Poinsettias
adorning a Spanish home
Legal
and Tax Updates
We
have an urgent message for non-resident Spanish home
owners. We were recently contacted by a lady living
in London who had been sent a letter in English from
the Alicante tax office. She had no fiscal representation
and hadn't paid her property taxes. The letter was to
inform her that her property would be put up for
auction if she didn't settle her debts within two
weeks. To find out more read
our article here.
Unsung
heroes
We
are so sorry. In our round up of Spanish sporting heroes
in November's newsletter we left some out. Thank you
to Paul Gill and Denis Carton who reminded us that Spain
has done very well in the World Moto GP championships
this year with Marc Marquez , Tony Elias and Jorge
Lorenzo all winning their classes. How could we miss
them out?
Gossip
on the forums
What
the word is on the streets
Do
you/ don't you need to change your UK driving licence
to a Spanish driving licence if you are a resident in
Spain? It's been debated so many times in so many
forums. Following consultation with two gestorias the
answer is 'no' you don't need to change your licence.
Until you're licence is up for renewal that is. However,
not everyone, including the Guardia Civil, knows this.
So you may still receive a fine if you are stopped.
The solution? You're probably best to change it anyway
just to avoid any unpleasant roadside exchanges.
It's
a good time to…
…buy
a new car in Spain. The combination of the slump in
car sales, the opportunity to search around on the internet
and it being the end of the year makes it perfect if
you are considering a purchase. At this time of year
sale rooms want to get rid of their old stock and
offers can be quite aggressively pitched. So, if you've
got the money and you're looking for a very special
Christmas present - now's the time to buy!
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It's
Christmas!
You might be coming over for Christmas and New Year
or perhaps you live here and are celebrating it in Spanish
style, either way this is our Top Ten Tips guide to
enjoying Christmas and New Year in Spain
1.
Celebrate on Christmas Eve - this is when the
big family meal takes place and presents are exchanged
2. Relax on Christmas Day- take the opportunity
to have a stroll along the beach or even a lunchtime
barbecue -weather permitting
3.
Ditch the hype. Christmas in Spain is a much
more low-key event. If you've got fed up of media build-up,
it's the perfect place to be
4.
Take advantage - Boxing Day isn't a bank holiday
here!
5.
Bring some grapes to your new year event and join
in with popping one in to each of the 12 dongs
6.
Take part in a new year fiesta, but get some
sleep first - they don't start until the UK is off to
bed at midnight!
7.
Watch the three kings arrive- they make so much
more sense than Santa Claus. Spanish children (generally)
have to wait until the 6th January for the Magi to bring
their presents. Just think, you can use this incentive
for good behaviour throughout the festive season
8.
It's not just children who can celebrate the Three
Kings - it's the perfect antidote to early January
depression.
9.
Turn the heating up. Christmas Day has a tradition
of having glorious sunshine in Spain - but it's still
chilly
10.
Congratulations - you're out of the rut! It can
be so easy to get stuck in the same tiresome routine
over Christmas, celebrating it somewhere different gives
you the chance to try something new.
Typical
Spanish Christmas nougat
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