages do not exist and certainly not on new build properties. Combine this with record low interest rates and low prices a smart new Spanish home has become a realistic affordable option for you!

Buying with Cash

Cash as ever is King so no need to drum on about that, what is good to know is that if you are buying with cash you have a window of opportunity to extract a further price reduction, perhaps not the headline grabbing kind of 2010 but Banks are willing to enter sensible negotiations for serious cash buyers.

If "That" is the question What is the Answer

Spain is a definite buy for me with all it offers combined with up to 100% mortgage finance available and properties from city apartments, beach, mountain and country homes. I have been looking at coastal properties with pools and near beaches for as little as €65,000 I don´t think opportunities like these will be around forever and judging by the rate Spanish buyers are purchasing I sense the best buys will continue to sell well in 2011.

British buyers who like property as a medium to long term investment and are fed up with the British Banks and Mortgage Companies inflexibility regarding lending should take a serious look at Spain where there are many second home opportunities and rental investments. I also feel that savvy first time buyers who are saving for deposits could look to make an investment in Span taking advantage of the ability to borrow and use a Spanish property to form part of their plan to build a deposit over a 3 to 5 year period and have all the enjoyment of owning a home in Spain with easy access via low cost airlines. Renting the property out during the periods it is not in use should in my opinion contribute to the cost of the mortgage.

In conclusion 2011 is a year of opportunity for Spanish Property Buyers, I certainly will be looking to take advantage of these favourable conditions for buyers.

Written by Robert Evans, Manager Basico Homes UK a Division of Basico Homes Gestion SL Spain

Robert Evans

http://www.basicohomes.co.uk

robert.evans@basicohomes.com

http://blog.basicohomes.com

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Spanish Culture - Daily Life in Spain

I am frequently asked by people thinking of moving to Spain what life in Spain is really like. This is not such a suprising question, really, as the only experience of Spanish culture that most people have is during their brief two week holidays in Spain. These, almost by definition, are usually spent in tourist destinations that have no more relevance to real life in Spain than the front at Blackpool does to normal life in the UK.

Of course, everyone's experience of permanent living in Spain is different and, to some extent it is almost impossible to adequately encapsulate the way of life in any all-encompassing way. This may seem odd but the truth is that there is little real connection between daily life in Spain lived within a rural, inland village and that encountered by those living on a high class, high density foreigner estate on the coast. The former tend to involve a 'full-on' integration into Spanish life whilst the latter can mean that no real integration is necessary or, indeed, ever really takes place.

Certainly, it not for me to make a qualitative judgment about the merits of the two extremes (rural life or foreigner coastal estate) as everything depends upon what you - the person moving to Spain - wants. In a way, I think that one of the great strengths of Spain is that foreigners can move to Spain and live in specific areas that are extremely user-friendly. This is certainly true of the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca where there are many estates largely composed of foreigners - some of which are overwhelmingly populated by German, Dutch or British people. Calpe (on the Costa Blanca), for example, evidently has more British people living there than Spaniards!

In effect, you can move to Spain and into an area that has an existing way of life that has little to do, in reality, with Spanish culture. Most of your neighbours may be British (or at least English speaking) and the local infrastructure will have developed to service foreigners. 'English' shops selling English goods (run by Britons) may be present and complemented by English speaking dentists, lawyers, bar owners, doctors and tradesman. Even the local native Spanish will probably speak sufficient English to service your needs. Needless to say, often a well developed English speaking social network will have developed providing a range of activities and clubs.

Meanwhile, these coastal estates have usually matured well and have all the services that you would expect in the UK. ADSL is normally available together with drinkable mains water (aqua potable), mains sewage, electricity and telephone landlines.

So, daily life in Spain in some coastal areas can, in many ways, be superficially similar to the UK - including the fact that you do not need to speak Spanish to live quite happily, long term, within this environment. Indeed, to all intents and purposes you can avoid Spanish culture in any meaningful sense - whilst enjoying a stunning climate, an al fresco life and one where the living costs are lower than that of the UK. The day to day life may be somewhat 'artificial' but it is one which is easily accessible if you do not want to be unduly challenged by moving into a linguistically different culture.

Of course, matters are different inland. Most foreigners who move to Spain, understandably, move to the coast. Accordingly, the 'infrastructure' for foreigners moving inland is far less well developed. An English speaking infrastructure is often barely present and the way of life markedly different. Certainly, learning Spanish is almost a pre-requisite together with a willingness to embrace Spanish culture wholeheartedly.

It is also true to say that in rural areas (outside of villages and towns) some of the basic services present everywhere in the UK can be distinctly lacking. Some rural properties can lack mains electricity, mains water and even landline telephone connections - let alone ADSL. Unfortunately, some of these places, for the forseeable furture, will also not receive an upgrade should they be missing these services.

Certainly, I am not, for one moment, suggesting that if you are thinking of moving to Spain that you should avoid inland areas. That would be absurd - but recognise that the move is likely to be far more committing than if you were moving onto a coastal estate. That said, any difficulties can be more than off-set by the rewards inherent in integrating properly into Spanish day to day life within a tight, nuclear culture that is fundamentally different (and arguably better) than that of the UK.

Of course, the decision of where to move to Spain is yours. However, recognise that exactly where you move - will define your daily life far more than it would in the UK. Move to a coastal estate and, by definition, your daily life will probably have little to do with Spain and the realities (for both good and bad) of Spanish culture. The demographics and lifestyle on most coastal estates quite simply have little, if anything, to do with 'normal' Spanish life. However, the reverse is true of inland areas. In terms of sheer life experience, the latter are likely to be more interesting (and fun!) albeit that that they can present greater challenges - day to day!

Nick Snelling lives permanently in Spain with his family and is a journalist and author of four books including 'How to Move Safely to Spain' (www.movetospain-safely.com). For more information about his books and articles see http://www.nicholassnelling.com

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Just Another 10 Reasons to Learn Spanish

10. Learning Spanish is a great way to keep up with current trends.

Learning Spanish will allow you to keep up with the pace of Hispanic influence on culture which is extremely popular and becoming more and more popular. For example, can you recall the Taco Bell advertisement that had that little dog? Did you realise that his motto, "Yo quiero Taco Bell" is in fact a clever play on words? In Spanish, "yo quiero" has two meanings they are: "I want" and "I love." So, the lovely little dog was in fact pulling your chain as he said both: "I want Taco Bell" and "I love Taco Bell."

9. Learning Spanish has medical/health advantages!

Research shows that understanding and using two different languages reduces the chance of developing dementia, and also Alzheimer's Disease. A group of medical professional who studied this were fascinated by earlier studies that proved that bilingualism enhances mental ability in both young children and the elderly. Other research showed that learning a second language will increase your memory and slow the age-related decline in mental ability. By learning another language, it also makes you smarter! Your crucial thinking skills will be enhanced as you learn to see things through a different viewpoint. Studying another language actually stimulates your creativity!

8. Learning Spanish is quickly becoming a business must.

Spanish has fast become more and more important in relation to business. Learning Spanish enables yourself to better communicate and understand your Spanish speaking employees and work mates. How nice would it be to be able to offer your products and services to over 360 million people whose first language is Spanish? In North America, Hispanic buyers are the most rapidly growing market sectors. As far as job opportunities go, it definately would not hurt to have Spanish on your resume. In the United States alone, speaking and understanding Spanish can be extremely helpful if you work in medicine or education. More over, the building trade is hiring more and more Spanish speaking trades people. One thing is for certain, if you speak a second language, you will become more employable and have more career chances than your monolingual counterparts. Globalization, with it's accompanying free trade agreements is rapidly reducing the business world, and for those that understand more than one language will well and truly have an advantage.

7. Spanish is almost everywhere!

With just about over 35 million Spanish speaking people in the United States, and over 40% of the population growth set to be among the Hispanic people, the stage is ready for a huge increase in Spanish speakers in the United States alone. This has created much interest amongst US citizens, a group not particularly well known for their multilingualism. This interest is set to increase as the Hispanic population of the US quickly reaches 50 million by 2015. But it is not just in the US where Spanish is so popular. In Europe, Spanish is the second most studied second language, just after English. With roughly 400 million speakers worldwide, Spanish is the fourth most common language on the planet. Only Mandarin (Chinese), English and Hindi have more people speaking it. If you count only native speakers though, Spanish far outranks English. Spanish is an official language on four continents and is the first language in 21 countries. With the sheer number of Spanish speakers across the world and their rate of growth makes learning Spanish a very clever choice.

6. Learning Spanish will definitely increase your world.

According to a famous philosopher "the limits of one language are the only limits to ones universe." It is without a doubt that studying Spanish will increase your own personal universe. As the Hispanic population quickly grows at a disproportionate rate and speed, it has become more and more likely that you may well marry into a Spanish speaking family, or have Spanish speaking neighbours or just come across Spanish speaking people in your daily life. No longer are the Spanish speaking people in the US restricted to the bordering states and bigger cities. Today, almost every area has some sort of Hispanic population. Wouldn't it be great to say hello and talk with your fellow paisanos (countrymen)?

5. Learning Spanish will well and truly enhance your travel experience.

Even though it is certainly possible to travel to a Spanish speaking nation not understanding a word of Spanish, your holiday will in no way compare with the amazing experience that awaits the traveller who speaks or at least knows a little Spanish. If you only ever speak English, you will be forced to limit yourself to the popular tourist spots where almost everyone speaks at least some English. But if you're wanting to venture out and explore the local area and get to know some of the locals, you really need to know some Spanish. Even simple little things, like reading a sign or menus, asking for directions or letting the taxi driver know where you want to go requires at least some understanding and knowledge of the language. Hispanic people are incredibly hospitable and generous, and if you speak at least some Spanish you will find yourself welcomed in a way that would not happen if you spoke only English. Put plainly, when you travel abroad to a Spanish speaking nation, understanding the language it will let you to move more freely from being an observer to that of an active participant.

4. Understanding Spanish will allow you to help other people.

Should you be the kind of person that enjoys helping others, learning Spanish will put you in a commanding position where you are able help both Spanish speakers who speak little or no English and English speakers who speak little or no Spanish. Now that is what we call a "win-win" situation. Unfortunately, the standard of living in a lot of Spanish speaking nations is rather poor by many Western standards. Sometimes, it is shockingly bad. Without stereotyping Latin America as a poverty stricken continent (in a lot of cases that definitely is not the case) there are never the less a lot of people in a dire situation. Learning Spanish can help to prepare you for taking the next step, --- actually heading there and making the difference!

3. Learn just for the sake of learning.

It cannot be denied that by learning Spanish you will without a doubt get a better knowledge of English. Spanish is what is known as one of the "Romance" languages, which basically means that it originated from Latin, a language from the ancient Roman Empire. So many English words too are Latin origin, and so, when one learns vocabulary in Spanish you will actually simultaneously be increasing your English vocabulary too. You may also find that your knowledge of the deep rooted meaning of these Latin based English words is largely increased. And, as you learn the grammar of Spanish, you will see how it is very close to English, as well as how it is also very different. This will increase your awareness of the grammar of your own spoken language. Because Spanish is nearly phonetically perfect, you can take a look at almost every word and straight away know exactly how to pronounce it. This characteristic makes Spanish one of the most simple languages to learn. And, when it comes to studying a third language, for example French or Italian, having already known Spanish will be a massive advantage because these languages also, are the Romance Languages.

2. Learning Spanish will let you appreciate Hispanic culture and history.

For most people, developing a deeper knowledge of Hispanic culture is becoming more and more necessary. There is no more better way to get this insight than start to speak Spanish. Read Latin American or Spanish newspapers and literature and it will open a door into the Hispanic mindset. Understanding the language will ready you to better know some of the fantastic Hispanic modern and classic historical contributions. From Miguel Cervantes to Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Hispanic literary contributions abound. From the royal paintings of Goya to the surreal depictions of Picasso, Spanish influence on the arts has been a major one. And let's not go past the gastronomy! Learning Spanish can be the ideal excuse for sampling the cuisine of Spanish speaking people. Burritos, tamales, paella, papusas, arroz con frijoles, ceviche, --- the list just keeps on going, and is a tasty indication of the huge range of Hispanic culture. Is it any surprise then, that more and more people look to take part in these cultural delights?

1. Spanish is fun and easy!

Learning Spanish will open up a lot of opportunities to have a lot more enjoyment. Who else enjoys reading through a good book or watching a great movie? Music? For sure! Food? Oh Wow! The sense of achievement? It's there just waiting for you to take hold of it! For all of the points mentioned before, and a bunch more that haven't even been mentioned, learning Spanish will be one of the most enjoyable and fun activities that you can do. It doesn't matter if your motivations are practical, intellectual or sentimental, studying Spanish is something that will benefit you throughout your life!

A little about me: Peter J May, lives in Brisbane Australia with my Colombian girlfriend. I went from not speaking a word of Spanish to being able to hold a decent conversation with her family by using a simple fun and easy course. Start with a FREE 6 day Spanish course at http://www.learnspanish-lessons.com and start learning now.

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Hiking in Spain - See Spain's Other Side

Choosing Your Region
The different regions in Spain each offer their own unique trekking adventure. Observe wildlife in its natural habitat at game and nature reserves or at one of the many national parks. Visit scenic areas of what is frequently called "Green Spain" in the northern regions or the Pyrenees, which separate France and Spain. Or, you can hike to the highest peak on the Spanish peninsula in the Sierra Nevada, which is located in the southern region. Here you can also explore unusual architecture and art in remote locations!
Here are some recommended hiking adventures in Spain:
The mighty mountain ranges of Spain are the Cantabrian range, which crosses the Central Mountain chain, and the Iberian Mountains that begin in the Basque Country and end on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Spain is the most mountainous country in Europe. You'll enjoy visiting the foothills and valleys of the Pyrenees, one of the most popular hiking areas of Spain. Or, for a rugged hiking adventure, the Picos de Europa presents many areas where there are no roads. This is located in the regions of Cantabria and Asturias.
Hike Among the Sant Marti and Empuries Ruins
This is a Medieval town where the ruins of an ancient Greek-Roman city called Empuries lie. This is one of the most treasured sites in Spain. A hike in this area reveals ornamental mosaics on the floor, an original wall built by Romans, and the brilliant design of a Greek city.
Explore Olot's Volcanoes and la Fageda d'en Jorda
Take a hike to explore what is now a natural park. There are more than 30 volcanic cones. There's also a forest of beech trees, which is situated on the famous lava stream of Santa Margarida, a volcano that is known for having a small church in its crater.
Tour the Hidden Valley of Vall de Nuria
Encounter the quietness of nature in the hidden valley of Vall de Nuria. This hike begins with a ride on a peculiar silent railway that transports you to the valley. This railway is the only means of transportation to Nuria. The valley is engulfed by high mountains, giving you a great Alpine landscape view during your hike.
Hiking in the National Park of Aiguestortes
You'll also find great hiking opportunities at the National Park of Aiguestortes, which is located in the heart of the Pyrenees. The park offers a genuine view of High Mountain, and water is abundant throughout the area. If you like hiking around lakes, rivers and waterfalls, there are over 200 of these in the park. Don't miss the aigues tortes or "twisted waters" in the park. This is one of the most fascinating landscapes of the Pyrenees. Also while hiking in the park, you'll see plenty of fauna and flora. There are fir trees that are more than a hundred years old and also black pine tree forests where you might spot izards or bearded vultures!
Legend of the Canary Islands
Hiking in the Canary Islands has a legendary twist! The Canary Islands are part of the Atlantis legend, a place known as the disappeared continent. As you hike through the laurisilvia forest, also known as laurel jungle, you'll get the sense of being in an enchanted place. Before the Tertiary age, these forests once grew all over the Mediterranean and in most of Europe!
Hike Where Pirates Once Met
Another interesting hike is at the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range on the West coast of the Majorca Island. The mountain range runs the length of the coast, and you'll have a panoramic view of coves and cliff edges shaded by pine trees. This area of the Mediterranean used to be a meeting place for pirates. A well-preserved train in Soller that was built in 1912 will give you the feeling of being in another time from history, along with the cobbled paths that take you from the sea to L'Infern and through the beautiful cliffs of Puig Major, which is the highest peak in Majorca. The local people of the island are hospitable, and you'll receive a warm welcome after a long day's journey!
Try Great Foods while Hiking in the Navarra Pyrenees
Travel by foot through a timeless setting that has been preserved by its people. The Navarra Pyrenees offers a great hiking experience along with the best vegetables, cheese, meat and fish for the tasting. You'll also get to see where Spain's most valued wines are made - on the bank of the Ebro River. Hiking in Spain is a great way to unearth nature's beauty, meet friendly villagers and taste delicious foods and wines!
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Scintillating Spain - The Many Charms of the Spanish Lifestyle

If you want a lifestyle full of warmth and colour, there's no need to travel halfway across the globe. Just hop on a plane to Spain and in under three hours you're in a new world of great weather, a vibrant culture and a matchless variety of things to do and places to go. Spain offers the ultimate lifestyle - a rich blend of a balmy climate, stunning scenery, and a relaxed and sensuous way of life. Here's why Spain is such a special place.
First, there's the sheer beauty of the country. Spain has a varied topography from the rugged mountains of the north to the glorious stretches of coast on the Atlantic and Mediterranean. There are timeless monuments, solitary castles looming on hilltops, medieval towns with winding cobbled streets, and chic cities such as Madrid and Barcelona offering grand shopping, art galleries and restaurants.
While Spain's inland cities such as Granada, Seville and the capital Madrid are a must visit, it's the coastline that attracts most visitors and offers the real Spanish lifestyle. For one thing, the weather is better along the coast. True, it does occasionally rain even in the summer months, but compared to the oppressive heat of the hinterland, temperatures along the coast are generally pleasant.
Southeast Spain is one of the country's choice areas and is home to lovely cities, towns and fishing villages nestled between the mountains and the harbours and beaches on the Mediterranean. Holidays in this part of Spain give every day the feeling of a fiesta. Then there's the matter of the weather.
Natural beauty always looks much better under sunny skies and that's where Spain wins out. Spain has the warmest, sunniest and driest winter climate of all Europe. And if you visit in summer, the long swathe of Mediterranean coast will bask to temperatures of over 20C for most of the time.
A great benefit of the balmy weather is the outdoor lifestyle. Being able to spend most of the day outdoors makes for a much more socially connected community. Here you can live the village life, the beach life and the leisure life. One thing's for sure, life in Spain is never dull.
There's always something happening in Spain and if you're lucky, you can witness one of the many fiestas and religious celebrations that pepper the Spanish calendar. Many of these festivals are real extravaganzas in which the people dress in exotic costumes and parade through the town. Fireworks, burning effigies and such endeavours such as creating the world's largest paella are also popular at festival time.
And another great thing about living in Spain is the cost of living. Though Spain isn't the bargain it was in the 1970s, you can still live around two thirds of what you'd spend in the UK. Rents and property are cheaper and you can eat well for very reasonable prices. For example, you could dine on freshly caught and grilled seafood every day if you wished. And of course the wine is plentiful and reasonably priced.
Finally, Spain offers the opportunity to partake an unparalleled range of activities, especially outdoor ones. In southeastern Spain, you can enjoy water sports virtually every day of the year and if golf is your thing, you can tee off on some of Europe's finest courses.
So if you'd like to spend your days playing golf or relaxing on long sandy beaches, the Almeria coast (Costa de Almeria) in Andalusia is your place. After a strenuous day, you can spend your evenings nibbling on tapas and drinking a few glasses of wine or just relax on the terrace of your hotel or villa.
If you decide to make the smart move and relocate or get a second home in Spain, property is still a great investment. You can acquire villas, cottages, apartments or townhouses at reasonable prices.
All the infrastructure you need for modern life is there, too - international schools, first-class medical facilities, and English-speaking doctors and lawyers. It's little wonder that southern Spain is the most popular country for Europeans seeking a home overseas.
When investing in overseas property you need experts to help you. So it makes sense to buy into an established resort where you get the professionalism, stability and security you need for your perfect new home. for Spanish properties and golf holidays, Almanzora is the place to go. Check online for holidays in Spain or facts on Spain property.
Michiel Van Kets writes articles for The Almanzora Group Ltd, specialists in quality holidays in Spain and Spain property alternatives. Almanzora is a region that has something for everyone, the unhurried rhythm of daily life, its celebrations, sociability and the region's emphasis on the outdoors creates an easy, relaxed, atmosphere. Enjoy quality of life and a genuine Spanish lifestyle with a true warmth of spirit.
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A Complete View of A Detailed Map of Spain

A good, detailed map of Spain is one that gives you a quick visual image that creates a picture and orientates you to exactly where Spain lies. Also, maps can provide a lot more information if you study their legends and understand how the area you are viewing relates to the rest of the region and its place in the world.
Where on the Globe is Spain?
Spain is located at 40 degrees north and 4 degrees west. It is a part of Europe and makes up the south western part of the continent. To compare it to the United States, Spain would measure only a little more than two times the size of Oregon. It's total area is 504,782 square kilometres, with that being broken down as 499,542 sq km of land and 5,240 sq km of water.
Spain includes a couple of island chains and two autonomous cities: Melilla and Ceuta. The islands are the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Penon de Alhucemas, Islas Chafarinas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera which are located off the coast of Morocco.
Spain borders on France, Gibraltar, Portugal, and two of Morocco's communities in different areas. Even with all of these land connections, Spain has almost 5,000 km of coastline and the beaches are a big part of the country's tourist trade.
Also adding to the tourist attractiveness of Spain is the temperate climate. The coast is most moderate, as the interior regions can get more extreme cold and hot temperatures in the summer and winter.
Spain sits right at sea level in its lowest spot along the Atlantic Ocean. The highest point is located in Tenerife at the Pico de Teide. This peak sits atop the Canary Islands and reaches 3,718 meters.
Key Cities and Regions of Spain
At the southern tip of Spain is the Straight of Gibraltar. This is an important passage from the Mediterranean Sea into the North Atlantic Ocean. The city of Algeciras sits watch over the merchant and tourist trades that pass through.
Along the Mediterranean coast is the Alicante region. This is a popular tourist location for all of Europe, Spain and International visitors from other parts of the world.
Madrid sits in the centre of Spain and is the country's capital. It is located near the Tagus river which then accesses the North Atlantic Ocean by way of Portugal. Seville sits in the south western part of Spain and is known for its art and culture as well as being a financial centre.
Other major and important cities in Spain are Barcelona and Cartagena both on the Balearic and Mediterranean Seas respectively.
Up in the Bay of Biscay along the coast lie the cities of Gijon and Santander. Also part of the northern coastal cities are A Coruna and Vigo. It is easy to see why Spain is heavily involved in sea life either through fishing, salt harvesting or trade. However, even strategic location has not helped Spain with its relatively high unemployment rate.
Spain still has a strong and dynamic economy. This mostly evolved after the death of its dictator, Francisco Franco who died in 1975. Once Franco was not in power, Spain quickly became a democracy and saw a dramatic modernization of its economy.
Spain is an advocate of world freedom, remaining neutral in World Wars I and II, but fighting today for liberty and ending terrorism.
Spain may not be one of the most visited of European countries by Americans unless you count the Canary Islands. It is a mistake to rule out this beautiful country because of a lack of understanding. The Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca are among the most perfect vacation spots in all of Europe, any time of year.
The magazine writer Ken J. Morris is very passionate about problems related to Spain. Sharing his passion in works like http://www.alicante-spain.com/spain.html, the columnist affirmed his expertise on issues similar to detailed map of Spain.
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Moving To Spain

Having lived in Spain for over 18 years and brought 2 children up here, I have been through all the highs and lows and understand how important a decision this is, not only for you but for your whole family.
Making the decision Moving to Spain is easier than you think. I remember sitting on the plane when I came to live here thinking `Oh my God, what am i doing... In reality it is easy if you have drive, determination and patience. 18 years later and I still cant believe I am lucky enough to live here and have to pinch myself every morning. The lifestyle in Spain is much slower than the UK and things take longer to get done. The hot weather will definitely be one of the biggest attractions but please don't move for this reason alone. The 320 days a year of sunshine is lovely but you will need to think about where you will live how you will survive financially. Well paid, legal, jobs are not easy to find so maybe you are thinking about starting a business? Sol Commercials offer a full relocation service to enable a stress free move to Spain. We can also help you find long term rental accommodation and give free advice to anyone thinking of buying a home.
Before you leave the UK You will have to decide which possessions you will take to Spain, which you will leave in the UK and which items you should sell before you leave. All your electrical goods will work in Spain, however, your TV will only work if you view Sky TV and will not work for Spanish TV. Most rental accommodation comes fully furnished so please check with your new landlord to see if you are able to bring furniture etc. Medical insurance: There has been a lot of TV programs highlighting the problems British people face here in Spain when they fall ill. If you are working and paying social security you are entitled to free national health medical treatment. There are no social services in Spain so aftercare is left to the families of the patient. A new law will be passed in the next year to entitle all EU nationalities under retirement age to receive free health care but this is not the case today. If you are retiring early to Spain you must have private medical cover. Pensions, life insurance and investments: Members of EU countries have the right to live in Spain by virtue of their countries' membership of the EU. If you are retiring abroad, you can continue to receive your UK State pension. If you are moving permanently to Spain, you should get yearly increases in your pension. Contact the Social Security Office to complete the correct forms. Work out your retirement income by obtaining and completing a form BR19 from the Retirement Pension Forecasting and Advice Unit (RPFA) on 0044(0) 191 218 7585 and ask for a state pension forecast. This is available up to four months before you reach the UK pension age. You should write to The UK Pensions Service informing them that you are moving to Spain and give them your new address. Their address is International Pension Centre, Tyne View Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA Telephone: +44 (0) 191 218 7777; Fax: +44 (0) 191 218 3836. To check on your pension rights in Spain we suggest you look at http://www.ukinspain.com/english/. This is a UK government website dedicated to providing information for those re-locating to Spain from the UK.
Making the move Once you have decided on where in Spain you want to live you will need to decide on how to get here. You could take the ferry to Calais and drive to Spain, which takes around 23 hours or the boat to Santander and an 11 hour drive down to the Costa del Sol. The drive from Santander is best done during the day as there is very poor lighting on the motorways here in Spain. Remember all your documents: Driving licences/Car insurance papers Birth/Marriage certificates Passports Bank books/cheque and credit cards etc., and make several photocopies of all your documents.
Travel documents Because Spain is part of the EU, if you live in an EU country, you do not require a visa to enter the country. You have almost equal rights in Spain as you do in your own country. Consider taking out travel insurance for your journey over. Its money well spent if your car is stolen with all your belongings inside. Ensure all your travel documents are kept on you and never let your car out of your sight. Petty theft in Spain is rife and horror stories are printed weekly in the local newspapers. Keep all your documents with you at all times and photocopies in a separate place.
On arrival in Spain As a foreigner living and/or working in Spain, the first thing you MUST do on arrival is obtain your residency certificate. You will need a residency certificate to get your children into school. Opening a bank account, renting a property etc., can be done with your passport number. Obtaining your residency certificate is a simple process which costs nothing. They are issued, on the day, from your nearest police station. You can pick up a residency certificate from your nearest national police station. You will need an appointment which can be made at the same time. The residency certificate has replaced the NIE number. Social Security - How to get a Social Security Number: The process of getting a social security number is now very easy. Simply go to any social security office, with your original passport and copy of the passport. You will have to fill in a form, which is in Spanish, but its quite easy as the normal questions are asked like, name, address, names of parents etc. They issue the number there and then and give you a temporary card. They send on the plastic card at their leisure. It is not necessary to have a job, or even a NIE to get a social security number. Why do you need a Social Security Number?: You need a social security number to work in Spain. I am sure that you are aware that if you are self-employed you have to pay into the social security, but also if you are employed you pay and this should be deducted by your employer before payment. You are entitled to social security benefits, but pro rata to what you have paid in. You also are entitled to medical care i.e. you can sign on with your local doctor. You only have to pay if you are earning money in Spain, i.e. not on any pension from the UK.
Looking for work If you have not already found work or intend to work for your self, you will now need to start job hunting. Most job vacancies here in the Costa del Sol are place in the Sur in English newspaper. You can view their website here: http://www.surinenglish.com.
Becoming a resident It is not compulsory for EU members to become a resident of Spain but there are advantages. If you intend to reside full time in Spain it is advisable to obtain residencia which are issued by the National Police department. Visit your local police station to obtain an application form. Really useful Websites: The British Embassy's website - For information on moving to and living in Spain - medical cover, employment, education, pets, cars, benefits, getting married and so much more. HelpiammovingOverseas.com is a free website giving independent to people thinking of moving abroad. The site has everything from useful hints and tips, checklists, advice, packing boxes, links to embassies and customs, useful contacts as well as a free moving quote service. Useful addresses in London Spanish Embassy: 39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB Cultural Office: Tel 020 7201 5522 fax 020 7259 6487 Press Office: Tel 020 7235 7537 fax 020 7235 2263 Labour Office: 20 Peel Street, London W8 7PD Tel: 0202210098 - email: spanlabo@globalnet.co.uk
Sol Commercials is the leading commercial real estate agency in the Costa del Sol, Spain. Our latest listings & reduced businesses are marked on the website and placed on the home page. We maintain our own website which ensures it is always kept 100% up to date.
We offer a complete service, from helping you find accommodation & car hire for your inspection trip, long term rental accommodation for when you come to live in Spain, advice on purchasing a property, schools, NIE registration, residency, social security setup and everything else to enable you to make the move to Spain as easy and stress free as possible.
Contact Sol Commercials today: Tel/Fax: +34 952 198 832 - Mobile: +34 646 448 309 - Email: info@solcommercials.com - Website: http://www.solcommercials.com
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