I pay 32 euro a month

Don't worry - it's fact. In that thread there is a link to the official court ruling (all in Spanish of course). But it's not for everybody. You have to meet certain criteria to qualify.

I suppose our main difference is the definition of ‘underclass’, irrespective of nationality. I understand the word to mean those who are able to work, but don’t, and sponge off the state instead.

As for contributing to society, the EU laws are often misinterpreted by member states for their own, rather than the EU benefit and Spain is not lacking in that department.

The expats who live and work here may be interpreting the EU rules by thinking that they are free to travel, live and work anywhere within the EU, and some of them may be paying less tax than they perhaps should, just like their Spanish counterparts, which is why integration can be a thorny subject.

I can honestly say that I haven’t found much difference between Spanish and English people in a general way, in all departments, and if someone prefers Paella to Fish and Chips, then that’s an irrelevant difference.

Only a couple of hours ago I was served by a Russian waitress in a Spanish owned café, which was full of all different nationalities, and a Chinese lady was trying to sell pirated CDs to feed the child she had with her. I take my hat off to that Chinese lady, and the Russian waitress who is paid a pittance to avoid tax.

What a load of nonsense. They are cheating the system, pure and simple. You make it sound like these people are high court judges deliberating over the exact wording of a law

Those who work and dont pay taxes and/or social security are stealing from all of us. And those who pay these people are just as bad. Whatever nationality these people are makes no difference.

It is not down to you or anyone else to "interpret laws" as you please. If you have a problem with the national law then I suggest you lobby the national politicians - or move to a different country whos laws you respect.

cricketman
I think that you are being a tad hard. In an ideal world, well yes, everyone would pay taxes and social security. But we are far from that. Even in Spain there is a great deal of real poverty. There are over 4 million jobless. Those who are somehow holding things together by taking poorly paid jobs coupled with working long hours, as with all people, deserve respect. Of those who live here and don't pay into the "system", I would suggest that the majority of that "underclass" you speak of, simply don't have the means to do so. If I have a family to feed and the job/benefits come to an end, paying tax on my "black" earnings is pretty far down the "to do" list.
Oh...and keep in mind that the very wealthy here don't pay their share of tax either.
As an American TV cop might say, "Now cricketman, put your hands up and step away from the Daily Mail".

The reason I chose to live in Spain, apart from the weather and cheapness, is precisely because real Spanish people have the same respect for all the silly laws imposed on them as I have, very little.

God knows where you come from, and it’s totally irrelevant, but you’re about as Spanish as my big toe. I’ve lived in Spain for far longer than you have, with my eyes open, and I’m not enough of a hypocrite to constantly praise it and run down my own country at every opportunity.

The Spanish people I know are nothing like you, but they’re very much like me, the million other Brits who live in Spain, and the rest of the Spanish population. And who on earth is talking about National laws? This discussion is about ordinary people who work for a living and try and reduce their tax bills in very minor ways.

Living where you are, surrounded by the Brits you seem to hate, you would be better off to move to an area where you are not as exposed to their evil ways.

You've got a strange impression of me. Can I put some things straight:
1. I dont hate Brits. I like them as much as any other nationality
2. I dont feel surrounded by Brits where I live. The only thing I notice is there are quite a few British bars and cars around. And at least one of my immediate neighbours is British
3. I'm not Spanish, nor do I long to be
4. I know lots of Spanish people, none of them who are tax cheats, they even file their rental income
5. I have never read the Daily Mail. I get my news from El Pais and the BBC
6. And I have a question. If the world really is how you see it, why did so many British people leave the UK to live in poverty in Spain? Doesnt make much sense to me

I've been told off on here before about being out of touch with the average working man whether they be British or Spanish. Well, if they all have to lie, cheat and swindle to make a living (as you suggest) then we really are in trouble.

Oh Lordy, don't say Spain is cheap on here, we'll have a whole discussion start about how much beans cost in Mercadona, and how much water costs in a tourist trap on the beach! I have seen rather a lot of these discussions about UK bad, Spain good and I think it is time people stopped slagging each other off about who is more Spanish, more British, less Spanish, less British, etc. Can't we just agree that we all love Spain otherwise we wouldn't be here (and if we don't, then bog off!), and that we can still love the UK even though it has admittedly gone to the dogs somewhat over recent years (even my parents say this and they love England). Discussions are discussions but I don't like the personal tone these forums take. Someone once said to me to not be a sensitive little flower when I mentioned this before, but I am far from sensitive, just don't see the need to bicker. The OP wants to know where is a good place to live, not whether someone reads the Daily Mail or what they think about having a fish and chip shop nearby (perish the thought! Only kidding, I crave the stuff).

hahahaha god this thread has made me want to move to Spain.. again.

Lukie, just don't dare ask where you should live otherwise the backlash will begin! Your personal motives, finances and life will be scrutinised to the nth degree! Sorry, being flippant...

haha I think you're great when you say 'don't say Spain is cheap on here, we'll have a whole discussion start about how much beans cost in Mercadona,' made me laugh, I know what you're sayin!!

I've been researching where I want to live in mainland Spain since leaving canneries about 2 years ago, still can't flipping decide.

What are you looking for? Set us the challenge!

haha ok!

Well I'll start with work, I'm a freelancer and can work from anywhere as my clients are worldwide, I actually only have hmm 2 local clients in Nottingham... so anyway need good internet as I have about 50 websites to manage and with no net = no work so from reading this forum I don't want to be to far inland as the speeds are slower?

Community wise, well, I like to say I get on with anyone! I worked in South France in a full French community, not knowing hardly any French and being English, I left being accepted, was given gifts by the locals too and now know fluent French so I guess I'm a people person , I guess the fact I set up a football school for the French kids in the village helped me out a bit in the old acceptance.

All in all I'm just looking for somewhere pleasant, somewhere I can go to the local pub for a drink when my missus is doing my head in and have a chat with random people haha! I've looked into Marbella, Murcia, Alicante, can't make my mind up, I' like to move to Marbella but its expensive as far as I'm aware?

And somewhere the missus can go when you are doing her head in too?!

Wait till you meet my missus, you will be in the same bar after.