Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

yes we arrived in Naples, Florida 2 days after one hit and it was a bit of a mess. Though I would still take a chance if the retirement visa came out:D

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Well this is another thread, but if you move here without realising it, then you havent done your research properly. Many become non tax residents in Spain when something like a pension lump sum or large endowment is coming out. Not possible for all, but I suppose it could be construed as tax planning :D

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Who can blame them.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

No one at all .... in effect, thats what Ive done :)

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Yes in a way we are the lucky ones as we have this knowledge, and now sadly why I will now never become a tax resident in Spain even though it was something worked towards for more years than I care to think about.

Hopefully the message will get out to people though about it not being worth the risk to their endowments,inheritances from folk who had no connection nor interest in Spain all their lives, or those that get a win on the premium bonds (still waiting for mine to some up after with something better than 25 quid ).

I think many are cluleless and think Spain offers the a simple life with easy bureaucracy and a laid back lifestyle only to end up worrying themselves sick over what assets they have spent a lifetime working to accrue.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

"Tax greed". Or perhaps more appropriately for Spain, "Tax desperation".
I'm rather surprised precious few realise the consequences of it.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Does what you say though not compound the problem for us that own property in Spain with it's vast amount of property unsold, who on earth is going to buy the types of property we have. Big catch 22 situation we have ended up in.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

And what we are taking steps to do, even though it is complicated.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

I think everyone will consider only their own situation, and will do what is best for them.

The ones that have a lot to lose by way of inheritance tax on their UK assets, will not really be bothered about how harder it will be for the owners of property in Spain to sell.

In the same way that the expats who don´t have UK assets openly don´t give a monkeys about the ones that do.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Well someone on another thread said that the Russians are really keen on Spain and Spanish property so perhaps they will become the saviours of the situation.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Light at the end of the tunnel, then?:)

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

That's true like you say try and make it work but complicated, just what you don't need when retiring!
As for the Russians yes supposed to have been showing interest but wonder if that's still the case following this and the bite they took in Cyprus? Also wealthy Russians may want the villas but what about little village houses can't see them being interested in them

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Tis true :(. a very sad situation indeed. It's such a cliche to blame governments I'm loathe to do it as it seems a cop out, but at the end of the day they and their civil servants set up the tax regimes and the systems to support them. People have to pay taxes whatever but if they can't manage to put in a relatively sensible system it's a nightmare for ordinary folk.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Re your last point problem is none of us do know the consequences of what the purpose or plan is

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

We are not near retirment age, but with OH being Spanish it is a bit more complicated, a few more hoops to jump through.

As for the village houses, they have always been quite hard to sell, as most villages have few employment prospects, so they ideal buyers would be pensioners.

Although as pensioners will be the group that proportionally suffers most with the asset declaration, as if they become resident they are more likely to face the inheritance tax on their UK assets sooner than younger people.