In more mortgage related news, the Euribor has closed the month of November with its ninth straight record low at 1.23%, meaning an average saving of 240 euros per month or 2880 per year compared to one year ago, this data is based on an average mortgage of € 150,000 with a repayment term of 25 years. This data will be confirmed in the next few days by the Bank of Spain, and equates to more than three percent below the 4.35% that was in place in November 2008.
The index reached its highest level between the summer and autumn of 2008 and the differential rates between then and this year have reached more than four percent. In it's 10 year history, the Euribor peaked in July 2008 with a monthly high of 5.39%. Analysts believe that interest rates in the euro area will not rise until 2011.
Up until just a couple of months ago, experts expected the European Central Bank (ECB) to raise interest rates from mid 2010, but uncertainty about the extent of economic recovery and the credit crunch has delayed the change in monetary policy from the European regulator.
In fact, 10 days ago, the president of the European Central Bank (ECB), Jean-Claude Trichet said in Madrid that is too soon to declare that the crisis is over and that much of the apparent recovery is due to the support measures made by governments and central banks.
Therefore, investors do not expect any surprises on Thursday's ECB's Governing Council meeting and assume that Trichet will send a reassuring message on the permanence of the aid and its stimulus on the economy.
Monday, 30 November 2009
Banks Relucatant to Refinance Mortgages with Public Money
While not specifically Spanish related, many feel that this story is reflected worldwide and that banks are just looking to protect themselves and their shareholders and not helping normal mortgage payers as promised, even after seeking huge financial injections from world governments.
The story stems from new evidence to suggest that the USA government's plan of injecting 50,000 million Euros to refinance mortgages is breaking down. A large number of the applications that would benefit from this plan are being stalled because banks are reluctant to modify mortgages they have already issued.
"Banks are not doing a good enough job," said a report. In particular, it said that the government should make public the names of those firms that are moving slowly to reduce fees on mortgages.
"Many firms should be ashamed, and I will name them," said Michael Barr, an adviser to the secretary for financial affairs department of the U.S. Treasury.
There certainly seems to be a need for much greater transparency here and it will be interesting to watch developments unfold to ensure that public funds really do reach their intended recipients.
The story stems from new evidence to suggest that the USA government's plan of injecting 50,000 million Euros to refinance mortgages is breaking down. A large number of the applications that would benefit from this plan are being stalled because banks are reluctant to modify mortgages they have already issued.
"Banks are not doing a good enough job," said a report. In particular, it said that the government should make public the names of those firms that are moving slowly to reduce fees on mortgages.
"Many firms should be ashamed, and I will name them," said Michael Barr, an adviser to the secretary for financial affairs department of the U.S. Treasury.
There certainly seems to be a need for much greater transparency here and it will be interesting to watch developments unfold to ensure that public funds really do reach their intended recipients.
Friday, 27 November 2009
Massive Tax Evasion on Rental Properties in Spain
The Ministry of Finance has estimated that more than half of all residential leases in Spain not declared to the relevant tax authorities. This has been stated just over a month since income tax rent relief for landlords was raised from 50 to 60%. Specifically, they estimate that there are over one million undeclared rentals in Spain, some 54% of the total of all rented property and representing annual tax losses of 2,450 million to the government.
The figure of 2,450 million is calculated with the reductions, but excluded from this calculation are garages related rentals, shops, land and offices and commercial property. The report says that non declarations were slightly reduced by three percent in the last year, going down from 57.1% to 54%.
The report complains that three years after new laws on fraud prevention were put in place, the Tax Office has not yet adopted the controls that would enable effective implementation of its main weapon, which required energy and utility companies to pass on information that would permit the identification of buildings that, while seemingly unused were actually being used to rent.
Geographically, the report notes that over two thirds of rented accommodation whose leases are not declared (68% of the total) were concentrated in Catalonia, Andalucia and Madrid, while the regions of La Rioja, Cantabria and Aragon were least problematic. The study said, property owners who fail to declare the most were located mainly in Andalucia, where over 74% of rented housing is not officially declared.
The figure of 2,450 million is calculated with the reductions, but excluded from this calculation are garages related rentals, shops, land and offices and commercial property. The report says that non declarations were slightly reduced by three percent in the last year, going down from 57.1% to 54%.
The report complains that three years after new laws on fraud prevention were put in place, the Tax Office has not yet adopted the controls that would enable effective implementation of its main weapon, which required energy and utility companies to pass on information that would permit the identification of buildings that, while seemingly unused were actually being used to rent.
Geographically, the report notes that over two thirds of rented accommodation whose leases are not declared (68% of the total) were concentrated in Catalonia, Andalucia and Madrid, while the regions of La Rioja, Cantabria and Aragon were least problematic. The study said, property owners who fail to declare the most were located mainly in Andalucia, where over 74% of rented housing is not officially declared.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Around 1 Year to Sell a Spanish Property
The average home in Spain is currently on the market for 344 days, taking more than 11 months to find a buyer, according to a study recently published, which indicates that many prices are still out of reach of many buyers.
The length of time is reduced in some areas of the country. Barcelona drops to 304 days, and it's 320 in Madrid. A year ago it took 217 and 242 days respectively.
The time required to sell a home has skyrocketed in the last five years, by more 300% in Barcelona and 272% in the capital of Spain, Madrid.
The length of time is reduced in some areas of the country. Barcelona drops to 304 days, and it's 320 in Madrid. A year ago it took 217 and 242 days respectively.
The time required to sell a home has skyrocketed in the last five years, by more 300% in Barcelona and 272% in the capital of Spain, Madrid.
Spanish Property Buyers just need Finance
A survey, conducted in June this year among more than 6,000 people reveals that currently the major obstacle in buying a property in Spain was in obtaining financing.
In fact, 87% said it is difficult or very difficult to get a loan today, well above the European average 60%.
However, it also highlighted the fact that almost half of people polled said they have problems in meeting the payments on their loans and mortgages, compared with 24% of the EU average.
The poll also shows that only in England is there a greater desire to invest in property, with 63% of respondents saying they are interested in buying a property.
And more than a quarter of respondents, 28%, believe that buying a property will still give high returns on investment.
In fact, 87% said it is difficult or very difficult to get a loan today, well above the European average 60%.
However, it also highlighted the fact that almost half of people polled said they have problems in meeting the payments on their loans and mortgages, compared with 24% of the EU average.
The poll also shows that only in England is there a greater desire to invest in property, with 63% of respondents saying they are interested in buying a property.
And more than a quarter of respondents, 28%, believe that buying a property will still give high returns on investment.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Costa de la Luz, Spain's Atlantic Coastline
Looking back at this feature on the Costa de la Luz we can see that is was one of the more unfamiliar parts of the Spanish coastline, at least to foreign visitors. In the past 5 years not too much has changed, while there has been a growth in tourism and a number of new developments have appeared, this Costa still remains one of the most natural and unspoilt coastal areas to visit or live in Spain.
It is an incredible part of the coastline, the only southern area of Spain that faces the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Mediterranean Sea. The beaches stretch for miles with stunning white sand dunes and crystal clear waters. It's not quite a tropical paradise though, it's exposure to the Atlantic means the water can feel a little on the cool side and there is often a very strong wind. When the original feature said of Tarifa that it's "the windiest town", it was not wrong. On a recent visit there it was easy to see why windsurfers flock to the area, and flock they do, as I approached a popular spot I was taken aback by the sheer number of parasails that could be seen from a distance, the sky seemingly alive with colour!
I also thoroughly enjoyed a visit to the Doñana National Park, with well over one thousand square kilometres of protected natural reserve. The reserve is home to a number of endangered species and while I wasn't lucky enough to catch sight of the Spanish imperial eagle or Iberian Lynx, it was a great pleasure to spend some time there and a wonderful change of pace from beaches and windsurfing. The whole area is incredibly well kept and organised with plenty of planned walking and cycling routes.
The budget flights that had only just began in 2004 had become daily until recently, the flights are still regular though and this reduced number of flights is replicated on most budget routes with flights now every other day. The flight from Stansted to Jerez is a comfortable 2½-hours and normally arrives mid-evening, the coast is then just 40 minutes drive away.
Property prices here are very much on the high side, over half the Costa de la Luz properties - http://www.kyero.com/property_guide/55617-costa-de-la-luz-cadiz-property-guide - on Kyero are villas and this means the average price is weighted towards higher value properties and are currently some 91% above the national average. Being popular with the wealthy Spanish and those seeking a more relaxed holiday home away from the bustle of the package holiday costas means that bargains are hard to find, but apartments can be easily found for around 150,000 euros, even in desirable locations.
A quick glance at the latest Costa de la Luz holiday rentals - http://www.kyero.com/browse/cadiz-property-holiday-rental-loc11pag1ppp20slt2srt4 - shows a number of very well priced apartments to rent, from as low as 150 euros per week. Ideal for a windsurfing break or just to enjoy a part of Spain that's quite a bit different to the norm!
And on to the original feature, it's one of the earliest I've found and sometimes little changes, even after nearly 6 years - The Costa de la Luz, unlike on most of the other costas in Spain, has only fairly recently been discovered by the many northern Europeans looking to buy property in Spain. In the southern-most corner of Spain, the Costa de la Luz stretches from Huelva and the Portuguese border down to the port of Algeciras, the gateway to Africa and Tarifa the southernmost tip of Spain, also known as the windiest town and windsurfing capital of Europe. Best known for its unspoilt coastline and stunning stretches of beaches, the Costa de la Luz remains on the whole undeveloped and undiscovered, though is about to take another leap in popularity, given the recent arrival of Ryanair flights from London Stanstead to Jerez, the home of sherry and Spanish brandy.
Inland from the coast, the area is beautiful and tranquil and inland Costa de la Luz property is being bought up by many Brits looking for homes in the delightfully Spanish "pueblos blancos" such as Arcos de la Frontera or Vejer de la Frontera. The area is divided into two provinces: Huelva, still relatively undeveloped and offering the scenic hills of the Sierra Morena, the national parkland of the Coto Doñana and its unforgettable coastline, and Cadiz - see below. Property prices in the area are most definitely rising as more and more people are investing in Costa de la Luz property.
It is an incredible part of the coastline, the only southern area of Spain that faces the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Mediterranean Sea. The beaches stretch for miles with stunning white sand dunes and crystal clear waters. It's not quite a tropical paradise though, it's exposure to the Atlantic means the water can feel a little on the cool side and there is often a very strong wind. When the original feature said of Tarifa that it's "the windiest town", it was not wrong. On a recent visit there it was easy to see why windsurfers flock to the area, and flock they do, as I approached a popular spot I was taken aback by the sheer number of parasails that could be seen from a distance, the sky seemingly alive with colour!
I also thoroughly enjoyed a visit to the Doñana National Park, with well over one thousand square kilometres of protected natural reserve. The reserve is home to a number of endangered species and while I wasn't lucky enough to catch sight of the Spanish imperial eagle or Iberian Lynx, it was a great pleasure to spend some time there and a wonderful change of pace from beaches and windsurfing. The whole area is incredibly well kept and organised with plenty of planned walking and cycling routes.
The budget flights that had only just began in 2004 had become daily until recently, the flights are still regular though and this reduced number of flights is replicated on most budget routes with flights now every other day. The flight from Stansted to Jerez is a comfortable 2½-hours and normally arrives mid-evening, the coast is then just 40 minutes drive away.
Property prices here are very much on the high side, over half the Costa de la Luz properties - http://www.kyero.com/property_guide/55617-costa-de-la-luz-cadiz-property-guide - on Kyero are villas and this means the average price is weighted towards higher value properties and are currently some 91% above the national average. Being popular with the wealthy Spanish and those seeking a more relaxed holiday home away from the bustle of the package holiday costas means that bargains are hard to find, but apartments can be easily found for around 150,000 euros, even in desirable locations.
A quick glance at the latest Costa de la Luz holiday rentals - http://www.kyero.com/browse/cadiz-property-holiday-rental-loc11pag1ppp20slt2srt4 - shows a number of very well priced apartments to rent, from as low as 150 euros per week. Ideal for a windsurfing break or just to enjoy a part of Spain that's quite a bit different to the norm!
And on to the original feature, it's one of the earliest I've found and sometimes little changes, even after nearly 6 years - The Costa de la Luz, unlike on most of the other costas in Spain, has only fairly recently been discovered by the many northern Europeans looking to buy property in Spain. In the southern-most corner of Spain, the Costa de la Luz stretches from Huelva and the Portuguese border down to the port of Algeciras, the gateway to Africa and Tarifa the southernmost tip of Spain, also known as the windiest town and windsurfing capital of Europe. Best known for its unspoilt coastline and stunning stretches of beaches, the Costa de la Luz remains on the whole undeveloped and undiscovered, though is about to take another leap in popularity, given the recent arrival of Ryanair flights from London Stanstead to Jerez, the home of sherry and Spanish brandy.
Inland from the coast, the area is beautiful and tranquil and inland Costa de la Luz property is being bought up by many Brits looking for homes in the delightfully Spanish "pueblos blancos" such as Arcos de la Frontera or Vejer de la Frontera. The area is divided into two provinces: Huelva, still relatively undeveloped and offering the scenic hills of the Sierra Morena, the national parkland of the Coto Doñana and its unforgettable coastline, and Cadiz - see below. Property prices in the area are most definitely rising as more and more people are investing in Costa de la Luz property.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Buying a house in Spain? Where's your NIE?
Earlier I spoke about the need to register with your local town hall to ensure you and they receive the benefits and services that are entitled. Part of this advice was due to the belief that simply having a residency card was sufficient, today I'd like to run through the process of applying for a residency card.
Since 1997, it has been a requirement for those wishing to remain in Spain for more than 3 months to register at the 'Oficina de Extranjeros' (Foreigners Office), this must be the office within the province you are staying. More often than not, there will be a nominated police station in the local vicinity that carries out the registration too. there is in fact no longer a residency card as such, instead a residency certificate is issued that will include your identity number (Numero de identidad de Extranjero), commonly known as an N.I.E number, and name and address.
The process is quite simple and quick, an EX16 form (download a copy here - http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/extranjeria/modelos_extranje/ex_16.pdf should be filled out and then taken along with your passport to your nearest office (find a list of office here -
http://www.mir.es/MIR/Directorio/Servicios_Perifericos/Cuerpo_Nacional_de_Policia/Oficinas_de_extranjeros/index.html . When handed over they will give you a payment form that can be taken to the nearest bank and paid, when you return with receipt of payment the certificate is handed over on the spot.
I recently had to renew my residency and was quite surprised that the photographic identification is no longer issued and, somewhat strangely, at the bottom of the certificate it states in Spanish that "This document is not valid to accredit the identity nor the nationality of the carrier'. effectively this means that another form of identity needs to be carried, this could a passport (not really the sort of thing you want to be carrying around all the time), a national identity card from your country of origin 8if it exists) or most easily a photographic driving license (and that's if you drive!). One other option would be to take up Spanish citizenship, although this may feel a little extreme for some and does require you to already have been resident from 2 to 10 years, but it would enable you to obtain a full DNI (national identity card).
The certificate itself, and specifically the N.I.E number) is very important when living in Spain, without it you will not be able to buy a Spanish property, purchase a car and open bank accounts. Quite why it is now a piece of paper that has to be backed up by other identification I do not know. A simple trip to the shops to pay by credit card will require this extra identification, whereas once upon a time the residency card would have sufficed.
Since 1997, it has been a requirement for those wishing to remain in Spain for more than 3 months to register at the 'Oficina de Extranjeros' (Foreigners Office), this must be the office within the province you are staying. More often than not, there will be a nominated police station in the local vicinity that carries out the registration too. there is in fact no longer a residency card as such, instead a residency certificate is issued that will include your identity number (Numero de identidad de Extranjero), commonly known as an N.I.E number, and name and address.
The process is quite simple and quick, an EX16 form (download a copy here - http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/extranjeria/modelos_extranje/ex_16.pdf should be filled out and then taken along with your passport to your nearest office (find a list of office here -
http://www.mir.es/MIR/Directorio/Servicios_Perifericos/Cuerpo_Nacional_de_Policia/Oficinas_de_extranjeros/index.html . When handed over they will give you a payment form that can be taken to the nearest bank and paid, when you return with receipt of payment the certificate is handed over on the spot.
I recently had to renew my residency and was quite surprised that the photographic identification is no longer issued and, somewhat strangely, at the bottom of the certificate it states in Spanish that "This document is not valid to accredit the identity nor the nationality of the carrier'. effectively this means that another form of identity needs to be carried, this could a passport (not really the sort of thing you want to be carrying around all the time), a national identity card from your country of origin 8if it exists) or most easily a photographic driving license (and that's if you drive!). One other option would be to take up Spanish citizenship, although this may feel a little extreme for some and does require you to already have been resident from 2 to 10 years, but it would enable you to obtain a full DNI (national identity card).
The certificate itself, and specifically the N.I.E number) is very important when living in Spain, without it you will not be able to buy a Spanish property, purchase a car and open bank accounts. Quite why it is now a piece of paper that has to be backed up by other identification I do not know. A simple trip to the shops to pay by credit card will require this extra identification, whereas once upon a time the residency card would have sufficed.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
One Million Spanish Properties and Counting
In Kyero's news yesterday it was revealed that the one millionth property landmark had been passed, a great accomplishment to the all those who have made Kyero the leading Spanish property portal for the foreign market. I thought it would be good to look back at some of the history of Kyero from when it started back in 2003.
Kyero.com originally began after its owner's frustration at the difficulty in finding property in Spain for their friends. An opportunity and a need was quickly recognised and a four-month marketing trial was initiated on a very tight budget. With internet use already on the rise, the marketing trial evolved into Kyero.com.
The first recorded property appeared on the 3rd of October 2003 and soon after the first enquiry was made on the 7th October 2003. By November that year, there were over 1000 properties and soon Kyero began to grow exponentially with more than 20,000 properties by May 2004, with more than 50,000 active properties just one year later. Today, Kyero regularly displays more than 100,000 properties from more than 1,500 estate agents throughout Spain.
Kyero has evolved not only in the quantity of its content but also in the quality of its delivery. At the forefront of many technological advances, Kyero is now written purely in Ruby on Rails, one of the most modern programming languages. It is backed up by a fully redundant cluster of high performance servers and is visited by millions of Spanish property hunters every year. Many agents load their properties automatically via an xml feed every day, and the Kyero xml template is considered standard by many other sites and portals throughout Spain. While through user testing and monitoring, Kyero has evolved it's design constantly to meet the demands of it's ever increasing user base, to ensure incredibly effective navigation and ease of use.
When the property market was at its peak around 2007, Kyero won acclaim as Best International Property Portal, beating off competition from the high profile and publicly funded companies such as Rightmove, while winning best Spanish portal two years running at the CNBC property awards.
Originally an English language site, Kyero now supports 9 languages and caters for visitors from all corners of the world. As well as the more common European languages, Kyero was one the first sites to translate entirely to Russian and offer its agents the opportunity to reach an ever increasing global marketplace. By focusing on providing accurate statistical analysis of the property market in Spain, the Kyero.com house price index has become a respected and reliable source of independent data. And with its latest venture, the Kyero technology and functionality is planned to be released in more than 50 other countries around the world to serve the foreign buyer wherever they may choose.
It has been an exciting few years and a very successful journey. The landscape of the internet has changed immeasurably in that time and Kyero has proven itself more than capable of keeping up with the demands of today's modern lifestyle. One million is a magic number and a great tribute to those involved, the owners, the staff, the estate agents and of course the visitors themselves.
One of Kyero's original tag lines is one that fits well today ... "Kyero - Spanish property you'll love!"
Kyero.com originally began after its owner's frustration at the difficulty in finding property in Spain for their friends. An opportunity and a need was quickly recognised and a four-month marketing trial was initiated on a very tight budget. With internet use already on the rise, the marketing trial evolved into Kyero.com.
The first recorded property appeared on the 3rd of October 2003 and soon after the first enquiry was made on the 7th October 2003. By November that year, there were over 1000 properties and soon Kyero began to grow exponentially with more than 20,000 properties by May 2004, with more than 50,000 active properties just one year later. Today, Kyero regularly displays more than 100,000 properties from more than 1,500 estate agents throughout Spain.
Kyero has evolved not only in the quantity of its content but also in the quality of its delivery. At the forefront of many technological advances, Kyero is now written purely in Ruby on Rails, one of the most modern programming languages. It is backed up by a fully redundant cluster of high performance servers and is visited by millions of Spanish property hunters every year. Many agents load their properties automatically via an xml feed every day, and the Kyero xml template is considered standard by many other sites and portals throughout Spain. While through user testing and monitoring, Kyero has evolved it's design constantly to meet the demands of it's ever increasing user base, to ensure incredibly effective navigation and ease of use.
When the property market was at its peak around 2007, Kyero won acclaim as Best International Property Portal, beating off competition from the high profile and publicly funded companies such as Rightmove, while winning best Spanish portal two years running at the CNBC property awards.
Originally an English language site, Kyero now supports 9 languages and caters for visitors from all corners of the world. As well as the more common European languages, Kyero was one the first sites to translate entirely to Russian and offer its agents the opportunity to reach an ever increasing global marketplace. By focusing on providing accurate statistical analysis of the property market in Spain, the Kyero.com house price index has become a respected and reliable source of independent data. And with its latest venture, the Kyero technology and functionality is planned to be released in more than 50 other countries around the world to serve the foreign buyer wherever they may choose.
It has been an exciting few years and a very successful journey. The landscape of the internet has changed immeasurably in that time and Kyero has proven itself more than capable of keeping up with the demands of today's modern lifestyle. One million is a magic number and a great tribute to those involved, the owners, the staff, the estate agents and of course the visitors themselves.
One of Kyero's original tag lines is one that fits well today ... "Kyero - Spanish property you'll love!"
Monday, 9 November 2009
Moving to Spain - your rights and responsibilities ... the first step
This week I'm taking a look at some of the often overlooked aspects of living in Spain. Some recent personal experience with a very ill member of my family has highlighted a number of issues that have caused unnecessary work and problems. These were mostly due to the correct paperwork not being completed when first arriving in Spain, and when speaking with friends and acquaintances there is a surprising lack of knowledge about your rights and also your responsibilities when living permanently in Spain.
When considering to live in Spain permanently, your ability to receive care from social services is of the utmost importance and there is a key task that everyone should complete to ensure you do not encounter problems further down the line - registering with the local town hall. In fact, anyone living in Spain permanently has a legal obligation to register. The equivalent in the UK, for example, is the electoral role.
In Spanish, this registration is known as 'Empadronamiento' (The 'Padrón' is essentially a list of all the people who live in a certain town) and although it is not compulsory, it is of great benefit to both the local municipality and to yourself. The municipalities general funding is based on the number of registrants and therefore local services, such as the police and medical facilities, can be funded and staffed sufficiently to cope with the number of permanent residents in the area.
For the registrant, you are then able to take advantage of the social care services, vote, and generally have a much easier time when registering with local healthcare, schools and other administrative tasks related to the local municipality such as buying a property or car. From a property owning perspective, when buying property in Spain you will be able to claim up to 50% off of property taxes, as well as receive reductions in certain community charges and inheritance tax - this could lead to considerable savings on an ongoing basis, and would in itself make registration something that should not be missed out on.
Registering is very straightforward, requiring primarily that you have a permanent address, regardless of owning or renting. In the local town hall you can request a simple form to complete which is handed in along with some official identification, a recent utility bill and the deeds to your house or a copy of your rental contract - these are photocopied and returned immediately. At this point you are registered and nothing more needs to be done. A copy of the certificate is available after a couple of days but is not required to complete registration, and the certificate can be requested at any time in the future as required. When moving within Spain, you can simply register at the new town hall and the previous municipality will be automatically notified.
One thing to point out is that having a residency card is not the same, having 'residencia' does not entitle you or the local municipality to the support you or they deserve. Failing to register with the Padrón literally means that the local municipality misses out on deserved funds, and that if ever the worst happens, such as illness requiring social support or unemployment, the process of receiving help will be much smoother. My recent experiences are testament to this, not having registration has been an unnecessary stress and burden at a time when things are already difficult.
It's really a win, win situation, Empadronmiento is good for you, good for where you live, financially beneficial and can really help if things take a turn for the worst. If you or your family are coming to live in Spain, make sure it is one of the first things completed and, if you are already here, you really should register as soon as possible.
When considering to live in Spain permanently, your ability to receive care from social services is of the utmost importance and there is a key task that everyone should complete to ensure you do not encounter problems further down the line - registering with the local town hall. In fact, anyone living in Spain permanently has a legal obligation to register. The equivalent in the UK, for example, is the electoral role.
In Spanish, this registration is known as 'Empadronamiento' (The 'Padrón' is essentially a list of all the people who live in a certain town) and although it is not compulsory, it is of great benefit to both the local municipality and to yourself. The municipalities general funding is based on the number of registrants and therefore local services, such as the police and medical facilities, can be funded and staffed sufficiently to cope with the number of permanent residents in the area.
For the registrant, you are then able to take advantage of the social care services, vote, and generally have a much easier time when registering with local healthcare, schools and other administrative tasks related to the local municipality such as buying a property or car. From a property owning perspective, when buying property in Spain you will be able to claim up to 50% off of property taxes, as well as receive reductions in certain community charges and inheritance tax - this could lead to considerable savings on an ongoing basis, and would in itself make registration something that should not be missed out on.
Registering is very straightforward, requiring primarily that you have a permanent address, regardless of owning or renting. In the local town hall you can request a simple form to complete which is handed in along with some official identification, a recent utility bill and the deeds to your house or a copy of your rental contract - these are photocopied and returned immediately. At this point you are registered and nothing more needs to be done. A copy of the certificate is available after a couple of days but is not required to complete registration, and the certificate can be requested at any time in the future as required. When moving within Spain, you can simply register at the new town hall and the previous municipality will be automatically notified.
One thing to point out is that having a residency card is not the same, having 'residencia' does not entitle you or the local municipality to the support you or they deserve. Failing to register with the Padrón literally means that the local municipality misses out on deserved funds, and that if ever the worst happens, such as illness requiring social support or unemployment, the process of receiving help will be much smoother. My recent experiences are testament to this, not having registration has been an unnecessary stress and burden at a time when things are already difficult.
It's really a win, win situation, Empadronmiento is good for you, good for where you live, financially beneficial and can really help if things take a turn for the worst. If you or your family are coming to live in Spain, make sure it is one of the first things completed and, if you are already here, you really should register as soon as possible.
Friday, 6 November 2009
Costa Calida and it's lagoon paradise ... wonderful
Continuing the theme of costas, today I'm spotlighting the Costa Calida .... the warm coast. It's not too difficult to work out that it gets its name from the very mild climate, while also enjoying a low average rainfall. One of the key features of the area is concentrated on by Kyero in their original article, the Mar Menor.
The Mar Menor, literally meaning 'little sea', is a coastal saltwater lagoon and has been called he largest swimming pool in the world. Through it's entire surface area of 170m2, the water depth never drops below 7 metres and this feature means that is warm, clear and salty. Kyero quite rightly spoke about its exploitation for water sports which are some of the most used and revered in the whole of Europe.
With such a fantastic natural facility, it's not surprising that the area has been developed where possible, although with stringent building regulations it retains most of it's natural beauty. The most desirable area is on the land which separates the lagoon from the Mediterranean sea, the strip ranges from just 100 metres to just over a kilometre and is a real paradise. While over on the mainland, La Manga Club is world famous, not only for the top quality facilities but perhaps more so for it's golf courses. while the Costa del sol may boast more courses, the environment and standard in this area is arguably unsurpassed in Spain as a whole.
Prices of property in Costa Calida - have been consistently lower than the national average and in the last few months has become the cheapest area of coast in the whole of Spain, with prices now some 24 percent below the national average. Kyero has hundreds of properties for sale and some real bargains can be found, while at the other end of the scale the more exclusive areas have some sensational multi-million euro villas on offer, take a look at this stunning property for example - http://www.kyero.com/property/979032-villa-for-sale-la-manga-del-mar-menor . There are also some very cheap Costa Calida holiday rentals, perfect for a quick golfing trip or holiday visit.
The Costa Calida is so diverse it really deserves a closer look, the Mar Menor should be the first stop and it's a golfer's dream but I think I'll take another look at a later date to find some of it's more undiscovered towns and features.
From 4 years ago - Luxury property Costa Calida is attracting not only the rich and famous, but also those looking to purchase up market property, away from the somewhat overcrowded Costa del Sol. La Manga, a narrow strip of land, approximately 24km long, forms the outer part of the Mar Menor, Europe's largest salt water lagoon and separates it from the Mediterranean. The water in the lagoon is calm, warm and safe, protected as it is from the Mediterranean. It is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts and there numerous sailing schools and scuba diving clubs along the coast. The area is a natural choice for those looking to purchase luxury property Costa Calida, given the proximity of the exclusive La Manga Club, one of Europe's top tourist complexes, with its three world-class golf courses and one of the finest tennis centres in Europe. The area around the marina is the most sought after part of La Manga and with 2 golf courses being built nearby and the famous La Manga club a short drive away, the discerning buyer will find a good choice of luxury property Costa Calida.
The Mar Menor, literally meaning 'little sea', is a coastal saltwater lagoon and has been called he largest swimming pool in the world. Through it's entire surface area of 170m2, the water depth never drops below 7 metres and this feature means that is warm, clear and salty. Kyero quite rightly spoke about its exploitation for water sports which are some of the most used and revered in the whole of Europe.
With such a fantastic natural facility, it's not surprising that the area has been developed where possible, although with stringent building regulations it retains most of it's natural beauty. The most desirable area is on the land which separates the lagoon from the Mediterranean sea, the strip ranges from just 100 metres to just over a kilometre and is a real paradise. While over on the mainland, La Manga Club is world famous, not only for the top quality facilities but perhaps more so for it's golf courses. while the Costa del sol may boast more courses, the environment and standard in this area is arguably unsurpassed in Spain as a whole.
Prices of property in Costa Calida - have been consistently lower than the national average and in the last few months has become the cheapest area of coast in the whole of Spain, with prices now some 24 percent below the national average. Kyero has hundreds of properties for sale and some real bargains can be found, while at the other end of the scale the more exclusive areas have some sensational multi-million euro villas on offer, take a look at this stunning property for example - http://www.kyero.com/property/979032-villa-for-sale-la-manga-del-mar-menor . There are also some very cheap Costa Calida holiday rentals, perfect for a quick golfing trip or holiday visit.
The Costa Calida is so diverse it really deserves a closer look, the Mar Menor should be the first stop and it's a golfer's dream but I think I'll take another look at a later date to find some of it's more undiscovered towns and features.
From 4 years ago - Luxury property Costa Calida is attracting not only the rich and famous, but also those looking to purchase up market property, away from the somewhat overcrowded Costa del Sol. La Manga, a narrow strip of land, approximately 24km long, forms the outer part of the Mar Menor, Europe's largest salt water lagoon and separates it from the Mediterranean. The water in the lagoon is calm, warm and safe, protected as it is from the Mediterranean. It is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts and there numerous sailing schools and scuba diving clubs along the coast. The area is a natural choice for those looking to purchase luxury property Costa Calida, given the proximity of the exclusive La Manga Club, one of Europe's top tourist complexes, with its three world-class golf courses and one of the finest tennis centres in Europe. The area around the marina is the most sought after part of La Manga and with 2 golf courses being built nearby and the famous La Manga club a short drive away, the discerning buyer will find a good choice of luxury property Costa Calida.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Why visit the Costa Brava?
Although I've been in Spain for quite a few years now, being based on the southern coast has meant that my full appreciation of the country as a whole is not a extensive as I'd have hoped, especially the more northern areas. Although, when living on the south coast in the UK, I can't say I had a complete picture of many parts of England either, let alone Wales and Scotland.
Looking back at Kyero's articles about locations in Spain has already been a lesson in the diversity of the country, and how many places I've yet to discover. Today's spotlight is on the Costa Brava, and a quick bit of research has me eager to visit. Similar to yesterday's look at the Costa Blanca, this area was made famous in the 1950's as a package tour destination and substantial developments were made to attract as many visitors as possible. However, these developments were made in just a few areas of the Costa Blanca leaving many parts refreshingly untouched and retaining their natural beauty. Many areas have not succumbed to any kind of developments due to the region's natural habitats and environmentally protected zones, including Spain's first maritime nature reserve.
As mentioned, prices here are indeed high, currently some of the highest in Spain. It's easy to see why, a quick look through the current properties for sale on the Costa Brava - http://www.kyero.com/property_guide/55621-costa-brava-property-guide - shows a large number of luxury villas for sale. Any thoughts of sun, sea and sangria are a long time gone and in its place are exclusive properties for the rich and famous for their weekend retreats in private mansions. That doesn't mean bargains can't be found and apartments can be found from around 100,000€ and villas from 300,000€. As always, location has a direct effect on price and although a villa on a "pine-covered cliff" may be difficult to acquire the area as a whole has immense charm and heritage. For those investigating the area, it is highly advisable to do your research, perhaps renting in a few areas to get your bearings and there are many Costa Brava holiday rentals available - http://www.kyero.com/browse/costa-brava-property-holiday-rental-loc55621pag1ppp20slt2srt4
Another location to add to a growing list of 'need to visit here soon'!
The initial article: Villas in the Costa Brava tend to be more expensive than villas in many other parts of Spain. However, the property market here is strong and prices continue to rise, so investing in property here is a wise choice, particularly given the increased popularity of the Costa Brava amongst foreign buyers and holiday-makers.
The Costa Brava is also very popular amongst the Spanish, particularly the wealthy Spanish in Barcelona, many of whom own villas Costa Brava which they retire to for the summer and for weekend breaks. Some areas of the Costa Brava are quite exclusive and towns such as Llafranc, Calella and Tamariu attract the rich and famous - Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor and Humphrey Bogart, to name but a few. Villas in these towns can be difficult to get hold of, particularly the delightful seafront properties, but there are some wonderful villas to buy here, perched on the pine-covered cliffs, over-looking the azure-blue sea. If you are looking for a peaceful property, on a stunning coastline, take a look on Kyero for villas Costa Brava.
Looking back at Kyero's articles about locations in Spain has already been a lesson in the diversity of the country, and how many places I've yet to discover. Today's spotlight is on the Costa Brava, and a quick bit of research has me eager to visit. Similar to yesterday's look at the Costa Blanca, this area was made famous in the 1950's as a package tour destination and substantial developments were made to attract as many visitors as possible. However, these developments were made in just a few areas of the Costa Blanca leaving many parts refreshingly untouched and retaining their natural beauty. Many areas have not succumbed to any kind of developments due to the region's natural habitats and environmentally protected zones, including Spain's first maritime nature reserve.
As mentioned, prices here are indeed high, currently some of the highest in Spain. It's easy to see why, a quick look through the current properties for sale on the Costa Brava - http://www.kyero.com/property_guide/55621-costa-brava-property-guide - shows a large number of luxury villas for sale. Any thoughts of sun, sea and sangria are a long time gone and in its place are exclusive properties for the rich and famous for their weekend retreats in private mansions. That doesn't mean bargains can't be found and apartments can be found from around 100,000€ and villas from 300,000€. As always, location has a direct effect on price and although a villa on a "pine-covered cliff" may be difficult to acquire the area as a whole has immense charm and heritage. For those investigating the area, it is highly advisable to do your research, perhaps renting in a few areas to get your bearings and there are many Costa Brava holiday rentals available - http://www.kyero.com/browse/costa-brava-property-holiday-rental-loc55621pag1ppp20slt2srt4
Another location to add to a growing list of 'need to visit here soon'!
The initial article: Villas in the Costa Brava tend to be more expensive than villas in many other parts of Spain. However, the property market here is strong and prices continue to rise, so investing in property here is a wise choice, particularly given the increased popularity of the Costa Brava amongst foreign buyers and holiday-makers.
The Costa Brava is also very popular amongst the Spanish, particularly the wealthy Spanish in Barcelona, many of whom own villas Costa Brava which they retire to for the summer and for weekend breaks. Some areas of the Costa Brava are quite exclusive and towns such as Llafranc, Calella and Tamariu attract the rich and famous - Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor and Humphrey Bogart, to name but a few. Villas in these towns can be difficult to get hold of, particularly the delightful seafront properties, but there are some wonderful villas to buy here, perched on the pine-covered cliffs, over-looking the azure-blue sea. If you are looking for a peaceful property, on a stunning coastline, take a look on Kyero for villas Costa Brava.
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Costa Blanca ... 50 years of tourism
The Costa Blanca has been a destination for holiday makers and buyers of second homes since the late 1950's, in fact it's name was fabricated by the tourism industry to promote the industries, then new, package holidays to Spain. This included the, at the time, relatively unknown towns of Benidorm (see our article from last week) and Alicante. The area is still heavily reliant on the tourist industry and extends to some 200 kilometres of coastline, providing a traditional sunshine holiday to millions of people each year.
In this article from 2006, Kyero highlighted the area's strong recent prices rises in the coastal areas, a key aspect was the huge growth in buyers of second homes that had sensibly targeted front line property with sea views. Not only were these properties desirable for themselves but also ideal for renting or letting when unoccupied by their owners. This was obviously not a sales trend specific to the Costa Blanca , Spain's entire coastline was extremely desirable with all areas benefiting from improved road networks and the abundance of cheap flights to all areas.
It's quite interesting looking back at historical prices in the area as Kyero was right on the money with their information on prices, as a whole the average property price went from a few percentage under the national average in 2006 to a few percentage over in 2007. Looking closer at the statistics, there was strong growth in larger, more expensive properties which were in much higher demand - as was pointed out, strong regulations in many areas meant that it was villas rather than apartment blocks being built as the government pushed for the more attractive low rise developments (a key point here was the difference in regulations between the northern and southern areas). This marked difference in the market remains today but definitely peaked in the heady days of 2007.
It's certainly a large area and with such variety there is much to enjoy and explore, it's not all tourism and some delightful inland locations can be found. As always Kyero stocks a vast number of Costa Blanca property sales and there are also a high number of rentals, I'd recommend seeking out one of the many villas for rent to be found here and at very reasonable prices.
The original article from 2006 - Costa Blanca property for sale is no longer available at bargain prices, particularly if you are looking for a property with a sea view. The popularity of the area has meant that prices have risen steadily over the past few years, although it is still possible to find great value depending on whereabouts in the Costa Blanca you are looking.
The area can be divided very neatly into two halves - north and south. In the northern part of the Costa Blanca property for sale is generally more expensive than the south but the spectacular scenery, beautiful climate and wonderful beaches mean that this area has much to offer the property hunter. Development in the area has also been well-regulated particularly in areas such as Javea where development is low-rise and most of the properties available are villas.
South of Alicante and down towards Torrevieja, you will find that prices tend to be lower if you look in this area for Costa Blanca property for sale.
In this article from 2006, Kyero highlighted the area's strong recent prices rises in the coastal areas, a key aspect was the huge growth in buyers of second homes that had sensibly targeted front line property with sea views. Not only were these properties desirable for themselves but also ideal for renting or letting when unoccupied by their owners. This was obviously not a sales trend specific to the Costa Blanca , Spain's entire coastline was extremely desirable with all areas benefiting from improved road networks and the abundance of cheap flights to all areas.
It's quite interesting looking back at historical prices in the area as Kyero was right on the money with their information on prices, as a whole the average property price went from a few percentage under the national average in 2006 to a few percentage over in 2007. Looking closer at the statistics, there was strong growth in larger, more expensive properties which were in much higher demand - as was pointed out, strong regulations in many areas meant that it was villas rather than apartment blocks being built as the government pushed for the more attractive low rise developments (a key point here was the difference in regulations between the northern and southern areas). This marked difference in the market remains today but definitely peaked in the heady days of 2007.
It's certainly a large area and with such variety there is much to enjoy and explore, it's not all tourism and some delightful inland locations can be found. As always Kyero stocks a vast number of Costa Blanca property sales and there are also a high number of rentals, I'd recommend seeking out one of the many villas for rent to be found here and at very reasonable prices.
The original article from 2006 - Costa Blanca property for sale is no longer available at bargain prices, particularly if you are looking for a property with a sea view. The popularity of the area has meant that prices have risen steadily over the past few years, although it is still possible to find great value depending on whereabouts in the Costa Blanca you are looking.
The area can be divided very neatly into two halves - north and south. In the northern part of the Costa Blanca property for sale is generally more expensive than the south but the spectacular scenery, beautiful climate and wonderful beaches mean that this area has much to offer the property hunter. Development in the area has also been well-regulated particularly in areas such as Javea where development is low-rise and most of the properties available are villas.
South of Alicante and down towards Torrevieja, you will find that prices tend to be lower if you look in this area for Costa Blanca property for sale.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)