Viewing posts categorised under: Spain

Transferring your pension to a QROP

By David Hattersley
This article is published on: 17th October 2022

17.10.22

A sense of deja-vu is now apparent as the UK is experiencing a similar situation compared to the 70’s. Drawing comparisons especially for those that lived through that era would be unhelpful. However a minor point worth considering were the restrictions on the flow of capital out of the UK. For those lucky enough to travel abroad then a limit of £25.00 cash per person was the restricted limit under the Exchange Control Act 1947. My wife still has her old passport with form PP/A dated 14.02.73. One of her clients of 100 years still remembers how difficult it was to bring money into Spain to buy a plot of land.

For those that already are living in Europe or plan to in the very near future under the golden visa rules, I am not suggesting a wholesale restriction of capital movement . A difference though between the 70’s and now is the growth in personal wealth, with the primary asset being property. The 2nd biggest asset and perhaps underrated was the growth of money purchase pensions after Mrs Thatcher came to power and for those in their 50’s & 60’s this could be quite considerable. The opportunity to “ distance work “ may have an impact on younger professionals and for those relocating here.

The current government is under extreme pressure, especially the need to raise tax revenue to balance the books, along with the alleged reports of threats to tear up all agreements with Europe.One politically “safe option” and unlikely to cause uproar and outrage by the general public would be to curtail or even stop transfers to a QROP for those lucky to live or move to Europe.

Why would the government do this ? The payment of a pension held in the UK could be taxed at source as are the current Civil Service Pensions, thereby retaining the long-term tax revenue stream. It would mean filing tax returns both in the UK & Spain. The pension commencement lump sum could also come under review. There certainly wouldn’t be a public outcry for those “ lucky” enough to have sizeable pension pots.

The UK Budget Bill normally has to be debated and passed into law which takes about 3 months. In 2015 negative amendments were made to the QROPs rules that took effect immediately on the day after the budget and was quietly “slipped in”. A case of “ the devils always in the detail”! After all the principle of if one can get away with it once, why not try to repeat a similar process again?

There are many advantages in transferring to a QROPs and at The Spectrum IFA Group we offer and recommend a thorough assessment and report of your individual situation by our qualified specialist at no cost to you. An additional benefit is the long-term service provided as UK based advisers can no longer provide this for residents in Spain and the individual can retain control via a local adviser. A transfer to a QROP doesn’t only apply to UK nationals but any European worker that has built up a “pension pot”. I have been heavily involved in the pensions market since 1987 and have a wealth of experience in this field so if you have any concerns or interest please contact me to arrange a no-obligation initial meeting.

e.mail : david.hattersley@spectrum-ifa.com

Telephone or Whats App : 0034 711 051 938

Moving to Spain and Wealth Tax

By Charles Hutchinson
This article is published on: 6th October 2022

06.10.22

I was flying back home from London at the weekend and I was sitting beside a fellow Brit who seemed very pleasant. We got chatting and it turned out he is a keen golfer, lover of warm climes and owns a holiday home in Southern Spain. His wife is a keen gardener. We exchanged pleasantries and he felt frustrated he could not move himself and his wife permanently to Spain. I asked why not? He replied the tax situation in Spain is horrendous from every angle and they have something called Wealth Tax which is unheard of in many countries, including the UK. As a wealthy man, this put it out of the question. He said he had missed the boat regarding a Residencia (TIE) and found queuing for miles at Malaga airport with all the other Brits on returning to the UK from Spain was really unacceptable.

We had over an hour more together on the flight and he was my captive audience. So I proceeded to give him the lowdown on the whole tax situation:

1. Wealth Tax (suspended). From last week, there is no more Wealth Tax for residents and non residents of Andalucia where my companion’s house is located. What or where is Andalucia? Andalucia is a semi autonomous region (one of 17 in Spain) which stretches from the Portuguese border in the West to beyond Almeria in the East and up to Cordoba in the North and is bordered to the South by the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Its capital is the stunning Seville. Wealth Tax was calculated on the total value of your assets on a varying sliding scale according to the amount. At the upper level it was 2.76% on €10.696m and above. Previously as a resident, you had to pay wealth tax on ALL your worldwide assets. As a non resident, it was only on your Spanish assets.
As a result of the suspension, it is expected that many previously resident expatriates will return from those countries with attractive tax regimes to Andalucia as residents and many first time residents will apply to become permanent residents.

Additionally, the case (tax wise) for coming to live here, these other taxes are just SO friendly:

2. Spanish Succession Tax (IHT) (suspended). This was effectively abolished on 1st January 2018 by granting a 100% allowance on the first €1m and thereafter 99% allowance. Assets sheltered in foreign entities (banks, insurance companies, etc.) which are being inherited by foreign residents (e.g. children living outside of Spain) are also exempt from this IHT.

3. Capital Gains Tax (adjusted). Payable at the same rates by everyone except on the sale of your main residence in Andalucia where it is exempt if you are over age 65.

4. Income Tax (decrease). A decrease by at least 4% p.a. has been announced. On investment income derived from approved EU based Spanish Compliant Investment Bonds, this attracts very low income (savings) tax. We are talking about a drop from a standard income tax upper level rate of around 46% down to a level of between 9% and 11% average over a 20 year period, depending on the amount of income taken.

5. Water consumption tax (suspended). This is planned to be abolished from 2023. So my companion with the big garden and pool was pleased.

6. Residencias. If you hold a TIE (Tarjeta Individual Extranjero), you can stay in Spain up to 6 months, if you are a non taxpayer in Spain. As a taxpayer in Spain, you can stay for an unlimited period. One of the benefits is that in both cases you can join the queue for Nationals and EU citizens with your British passport and TIE – no more queuing! You can also roam the EU Schengen area at will and stay as long as you like (the latter if your TIE is a “Permanente”) within the residency rules of those countries.

Although the application window for TIEs for Brits has closed, you can still apply for a Golden Visa (investor’s visa), come and go as you please but become a tax resident of Spain if you stay more than 183 days. Or you can apply for a non lucrative Visa which allows you to stay as long as you want but you cannot be employed and you have to become a tax resident.

7. Tax residency. What exactly does it mean? Simply put, if you spend more than 183 days in 12 months in Spain, then you must file for tax residency. If your “centre of vital interests” is in Spain (wife or partner here, children in school here, etc.), then you would be judged to be fiscally resident.

At the end of my lengthy discourse, he asked what exactly would this mean for him? So on the back of an inflight magazine, I jotted down some information from him and gave him an approximate potential tax position and the savings he would now have, in addition to some existing ones of which he was not aware.

His total assets in the UK and Spain, including homes, bank accounts, premium bonds, managed investment portfolio and a classic car totalled some €5,526,000. On this as a Spanish resident he would previously have to pay some €98,000 in Wealth Tax. Now it would be zero.

On his pension and investment income of some €166,000, they would pay some €61,000 Spanish Income Tax. But by moving his investment portfolio into a tax efficient Spanish Compliant Bond (based outside of Spain), they could increase the investment part of their income to around a yield of approximately 5% p.a. while lowering their tax bill by some €10,000 p.a. (from €13,900 on their investment income to €3,900).

Of course, he would have to pay Capital Gains Tax on the move from his UK portfolio to the Spanish bond. This would probably be minimal while the markets are currently down. In any event their investment manager had “bed and breakfasted” * their portfolio two years earlier, thus further reducing the potential gain.

And there would be no Inheritance Tax payable by their three children, even if they decided to move to Spain also.

The best part to him seemed to be that his wife could water their garden for as long as she liked!

There was a noticeable spring in his step when my companion left the aircraft in Malaga. I had one too as I felt I had probably gained a new client.

* Bed and Breakfast. This is where you take advantage of the annual UK CGT allowance by selling some or all of your holdings and then buying them back, both just before the end of the tax year. This prevents a large Capital Gain build up over the long term.

Somewhere in this article there must be such good news that you want to know more. Why don’t we discuss it over a coffee? And of course, I don’t mind what they say about Italian coffee, I think the coffee in Spain is the best there is anywhere in the world! It’s the way they make it and serve it. Rather like how we look after our clients.

How to build income from your investments

By Barry Davys
This article is published on: 5th October 2022

05.10.22

How do you pay for your Mistress?

An old Chinese proverb advises “Only pay for your mistress from your income, never from your capital” It is not known if it was a wise woman or a wise man who came up with the proverb but it was a person who certainly knew about money.

I admit as a young man, before I heard of the proverb, I got this wrong. I bought a second hand Porsche 911 SC. It was fun, fast and purred fantastically. I had the money to buy the car, especially with the part exchange of my old car.

As a young RAF officer what I did not have was the income to service it. Simple repairs such as when the indicator glass broke stretched my income and I really struggled with the cost of the insurance.

The indicator glass, for example, went in a semi circle around the wing. It cost me £68 for a new glass because of that bend in the glass. I still remember the price some 41 years later as back then £68 was much more significant than it is today.

For those of us living here in Catalonia our mistress tends to come in the form of, for example,

A boat with mooring costs, winter storage etc
A car for touring on the continent. Often falls into the category of a big name brand of car or a vintage car with associated costs
The temptation to eat and drink out every night, every other other night etc
Swimming pool with maintenance
A bigger house with associated costs including security systems, insurance, watering of the garden etc

In nearly all cases when you hear couples talking about the purchase, you will hear the question “Can we afford it?”. The thought process to answer that question is do we have enough money in the bank to buy it. If the answer is yes, the item is bought. It is much less usual to hear “can we meet the ongoing costs?”.

Interestingly, even when we have accumulated significant wealth this proverb still stays true. With more capital we buy bigger things; house, super yacht, more expensive cars etc. and end up with bigger expenses.

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How to build income from your investments

We need to ensure that we have sufficient net income to meet the running costs of the purchase. If we do we can

Enjoy our purchase without worry
Not damage our financial position by having to spend capital to pay for running costs
Still have capital left for our surviving spouse and/or our family
Not suffer from buyer’s regret

How do we get sufficient income to pay for our mistress? We use our existing wealth to build up an income that pays out regularly. Preferably in a tax efficient manner where possible.

Nowadays investing in the latest tech company or perhaps even a crypto currency is deemed to be the way to make money by some people. It may build your capital. However, neither generates much income and in some cases, no income.

If you would like to discuss how to build income from your investments so you can enjoy your purchases without worrying about the ongoing costs please feel welcome to get in touch, in the first instance, by email at barry.davys@spectrum-ifa.com

I cannot guarantee to help you meet all your running costs but as I am passionate about financial planning I anticipate I can improve your situation.

Book a remote appointment with me now

No more wealth tax in Andalucia

By Charles Hutchinson
This article is published on: 21st September 2022

21.09.22

THIS NEWS IS SO GOOD, WE’RE TELLING YOU
ABOUT IT FOR A SECOND TIME!

Yes, you heard us right, Wealth Tax in Andalucia has been abolished.

The Government in Andalucía is in the process of approving today a 100% allowance for the Wealth Tax liability, as announced by Juanma Moreno, the President of the Junta yesterday, which means in practice the elimination of this tax in the region.

The measure will be effective from Wednesday 21st September 2022 , applicable to Residents in Andalucía and Non-Residents who are liable to Wealth Tax for assets located in this region.

Ten of the top 20 wealth tax payers in 2019 left Andalucia in 2020, resulting in a loss of income for the region of nearly 18 million Euros (3.5 m in wealth tax and 14m in personal income tax). Moreno said he wants people who spend long periods here to make it their permanent home and pay tax here. He estimates it will attract 7,000 new residents which will more than make up the loss of previous revenues.

The Conservative Party, following the tax policy of Madrid where the Wealth Tax was eliminated years ago, has put Andalucía on top of the list of the most attractive locations to live or invest in Spain in terms of taxes, along with other previous decisions taken to practically eliminate the inheritance and gift tax for close relatives, or the reduced transfer tax flat rate of 7% approved in 2021. He also announced a reduction in Income Tax by at least 4%.

Moreno also announced that water consumption tax in the autonomous region will be suspended in 2023.

This measure will boost the Region by removing one of the main barriers for foreigners moving to Spain permanently, or just to buy luxury properties in their personal name, but also attracting those living in other less favourable regions in Spain.

A very welcome and largely demanded decision. If you are planning to move to Andalucia or have delayed doing so until now, please contact me to discuss this important step taken by the regional government and how it could change your and your family’s life style for the better into the future.

Top Tips for expat finances in Spain

By Chris Burke
This article is published on: 21st September 2022

21.09.22

I hope you are well and had an enjoyable summer. This month we cover the following topics (if there is anything you would like to understand more or wish to see covered in these Newsletters, don’t hesitate to ask):

Early Retirement State Pensions in Spain
New Cryptocurrency reporting regulations in Spain
Free Train Tickets in Spain

Early Retirement Pensions in Spain
Did you know that in Spain, under certain circumstances, you can take early retirement before the legal retirement age? But what are these circumstances and what requirements must you meet?

What are you entitled to and how can you apply for it?

This can be quite complicated depending on your situation, and we would recommend taking professional advice so that you can be sure of exactly what you are entitled to.

Book a telephone call or zoom chat with Chris now

New Cryptocurrency Regulations in Spain
From 2023 onwards, Spanish residents will have to declare cryptocurrency holdings in their tax returns. Currently, cryptocurrency holders are only obliged to declare any profits or losses in their income tax returns. The 2022 tax return has a special section for these assets. However, from 1st January 2023, a new regulation will be implemented meaning that all Cryptocurrency transactions must be declared. This has been regulated by Spain’s new anti-fraud law, which is currently at the public hearing stage. It has been set out in a draft bill incorporating several anti-fraud amendments.

The new tax declaration will have to be submitted using the form Modelo 721. Information will have to be included on those who have held cryptocurrency or have been authorised beneficiaries of cryptocurrency at some point during the year (from 2023 onwards). Furthermore, cryptocurrency holders will have to include information on what their final balances are at the end of the year, as well as information on the types of cryptocurrency and the amount of units that they hold, along with the equivalent amount in Euros. This new regulation further reinforces the need to seek professional tax advice if you are a cryptocurrency holder or thinking of becoming one.

If you would like any more information regarding any of the above, or to talk through your situation initially and receive expert, factual based advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can book an initial consultation via my calendar link below or email/send me a message.

Book a telephone call or zoom chat with Chris now

At Last, Wealth Tax is abolished in Andalucia

By Jeremy Ferguson
This article is published on: 21st September 2022

21.09.22

Monday the 19th of September 2022 will be in the history books forever. Having watched the coverage of the Queens funeral on TV, it made me think there is no other country on earth who could have put on such an impressive show for the world to see. It made me feel very proud to be British.

Moving overseas is an exciting and daunting thing to do but if you, like me, have lived overseas for many years, that homesick feeling does hit home sometimes, and the Queens funeral was certainly one such example.

It has been a tough year in many ways. Everything it seems is changing. The reopening from the pandemic has changed the way many people work. Russia’s Invasion of the Ukraine changed the idea of a peaceful Europe. The cost of living has increased due to rising inflation, and now rising interest rates are back with us. All of this has happened after years of peace, cheap energy, low interest rates and non-existent inflation. It seems the longer we live with something, the more powerful it’s passing, something that no doubt made the Queens funeral very emotional for many people.

We now have a King, and the world in which we live is without doubt going to continue to change. Any of you filling up your car will have noticed the cost has come down from the previous highs in the summer, and the general consensus is that inflation will start to slowly come down between now and the end of the year. It isn’t however expected to hit the floor, but rather fall to a much more acceptable level.

When you are retired and keeping a close eye on your savings, investments and pensions, inflation and interest rates are two critical factors to take into account when trying to work out the future. If you have a fixed pension income, it is commonplace to then substitute this with ‘income’ from investments, the spending power of which is affected by inflation. If the investment returns are all over the place, and inflation is doing the same, it’s really important to monitor things closely and on a regular basis. As an example, if things carry on as they are, we may see a return of interest on bank deposits, which has been a factor not taken into account for a long time when making plans for your money.

Contact me now if you would like to discuss your Wealth Tax situation

Tax is something I’ve not really mentioned before, but this of course has an effect on your disposable income. Pension and Investment income can be very tax efficient here if the right planning is taken, but something that has always been a difficult one to deal with is the annual Wealth Tax.

In the past many Wealthy individuals have decided against moving to Andalucia because of the punitive Wealth tax, which in real terms doesn’t actually generate that much revenue each year (estimated at €95m per annum for the Region). It is felt that by attracting more Wealthy Individuals, the increased expenditure and resultant revenues will far exceed that amount, so it does seem to make perfect sense.

Financial planning in retirement isn’t rocket science, but with so many variables effecting how things may look financially going forward, it’s never been more important to make sure your previous plans aren’t sitting gathering dust. Maybe they are not being best suited for the new environment we find ourselves in.
The news has been very negative so far this year, and although the passing of the Queen was a very sad event, it marks a line in history and just goes to show nothing lasts forever. It will be interesting to see how the new King makes his mark in history.

If you would like to find out more about how we help our clients here in Spain, please feel free to get in touch.

The challenges faced when Downsizing

By David Hattersley
This article is published on: 20th September 2022

20.09.22

For many of those that are considering downsizing numerous factors influence this decision. Offspring have grown up and follow their own paths, the need for a family home is surplus to requirements. The death of a partner, or their worsening ill health is also a major factor in making changes. The ageing process makes it harder to “self maintain”, therefore external contractors are required. Recent extreme weather conditions have contributed to additional maintenance requirements around the home. High demand has also reduced the availability of professional contractors and trying to find them can be frustrating and expensive.

Having made the emotional decision , to downsize does it get any easier ? Moving to a smaller property might seem easy, but one has to decide which accumulated treasured possessions and artefacts will be disposed of or left behind.

The next question is where are you going to live? Trying to predict the future is difficult, trusted close friends have died or moved away. Potential reduced mobility, death of a partner,lack of easy access to healthcare and amenities and public transport facilities must be considered .No longer can one live up the side of a mountain, in the country or away from a central urban hub when one will depend on the aforementioned facilities. Very few residential “warden assisted community retirement” homes exist in Spain, unlike the UK.

The next consideration once the property is sold, is what to do with the capital. Does it make economic sense to buy yet another albeit smaller property, or rent ? With the average life expectancy being in the mid 80’s, for those in their late 60’s does it make sense to buy ? With the cost of purchase estimated at between 13% -14% *, and subsequent disposal costs of 7% due to a future change of circumstances does it make sense to “waste” this residual capital when it could be invested to provide an income ? Bear in mind many smaller properties here still require maintenance. If it is a proprty that has a communal pool and gardens, there are annual maintenance fees and in the summer when hordes of holiday makers “invade” what was peaceful and tranquil for 10 months of the year can suddenly become stressful. Having experienced both owning and renting I understand the upside and downside of both scenarios.

Finally the last and most important element is the investment of the capital. There are a viable sensible solutions instead of Spanish banks. With rising inflation sensible capital growth and income are vital as is the relative ease that after the death of a partner the investment can be passed to the survivor without unnecessary complications. The same can be applied to leaving this to one’s heirs. It is both tax efficient and compliant and is accepted by the Spanish regulators. Finally should one eventually move back to the UK, it can be taken with you. It is essential the that your investment has been set up correctly as it is currently not treated as a capital asset when calculating the costs of living in a care home. This means that it stays intact to pass onto one’s nominated heirs. My own experience with my in-laws proved this was the case.

So if you have any concerns, doubts or interest please contact me to arrange a no-obligation initial meeting over a cup of coffee.

Transferring your pension to a QROP

By David Hattersley
This article is published on: 31st August 2022

31.08.22

Deja-vu, why urgent action is required to transfer your pension to a QROP

The 2nd biggest asset and perhaps underrated was the growth of money purchase pensions after Mrs Thatcher came to power and for those in their 50’s & 60’s this could be quite considerable. The opportunity to “ distance work “ may have an impact on younger professionals and for those relocating here.

The current government is under extreme pressure, especially the need to raise tax revenue to balance the books, along with the alleged reports of threats to tear up all agreements with Europe.

One politically “safe option” and unlikely to cause uproar and outrage by the general public would be to curtail or even stop transfers to a QROP for those lucky to live or move to Europe.

There are many advantages in transferring to a QROPs and at The Spectrum IFA Group we offer and recommend a thorough assessment and report of your individual situation by our qualified specialist at no cost to you. An additional benefit is the long-term service provided as UK based advisers can no longer provide this for residents in Spain and the individual can retain control via a local adviser. A transfer to a QROP doesn’t only apply to UK nationals but any European worker that has built up a “pension pot”.I have been heavily involved in the pensions market since 1987 and have a wealth of experience in this field so if you have any concerns or interest please contact me to arrange a no-obligation initial meeting.

Making a Will in Spain

By John Hayward
This article is published on: 22nd August 2022

22.08.22

Make the list. The kids will love you even more

After what has been a long hot summer, made even hotter with the wild fire we experienced here on the Marina Alta last week (I didn’t panic although my 10-year-old daughter asked me why I did. Thank you to the fire services), I felt that it was time to assess what is going on generally.

I now have a huge list of topics to cover and I aim to get bits and pieces out to you over the coming weeks. I will make just one point regarding investments. Those who are waiting for the war in Ukraine to end, or inflation to return to 2%, before investing could be in for a long wait and miss an opportunity. We have seen a significant bounce in financial markets after a nasty first half of 2022.

I wanted to start this new batch of information with a subject that I have written about before but is still relevant and extremely important. I was with a client a few days ago and we were discussing how essential it is that his children know what assets he has for inheritance purposes. He then commented on the fact that a neighbour died recently and nobody knows her next of kin. What a crazy situation. As in other countries of the world, unclaimed assets will end up boosting Spain’s coffers. From what I have researched, there are many millions, if not billions, of euros that will possibly help us all (no guarantee) if left unclaimed due to there being no will or any other notification of the next of kin.

For help with getting more from your savings, click here to arrange a personal call

Even if there is a clear instruction regarding who inherits what, I have experienced the problem of looking through draws and cupboards and sorting through documents, most of which had been kept unnecessarily.

Plans that we at The Spectrum IFA Group arrange have the facility to nominate beneficiaries. Not only does this save a lot of hassle for inheritors but it can also take the policies outside probate thus making funds available much sooner.

Click on the link below to access The Important Information Document which is here to help and can be used in whatever way you want to use it. It is editable and so you can alter categories, etc. Some people might be uncomfortable telling their next of kin exactly what they have. I appreciate that. However, it is still useful to provide the name of banks, insurance companies, etc., and to note things like Premium Bonds and other investments. You can also name your gestor, accountant, lawyer, and even your financial adviser. I can assure you that your beneficiaries will be grateful, in more ways than one.

The Important Information Document

If you would like to discuss managing your money in these volatile and uncertain times, please do not hesitate to contact me using the details below.

Visit John Hayward of The Spectrum IFA Group or click on the link below. You can also take a look at an overview of who I am and how, with the support of The Spectrum IFA Group, I can help you.

Who are John Hayward and The Spectrum IFA Group (Video)

August update for expats in Spain

By Chris Burke
This article is published on: 17th August 2022

17.08.22

I hope you are well and managing to keep cool, stay safe and ‘push back’ a little if possible. This month we cover the following topics (if there is anything you would like to understand more or would wish to see covered in these Newsletters don’t hesitate to ask):

Covid Update (the last one ?)
Golden Visa Changes in Europe
An Update on having a UK bank/investment/building society account

Covid Update
A quick Covid update to start things off – The Catalan health department have announced that people who have Covid-19 symptoms will be able to request an automatic 5-day sick leave. This announcement was made as a response to the seventh wave of Covid here in Catalonia, which has seen an increase in visits to primary care centres. The measures allow residents of Catalonia to fill out a form on the website of the Catalan health department, ‘La Meva Salut’, explaining why they feel ill.

The measures will not require a Covid test to be taken, and will be automatically lifted on the fifth day. This could prove particularly beneficial for those who are sick and cannot work remotely. The idea behind the new measure is to simplify the process and reduce in-person paperwork for someone who may not be able to attend a health centre.

Golden Visa Changes
The European Parliament is considering implementing changes to the ‘golden visa’ scheme, which is prevalent in many EU countries, including Spain. The scheme allows families who invest over €500,000 into residential property or qualifying investment schemes to receive citizenship and/or residency in the respective country.

Some MEPs have demanded a ban on ‘golden passports’ and specific rules for ‘golden visas’ to fight money laundering and corruption. MEPs have become concerned that EU membership is for sale and have pledged to regulate this area throughout Europe. This includes stringent background checks, reporting obligations for member states and requirements surrounding minimum physical presence in the country for applicants.

Book a telephone call or zoom chat with Chris now

Banks Accounts, Savings and Investments accounts in the UK
There have been reports of UK Financial Institutions requesting Non-Resident UK clients to close their bank, savings and investment accounts in the UK.

National Savings & Investments, home of the NS&I accounts and Premium Bonds which is government backed, is reminding clients that they need a UK bank account to retain their accounts. That would be fine in itself as many people who have lived in the UK still have one of these, however, there have also been reports of Barclays asking clients with EU residential addresses to close their accounts. Therefore, this is having a knock-on effect – for example, to have an account with NS&I you need a UK bank or building society account in your name. If this account is closed (imagine if you had an account with Barclays) then you cannot have an NS&I account also.

This may be a little unsettling if you are living here in Spain and have bank, savings or investment accounts in the UK, but do not worry. If you are affected or concerned by this then feel free to get in contact with me. There are good alternatives to Savings & investment accounts that are Spanish compliant, meaning your money is likely to be more tax efficient and remains with UK based institutions.

Book a telephone call or zoom chat with Chris now

Transferring your pension to a QROP

Moving to Spain and Wealth Tax

How to build income from your investments

How do you pay for your Mistress?

No more wealth tax in Andalucia

THIS NEWS IS SO GOOD, WE’RE TELLING YOU ABOUT IT FOR A SECOND TIME!

Top Tips for expat finances in Spain

At Last, Wealth Tax is abolished in Andalucia

The challenges faced when Downsizing

Transferring your pension to a QROP

Deja-vu, why urgent action is required to transfer your pension to a QROP

Making a Will in Spain

Make the list. The kids will love you even more

August update for expats in Spain

THIS NEWS IS SO GOOD, WE’RE TELLING YOU
ABOUT IT FOR A SECOND TIME!