Latest property news
Read the latest property news from all around the world from our expert writers located all over the world. Get the latest on buying, travel, emigration, retirement and much more. Whether you are buying a sunny property to spend your summers, or making a big move abroad you will find everything you need to know here.
Move to Ireland, the 14th happiest place on earth
If you’re considering a move abroad and seek a simple, happier life, you should consider a move to Ireland. The annual World Happiness Report reveals that Ireland ranked 14th out of 137 countries, on general happiness and quality of life.Read more...
Flower Carpets and Cork Stripping in Palafrugell, Catalonia
In just one small corner of Catalonia, you can find a variety of local festivals based on the resources and history of the area, which are perfect for families and couples alike.Read more...
EU Referendum Straw Poll: In or Out of Europe?
The possibility of a Brexit following the upcoming referendum is of major concern and interest to British people living in Spain, whether they are retired or not. A quick poll around a lunch table by our expat on the ground produced an interesting result. Whenever you meet British people here, the subject for discussion these days is the EU Referendum and the possibility of a Brexit, just as it is in the United Kingdom. The other day, I was with a group of 20 expats for a tour of Gala’s Castle at Pubòl in Catalonia (Gala was Salvador Dalí’s Russian wife). Our guide, Nik Duserm, kept usRead more...
Six reasons why we love the Languedoc Roussillon
The Languedoc Roussillon has a lot going for it: sunshine, historical monuments, beaches and mountains, to name but a few. We shine the spotlight on the top six reasons we love this beautiful area of France.Read more...
How the EU Referendum will affect your life as an expat
We keep you informed of the latest thinking on how the result of the EU Referendum will make a difference to your life as an expat.Read more...
The importance of insuring your new French home
Insuring your home and contents is so important wherever you have bought your home – doing so in France is no different! Find out the best ways to cover yourself.Read more...
Hidden Costs of Making a Phone Call
What’s the difference between an 807 prefix and 903? Confused? We explain the differences between commonly used numbers in Spain Telephone number prefixes in Spain can be confusing when it comes to the cost of using them, in particular those numbers which begin with 800 or 900. Some will be free, but others charge premium rates and you could end up with a hefty telephone bill at the end of the month. You might assume that the cost for an 800 number is the same as for 803 but this is not the case. Here is a guide for the most common numbers:Read more...
Football meets Opera
Main Spanish club rivals F.C. Barcelona and Real Madrid have both won coveted titles this year. How did the clubs and their fans celebrate? Football in Spain is not just a sport, it is a way of life. The Spanish like to go out to their local bar, where there will no doubt be an oversized TV screen in one corner, to watch a match. If they decide to watch at home, friends and family get together with beer and pizza, and settle down for a few hours to enjoy the game. If one of the teams scores, you’ll hear fireworks going off for each goal. No need then, to actually watch the game – well ceRead more...
It’s Goodbye to Public Telephones
High maintenance costs and falling usage account for the decision. The chances are you have never used a public phone in Spain. Maybe you have never even seen one? In case you haven’t, they are blue surrounded by glass. You might have passed one at an airport without a second glance. According to EL Economista they are to disappear completely by the end of this year, so if you do see one, take a photo as they will be a thing of the past before long. They were first installed in bar by Madrid’s Retiro Park in 1928 and you needed tokens to use them which you exchanged for coins. Under General FrRead more...
Brit retirees set sights on Spain
Last week, data compiled by Quick Move Now revealed that online searches for terms relating to retiring in Spain have increased exponentially in the past 12 months. The findings were significant. It was revealed that the number of those Googling “retirement homes in Spain” had increased by an enormous 150 percent compared to the figure seen this time in 2015. Another popular search was “retire to Spain from UK” (which saw a 75 percent increase in searches year-on-year) It was also revealed that searches for “best places to retire in Spain” have doubled year-on-year.Read more...
Is it still a good time to buy in France?
The property market in France is finally beginning to show signs of price increases – is now still a good time to buy?Read more...