I'm just wondering topaz
Have you done any research into the licences you will require and taxes you will pay. Self employed is around €238 a month whether you sell anything or not. Have you sort of researched how much you can charge for a cup of Tea ......... and how many ramblers / walkers will be up for buying stuff to carry back home with them?

Hi Mitzyboy

This is what i am asking about as I know nothing of Spanish law or employment rules. This is why i wondered whether you can have a house that is both a home and a business
Also, I thought about selling little souvenirs; postcards, lace items, nic-nacs, obviously nothing bulky

Well you wont know if you can even have a business at the premises until you check with the local town hall I'm afraid. Beaurocracy rules OK in Spain. I'm also not trying to rain on your parad as it were, but you have a big task in front of you, and I'd suggest your looking at this the wrong way.

Choose your area first. Then look for a property, and its only then that you will be able to make any firm inroads into the plan. You may find the perfect property, only to be told theres no chance of having a business there. And if you find an existing business premises theres no guarantee that you will be able to open your type of business there.

You'll need to come here to be honest .... we can give you advice but the unanswerable question is going to be whether you can start a business from a particular premises, because no one knows

thanks for that
will look into it further when I come to spain on holiday later on in the year

Just to say Orgiva is already pretty touristy so there may be too much competition there for you.

Try also looking in the villages of the Poquiera Gorge (up in the mountains from Orgiva). These are also pretty touristy but imho I think you may find them more suitable (and much prettier !) than Orgiva.

I'd recommend this book http://www.amazon.com/Living-Working...942382&sr=8-13 I think the updated one is coming out soon - has some data on self employed plus plenty of other useful info.