Phil722
American looking for information about Spain
Forum posts
32
Contacts
2
About me
American
Speaks English Spanish
Registration: 21 November 2018
Pitfalls of selling my property by michael 450
I have had an offer to buy my house but some doubts have occurred. The buyers do not have the complete funds to buy outright, so I said I could wait for a period of time (1to2yrs) with a down payment deposit of 10%, which I thought was very ...
I also think you need to ask yourself whether you wish to become a bank. Sellers sell houses; banks loan money. There are numerous pitfalls to acting as a bank, eg legal, collection, and liability. On two occasions, I've been asked by potential ... Read More
La Trinidad, Perchel, Chapas?
Hi,I'm planning an extended stay somewhere in Malaga, close to the Centro, but not too touristy. East of the Centro, eg the beach neighborhoods aren't appealing. Does anyone know about the character of the western colonias, such Trinidad, Perchel, ... Read More
Should I enter Spain with a Spanish or the Canadian passport by linsaywv
My grandmother was born in Spain so I managed to get a fresh Spanish passport. I was going to go to Spain to try to get my DNI card. Should I use my Spanish passport to enter Spain or my Canadian passport?To use my passport for the very first time ...
Yes - Spain allows dual citizenship with many countries and under many circumstances. For example, citizens of most former Spanish colonies are also among those who can hold dual nationality. For those interested in exploring this topic further, ... Read More
Should I enter Spain with a Spanish or the Canadian passport by linsaywv
My grandmother was born in Spain so I managed to get a fresh Spanish passport. I was going to go to Spain to try to get my DNI card. Should I use my Spanish passport to enter Spain or my Canadian passport?To use my passport for the very first time ...
@unity100Spain allows dual nationality with many countries and circumstances. I am a legal dual national (USA/Spain) following the "Ley 12/2015" Read More
Should I enter Spain with a Spanish or the Canadian passport by linsaywv
My grandmother was born in Spain so I managed to get a fresh Spanish passport. I was going to go to Spain to try to get my DNI card. Should I use my Spanish passport to enter Spain or my Canadian passport?To use my passport for the very first time ...
I was told by the Spanish consulate that I MUST use my Spanish passport when entering/exiting any Schengen country. In the USA, citizens MUST use their USA passport. I assume that this is the same with Canada and other countries. Read More
Going to the Malaga area to get a DNI card by linsaywv
I have a brand new passport. It states that my residence is in Canada. I can't make an appointment online at a police station to get my DNI card because it's the first time. I wanted to just walk into one of the police stations or line up early in ...
@linsaywvYou can (and should imho) make a cita previa (appointment) and be sure that you'll see an agent. I'm not sure why you couldn't make an appointment. I did mine with a lawyer for a bunch of reasons - mostly because my experience with Spanish ... Read More
Spanish citizenship, have to pay tax? by linsaywv
I am from Canada however I am getting Spanish citizenship and Spanish passport. I'm not sure if I will live in Spain right away or if I will only live there a couple of months a year. Would I still have to pay taxes, personal income tax, if I make ...
@linsaywv If you live in Spain 183+ days in any calendar year (or is it any 365-day period?), you need to pay Spanish taxes. Note that it's not double taxation, it would be the difference between what you've paid in your home country and what it ... Read More
Mobile phone plans in Spain by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Staying connected while living in Spain remains a priority for expats, especially when choosing a mobile operator or to understand the local specificities of mobile plans. Here some elements to consider: How to choose your ...
I have been using Orange for about 5 years. I'm only in Spain about half the time. I signed up at an Orange shop in Bilbao with a US passport, although I am a dual national (with a Spanish passport). They have numerous low cost prepaid plans. I use ... Read More
Will I be denied a Retirement visa because caution/record by Needtogetoutofhere2021
Have I now ruined any chances of moving to Spain Because of stupid decisions I made getting a conviction as youth for shoplifting over 40 years ago the circumstances I doubt would of got me a criminal conviction but 40 years ago they was so much ...
I had to provide BOTH recent FBI and a state police reports. I think that's a standard requirement, but as I said, I used a Spanish attorney who was somewhat familiar with the fact that there are two entities in the USA that can have criminal ... Read More
Navigating administrative procedures in Spain by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Navigating through the administration in Spain can be quite a challenge. With the variety of procedures, their complexity, and the local specifics, many factors need to be considered. Here are some questions worth ...
After applying for (and receiving) Spanish citizenship, my advice to anyone dealing with significant Spanish bureaucracy is to (a.) have patience and (b.) use a gestor or attorney - even if you're fluent in Spanish.My latest bureaucratic journey ... Read More
Need 30,000eur cash in Ibiza to pay for wedding by Adman77
Hi all. I鈥檝e joined the forum as i suspect you guys may be the most knowledgable and most likely able to advise on my situation I am due to get married in ibiza this summer and we are trying to pay for as much as possible in cash (spoken to ...
The Spanish government, like many throughout the EU, are increasing their enforcement of tax fraud. Given rapidly increasing data source integration, this will continue to grow. Tax laws are pretty much the same in the USA, Canada, UK, EU, and ... Read More
Need 30,000eur cash in Ibiza to pay for wedding by Adman77
Hi all. I鈥檝e joined the forum as i suspect you guys may be the most knowledgable and most likely able to advise on my situation I am due to get married in ibiza this summer and we are trying to pay for as much as possible in cash (spoken to ...
Tax fraud is a serious crime. By paying in cash, you are participating in tax fraud - which legally exposes you. International transport of undeclared cash is also a serious crime.聽 You're asking our advice on how to commit tax fraud.Taxes are ... Read More
Spain Spousal Visa With Criminal Record. by Usivesnow
Hello. My wife is from the Philipines and is entitled to a Spanish Visa and fast track citizenship as a result. We want to move there but I am concerned about whether or not my criminal record will be an issue. My conviction is over ten years old ...
I applied for Spanish citizenship, but I had a misdemeanor for a very minor infraction about 20 years ago. My attorney in Spain gave me careful instructions on how to document it, which included apostilled copies of my sentencing record, a statement ... Read More
Denouncing my Cdn citizenship a gesture no ramifications by oceanstar343ex
I am Canadian. My mother was born in Spain so I have access to be able to apply for Spanish citizenship.When my application is excepted by the Spanish embassy in Canada I am told I have to put my hand up and swear to the king of Spain and denounce ...
Yes, there are ramifications. If you're found out, at a minimum, you will lose your Spanish citizenship. Being that it's not all that easy to obtain (you'll need to pass a level A2 language test and a geography/culture test plus various bureaucratic ... Read More
Process to move permanently to Spain from the US by beeeventura
Can anyone provide information on how to navigate the visa process to move permanently to Spain from the US? The consulate office in NY does not have a live person, they don't respond to emails or messages. What do the expats living in Spain ...
Spanish bureaucracy is "tricky" (that's putting it nicely). I have Spanish citizenship - but when my wife and I were planning our relocation to Spain , we realized that a Spanish attorney that specializes in immigration is essential in navigating ... Read More
Non-paying tenants : what options do I have as a landlord? by ncfacebook26
I聽 have given a written notice to my tenants over then聽 2 months before their contract expires because I need my flat for my own use . However , they rejected to move out and have informed me that they will live on deposit and will stop ...
@Phil722 And Just a note: conduct prospective tenant visits as an 'open house.' Ask attendees who wish to rent to fill out a form asking the usual info (employment, previous landlord, etc). Go thru the applicants. Research them, run a credit check ... Read More
Non-paying tenants : what options do I have as a landlord? by ncfacebook26
I聽 have given a written notice to my tenants over then聽 2 months before their contract expires because I need my flat for my own use . However , they rejected to move out and have informed me that they will live on deposit and will stop ...
This is a common problem everywhere, not just Spain. As a landlord of 3 apartments, I've learned that the ONLY "power" I really have have is to ONLY rent to qualified, dependable tenants with good references. This has meant that I rent my apartments ... Read More
Portugal or Spain by BeachBaby
Hello,My husband and I are visiting Valencia area soon. We've done research, explored, and spent 10 days in Portugal. Sky high real estate. Overrun by tourists. Need to move away from coast to be affordable. Interested in small neighborhood of ...
Just like the differing cultures of Spain (Catalonia, Castille y Leon, Galicia, etc.), Portugal isn't monolithic. Personally, I *love* Madrid the most, but other regions are enjoyable to visit. (I speak Spanish fluently.) To me, your question is ... Read More
Will I be denied a Retirement visa because caution/record by Needtogetoutofhere2021
Have I now ruined any chances of moving to Spain Because of stupid decisions I made getting a conviction as youth for shoplifting over 40 years ago the circumstances I doubt would of got me a criminal conviction but 40 years ago they was so much ...
I had a 25-year old misdemeanor record for a minor tax violation (USA). I had to supply the court decision (translated/apostilled), and an explanation and opinion by my original attorney (translated/notarized). These showed that my penalty was ONLY ... Read More
Spanish citizenship DELE and CCSE tests...how difficult are they? by linsaywv
聽Regarding the Spanish citizenship DELE and CCSE tests that one has to take during the citizenship process, are they very difficult or moderately difficult to pass with basic or above basic Spanish grammar and vocabulary?Has anyone done the ...
I completely agree with jwmadrid.聽I easily passed both on the first try.聽DELE: My Spanish was pretty good, but Mexican. I studied the vosotros form for about 2 months before the exam, as well as studied what parts of my vocabulary were ... Read More
Canadian citizen applying for Spanish citizenship dual by linsaywv
Since Spain does not allow dual citizenship from Canada can one still technically keep their Canadian citizenship? At the citizenship application one must swear and denounce their previous citizenship. However even though one formally denounces ...
@linsaywv聽I'll reply via PM. Read More
Will I be denied a Retirement visa because caution/record by Needtogetoutofhere2021
Have I now ruined any chances of moving to Spain Because of stupid decisions I made getting a conviction as youth for shoplifting over 40 years ago the circumstances I doubt would of got me a criminal conviction but 40 years ago they was so much ...
@leegardner聽I had a misdemeanor (minor offense that resulted in a fine + suspended sentence) on my USA record from about 25 years ago. My attorney in Spain told me to get a copy of the sentence and have it apostilled. I was eventually able to ... Read More
Will I be denied a Retirement visa because caution/record by Needtogetoutofhere2021
Have I now ruined any chances of moving to Spain Because of stupid decisions I made getting a conviction as youth for shoplifting over 40 years ago the circumstances I doubt would of got me a criminal conviction but 40 years ago they was so much ...
I agree that you shouldn't have a problem. But... I applied for (and received) Spanish citizenship, which also required 'no criminal record.' But I had a misdemeanor (minor offense in the USA) with a fine and probation from 30 years ... Read More
COVID-19 and expatriation in Spain by Lo茂c
Hello everybody, The COVID-19 crisis inevitably impacts Spain, between closed airports or periods of containment in some cities or even the entire country . We would like to hear from you during this unusual period, to find out what the ...
My wife and I were planning to move to Madrid this September/October. We had pretty much everything in place; papers, an attorney, a targeted neighborhood, and what to do with our home in the USA. Everything is on hold, and like just about everyone ... Read More
Pellet heating by oso_rojo
Hello, We're looking to get some idea on costs for adding pellet heating to a detached house surrounded by land, it's a bit like a farm house but not so much garden/land. Has anyone had any experience buying and could offer an idea on ...
I did a quick search under this google.es search: "santiago de compostela" AND "energia geotermica" (quotes force inclusion and group the terms in google boolean terms) and found 33,000 hits. While they could be predominently ... Read More
Pellet heating by oso_rojo
Hello, We're looking to get some idea on costs for adding pellet heating to a detached house surrounded by land, it's a bit like a farm house but not so much garden/land. Has anyone had any experience buying and could offer an idea on ...
I wish that I could provide more information about geothermal, but my home base, Boston, has zero geothermal potential. There's probably tons of info from Iceland, the world leader in geotherm. Something like 90% of all houses are heated this ... Read More
Pellet heating by oso_rojo
Hello, We're looking to get some idea on costs for adding pellet heating to a detached house surrounded by land, it's a bit like a farm house but not so much garden/land. Has anyone had any experience buying and could offer an idea on ...
Thanks for asking. I believe that personal energy choices are deeply important for our planet and future generations. Here are the possible energy sources, noting those that have a relatively low environmental impact: Solar: With an amortization of ... Read More
Pellet heating by oso_rojo
Hello, We're looking to get some idea on costs for adding pellet heating to a detached house surrounded by land, it's a bit like a farm house but not so much garden/land. Has anyone had any experience buying and could offer an idea on ...
Not to get too deep into the politics of pellet stoves, before you invest in pellets, you may wish to read this article from Yale: Wood Pellets: Green Energy or New Source of CO2 Emissions? As a retired environmental lobbyist, I was constantly ... Read More
Finding a tax specialist
I'm looking for a reliable tax specialist in Madrid who's familiar with USA taxes. I know that I will have to pay Spanish taxes, and I know about the double taxation treaties between the USA and Spain. I'm a dual citizen, if that's ... Read More
New members of the Spain forum, introduce yourselves here - 2018 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Spain forum? Don聮t know how to start? This thread is for you聽;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on ...
Estimados amigos, I'm so glad to have found this forum!! I'm in the process of obtaining Spanish citizenship thru their offer to Jews of Sephardic descent. My great grandmother was born in Istanbul, and I was raised in a mixed ... Read More