There has been considerable controversy in Spain in recent times with regard to tourist rentals in urban areas. As well as the popularity of “City Breaks” made possible by cheap flights, the rise of Airbnb creating a market for inexpensive rooms, apartments and houses, often in residential areas, has encouraged such travel and created a boom

  What is it? How is it calculated? Who pays it and when?   The plusvalía tax, formally known as the "Impuesto sobre el Incremento de Valor de los Terrenos de Naturaleza Urbana" (IIVTNU), is a municipal tax. It is imposed on the increase in value of urban land when it is sold, transferred, or inherited. This tax is crucial for local gover

  Many clients ask us about the Catastro. They've heard of it in connection with property purchases, but don't know what it does and why it is important. I'll attempt to explain with some concrete examples:   Property Identification The origins of the Catastro date back to the 18thC. The introduction of land use planning was a threat to t

  The Spanish Ministry of Housing and Urban Spaces has announced grants for house owners who wish to upgrade their property and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Comprehensive Residential Building and Housing Rehabilitation Aid Programme The rehabilitation programme for economic and social recovery in residential environments, forms part of t

High-speed rail (HSR) is a critical component of modern transportation infrastructure, offering fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly travel. Various countries have developed extensive HSR networks, with notable differences in length, development plans, and operational characteristics. Spain is at the forefront of HSR development. Only one

  Introduction   Recognising that the 2002 regulations governing urban planning (known as LOUA: la Ley de Ordenación Urbanística de Andalucía) were too restrictive and based on an outmoded way of thinking, the Junta de Andalucia set about creating a more flexible model and this was brought into effect in June 2022. The new regulations are

  What Are The Possibilities?   There are two possible ways to buy a property that has a loan outstanding attached to it:   Eliminating The Loan When signing to complete the purchase at the notary, your lawyer will have two cheques totalling the amount you still owe to the vendor which is typically 90% of the price as you will have p

  Introduction If you own a property in Spain but are not fiscally resident in the country, that is if you spend less than 183 days per year in Spain, you are considered to be non-resident. Non-residents will normally need to justify to which tax authority they pay their taxes. Governments don't like citizens to be non-resident everywhere! You

  What is the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa? Recognising the significant rise in people's ability to work remotely, which was strengthened by the recent Covid pandemic, and a widespread desire to experience living in various locations, the Spanish government introduced at the end of 2022 a visa which would enable such people to reside temporarily

Photo: El Independiente de Granada Last Saturday, I sat in the car for ten minutes trying to get to my garage, having entered the Albayzín via Calle Pagés. What the hell was going on? So much traffic leaving and trying to enter the barrio. It didn't help that the pilonas (bollards that restrict entry to residents only) had been removed at the end o

  What is the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa? The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa is a means for non-EU citizens to live legally in Spain. It is aimed principally at retired people who have income arising in their home country (or elsewhere) with which they can sustain themselves while living in Spain. Buying a property in Spain does not give an automa

  What is the Spanish Golden Visa? The Spanish Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that grants non-European Union (EU) citizens the right to reside in Spain by investing in the country's real estate market (or other qualifying assets). Established in 2013, this initiative has gained popularity among non-EU nationals looking to liv

    A new draft law states that civil servants can lose their positions if they fail an evaluation of their ability to work. A radical change from the existing system of jobs for life. One you've passed the competitive oposiciones exam and secured your first position, you have a job for life, regardless of your level of incompetence, some

  The regional government in Andalusia has recently unveiled a €133m plan for eco-housing. Dubbed the “Ecovivienda Plan”, it will generate €133.5m for refurbishing homes and buildings, emphasising energy efficiency across the region.    More than 25,000 Andalusian families are expected to benefit, claiming aid of up to 80% for the to

  Corrala de Santiago, a stunning example of a renovated Moorish style building in Granada, Spain.   It's well worth stepping inside to have a look at this view from the interior courtyard. It's free to enter and there is generally an exhibition on show too. In fact, this last weekend I went to watch an evening of short films in Corr

  ¡Buen provecho! or ¡Que aproveche!, it is something Spanish people in their mid thirties and up (and almost certainly the more elderly Spaniards) may call out to you if you are ever found humbly sitting alone in an outside space having a bite to eat.   It is one of the things that I adore about living in Andalucia, Spain. I’m not sure t

  The Andalusian government has launched the so-called Ecovivienda Plan, which will mobilise €133.5 millions for the refurbishment of homes and buildings, with the emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability. The programme, which includes funds from the European Next Generation programme aims to benefit more than 25,000 families in Andalu

  From the 29th of September to the 23rd of October 2022, Jardín Cervezas Alhambra will be holding a range of cultural events at a unique temporary venue that Cervezas Alhambra, Granada’s local beer company, will be setting up to their taste. Having already visited five other major Spanish cities this year, Jardín Cervezas Alhambra finally arr

  No trip to the province of Granada in Spain is complete without visiting the gorgeous mountain villages known collectively as The Alpujarras. In villages like Pampaneira and Capileira, you can buy handmade rugs and all sorts of woven goods, baskets, jewellery and typical food.  One of my favourite things to do here is just wander around

  Just twenty minutes drive from the Albayzin is the lake at Beznar formed when a dam was built across the rivers Torrente and Ízbor as well as several streams running down from the western end of the Sierra Nevada.   A great place to picnic with large expanses of grass and very few people. There is also a chiringuito (bar) that serves dr