The Word on the Street

International Edition - January 2011

 

News and Information from Spain

 

Welcome to the January issue of 'The Word on the Street'. Your monthly news and information from Spain provided by Ábaco Asesores. In a couple of columns we hope to keep you in touch with the news, events and just a little bit of gossip.

Nerja - Costa del Sol

Walkway to the mediterranean
Nerja, Costa del Sol

In the news

It's happening everywhere. Everything is going up or going down in the opposite direction to how you would like it to. So pension ages go up, but the amount of pension you might receive is going down. In common with other parts of Europe, the Spanish Government is proposing that the retirement age should go up to 67.Pensions in Spain are seen as generous in comparison to some other countries. However this generosity could be eroded as it is proposed that workers must have contributed longer (now 20 instead of 15 years) before being entitled to a pension.

Gossip on the forums

What the word is on the streets

One of the main topics of debate has been the ban on smoking. In general the comments have been evenly divided with few sitting on the fence. It's early days and we've yet to see what difference it will make to the hostelry trade. It's shouldn't be too hard to adapt for non-resident smokers used to living with the ban already. Slightly harder for those residents used to carrying their cigarette everywhere with them. Whether you think it's for the better or the worse, cafes and restaurants in Spain will never be the same again.

A Touch of Art

If you're not feeling energetic but would like to learn something new you could try Suzanne Stokes' art classes in Ciudad Quesada on the Costa Blanca at Hotel El Corazon(Thursday) and PALS Social Club, La Siesta (Monday morning). The classes are aimed at mature students at any level from beginner upwards. If you like the idea of brandishing a brush why don't you have a look at her website www.sue-stokes.co.uk or contact her on 00 34 680 961 025.

 

Spanish transfer tax

In the current climate those who are buying are buying bargains. When your property transfer tax is calculated it is likely that you will use the title deed value. However, we are seeing cases where property is being re-valued on behalf of the Tax Authority by an architect. In some cases this is leading to a reassessment of the transfer tax paid and a subsequent tax demand. This can happen at any time in the four years following your purchase. For more information read our article.

Catching the big fish…

Spain has a new criminal code that means that businesses can be criminally liable and can face severe penalties if they are found guilty of fraud, bribery, money laundering or tax offences. Click here to find out more.

…and the motorists

Beware. If you commit crimes such as speeding at over 200 kms/ hour on the motorway or driving with more than 1.2 grams of alcohol in your blood your car could not only be impounded but repossessed. For more information click here.

Ready, steady, cook in Moncayo

Or rather, the 'Kitchen Cook Off' is based in Moncayo Market at the Procomobel Home Centre (on the N332 between Guardamar and La Mata, Alicante) every Saturday starting January 22nd. It's a little like 'Ready Steady Cook' with two restaurants competing against one another. You can pay 2€ to be a taster (money goes to charity) and then vote for your favourite dish. A free drink is included and on February 5th a family fun day has been planned as well. If you are interested in taking part as a taster you should contact sueinthesun@terra.es to book your place.

Benalmadena  - Costa del Sol

The monument to Christopher Columbus
Benalmádena, Costa del Sol

 

Coming out?
What's coming up?

Spend! Spend! Spend! Perhaps not the message you want to hear just after Christmas as the January bills come in but, the sales are on in Spain and there are plenty of places to spend your money. For those of you who have put a little money aside there are a selection of commercial centres in the Murcia, Alicante region. Some of the best known are:

- Habaneras, Avenida de Rosa Mazon Valero, Torrevieja, Alicante
www.habaneras.es

- Nueva Condomina, Autovía A7, Km. 760, Churra, Murcia www.ccnuevacondomina.com

- L'Aljub, calle Jacarilla, Elche, www.cclaljub.com

- Thader Centro Commercial, Avda. Juan de Borbón, Churra, Murcia
www.thader.net

- Gran Via shopping centre, Jose Garcia Selles 2, Carolinas, Alicante

Or if you just love browsing in a big department store there's always El Corte Ingles www.elcorteingles.es - try the one at Elche for the convenience of underground parking with no parking fees for a totally civilised shopping experience.

Prefer shopping on line?

There is a website dedicated to it (as there is a website dedicated to most things it seems). La Plaza promotes 'UK brands delivered to your door in Spain'. The site enables you to select from lots of different outlets that will deliver British goods to Spain. Including:

M&S, Littlewoods, Thorntons, Waterstones, Mothercare, Wallis, HMV and many more

Hover over the shops in the plaza and it tells you what the delivery charges are. It also provides you with the opportunity to send gifts via the internet. A useful site if you're thinking of spreading your wings further than Amazon.
www.laplazaspain.com

 
abacomagazine #e21
 

Ábaco Asesores: (+34) 96 670 3748
inf@abaco-asesores.com

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