I was talking to a newbie expat who was getting worried because he has become a resident in Spain and now realises the Spanish authorities may tell the UK authorities where he is, he says his concerns are because he`s avoiding paying a divorce settlement

Do the two countries talk as a matter of course or only when there`s an issue??

The short answer is yes. A friend of our who is a resident has just been caught out and with the current economic situation I suspect that the fiscal authorities from all countries will be providing information all round.

Trouble with that is that it's difficult to hide forever, one day someone somewhere will catch up with him if he has been asked to pay up, rightly or wrongly. I can't imagine his ex will let it rest that easily, and she's bound to know more or less where he's gone.

They very definitely talk!! We are seeing these problems in the office more and more!!