Spain Revealed

What’s NEW in Spain for 2025? (Read Before You Go)

Big things are happening in Spain this year! If you're heading to Spain in 2025 (or already live here), you'll want to watch our latest video below, which covers all the key changes coming this year:

From tackling over-tourism to making travel smoother and cheaper, here are some of the key updates you need to know:

🏠Airbnb Crackdown
Tourism is booming—Spain expects 110 million visitors by 2040! To handle the surge, the government is enforcing stricter rules for vacation rentals:
National Registry: Every Airbnb or short-term rental must have a government-issued registration number to be listed. No number = no listing.
Impact: Expect fewer listings and potentially higher accommodation prices.

These changes align with EU-wide regulations rolling out by 2026.

💰New Tourist Taxes
Regions are introducing or increasing tourist taxes in response to overtourism:
Tenerife: €28 eco-tax for visiting protected areas like Mount Teide.
Galicia: €1–€2.50/night accommodation tax (up to 5 nights), starting in cities like Santiago.
Toledo: Considering €1.50 daily for bus tour visitors.

Meanwhile, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands are raising their existing taxes, while Madrid and Valencia remain tax-free (for now).

🪪Major Border Changes
Traveling to Spain (and Europe) will require extra preparation in 2025:
EES (Entry/Exit System): Replacing passport stamps with biometric scans, this system will track your entries and exits across the Schengen area to ensure you don’t overstay the 90-day limit.
ETIAS: Non-visa travelers (e.g., from the US, Canada, and Australia) will need pre-approval to enter Europe. The process costs €7, takes a few minutes online, and grants access to multiple trips over three years.

These updates aim to enhance border security and streamline travel—but make sure your documents are in order before you go!

🏨Hotel Check-In Rules
Accommodation providers—including hotels, tourist apartments, and campsites—will gather additional guest details under new rules:
Full names, ID numbers, payment information, and, for minors, details about their guardians.
The government cites security and fraud prevention, but privacy concerns linger over how this data will be managed.

🚄Cheaper and Easier Train Travel
Spain’s high-speed rail network—the second largest in the world—is better than ever in 2025:
New Routes: Barcelona to Málaga in under 6 hours with Iryo.
Budget Options: Ouigo is expanding to Seville, Málaga, and Córdoba with tickets starting at €9.
Spain Rail Pass: Renfe’s new pass makes city-hopping affordable and convenient, offering flexible travel options across the country.

Increased competition is lowering prices and boosting passenger numbers, making trains a top choice for exploring Spain. Check out Trainline to compare prices and routes.

What’s your take on these changes? Are you excited, or do you have concerns? Share your thoughts below 👇

*This is an excerpt from my weekly newsletter about life in Spain and moving to Spain. If you'd like to get on the list, you can subscribe at www.spainrevealed.com/subscribe

4 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 35

Spain Revealed

Will Spain ban foreign property buyers? 🚫

Checking my phone before bed the other night, I saw news that sent ripples through Spain...

By the next morning, social media and news sites were buzzing with headlines about Spain's latest announcement: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wants to heavily tax – effectively ban – non-EU, non-residents from buying property here.

What this proposal means is:

• If you’re from the USA, UK, Australia, or another non-EU country and you’re not a resident in Spain, you’d effectively be banned from buying property in Spain (like a holiday home).
• BUT if you’re from one of those countries and you are a Spanish resident (living here on a Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, etc.), this wouldn’t apply to you. You’d still be able to buy a home to live in.

The goal? Tackling Spain's housing crisis.

The details? That’s where things get interesting…

Yesterday morning, I called a few real estate buyer’s agents to get their take.

Graham Hunt, a Valencia-based buyer's agent, put it bluntly: “Right now, this is just a speech.”

No official law exists yet. With Spain's divided parliament, the final version could differ greatly from what was announced, if it passes at all.

Agnes Csomos, a Madrid real estate buyer, pointed out something crucial: Sánchez mentioned a 100% tax on property purchases by non-resident (and non-EU) buyers.

But, nobody is quite sure what that actually means.

Double the existing property tax? 100% of the property value? Something else entirely?

Even the experts are scratching their heads.

And that might be a feature, not a bug.

According to the Guardian yesterday:

“Given [Pedro Sánchez’s government's] longstanding struggles to pass legislation, one analyst suggested to the Financial Times that the government’s aim was to deter foreign property investors by creating “uncertainty and noise” with a proposal that has slim chances of becoming law.”

Here’s what we do know for certain:

Spain’s housing crisis is very real. In major cities and coastal areas, both rents and property prices have skyrocketed.

This has massive ripple effects throughout society. Young people (and even the not-so-young) can’t get into their own homes or move out of their parents' homes.

The government believes speculative foreign buyers are partly to blame. Sanchez said, "In 2023 alone, non-EU non-residents bought 27,000 homes." Not to live in them - they did it mainly for speculation. To make money from them.”

They're looking at Denmark's model. Non-residents face strict criteria for buying property.

This proposal is part of a wider housing reform package that includes rental caps and measures to boost the housing supply.

Why would EU buyers be exempt? It comes down to EU law. The bloc's freedom of movement rules make it nearly impossible to limit property purchases between member states.

Here’s what I think…

Yes, the housing crisis desperately needs solving.

Walking through Madrid’s neighborhoods, I’ve watched prices climb year after year.

Locals, including recent arrivals, are struggling to find affordable homes.

Something needs to change.

I applaud this government's chutzpah in tackling the housing crisis from all angles—demand, supply, vacation rentals like Airbnb; you name it.

But, I've lived here long enough to know that well-meaning laws are often clumsily implemented.

Take the Digital Nomad Visa. Its concept is great. But, its implementation has caused headaches for those trying to build a life here.

I see similar risks here.

Some in this community, including people I've met through my Move to Spain Masterclass, plan to buy property before establishing residency.

These aren’t speculators - they’re future neighbors preparing for their move.

Any new law needs to recognize this difference.

For now, remember three key things:

1. This is a proposal, not a law
2. In Spain's complex politics, there's often a vast gap between promises and reality
3. Any major changes would likely take months (if not years) to implement

*This is an excerpt from my weekly newsletter about life in Spain and moving to Spain. If you'd like to get on the list, you can subscribe at www.spainrevealed.com/subscribe

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 142

Spain Revealed

Spain Announces Golden Visa End Date: Here's What It Means...⏳

After months of speculation and whispers, we finally have concrete news: Spain's Golden Visa program will end on April 3, 2025.

So Is There Still Time to Apply?

The short answer is yes - but your situation will determine how realistic this is. Let me break down the three main scenarios I’m seeing:

1. I have already purchased a qualifying property (€500,000+):

You’re in the best position possible. If your property meets all the criteria, you’ve got a clear path forward:

✨There’s plenty of time to complete your application
✨You can focus on getting the application paperwork exactly right
✨Next Step: Contact a trusted immigration firm now to ensure your application is filed properly. Golden Visa applications can be tricky, so I don’t recommend applying on your own.

2. I have found a qualifying property but haven’t purchased:

You’re still in a good position, but timing becomes more critical:

✨Without financing, three months is typically enough to finalize the purchase and file your Golden Visa application
✨But you’ll need a coordinated team to make it happen smoothly
✨Next Step: Get an experienced lawyer to handle the purchase process, and have the immigration firm lined up to handle the Golden Visa application.

I checked with Marina, the founder of the immigration firm Bureaucracy, to see her perspective on people in this situation.

“It’s important to involve an immigration consultant early in the process—don’t wait until after the property purchase is complete. While your lawyer is handling the purchase, an immigration consultant can start key parts of your Golden Visa application, such as obtaining your criminal background check and preparing other necessary documents. These processes can overlap, saving you valuable time and ensuring your application is ready to go as soon as the purchase is finalized.”

3. I haven’t found a property yet:

This is where things get interesting. It’s tight, but it could work with the right approach.

Today, I spoke with Agnes, an excellent Madrid-based buyer’s agent who shared this perspective:

"Just last month, I worked with a client who went from our first Zoom call to signing property deeds within four weeks. Now, I want to be clear - this isn't typical. Everything had to align perfectly: the buyer knew exactly what they wanted, had all the documents and funds ready, and we found the right property immediately. A more normal timeline would be longer, but it shows what's possible with preparation and focus."

So yes, it's tight. But if the stars align, there might still be time.

*This is an excerpt from my weekly newsletter about life in Spain and moving to Spain. If you'd like to get on the list, you can subscribe at www.spainrevealed.com/subscribe

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 68

Spain Revealed

🚨 Important Update: Golden Visa End Date Announced 🚨

The Spanish government has just announced that the Golden Visa program will officially end on April 3, 2025.

This program allowed non-EU nationals to gain residency by investing in Spanish real estate or businesses.

🔑 Key Details:
• Applications submitted before April 3, 2025, will still be processed.
• Existing Golden Visa holders can renew their permits under current rules.

While it's great to have this clarity, the timing is now pretty tight (though possible) if you haven't bought a qualifying property yet.

Feel free to let me know any questions!

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 77

Spain Revealed

It was time I went to Palma de Mallorca! New video up!

Watch here: https://youtu.be/JO-ixKNyh4I

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 129

Spain Revealed

Spain's 2025 Tax Calendar Explained – Free Webinar 🗓️

Feeling overwhelmed by Spain's tax system? You're not alone.

Different deadlines, regional variations, and unique rules can make anyone's head spin. One wrong move could mean hefty fines or unnecessary stress.

Join me for a FREE webinar with Federico González, a leading Spanish tax attorney specializing in helping foreigners navigate Spain's tax landscape (and he's one of the expert contributors in my Move to Spain Masterclass).

We'll walk you through Spain's complete 2025 tax calendar, breaking down crucial deadlines and essential concepts every resident—or future resident—needs to know.

Here are the details:

📅 When: 8 January 2025 at 6 pm CET

💻 Where: Zoom

💰 Cost: Free for 5 days

🔥 Register 👇🏽
www.spainrevealed.com/webinar

Join us live to get your questions answered by Federico. Can't make it? No problem - register anyway, and I'll send you the recording the next day.

After 5 days, this webinar moves to our Webinar Vault, so don't miss your chance to catch it for free!

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 63

Spain Revealed

The countdown to the new year begins... 🎉

Given we eat 12 grapes in quick succession at midnight on New Year’s Eve, you can buy little packs of 12 for €1.99. A little wasteful from a packaging perspective, but an interesting cultural phenomenon nonetheless!

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3 weeks ago | [YT] | 209

Spain Revealed

I recently sat down for an interesting chat with Andrew from Nomad Capitalist.

Over some jamón ibérico and Madrid olives, we dove into what makes this city tick and why more people than ever are choosing to call Spain home.

Here are the 5 big things we covered:

1. Madrid's moment: Barcelona used to steal all the spotlight, but Madrid has come into its own these past 5-10 years. Since the pandemic, I've seen this city transform from Spain's "buttoned-up" capital into an international hotspot.

2. The Spanish rhythms: We got into how Spain's pace creates this unique advantage - while you can work as hard as you want, the moment you need to disconnect, the culture makes it effortless.

3. The bureaucracy conundrum: Sure, Spanish bureaucracy can drive you nuts, but that certain things aren’t black and white here is actually a reflection of the wonderfully fluid culture (i.e., maybe you can’t have one without the other).

4. A new chapter of immigration: Spain is actively opening its doors through initiatives like the Digital Nomad Visa and the regularization of undocumented workers. It's a pragmatic response to the country's need for a larger working population.

5. The tax reality: While many are concerned about their tax burden when moving to Spain, we discussed why you need to look at the total package, especially affordable healthcare and lower property taxes.

Check out the full conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIfZU...

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 40

Spain Revealed

The Spanish Christmas traditions I’m still adapting to 🎅🏼

Christmas in Spain is long, wonderful, and… well, unique.

At least, that’s how it still feels to me after a decade here.

It starts with a bewildering lottery system that I still can’t explain (despite asking Yoly every year).

It involves the Three Wise Men and Santa Claus jostling for pole position and somehow stretches well into January.

This year, it’s gotten even more interesting as we navigate the intersection of Kiwi-Spanish Christmas traditions with our three-year-old daughter Lucía.

Let me walk you through how it all works…

1. December 22 - The Christmas Lottery

The festivities kick off with “El Gordo” (The Fat One) - the world’s largest lottery, with billions of euros up for grabs.

This year's prize pool was €2.71 billion.

After ten years in Spain, I still ask Yoly to explain how it works.

There are complex concepts like series (series), decimals (décimos), and shares (participaciones). And you share numbers with other people.

Honestly, I’ve given up trying to understand the whole thing fully.

Even most Spaniards struggle to explain the mechanics.

I know this: it began in 1812 in Cádiz during Spain’s War of Independence. While Napoleon’s forces occupied much of the country, the Spanish government needed money - but didn’t want to tax their already struggling citizens.

Their solution? A lottery.

The first draw took place in Cádiz, one of the few cities that remained free from French control.

The most unique aspect? People buy tickets with friends and family to share the winnings.

The lottery’s slogan is “the greatest prize is sharing.”

And they mean it - when a number hits, entire villages often congregate at the local bar to pop open cava together.

Because, yep, everyone won.

It doesn’t always work out. In 2011, an entire village won €950 million… except for one man who didn’t buy a ticket.

This is why Yoly insists we buy our tickets from our local shop—she doesn’t want our neighbors to become millionaires without us.

2. December 24 - Nochebuena

Christmas Eve is our main Christmas feast day.

While many countries celebrate on the 25th, Spanish families gather for a huge dinner on Christmas Eve.

Think roasted meats, gambas (prawns), jamón, cheese, and chorizo.

There’s also the tradition of the King’s speech - though honestly, everyone talks right through it.

The TV stays on in the corner, the volume up high, while families talk loudly at each other (I mean, that's every family gathering in Spain, though).

3. December 25 - Christmas Day & The Great Gift Dilemma

Coming from New Zealand, Christmas morning on the 25th was always magical - waking up to presents under the tree from Father Christmas (yep, he ain’t Santa for me).

But here in Spain, traditionally, children receive their gifts on January 6th from the Three Kings - Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, the same wise men who, according to tradition, followed the Star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to baby Jesus.

But nowadays, Santa Claus is elbowing his way in.

Due to globalization, more Spanish families are embracing the December 25th tradition, and kids now get toys on the 25th and the 6th (generally, parents divide them between the two days rather than give twice as many gifts!)

This year is particularly interesting as we navigate this cultural intersection with our three-year-old daughter Lucía.

In short, we're trying to balance our family's two traditions.

I want to recreate those Christmas morning memories from my childhood in New Zealand, while we also want to honor the Three Kings tradition that shaped Yoly’s childhood.

Plus, as Yoly points out (quite logically), getting gifts on the 25th makes more sense - kids have their entire holiday break to enjoy their new toys (rather than the day before you go back to school).

To manage this cultural collision, Yoly has devised a complex matrix of gift-giving and celebrations that interweaves both traditions. Let's see how it goes!

Another important tradition is the big Christmas Day lunch. Yep, by this stage, you're feeling pretty stuffed.

4. December 31 - New Year’s Eve

New Year’s in Spain is a marathon, not a sprint.

You start with another family dinner, and then at midnight, there’s the famous tradition of the twelve grapes.

Just before the clock in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol strikes midnight, you eat one grape per chime for good luck.

And here’s something that took me years to adjust to: the celebration doesn’t peak at midnight.

That’s just the beginning. The real party goes on until the wee hours.

For my first Spanish New Year, I had to take an afternoon siesta just to keep up.

5. January 6 - Three Kings Day

On the night of January 5th, children across Spain leave their shoes out by the Christmas tree or balcony.

Of course, they also leave food and (in our house) beer for the Three Kings and water for the camels.

In the morning, they find their presents and gather for the final Christmas tradition: the eating of the roscón de Reyes.

It’s a ring-shaped pastry that looks a bit like someone bedazzled a giant donut with candied fruit.
Inside are two surprises: a small figurine and a dried bean (if you wind up getting the bean, you’re paying for the roscón).

I’ve spent years trying to master the art of eating this thing gracefully.

The cream filling tends to escape from all sides, and biting into the figurine isn’t great for dental work.

But somehow, it’s become one of my favorite traditions.

Yoly also likes to make thick, Spanish-style hot chocolate, which we sip while we eat our roscón.

#breakfastofchampions

And with that final sugar rush, Spanish Christmas finally draws to a close.

By this point, you’re exhausted from weeks of celebration.

You’re stuffed full of polvorones (crumbly almond cookies that have “dust” in their name and turn to dust in your mouth) and staring down what Spaniards call “la cuesta de enero” - literally “January’s uphill climb” as you try to readjust to normal life.

But the marathon feasts, the bewildering lottery system, and the logistical chaos of managing two gift-giving traditions make this such a rich, multifaceted tradition, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Anyway...

However you're celebrating this season, I hope it's great, full of friends and family. 🎉

And just remember to keep a drink handy when eating those polvorones.

*This is an excerpt from my weekly newsletter about life in Spain and moving to Spain. If you'd like to get on the list, you can subscribe at www.spainrevealed.com/subscribe

1 month ago | [YT] | 904

Spain Revealed

🏚️ Would you move to a Spanish village? 🏠

This past weekend, Yoly and I found ourselves wandering through a village in Segovia.

Stone houses with centuries of history. Streets where your footsteps echo off cobblestones.

Village rhythms that make you pause and wonder about a different kind of life.

Standing there, I turned to Yoly and asked a question you might have considered: "Could we live here?"

It’s a question that opens up a complex reality about modern Spain.

It’s called “España vaciada” - the emptied-out Spain.

In 1960, the percentage of Spaniards living in cities was 56%. Now it's 81%.

Young people are leaving villages behind, drawn to urban opportunities, leaving these historic communities facing an uncertain future.

But there’s another story emerging.

Villages are fighting back, reimagining themselves for a new era.

Many now offer high-speed fiber-optic internet that matches any city connection.

Some are getting creative with incentives, such as subsidized housing, tax rebates, and cash payouts (*to be clear, they're not huge amounts, and many are aimed at people under 35).

Let me share two very different experiences I’ve witnessed:

My Spanish teacher made the move three years ago.

Today, she runs her entire teaching business online, connecting with students worldwide from her village home.

For her, the slower rhythm and tight-knit community provided exactly what she was looking for.

But I’ve also seen the challenges.

A friend tried village life and discovered a different reality.

Without strong Spanish skills, simple daily interactions became obstacles.

The quiet she’d imagined as peaceful started feeling more like isolation.

Eventually, she realized village life wasn’t her path.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering this move:

The advantages are real:
- Housing costs that can slash your monthly budget well below the typical city living expenses.
- Internet speeds that make remote work completely viable.
- A genuine sense of deep community that cities rarely match.

But there are very real challenges:
- Spanish language skills aren’t optional - they’re essential for daily life
- You’ll likely need a car (which I know many people move to Spain to avoid)
- Healthcare and other services often require travel to larger towns
- The population tends to skew older, which is worth considering depending on your age

If you’re intrigued, Vente a Vivir a un Pueblo (Come Live in a Village) is a practical resource worth exploring.

It’s a website where villages across Spain showcase their offerings, from population statistics to internet speeds and housing costs.

You can find it here: venteaviviraunpueblo.com/

(It’s in Spanish, but Chrome’s translate feature makes it accessible.)

Village life in Spain isn’t for everyone.

I don’t see many people considering it in my Move to Spain Masterclass.

But for those who connect with its rhythm and are willing to embrace its gifts and challenges, it offers something increasingly rare—a chance to be part of a community with deep roots and real connections.

*This is an excerpt from my weekly newsletter about life in Spain and moving to Spain. If you'd like to get on the list, you can subscribe at www.spainrevealed.com/subscribe

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1 month ago | [YT] | 297