Episodes
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Find Olga here: https://www.cleesvogel.com/
In this episode of Spainly Living, Michelle speaks with Olga, a Costa Blanca property expert who moved to Spain in August 2020 and now helps international buyers find homes across Costa Blanca.
Olga shares her personal story of relocating to Spain with her family after COVID changed their perspective on life, work, health and the importance of enjoying the sunshine before retirement.
She explains why her family chose the Alicante region, how she moved into real estate after buying her own home and how her property agency grew from helping friends from Luxembourg to supporting international clients from across Europe.
This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone thinking about buying property in Spain, relocating to Alicante or searching for a second home, family home or short-term rental investment on the Costa Blanca.
Michelle and Olga discuss what foreign buyers need to know before purchasing in Spain, including how to choose the right area, why you should never buy a property purely from online photos, what to understand about tourist rental licences, why not every area allows short-term rentals and why working with a knowledgeable local agent can help you avoid expensive mistakes.
They also cover the hidden costs of buying property in Spain, including the 10% property transfer tax, notary costs, lawyers, gestores, architects, NIE numbers and the importance of checking paperwork before signing.
Olga explains the difference between buying a resale property and buying a new build, why mortgages in Spain can take longer than expected and why cash buyers often have a simpler process.
This conversation also explores the realities of renting in Spain, including deposits, Airbnb, long-term rental risks and why many landlords ask foreign tenants for several months’ rent in advance. Olga explains why deposits in Spain are often a source of stress for tenants.
For families moving to Spain, Olga gives especially valuable advice on choosing an area close to schools, understanding school options, thinking about teenage children, public transport, driving distances and the importance of imagining your real day to day life before choosing a location.
In this episode, you will learn:
How to choose the right area in Alicante or Costa Blanca
What to know before buying property in Spain
Why you should visit properties in person before making a decision
How tourist rental licences work in Spain
Why some areas no longer grant short-term rental licences
The difference between short-term rentals and long-term rentals
What hidden costs to budget for when buying a Spanish property
Why buyers need an NIE number before purchasing
How the Arras deposit contract works in Spain
Why mortgages can take around three months or longer
The difference between buying a new build and a resale property
Why foreign renters may be asked for several months’ rent upfront
What families should consider when relocating to Spain
How to choose a location near schools, transport and daily amenities
Why Costa Blanca is attractive for lifestyle, safety, food, sunshine and family lifeWhether you are dreaming of a holiday home in Spain, planning a permanent relocation, considering a short-term rental investment or looking for a family-friendly place to settle on the Costa Blanca, this episode will help you understand the Spanish property market with more confidence.
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Find Josh here: https://ambient-wm.com/
In this episode of Spainly Living, Michelle speaks with Josh from Ambient Wealth Management about one of the most important, and often overlooked, parts of moving to Spain: getting your finances, tax position, pensions and investments organised before you relocate.
Josh moved from the UK to Spain over ten years ago and now works with international clients, especially UK nationals, who are moving to Spain or already living in Spain.
Together, Michelle and Josh unpack the real financial questions people need to consider before becoming Spanish tax resident, from NIE applications and post-Brexit bureaucracy to pensions, ISAs, property sales, inheritance planning, wealth tax, self-employment costs and the realities of starting again financially in Spain.
This episode is especially useful for anyone planning a move to Spain from the UK, US or another country, whether you are a retiree, family, remote worker, digital nomad, business owner, self-employed professional or someone considering buying property in Spain.
Michelle and Josh discuss why timing matters so much when relocating, particularly around selling a main residence, taking pension lump sums, realising investment gains and understanding how Spain treats financial products that may be tax efficient in your home country but not necessarily tax efficient once you become Spanish tax resident.
They also cover the hidden costs of moving to Spain, including property purchase taxes, regional differences in wealth tax, the cost of becoming autónomo, the limitations of Spanish banking, building credit again from scratch, the high cost of cars in Spain and why doing your research early can prevent expensive mistakes.
Josh explains the importance of having a plan before you move, why financial products such as UK ISAs and pensions may need to be reviewed, how Spanish-compliant investments can work, why estate planning matters and how proper structuring can make life much easier for surviving spouses and family members.
In this conversation, you will learn:
How moving to Spain can affect your UK pensions, ISAs, investments and savings
Why you should understand Spanish tax residency before relocating
The biggest financial mistakes expats make when moving to Spain
Why selling your UK property before or after becoming Spanish tax resident can have major tax consequences
What UK nationals should know about post-Brexit relocation planning
How Spain treats foreign investments and pensions
Why Spanish-compliant investment structures may be useful for some residents
What to consider before becoming self-employed or autónomo in Spain
How the Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa and Beckham Law may affect planning
Why cars, mortgages and credit ratings can be more complicated after moving
How Spain’s autonomous regions differ on wealth tax and other tax rules
Why it is important to plan for inheritance, death and access to assets
Why moving to Spain in August may create unexpected practical challengesThis episode is full of practical, real-world insight for anyone dreaming of a life in Spain but wanting to avoid costly mistakes. Whether you are still researching your move, already packing boxes or settling into Spanish life, this conversation will help you think more clearly about money, tax, pensions, property and long-term planning.
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