Blog on Spanish law

Category: Interesting topics

  • TIMESHARES: HERE WE GO AGAIN

                It happens sometimes that hiring certain kind of services is easier than getting rid of them. An original idea could become a burden and we may struggle to get rid of the facilities that have made our life happier and more comfortable in the past. This situation is closely…

  • First use license and habitation certificate. Tomatoe, tomato. Are they the same thing?

                  There are two documents which are essential before moving into a house in Spain. They are called first use license (“licencia de primera ocupación”) and habitation certificate (“cédula de habitabilidad”). These two documents sometimes have their own validity and in other occasions complement each other. It is difficult…

  • Interview from the Law Gazzette

    My legal life: Antonio Guillen 28 October 2013 Topics: Personal and professional development   Head of foreign property, DWF, Manchester. Watching LA Law in the late 1980s captured my attention and pushed me towards pursuing a career in law. I loved the talk, the looks and the suits. Life and a legal career then came…

  • Antonio Guillen appointed an Honorary Consul for Spain

                  Antonio Guillen, Head of the Foreign Property team at DWF, has been appointed as an Honorary Consul for Spain for the Greater Manchester, West and North Yorkshire regions. Antonio, dual-qualified in Spain and England, will support the Spanish Consulate in Edinburgh, which covers the north of the UK…

  • CHANGES TO THE SPANISH LEGISLATION REGARDING FORECLOSURE

                        Given the increase of evictions and the drama that this carries to the Spanish society, a new Law (1-2013 14th May) has been launched in order to protect those who cannot pay the mortgage. The new law aims at helping those who, if provided with…

  • Buying property in Spain from a bank- Initial tips

                      These days, as a result of the economic situation and the increase of people who do not pay their mortgagees, the banks have gathered a huge housing stock and, sometimes, these kinds of properties, which have been acquired by way of foreclosing procedures, are offered for…

  • WHAT IS THE ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE (CERTIFICADO DE EFICIENCIA ENERGETICA)?

                      From June 1st the Energy Performance Certificate will be required in all contracts of sale or rental in Spain. This regulation comes from a European Directive and it is already in force in other EU countries. This certificate analyzes the demand and energy consumption of a…

  • Can I renounce to an inheritance in Spain?

                    In most occassions, inheriting from a dead relative or friend comes associated with an increase in wealth. The heir or beneficiary inherits the assets or money that the deceased had and once the inheritance tax is paid, which sometimes can prove very expensive, the heir is left with…

  • How to set up a Spanish company

                      “Spain will be the next Germany!” This was the headline in “EL PAIS” last week, a popular Spanish newspaper. Is this true? Well, even though the headline may be exaggerated in my opinion, there are grounds for optimism as recent labour reforms will  benefit business development…

  • Can I complete the purchase of a property in Spain without a NIE?

      In a clear homage to my youngest daughter’s favourite cartoon: yes you can! I am talking about NIEs and not laying bricks but contrariliy to what happens in the Bob the Builder’s cartoons, the lack of NIE will not necessarily lead to a happy ending. A NIE number (tax number for non-residents who either…