After more than 30 years in the legal profession I never know what to expect, for us at Just Law Solicitors it’s been busy despite the Covid pandemic, we have taken on Belen Batalla, our new lawyer, we also now have Pablo Ferrer our new tax advisor who has joined us from KPMG and Alberto Medina our Accountant who has joined us from Price Waterhouse Coopers. In addition to this, we have opened a new office in Marbella, adding to our Fuengirola and Malaga offices, and I thought everything now would be done online and offices would become a thing of the past. Of course, our online work has increased and we are officially Zoom friendly. We also plan to hire a new lawyer next year to keep up with the expanding client base, so if you are a Spanish qualified lawyer who speaks English and maybe another language get in touch.
For UK citizens who are thinking of moving to Spain, you need to apply for your visa before you come and live in Spain, otherwise, you are limited to 90 days in a 180 day period. I have personal experience of UK citizens that are being deported when they have overstayed, so make sure that whether it’s a non-lucrative visa, a work visa, or a golden visa everything is in order for your new life in Spain. Make sure that you are aware of your tax liabilities if you are going to spend more than 183 days a year in Spain and we offer online conferences before you make the move.
Much has been said about a visa for those working from home in Spain for say a UK company, at the time of writing there, isn’t one and there is no date set in the future if this becomes law we will let you know.
The 90 days stay in a 180 day period for UK citizens remains the law, again there have been some admirable attempts to lobby to change this but this remains the law, again if this changes you will not need me to tell you as it will be all over the internet.
Driving licenses is another hot topic, if you registered your intent to change your UK driving license for a Spanish one before 31.12.20 you have until 31.12.21 to change it for a Spanish one. If you are coming to live in Spain you can use your UK driving license for 6 months from the date of your Spanish residency or residencia and then you have to pass your Spanish driving test, note the theory test can be done in English but the driving test has to be done in Spanish, you also need to have what could be described as a basic medical and this applies also to people changing their UK driving license for a Spanish one.
Post-Brexit if you just want a holiday home and don’t want to spend more than 90 days in Spain in a 180 day period then nothing has changed. We act for people all over the world who buy property here in Spain. After speaking to your Estate Agent in Spain take advice from us or your own independent lawyer and don’t sign or pay anything until you have done so.
Have a look at our blog www.justlawsolicitors.com/blog to stay up to date with legal issues re living in Spain and have a look at my column in Euro Weekly.
So from me and all the team at Just Law Solicitors, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year 2022.
Marisa Moreno Lawyer and Consul for Denmark.
www.justlawsolicitors.com
contact@justlawsolicitors.com
The digital nomad visa in Spain