Is Spanish bureaucracy really that bad? How to deal with it
Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:51:09
Ask anyone who has moved to Spain and one word comes up quickly: trámites — paperwork. Spain has a reputation for administrative complexity, and in many cases it is justified. A 2025 Bureaucracy Index developed by the Fundación Internacional para la Libertad found that Spanish businesses spend an average of 53 working days per year on administrative tasks alone. For individuals relocating from abroad, the experience can feel similar.
|
The best places in Spain for remote workers in 2026
Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:42:04
According to the Global Citizen Solutions 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report, Spain ranked first in the world for remote workers. That is not a coincidence. The country combines year-round warmth across most regions, a cost of living 20–30% lower than France or the UK, one of Europe's most advanced fibre-optic networks, and — since 2023 — a dedicated legal pathway for remote workers: the Digital Nomad Visa.
|
Your guide to Sundays in Spain: Why everything is closed and what to do
Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:34:16
Settling into a new property in Spain means adjusting to a beautifully different rhythm of life. However, for many newly arrived buyers, renters, and tourists, their first Spanish weekend brings a sudden and quiet realisation: the bustling streets have emptied, the shutters are down, and the local shops are firmly locked.
|
Buying property in Spain: what French buyers need to know
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:18:49
Spain is the most popular destination for French property buyers abroad, and it is easy to understand why. The Costa del Sol, the Costa Blanca, Barcelona and the Balearic Islands attract thousands of French buyers every year, drawn by the climate, lifestyle, and relative proximity to France. What is less obvious is that the buying process in Spain works quite differently from what you are used to in France. Knowing these differences in advance helps you navigate the process confidently and understand how legal protections work in Spain.
|
Semana Santa in Spain: Dates and traditions to experience in 2026
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:09:35
Spain’s Semana Santa (Holy Week) is not merely a holiday; it is a profound cultural immersion, an open-air museum of 16th-century artistry, and a visceral display of emotion. Far removed from the chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies prevalent in much of Northern Europe and the Americas, the Spanish observance is a deeply sensory spectacle. It is the scent of burning incense and orange blossoms in the spring air, the rhythmic pounding of a solitary drum, the collective gasp of a crowd as a massive golden float navigates a narrow medieval corner, and the heartbreaking wail of a solitary flamenco prayer piercing the night.
|
Space to live: Spacious villas for sale in Murcia with garden
Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:09:39
Spacious villas with private gardens are among the most sought-after property types in Murcia, offering generous outdoor space and comfortable living at prices that remain competitive compared to other popular regions on the Spanish coast. They appeal to buyers who want more space and privacy than an apartment or townhouse can offer, without the premium associated with other coastal markets.
|
How to file your income tax return in Spain in 2026
Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00
Navigating the tax system in a new country can feel overwhelming — particularly when the rules are different from what you are used to at home. If you live in Spain or earn income here, understanding how the annual income tax return works is essential for staying compliant and making sure you are not paying more than you need to.
|
Spain becomes Europe's top destination for real estate investment
Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:57:44
Spain has become Europe’s top destination for real estate investment in the CBRE European Investor Intentions Survey 2026, overtaking the United Kingdom, Germany and France. The survey, based on responses from nearly 700 investors, places Spain first in Europe for cross-border property capital.
|
Spanish income tax deductions and allowances 2026
Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00
Spain's income tax system (IRPF) includes a broad range of deductions and personal allowances that can significantly reduce your tax bill. Whether you are employed, self-employed, a property owner, or retired, knowing what you are entitled to is one of the most practical things you can do before filing your 2025 tax return in 2026.
|
How long can I stay in Spain without residency? 90/180 rule explained for 2026
Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:55:11
Stay informed, stay legal, and enjoy Spain without worrying. As we move through 2026, the rules for non-residents in Spain are being monitored with unprecedented precision. With the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) now fully operational at Spanish borders, the days of "flying under the radar" with passport stamps are over.
|
Moving to Almería: Living, property & cost guide
Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:41:28
Almería is not Spain’s loudest province — and that is exactly the point.
|
Residency in Spain: How to get a 'green certificate' in 2026, and who needs it
Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00
A 'green certificate' is the colloquial (commonly-used) term for a certain type of residence document. It is only held by citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland. Family members, spouses, or legally-registered cohabiting partners of these citizens also hold a 'green certificate' as proof of residence.
|
Why are Spanish houses so cold in Winter?
Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:19:37
You step inside your Spanish property on a January afternoon and reach for a jumper. Outside, the sun is shining, and the temperature is perfectly pleasant. Inside, the cold seems to have settled in and made itself at home. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone — and there is a very logical reason for it.
|
The best places in Murcia for buying a home
Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:30:28
Why buy property in Murcia? In 2026, the Murcia region will have shed its reputation as a mere budget alternative to become a premier investment destination. While property prices in major Spanish hubs have skyrocketed, Murcia remains roughly 35% more affordable than the national average despite its own resilient economic growth. This unique value proposition has turned the "Costa Cálida" into a hotspot for those seeking high-quality Mediterranean living without the inflated price tags of neighbouring provinces.
|
Spain house prices hit record high in 2025 after 9.5% annual rise
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 09:09:01
Spain’s housing market closed 2025 at a new historic high, with the average declared house price rising 9.5% year-on-year, according to the latest Estadística Registral Inmobiliaria (ERI) published by the Colegio de Registradores.
|
|
Another ‘crisis’, another attack on landlords in Spain
Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:35:51 +0000
Spain’s government has wasted no time invoking “crisis mode” again—this time in response to the conflict in the Gulf. But is there really a crisis in Spain, or just a familiar excuse to tighten the screws on landlords? The latest measures come under Real Decreto-ley 8/2026, justified by the presumed economic fallout from the conflict […] The post Another ‘crisis’, another attack on landlords in Spain appeared first on Spanish Property Insight .
|
Prices rise as supply of homes for sale shrinks across most areas
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:55:51 +0000
Spain’s housing market is tightening as the supply of homes for sale continues to shrink—pushing prices higher and leaving buyers with fewer options. The number of homes for sale in Spain fell by 11% year-on-year in Q4 2025, according to data from Idealista, the country’s largest property portal and a useful proxy for overall market […] The post Prices rise as supply of homes for sale shrinks across most areas appeared first on Spanish Property Insight .
|
Fewer foreign buyers around—should sellers be worried?
Sat, 21 Mar 2026 10:53:51 +0000
A sudden drop in second-home buyers in 2025 is the kind of signal that makes vendors nervous—but what does it really mean if you’re trying to sell on the coast or islands? The latest figures from Spain’s Housing Ministry show a near 10% fall in foreign non-resident (FNR) buyers in 2025—the lowest level in four […] The post Fewer foreign buyers around—should sellers be worried? appeared first on Spanish Property Insight .
|
Non-resident foreign buyers retreat sharply in 2025
Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:29:51 +0000
A sharp drop in non-resident foreign buyers is the standout story in Spain’s latest housing figures published by the Spanish Housing Ministry, though the segment is still bigger than before the pandemic. Foreign demand for Spanish property took a step back in 2025—but not across the board. The big shift came from foreign non-resident (FNR) […] The post Non-resident foreign buyers retreat sharply in 2025 appeared first on Spanish Property Insight .
|
Iran war threatens to push home building costs even higher
Sun, 15 Mar 2026 11:10:38 +0000
Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East could push construction costs even higher in Spain, adding fresh pressure to housing supply and prices. Industry leaders warn the conflict risks fuelling another round of inflation in building materials. Spain’s construction sector is warning that the war involving the US, Israel, and Iran could drive up housing […] The post Iran war threatens to push home building costs even higher appeared first on Spanish Property Insight .
|
Study questions the price premium of branded residences in Spain
Sat, 14 Mar 2026 12:52:25 +0000
Luxury “branded residences” are often marketed as a sure-fire way to command higher prices. But a new study suggests the brand itself may add far less value than many in the industry like to claim. A new report from the Branded Residences Monitor, based on the analysis of more than 36,000 property transactions over the […] The post Study questions the price premium of branded residences in Spain appeared first on Spanish Property Insight .
|
Why war in the Gulf could send wealthy property buyers to Spain
Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:17:14 +0000
A conflict in the Middle East could have unexpected consequences for Spain’s property market, especially at the top end. When geopolitical risk rises in one region, global wealth tends to look for safer alternatives—and Spain may be well placed to benefit. One of Spain’s quiet advantages in the international property market is simple: it looks […] The post Why war in the Gulf could send wealthy property buyers to Spain appeared first on Spanish Property Insight .
|
Expert explains the damage done by rent controls and housing policy in Spain
Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:33:52 +0000
Spain’s rent controls were sold as protection for tenants. Economist Santiago Calvo says the reality is very different: fewer homes to rent, smaller flats, and a housing crisis that keeps getting worse. Spain’s experiment with rent controls is approaching its second anniversary, and the debate about whether they work is becoming harder to ignore. In […] The post Expert explains the damage done by rent controls and housing policy in Spain appeared first on Spanish Property Insight .
|
Hard to sell, or just overpriced?
Sun, 08 Mar 2026 07:59:11 +0000
Some properties in Spain take longer to sell than others. But when a home sits on the market for years, is it truly “unsellable”, or simply overpriced? A recent article in the Telegraph tells the story of British owners struggling to sell homes in Spain, with some properties sitting on the market for years without […] The post Hard to sell, or just overpriced? appeared first on Spanish Property Insight .
|
Immigration helps drive Spain’s housing boom
Sat, 07 Mar 2026 08:12:56 +0000
Immigration is emerging as one of the most powerful forces behind Spain’s housing market boom. Just as in the mid-2000s, rapid population growth is fuelling demand for homes and putting intense pressure on the rental sector. The Spanish housing market had a strong year in 2025, with 752,661 home sales – the highest level since […] The post Immigration helps drive Spain’s housing boom appeared first on Spanish Property Insight .
|
|