Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

Roughly translated, when all the 720's are in, the Hacienda could then assess the viability of a 'cash grab'. Anyone can 'hide' assets quite legally within trusts or, not so legally Spanish wise, just by using a UK address of convenience. In my opinion the Spanish Government have badly misjudged the average none Spaniard's mind set on being robbed at pen point by over officious Spanish public servants.

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

Thank you Mitzyboy and Crookesey mmm doesn't sound good must say. Cannot just brush that one aside. Must be a difficult one for everyone to deal with. :-(

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

A lot of, if not most of long-term expats have always ignored the more ridiculous and short-lasting Spanish regulations and lived happy and contented lives in Spain for their time abroad. I'm not sure the latest tax measures can be safely ignored.

I'm not sure how long you can now liver under the radar by just renting and not signing on anywhere.

We need a new expat status and I'm sure the Spanish authorities would be more than happy with it.

'Permanent tourists', just as we've always been. A nice little plastic card with your photograph would be all you would need.

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

Hi HBG thanks for your reply. I have read that there is a serious fine of about 13'000 euros to pay if you don't conform to filling it out. They say there is a deadline. Is that the case? All these things going on making me wonder....maybe portugal. Shame so love Spain. I know nowhere is perfect but...don't fancy unknowns knowing my business :-(

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

The deadline is past for existing expats. For new tax residents though, it would be something to consider.

The whole tax thing is important if you have significant assets, from income tax to asset declaration, wealth tax and inheritance tax.

Its a personal decision basically. Had I still been living in Spain I would have adjusted my living arrangements so I was no longer tax resident there. As it is, I left at the right time and didnt have to make the asset declaration

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

We would have had to do the same. OH still has shares in the Company he sold. I have holdings through a family trust. Seems that they want details of all the Company.:eek: Thankfully, not had to study it too much:D

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

People would have told you that you were panicking without reason J2 :). They clearly have crystal balls and know that there is no other reason for it than just statistics :D

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

We are nearly there too, if all goes well we will be doing a non residents tax return next year.

We made the declaration, had to, but it won´t matter, as we will not spend more than 6 months in Spain.

A Spanish friend of ours in Spain, is putting off the sale of his Italian restaurant in the UK uuntilhe becomes non resident.

So it is not only "foreigners" who are jumping ship, a lot of "returners" are not prepared to hand over a big chunk of future inheritances, property sales etc.

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

I don't know what my status is at the moment, I'm in 'no man's land'. I was a resident and want to be a non-resident, but I'm not there yet.

I'm now paying my taxes in the UK, and always paid some of them there, but also paid some in Spain, quite a lot over the years. My Spanish tax advisor has thrown the towel in and retired to paint pictures. Another Gestor has gone missing.

I'm thinking about changing my name; years ago all that had to be done was placing an advert in the Evening News. That's gone as well.

I'm living in cyber space on this forum and on earth as well.

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

I believe they are worse off financially than Spain

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

Hi fredbargate,think they are but don't seem to charge taxes as bad as spain :-)
They also leave you be for x amount of years, when you first settle in the country to try and encourage Europeans to stay. Seem to appreciate our cash input rather than frighten us off. Just want to go and live in the sun ...Hate the winters :-(

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

We retired here 6 years ago , we live in the campo near Los romanes , We love it here , yes we hear about breakins but no more than the breakins back in the UK, We have a very close community here and everyone looks out for each other , My spanish neighbour is better than any guard dog lol , No stranger would get past her ! but i agree with long term rental first see if spain is for you first ,We couldnt afford the lifestyle we have here back in the UK but its not for everyone, so try before you buy

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

In my wife and my experiences with Spain, reaching back to the 1960's, we have seen many happenings. We used to go to one particular place in Spain where the Germans outnumbered the Spanish by 4 to 1, however when the fatherland started to get snotty about German pensions being paid to folk living permanently in Spain, they returned home. The Brits have been hovering around in Spain for donkey's years, many doing illicit cash in hand work of one kind or another, airport taxi runs being one that I well recall, we fell for it once, when the car turned up it would have been better suited to the London to Brighton rally. :eek:

When I read some of the posts on this forum, professing total and everlasting fealty to the Spanish authorities, I am minded of a quote made by the late Harold MacMillan, that went something like this:-

"When I am hosting a diner party and one of my guests continues to profess their complete and absolute honesty, I always tell my butler to check the silver at the end of the meal".

Has anyone ever wondered why Brits living on the Mijas Costa/Costa del Sol make frequent trips to Gibraltar and return with a bottle of whiskey, a couple of packs of UK butter and a few fags/rolling tobacco? Well I have my suspicions that I shall keep to myself.

Basically take everything on board, make your own enquiries but don't do anything permanently before you've had a road test. ;)

Re: Should we retire in spain?
 

Spain was a different place 20 years ago. Spanish people saw great numbers of expats flooding into their country and spending their money here.

People prospered, from the bankers and builders down to the labourers and shop assistants. The incoming expats found a cheap lifestyle and were met by friendly people who wanted them as neighbours.

It's different now for lots of different reasons, Spanish and foreign ones. I can't think of one overriding factor but could easily list a hundred different ones.

Which would be pointless, it's still a great country for expats, maybe I should say careful expats.