Expats Costa Blanca: forum

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Parties, weddings and murals: have you hired an artist in Spain?

Flamenco guitar at a birthday dinner, a DJ at a villa party, a string duo for a wedding, a mural in the kids’ room… Spain has a lot of creative talent. A few things to agree in advance: set times and breaks, equipment…

Airport pick-ups: taxi, VTC, bus or transfer?

Arriving at 1 a.m. with two kids, a dog and five suitcases is a different trip from arriving alone with hand luggage. In Spain, official taxis wait at the rank, while VTC (private hire, including app rides) must always…

Calima, salt and sun: how do you look after your car?

A calima can leave your car orange overnight. Salt air and strong sun don’t help either. Tip: never wipe dry dust off, because it scratches like sandpaper. Rinse first. Also good to know: many town halls don’t allow…

Pool owners: how do you keep it clear in August?

Heat, sun, dust and leaves make Spanish pools hungry for care. The basics: skim, empty the baskets, brush, vacuum, test the water and keep an eye on filter pressure, at least weekly in summer. Most pools aren’t drained…

Mediterranean gardening: what grows well for you?

Gardening in Spain is a different game: hot, dry summers, sudden autumn downpours and, in many areas, water restrictions. Drip irrigation, mulch and tough plants like rosemary, lavender, olive, oleander and succulents…

Home repairs: what breaks first in a Spanish home?

Water heaters (termos) full of limescale, persianas that get stuck, leaking terraces, AC units that give up in August… Spanish homes have their own set of usual suspects. A tip if you live in a flat: work out what’s…

Sworn translations: which documents did you need?

Birth certificates, criminal records, diplomas, powers of attorney… Many Spanish offices want a traducción jurada, signed and stamped by a translator appointed by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can check a…

Renovating or opening a business? Let’s talk licences

Planning a new kitchen, an extension, a café or a holiday let? In Spain, the paperwork depends on your region and town hall. It might be a declaración responsable, a works licence, an activity licence, or for tourist…

NIE, TIE, padrón: share your paperwork tips

Spanish admin is a rite of passage. Getting an appointment (cita previa) can be the hardest part, and every office seems to ask for something slightly different. Quick reminders: the NIE uses form EX-15 and model…

Contracts in Spanish: what caught you out?

Rental contracts, builder’s quotes, arras contracts, powers of attorney… We all end up signing documents in Spanish sooner or later. Some things worth checking every time: who is really signing for the other side,…

Did you get a survey before buying, and was it worth it?

In Spain, a building survey isn’t a standard step. The bank’s valuation (tasación) is for the bank, not a check of the building. So many buyers skip the inspection, and some regret it when the first winter rain finds…

House hunting: what surprised you most about buying in Spain?

The notary, the arras contract, the nota simple, ITP that changes from region to region… Buying a home in Spain has its own logic, and most of us learned something the hard way. A few things worth knowing early: get…

Welcome! Expat services across Spain, and how this group works

Welcome to the Expats group, a place to swap tips, ask questions and help each other settle in Spain, wherever you are. A quick note on what Lapdrop does: if you need something done, like paperwork, a sworn…