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My wife and I are considering a move to Finestrat. We are British. Is there a strong ex-pat community? What is life like in the area?
All comments welcome and appreciated.
You may need to check on the latest news. Last I heard, there was a bid by Sanchez to pass a law that all non-EU residents will no longer be able to purchase properties in Spain, partly to assist in reducing the housing crisis. Not sure if that's been passed yet.
DEP003 wrote on Wed Apr 23, 2025 8:08am:
You may need to check on the latest news. Last I heard, there was a bid by Sanchez to pass a law that all non-EU residents will no longer be able to purchase properties in Spain, partly to assist in reducing the housing crisis. Not sure if that's been passed yet.
Thank you for responding. I’ve not seen that but will take a look. I have seen that Spain floated the idea of a 100% tax on non-EU nationals buying property, but in reality, that is years away from becoming legislation, and might never become law.
Weston123 wrote on Wed Apr 23, 2025 8:25am:
Thank you for responding. I’ve not seen that but will take a look. I have seen that Spain floated the idea of a 100% tax on non-EU nationals buying property, but in reality, that is years away from becoming legislation, and might never become law.
You are right, and Dep is wrong. And the 100% tax law hasn't been passed yet.
However - since Brexit, as UK citizens, unless you can access an EU passport (having an Irish grandpa, for example), you will need a visa. There are loads of posts on here about this, the application process and how much money you need to show you have.
Swimmer57 wrote on Wed Apr 23, 2025 8:34am:
You are right, and Dep is wrong. And the 100% tax law hasn't been passed yet.
However - since Brexit, as UK citizens, unless you can access an EU passport (having an Irish grandpa, for example), you will need a visa. There are loads of posts on here about this, the application process and how much money you need to show you have. ...
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Thank you, Swimmer57.
I’ve been planning this a while and due to the post-Brexit complexity, will probably work with an immigration solicitor regarding Visas and regulations.
Can I ask, what is life like in Finestrat and is there an active community ex-pat community.
Looking a property on various websites, they seem quite high, but maybe I’m looking in the wrong parts of Finestrat. I want to avoid areas / developments which are used for holidays lets as we like community.
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Sanchez has not proposed the banning of house sales to non EU citizens who intend to live in Spain. He was talking of those who buy with no intention of actually living there and is targeting those who simply buy to let especially big hedge funds. There is no indication he is talking of banning sales to those who wish to take up residency nor charging 100% sales tax (still not quite clarified if he meant 100% on the existing transfer tax or the price of the house). Whichever, he would find lots of opposition from regions.
Anyway, sorry I can't answer about Finestrat but not heard anything bad about it. Some UK press seem to delight in negative aspects of some parts of the country and extrapolate it to include the whole of Spain but the vast majority are very welcoming.
BLS Spain visa are now responsible for processing all visa for Spain before being submitted to consulates so it might be a good idea to look at their site to see what is required. Still hundreds of non EU citizens buying up property and moving to Spain so it can't be as difficult as some people try and make it out to be. At least BLS Spain visa will let you know which consulate deals with your area and the consulate site gives links to translation procedures etc.
marcliff wrote on Wed Apr 23, 2025 8:58am:
Sanchez has not proposed the banning of house sales to non EU citizens who intend to live in Spain. He was talking of those who buy with no intention of actually living there and is targeting those who simply buy to let especially big hedge funds. There is no indication he is talking of banning s...
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...ales to those who wish to take up residency nor charging 100% sales tax (still not quite clarified if he meant 100% on the existing transfer tax or the price of the house). Whichever, he would find lots of opposition from regions.
Anyway, sorry I can't answer about Finestrat but not heard anything bad about it. Some UK press seem to delight in negative aspects of some parts of the country and extrapolate it to include the whole of Spain but the vast majority are very welcoming.
BLS Spain visa are now responsible for processing all visa for Spain before being submitted to consulates so it might be a good idea to look at their site to see what is required. Still hundreds of non EU citizens buying up property and moving to Spain so it can't be as difficult as some people try and make it out to be. At least BLS Spain visa will let you know which consulate deals with your area and the consulate site gives links to translation procedures etc.
Thank you, Marcliff. I have similar thoughts to you about the mainly British media and its obsession with negativity. I’ll take a look at the BLS website.
Weston123 wrote on Wed Apr 23, 2025 7:47am:
My wife and I are considering a move to Finestrat. We are British. Is there a strong ex-pat community? What is life like in the area?
All comments welcome and appreciated.
As I live close to Finestrat I know several people who live there as full time residents. As in most Spanish towns where there are British Expats you will find that it's hearsay that they are are tight knit community. Apart from the odd social groups you won't find regular social gatherings. Residents who become friends usually arrange meet ups at their usual local bars or restaurants. Don't expect meet up venues (except, maybe, the U3A organisation but you will have to travel to that!) because they don't happen.
Steve
tebo53 wrote on Wed Apr 23, 2025 9:13am:
As I live close to Finestrat I know several people who live there as full time residents. As in most Spanish towns where there are British Expats you will find that it's hearsay that they are are tight knit community. Apart from the odd social groups you won't find regular social gatherings. Resi...
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...dents who become friends usually arrange meet ups at their usual local bars or restaurants. Don't expect meet up venues (except, maybe, the U3A organisation but you will have to travel to that!) because they don't happen.
Steve
Thank you, Tebo53. I appreciate your comments.
Weston123 wrote on Wed Apr 23, 2025 7:47am:
My wife and I are considering a move to Finestrat. We are British. Is there a strong ex-pat community? What is life like in the area?
All comments welcome and appreciated.
You mention an expat (immigrant) community and also share you like a sense of community, but yet want to move to Spain? Why not learn Spanish and integrate into the Spanish community? IF it's Brits and local pubs you want for 'community' why not stay in the UK? Spain is pushing back on being overrun with those who come and want to take over towns and villages and not integrate. What ever your intentions, don't be part of the problem, be part of a better community.
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