Wondering if anyone could give me a rough idea about the running costs and work involved in keeping a private swimming pool on your own land in Spain ?

Really easy to do your self.

Need to make sure pH level is correct and that you have the correct level of chlorine.

In a season, I guess I go through (for 8mx5m pool used quite a lot);

2 x 25l of liquid chlorine in a season = 2 x 9,90€
2 x 10kg of tablets = 2 x 29,00€
4 x 5l Salfumante (or pH-) = 4 x 1,79€

In addition you need to calculate the electricity costs of running the pool pump for around 3+ hours per day depending on size of pool and size of pump.

If you are thinking of having one put in, please ensure you get the correct planning and building permissions BEFORE starting any work, and if the place already has one then make sure it is legal before buying.

Have you thought of a salt-based filtration system? We have just had our old neat chlorine system replaced and there are many benefits. It is cheaper on chemicals, it is more eco-friendly, the water is better on the skin and acts as its own disinfectant for minor scrapes, requires less maintenance etc etc. Worth a bit of research into local conditions and suppliers.

Another vote for going to a salt based system , we switched about two years ago.

Please could you advise on the cost of switching to salt from traditional?

If you do go for salt, take into account the fact that relies on the pump running for long periods, whereas a chlorine pool can get away with much less unless it is used heavily. On all pools, the greatest expense in not chemicals, but the electricity used by the filtration system.

Depending on your usage of the pool, salt systems can work out more expensive, albeit more convenient compared to continual checking on the pool chemistry.

Just out of interest, how much water does an average pool lose through evaporation etc?

I really ought to work it out for my own information, but as regards the electricity used, which is the major factor as said above, I have solar panels and batteries to run the pump. The reason being we don't have mains electrics either so have to rely on a solar system for everything, but I do have a separate smaller system for the pool. I can't remember now how much it cost to have the pool bit installed and would have to look it up but I do wonder now how many years of use it will take to recoup the cost.
It isn't as if we had an alternative, just wondering now though.

I cannot remember when but it was only a couple weeks ago but the local paper ran a story about properties being modified without council permission. I imagine they had a helicopter taking pictures of NW Galicia. They listed all the different areas where changes had been, some areas had over 20 swimming pools listed and numerous extensions which had no permission. So if you live I Galicia they are coming for you.

I have never worked out running cost.

If we add the cost of installing and maintaining our pool, then divide that by the number of times used, I hate to think how much ......?

I would liken it to the old chestnut. If you have to ask the price ......... you can't afford it?

Agree, a pool is a luxury an indulgence not a necessity.
But it's still great to have one.

100% agree

Or maybe swimming pond or so called natural swimming pool might be an option. Far cheaper and easy to do, if you have the space of course. and worst case, it will just end up as a pond.

Salt pools need to be designed differently, dont try to convert without expert help as the salt will eat metals in equipment and steps for exampke. Here in the caribbean they were a fad 10 years ago but most have been ripped out and people have gone back to chlorine [which is how a salt pool sterilises anyway.]

The issuess were corrosion caused by salt, the need to replace the element in the converter every 3-4 years and the cost of power for the converter and the need to pump more.