British homeowners in Spain can still apply for a Golden Visa and potentially avoid needing a fresh €500,000 – this is how

British homeowners in Spain can still apply for a Golden Visa and potentially avoid needing a fresh €500,000 – this is how

SPANISH prime minister Pedro Sanchez recently announced his intention to cancel the Golden Visa scheme.  The Socialist PSOE leader said the move would stop speculation of the property market. The programme grants any foreigner residency if they buy a home worth €500,000 or more.  The law was approved in 2012 in the middle of a recession following the real estate crash in 2010. Its main aim was to reactivate the Spanish property market and attract foreign investors to buy all the real estate portfolio left with the banks, especially in those days when prices were extremely low and economies were suffering across the EU. During its first years, the main […]

Olive Press newspaper interview with Diego Echavarria

Olive Press newspaper interview with Diego Echavarria

Olive Press reporter Katherine Brook sat down with one of Spain’s best lawyers, Diego Echavarria, to discuss how he’s helped over 50 people who were victims of the floor clause claim back hundreds of thousands of pounds, as well as what problems Brits are currently facing in the country. Tell us a bit about yourself Diego? I was brought up in Madrid, which is where I studied to become a lawyer, splitting my time between there and Germany. I moved to Marbella in 2001 and then set up my own company, Fairway Lawyers, in 2006. Why Marbella? I specialise in being an English speaking lawyer, and Marbella’s a great place […]

How to buy a home in Spain as a foreigner

How to buy a home in Spain as a foreigner

By www.thedeliciousday.com Diego Echavarría has practised real estate and immigration law in Malaga and throughout Andalucía for 20 years. I chatted with him via Zoom to learn the ins and outs of home buying in Spain for foreigners and why a real estate attorney is an absolute must. Here is a little of what he had to say… Why is a lawyer required when buying a home in Spain? Basically, you always need an attorney when you’re a foreign person investing in Spain. There are a lot of legal requirements and issues that most people do not know about. Lawyers check if the property has any debts and if the mortgages have […]

Family reunification for foreigners in Spain

Family reunification for foreigners in Spain

Spanish immigration law recognises the right of foreigners legally resident in Spain to reunite their families. This article summarises the general conditions required to exercise this right. Who can reunite their family members? Foreigners who have been living legally in Spain for a year and have obtained authorisation to stay at least one more year. To reunite ascendants, the foreigner must be a longterm resident in the country. Those who can also reunite their family, without previous legal residence, include: holders of an EU long-term residence permit in another Member State of the European Union, holders of an EU blue card, or beneficiaries of the special regime for researchers. Which family […]

How can I get legal documents if I am illegally in Spain?

How can I get legal documents if I am illegally in Spain?

If you are in Spain without any type of permission, you could obtain it through ‘Arraigo’ permits based on extraordinary circumstances without going out of Spain. It is a benefit offered by our legislation to foreigners who meet certain conditions in order to acquire a residence and work permit, among them, the most important reasons are the following: 1. Social ties 2. Economic ties 3. Family ties 4. International protection and humanitarian reasons 1. PERMIT BASED ON SOCIAL TIES According to Spanish legislation any foreigner illegally established as a resident in Spain, can apply for a residence and work permit. The required periods of time are different according to the […]

End to EU free movement in UK a step closer after MPs pass immigration bill

End to EU free movement in UK a step closer after MPs pass immigration bill

British MPs have approved the government’s immigration bill which aims to end EU freedom of movement rules in the UK, one of the key factors that led to Brexit. The measure has now cleared all stages in the House of Commons after being passed by 342 votes to 248 on Tuesday night. It is next due before the upper chamber, the House of Lords. The legislation ends rules that have helped millions of EU citizens to live and work in the UK, and will instead give equal rights to people from outside the bloc. “We’re ending free movement — so people can come here based on their skills, not where […]