About Spain
The variety of Spain
Beautiful and restful though it is, there is much more to Spain than the coast. It is a country of variety and contrast, and the Costa Blanca provides easy access to fast motorways and high speed rail links to the whole of the peninsula for those who want to explore its rich heritage and culture.
The Spanish Language
Although English is very widely understood and spoken in popular tourist and residential areas, you will find that Spanish people really appreciate genuine attempts to speak to them in their own tongue. Compared to most other languages, Spanish is an easy language to learn.
In Spanish, what you see is what you say, so once you have learned the basic rules of pronunciation you will be able to say any new word that you read with confidence
Residency
As Spain is a full member of the EU, all EU citizens are free to travel and live here, subject to registration. They may also work in Spain, as elsewhere in Europe. (If you take a job in Spain you are advised to obtain a contract of employment from your employer.) By definition, a 'tourist' is someone who spends less than six months here in one calendar year. Spanish immigration regulations currently require that if you reside here for more than 6 months you must possess an official residence permit, unless you are a student, or are legally working and paying into the social security system.
For a small fee, a gestoria (government-licensed specialist) can lead you through the process of setting up residency. The 'padron' or 'certificado de empadronamiento' refers to the process of registering with the Town Hall as a resident of your municipality. The process is simple and free. It's vital that the local government receives the proper amount of funds necessary to run the municipality and both maintain and improve services and infrastructures, and this money is granted according to the head-count on the padron.
So, whether you are buying or renting a property, it is in both your own and your community's best interest to make the little effort required to go down to the Town Hall and register.
Health
Spain provides free (National Health Service) medical treatment to all its citizens. As a temporary visitor, however, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will enable you to receive emergency medical treatment (This card has replaced the form E111 and should be obtained before you come to Spain). The Spanish health service is one of the best and most modern in Europe.
Free choice of primary care doctor (GP) is the right of all Spanish residents and nearly all are able to see their doctor within one day. Most doctors work on a team basis in health centres. All public hospitals provide emergency services on a 24 hour basis. Within each administrative region of Spain there is at least one large public hospital equipped with the most advanced technology to provide highly specialised services, In Spain the chemist is the Farmacia, recognisable by a green flashing cross displayed outside or within the store window. Farmacias can supply all your prescription and over-the-counter drug needs. Farmacias work on a rota basis for out of hours opening and the current rota, entitled "Farmacias del Guardia" is displayed outside the farmacias as well as in the local newspapers.
Generally prescriptions are required for most drugs. However, some medications are available without prescription. Indeed some discomfort medication may even be found in supermarkets
Farmacia Information
In Spain the "Farmacia" or chemist is recognisable by a green flashing cross displayed outside or within the store window. Farmacias can be used for all your prescription and over-the-counter drug needs. Generally prescriptions are required for most drugs. However, some medications are available without prescription, Indeed some discomfort medication may even be found in supermarkets.
Not all farmacias are open 24 hours daily. Instead, there is a rotating schedule of open pharmacies. A listing of local farmacias open outside of regular business hours can be found on a listing outside of every pharmacy titled "Farmacias del Guardia," or via local newspaper.
Dentists
Any dentistry carried out will normally have to be paid for as dentists are all private. The yellow pages of the telephone directory carries a good list of dentists (dentistas).
Tap water
Over recent years the water system in Spain has undergone great improvements and tap water in built-up areas is very safe. You may wish to purchase agua mineral, bottled water. "Agua con gas" is fizzy water and "agua sin gas" is still water.
Taxation and making a will
You may be looking at your property investment to earn you rental income, or perhaps you just want it as a holiday home. You may also be thinking about taking up permanent residence in Spain. With all these options you need to be aware of the relevant income tax liabilities.
If you stay in Spain for more than 183 days in any one calendar year you become liable for Spanish Income Tax. If you become a Spanish resident you'll be charged income tax on your worldwide income. A note of reassurance: Spain recognises international double taxation conventions to ensure that you only pay income tax on earnings and investments once (i.e. in one country)! Then there's something called Imputed Income Tax. This is an annual tax on an "imaginary" rental income resulting purely by virtue of ownership of a property and this is charged as 0.5% of the catastral (Land Registry) value of the property. If you are a resident you will not be charged this tax on your principal home.
When you come to sell the property, Capital Gains Tax will be charged on any profit you make on the sale. Spanish Inheritance Tax and inheritance laws are complex, so we strongly advise that you consult a local solicitor as Soon as you purchase a property to ensure that your estate planning is protected by a separate Spanish will.
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