1. Will I be allowed to live in Spain?

EU citizens can live and work in Spain without visas or work permits. However you will need to apply for a tax ID number (NIE) from your local police station. You can live in Spain for up to six months a year without having to pay taxes there and without being a Spanish resident.

2. Should I buy inland or on the coast in Spain?

Inland properties have far more space and for far lower prices than coastal properties. Choose from fincas, country houses and rural townhouses, often with your own garden or land.

If you choose to buy a house on the coast in Spain, you enjoy the advantage that you are likely to be surrounded by everything you need. You will also live in a more “international community” where you can meet many foreigners and Spaniards who speak English. You will probably buy an apartment, unless you can afford something bigger such as a villa or townhouse. Bear in mind the crowds in summer, though, and the lull in activity throughout winter, when many bars and restaurants close.

3. Should I invest off-plan or buy a resale property?

Buying a new Spanish property off-plan means that you will be the first person to live in the property, everything will be brand new, fully functioning and you won’t need to do a thing when you move in. Some people, however, may feel that what they gain in convenience they lose in character. You may feel that new properties do not have the charm, quirks or uniqueness of an existing freehold property.