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There is little doubt that Spain has an enormous amount to offer, to visitors, residential tourists and to those who wisely seek to make their new home in
one of Europe's warmest countries. The warmth is not just meteorological
either, extending to the hospitality proffered by the local population whether
in Madrid, Malaga or any one of the countless White Villages to be savoured
in the Andalusianhills.
Nestling in the southernmost part of the country is the Costa del Sol, a stretch
of territory renowned for its wonderful weather and glorious beaches, not to mention
the outstanding gastronomy.
Enjoying over 300 days of sunshine a year makes this a very privileged place
to live, the winter brightness and heat being a perfect antidote to the conditions
experienced at this time in most parts of northern Europe. |
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Costa del sol
From the rolling hills of Granada to the imposing rock of Gibraltar, southern Spain bears the legacy of centuries of culture from civilisations as diverse as the Romans and the Moors.
Beautiful sun-kissed beaches, stunning mountain views, lakes, countryside and traditional living just ten minutes drive inland from anywhere on the coast; picturesque, white-washed villages, oozing with tradition, with their cobbled streets, tiny churches, market squares and typically friendly Spanish welcome providing the ideal contrast to the exciting hustle and bustle to be found along the coast.
This is Spain's Costa del Sol, a combination of elements to suit virtually every taste.
Literally known as the Sun Coast, this is a 150 kilometre stretch of coastline divided into east and west, the former comprising such places of importance as Nerja, a popular choice with tourists, while the latter includes an area that extends as far as Cádiz province.
The capital city is Málaga, a rich and complex area where culture, fine food and leisure activities are very much the order of the day. In addition, it is only a short journey to the nature zones of Torcal de Antequera, Sierra de las Nieves, Ronda and the Garganta del El Chorro.
Málaga has a large variety of museums. The Museo Picasso, located in the 16th century renaissance Palacio de Bellavista, houses more than 150 works by the cosmopolitan Málaga artist. In addition, the Modern Art Centre (CAC) dedicated to the dissemination of avant garde art, complements this high-level art offering.
Further information in www.visitcostadelsol.com
Gran Canary
This island has an extraordinary wealth of nature. The 60-kilometre coastline features beaches notable for their fine, golden sand and clean and clear seawater. In the south of the island are to be found the sandiest beaches with the mildest climate. The interior, meanwhile, of volcanic origin, contains a large variety of extremely beautiful ecosystems. The island also has 32 natural protected spaces where you can go hill walking, climbing and mountain biking.
Las Palmas, capital of Grand Canary, is one of 7 paradise islands comprising an archipelago that belongs to Spain although being situated in the Atlantic Ocean a few kilometres from the African coast. It is a tourist destination with excellent communication links.
Further information in www.grancanaria.com
Jerez de la Frontera
An area with excellent highway connections to other Andalusian towns, including an international airport, Jerez de la Frontera is rapidly becoming established as an important transport hub.
Jerez itself is replete with a large number of churches from the late Gothic period while renaissance, baroque and neo-classical palaces are also high on the tourist agenda.
The town enjoys an excellent geographical location added to which is the proximity to the sea which wields a large influence on the mild winter climate – an average of 11 degrees – and pleasant summers – 25 degrees on average. The town, in fact, enjoys over 3,200 hours sunshine a year.
From Jerez you can conveniently visit the rest of the province of Cádiz, enjoying the wide-ranging opportunities offered by the Doñana Nature Park, the Puerto de Santa María beaches, the charm of the capital, Cádiz, and the monumental white village of Arcos de la Frontera.
Jerez is also a town of museums, a zoo and, last but not least, some of the world's finest wines, notably el fino otherwise known as dry sherry.
Further information in www.turismojerez.com |
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Spaniards are renowned for being a lively, joyous people who enter into the spirit of a party with body and soul. Over 3,000 fiestas are celebrated every year in Andalucia, including fairs, pilgrimages, carnivals, mock battles and religious processions.
Fairs & Events
The three main events of the year are the local Summer Fair, the Easter processions and the Christmas festive season.
Every town and village has an annual summer fiesta. Towns and villages virtually shut down for the duration of the fair as everyone takes to the streets in their traditional Spanish finery. Music and dancing continue long into the night, followed by a few hours sleep before the next day dawns and the party starts up again.
In Spain the 24th of December is one of the most important days in the year as families get together to eat a traditional meal. Christmas day is quieter although many restaurants and bars remain open. January the 6th is Three Kings Day, when Spanish children receive their gifts from Los Reyes, and the climax to the festive season in Spain. The procession on the evening of January the 5th is not to be missed either, especially for children.
Easter is known as Semana Santa in Spain and every town in Spain marks this week with spectacular processions through the streets of models of Christ on the Cross and his mourning mother, the Virgin Mary.
The most outstanding Easter week processions are those in Seville, Málaga, Córdoba and Granada, although the spectacle is worth seeing in any town or village.
Bullfighting
While the practice of bullfighting is a contentious issue for many people, visitors and locals alike, the fact remains that bullfighting plays an important role in the celebrations that are at the heart of Spanish culture.
The bullfighting season in Spa1in lasts between April and October with the main fights occurring during the local annual fairs. |
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Food and drink in Andalucia and the Canary Islands is of very special interest, Mediterranean cuisine being renowned for its health-giving properties. Tomatoes, olive oil, oranges, fish and sea food are just some of the culinary delights on offer in the region, washed down with a selection of excellent local wines or sangrias.
In Andalucia, the ever-popular dish, paella, comprising a mixture of rice and sea food or chicken, is often the highlight in the many chiringuitos or restaurants dotted along the coastline.
In towns, however, it is the tapas bars which proliferate, with menus featuring squid , bean stew, cured Spanish ham, sausage and triangles of tasty cheese.
In summertime, a starter of cold gazpacho soup is ideal while in the winter months a lentil broth will heat you up. Churros, dipped in sugar or melted chocolate sauce, are popular at breakfast time, turron and truffles are enjoyed at Christmas, at Halloween it's pumpkins and pomegranates while the delicious Spanish ice cream goes down a treat at any time of the year. |
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Spain is for people who like to live life to the full and enjoy the best things it can offer as well as those who like to sit back, relax and take in nothing more than peace and quiet surrounded by nature, within the numerous protected wildlife parks that epitomise inland Andalucia as well as Gran Canary.
Perhaps the best thing of all about the area is that there really is something for everybody in this glorious piece of heaven tucked away in Spain's southernmost corner.
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CommunicationsRemovalsHealth ServicesPets Emergency Services ChildrenResidency & TaxesTelecommunications |
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Airports
Southern Spain is well served by its international airports, notably those in Málaga, Almeria, Sevilla, Jerez and Granada. Gibraltar is also convenient for those travelling to Western Andalucia.
Málaga airport is especially convenient for the Costa del Sol, with regular connections all over Europe and the largest selection of low cost carriers. It is the airport used by the great majority of travellers to and from Southern Spain.
Driving
The first thing to remember is that in Spain, as with most European countries, the steering wheel is on the left but you drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Unless you are staying in the centre of town, a car in Southern Spain is very useful. If you plan to live permanently in Spain, having access to a car is a basic necessity. Public transport tends to keep to the main road, unlike most schools, golf courses, houses and other places to which you might want to go.
Spanish law demands that a driving licence, photographic identification, car registration document and current insurance cover are carried at all times when driving your vehicle.
Other rules of the road state that seatbelts must be worn in the front and back at all times and that less than 50mg of alcohol should be present per 100ml of blood when driving, which is less than in many countries.
By law, drivers must carry two warning triangles, a full set of spare light bulbs, a spare tyre with the correct air pressure, the equipment needed to fit it and a fluorescent jacket that must be worn outside your vehicle in the event of a breakdown.
The use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited when driving unless your car is equipped with a completely hands-free system. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted in the front seat or on motorbikes. Helmets must be worn on motorbikes.
Speed limits are 120 km/h on motorways, 100 km/h on duel carriageways, 90 km/h on single carriageways and 50 km/h in towns. Signs will display the speed limit of the road on which you are travelling.
A map is a good idea if you are planning a route through Andalucia as signposts cannot always be depended upon to lead you towards your destination. Toll roads are often worth the cost due to their lack of congestion and speed.
Public transport
Most visitors to Southern Spain take advantage of low cost car hire but if you choose not to drive in Spain you will almost certainly need to use taxis or public transport.
Coastal areas are well served with a network of bus routes, with bus times and route information being obtainable from bus stations.
There are buses between Malaga airport and some of the bigger towns along the coast,
and local trains which run between Malaga and Fuengirola, while the former is well connected to other cities with its high-speed rail links.
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If you pay Spanish social security contributions you and your family are entitled to free or subsidised medical treatment at your local Centro de Salud, or Health Centre. If you are a retired EU resident, receiving a state pension, you are also entitled to register with a doctor and receive medical treatment.
There are often translators on hand at hospitals to assist with language differences but you may have to wait for their services due to demand.
If you do not qualify to receive social security medical care you must arrange private health insurance. If you wish to become a permanent resident of Spain you must be able to show proof that you have a private healthcare scheme if you are not contributing to Spanish social security.
Unlike in Britain and some other countries, vaccination is compulsory in Spain if you wish your child to be enrolled in a Spanish school.
Dentists in Southern Spain are generally private. After paying an initial registration fee, check-ups tend to be free but any treatment must be paid for. Practices can be found easily in towns and on the coast. Dentists speaking English and other languages advertise their services in local publications and many are native speakers.
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All three emergency services can be contacted by phoning 112.
In addition, should you need an ambulance whilst in Spain, the emergency number to call is 061.
The fire services can be contacted in an emergency on 080.
There are three separate police organisations in Spain.
If you are the victim of a crime such as a theft, you should report it to the National Police. They are responsible for crime investigation among other duties. They wear black uniforms and white shirts or blue military style uniforms.
Local police devote most of their time to traffic control. Drivers need to carry their driving licence, photo identification, documents relating to the car and valid insurance with them at all times.
The third 'arm' of the Spanish police force is the Guardia Civil, identifiable by their green uniforms. Their responsibilities include traffic control and speed checks on main highways.
In an emergency, the police can be contacted on 091 (national), 092 (local) and 062 (guardia civil).
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Residency
All resident and non-resident foreigners with financial affairs in Spain must apply for a NIE number. This number acts as a means of identification and also enables records to be kept of any financial dealings you might have in Spain. Without it you cannot work, open a bank account or buy property. In fact you will be asked for this number in all your official dealings in Spain.
You can apply for your NIE at any national police station with a foreigners’ department where you will need to complete a short form. Many people pay a lawyer or gestor (legal administrator) to apply on their behalf, as a basic knowledge of Spanish is generally needed to communicate with staff and to complete the form.
It is no longer compulsory to apply for residency in Spain if you are an employed or self employed EU national or citizen of a country that is part of the EEA (Economic Area Agreement). However, if you reside in Spain for 182 days or more a year you will be considered a tax resident and will be liable to pay taxes on your worldwide assets.
Having a residence card can prove to be useful as it is often requested as a form of identification when using your credit card or when setting up a contract with a utility company
Taxes
If you spend more than 183 days of the year in Spain you are officially classed as a tax resident and liable to pay tax on your world wide income. If you are not a tax resident you will only be taxed on income arising in Spain.
Completion of an end of year tax return is obligatory in Spain unless you earn less than €22,000 per year in which case your income will have been taxed correctly at source.
Income tax is payable on both earned and unearned income. Taxable income includes salaries, pensions, capital gains, property, investment and income from professional, business or agricultural activities. If you are a non-resident or the owner of a second property in Spain, two per cent of its fiscal value will be added to your taxable income. Principal residences are exempt from this.
If you are a pensioner and your worldwide income from pensions and investments is less than €8000 and €1600 respectively, you aren’t required to make a tax declaration or pay Spanish income tax.
The Spanish tax system is complicated and even experts have difficulty agreeing with the tax authorities. If in doubt always seek the help of a professional accountant or lawyer. For a simple query, contact your local tax office. Penalties for non-payment of taxes can be stiff so ensure you are paying all that you should be by asking an expert.
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There are numerous companies ready and willing to ship your belongings to Spain. You should obtain quotes from at least three as prices vary greatly.
Shipment within Europe should only take a few weeks. If you can be flexible about arrival times you may be able to greatly reduce the cost of shipment by sharing a delivery.
Do insure your belongings while in transit and also while in storage prior to departure or upon arrival.
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If you plan to bring your pet with you to Spain, they must be micro-chipped, vaccinated against rabies and undergo a blood test. They are then issued with a health certificate (passport) which can take up to six months to issue.
For information about current quarantine laws, contact the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs or your local Animal Health Office in the UK.
Dog owners in Spain are required to register their pets. This can be done by the local vet. It is also advisable to ask the vet for recommended vaccinations.
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There are many options available to those wishing to find care for younger children. English nurseries, Spanish nurseries and a whole range of international and bilingual nurseries offer care ranging from supervised play to a structured pre-school curriculum.
There are numerous schools in Southern Spain providing education in many languages using different curriculums.
School is mandatory between the ages of 6 – 16 although many Spanish state schools start at 3 years old.
Children aim towards studying for a bacchillerato with which they can then apply to university. This qualification is recognised by universities worldwide.
Children tend to be more adept at becoming truly bilingual if they are integrated into a Spanish school before the age of10. Due to the multicultural mix of inhabitants in Southern Spain most schools have pupils from many countries.
Spanish state schools end at 2pm. In the afternoon there may be extra optional classes such as sports and arts and crafts.
Some parents prefer their child to continue studying in their native language. International schools usually teach in English and often follow the British curriculum.
Most international schools provide some tuition in Spanish but generally teachers are recruited from England and follow the British curriculum. Class sizes are usually kept to a maximum of 24 and cater for the needs of children of various nationalities. Extra English support is often available for non-native speakers.
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Telefonica is the sole provider of telephone lines in Spain, although other companies do offer calls at competitive rates.
If your Spanish property is not new, you will need to have the existing Telefonica account transferred into your name. To do this, you must phone from the number you wish to take over, provide your details and make payment arrangements. You will also need to give the passport or NIE number of the previous account holder. To reconnect or install a new line, call Telefonica on1004 to ask how to proceed.
Mobile phones are widely available in Spain and all networks cover around 90% of the country.
Internet
Numerous Internet servers are also widely available in Spain. With strong competition in the field, many providers offer discounted services. As always, the wisest thing is to shop around.
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