John Howell’s investment principles – outlined below – have been simmering nicely for nearly 40 years. Many of them were deeply unpopular for many years. These days they are recognised as common sense.
Continue readingA General Guide to Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”)
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution? Is it right for your problem? What types of ADR exist? How are they used?
Continue readingA General Guide to Foreign Wills
Do you have assets in another country? If so, do you have a Will for that country? If not, it’s something you should seriously consider. Find out how in this guide.
Continue readingChoosing Commercial Property
This guide covers… This guide deals with the special things that you will need to take into account when choosing commercial property. By commercial property, we mean things such as offices, shops, bars, restaurants and warehouses. It is best read in conjunction with our country specific guides to Choosing Commercial Property but we have produced this global version to deal …
Continue readingInsuring your Car in Spain
Insurance for your car is critical not just because the law requires you to have it but because of the devastating consequences of having an accident whilst not insured.
What is available and how do you get it?
Continue readingSocial Security in Spain
Social security arrangements in Spain are extensive and expensive. They are also rather complicated and, very likely, different from those to which you are accustomed. Yet it is well worth getting to grips with them before you need to make use of the services provided.
Continue readingProperty and Rental Management for International Real Estate
You’ve decided to invest in international property – or perhaps you’ve already bought it. Sensibly (at least in my view) you have chosen to buy real estate that will generate income, rather than relying solely on the turbulent game of capital gains.
Continue readingTrusts for the International Person
For nearly 1,000 years Trusts have offered a useful tool to people who operate internationally.
They address some very practical problems in a straightforward and practical way and, at the same time, can offer opportunities for saving tax and getting round inconvenient legal restrictions in the place where you happen to be living.
Continue readingChoosing a Lawyer for International Work
If you need to see a lawyer, you need to see a good lawyer: not just someone who’s going through the motions and racking up fees.
Continue readingInternational Wills
This guide deals with international Wills – Wills specifically written to be valid in multiple countries around the world. How do you make one? Where will it be recognised? Are they a good idea?
Continue readingPowers of Attorney – a Global Guide
Powers of Attorney are much used in international transactions where somebody who would normally have to attend to sign a document finds it inconvenient or impossible to do so.
Continue readingInsuring a Car in a Foreign Country
Insuring your car is completely necessary. Not only is it illegal not to have car insurance in almost every country, it protects you from some of the most expensive mishaps you can experience – those to do with your vehicle!
Continue readingInsuring Investment Property in a Foreign Country
If you have bought a property that is purely for investment, you should be aware that it comes with its own sets of risks. For that reason, insurance is generally more complicated and almost always more expensive.
Continue readingInsuring a Holiday Home in a Foreign Country
Holiday home insurance may not be mandatory in many countries, but it is extremely important that you buy it. If you do not, you are leaving yourself open to thousands of dollars, euros or pounds in repair, loss of income or even litigation.
Continue readingTax: the Taxation of Companies in Spain
In Spain, companies are taxes in a variety of ways. Understanding the system – and how it will work best for you – is essential if you want to do business in Spain via a company. This is an area where detailed professional advice is a must but it is still helpful to have a basic understanding of the system before you see your accountant.
Continue readingTax: the Taxation of Individuals in Spain
Spain has what looks like a relatively simple tax system, particularly if you are not tax-resident in Spain, but it is still important to understand how it works. It also offers lots of opportunities for fine tuning your tax position in order to reduce the taxes you will have to pay in Spain or elsewhere.
Continue readingProperty (Real Estate) Insurance in a Foreign Country
Property (home) insurance is what protects you when things go wrong. Flooding, theft, your building inexplicably sinking three feet into the ground – all of this can be covered by property insurance. It’s very important. Many people do not buy it and deeply regret it.
Continue readingLife Insurance for People Moving Abroad
Life insurance will probably not be at the top of your list of things you must do if you’re relocating to a foreign country, but it is worth using your move as an opportunity to check that your current arrangements are adequate and change them if necessary.
Continue readingRescuing Failed Property Developments Abroad
This guide is about what happens when a property development goes wrong: when it fails before the homes are delivered to their buyers and the buyers risk losing a lot of money. These situations arise at various times in almost every country and, whilst the solutions vary a little depending upon the legal framework in the country concerned, the main principles apply worldwide.
Continue readingInternational Property Development – the Worldwide Guide
This guide is an overview of the worldwide possibilities available to small and first-time property developers. It looks at the opportunities and challenges facing property developers working in a country that is not their own.
Continue readingDue Diligence for Foreign Property Buyers
I have a lot of experience with due diligence, having worked in international real estate law for well over 30 years. I know how important it is, and how badly a property deal can go wrong if it isn’t done properly.
Continue readingInvesting in International Property
Real estate has long been a popular option for those wishing to invest their money. It is tangible, you can use it yourself and many of us have heard stories about people making their fortune through property investment.
Continue readingInvestments for the International Person
When you live and work in only one country and just go abroad for the odd short vacation, deciding on your investment strategy is complicated enough. When you are travelling the world and spending a lot of time in other countries it becomes much, much more complicated.
Continue readingWorldwide Retirement Guide – Top Places to Retire
Retiring to a foreign country is a dream for many people around the world. Is it for you?
Continue readingRenting a Property in Spain
We all need somewhere to live. Find out the rules about renting a property in Spain – and how to do it. Whether it is a holiday home, a permanent residence or something that falls between the two, the Spanish system can give you some surprises!
Continue readingLetting (Renting Out) Your Property in Spain
Whether you are a professional landlord or somebody who lets their home when they are not using it, there is quite a lot to learn about letting property in Spain. It can be very expensive if you get it wrong. This guide looks at the essentials.
Continue readingWho Should Own Your House?
The issue of who should be the legal owner of any property you buy may not be an obvious one but not asking the question can be a big mistake. By putting the property in the most appropriate names you can save tens of thousands of whatever currency you use to measure your wealth.
Continue readingDebt Collection in Spain
For any business or individual, debt collecting is sometimes a tedious necessity. In Spain, it can be very slow and, all too often, unproductive. You can maximise your chances of success by taking some basic and inexpensive precautions and planning ahead. This guide covers what to do and how to do it.
Continue readingMatrimonial Regimes in Spain: the Law
Whenever you are married, certain rules govern how your finances are going to be treated. These are the rules in Spain. They may be very different from the rules in your country – and failure to understand them can prove very costly.
Continue readingPreparing to Retire to a Foreign Country
Retiring to a foreign country is a dream for many people around the world. If you are going to live that dream, your life will be made much easier if you take some basic steps before moving to retire abroad.
Continue readingBuying an Existing Business in Another Country
Many people consider taking over an existing business rather than starting their own, brand new one. There are several advantages to doing this but there can also be significant risk.
Continue readingStarting a Company in in a Foreign Country
More and more people are doing business internationally – either operating solely within their home country or with additional premises and staff in foreign countries.
Continue readingFunding Your International Business
Funding international businesses – especially small international businesses – can be tricky. Some would say nearly impossible. Funding them without falling into the hands of the crooks and charlatans who populate the internet is harder still.
Continue readingStarting a Business in a Foreign Country
This guide is intended for the person who wants to start up a business based in a foreign country. This might be their only business or a branch of a business “back home”.
Continue readingDoing Business Around the World
It is not long ago that most business operated locally or nationally. What they made – or their services – were consumed within a few miles or, at most, within their own countries.
Continue readingPreparing to Work in a Foreign Country
This guide is about the steps you need to take when preparing to work in a foreign country. It covers both people seeking international jobs and people being sent overseas by their employer. It details the preparation needed by the employee and also looks at the things that should be done by the family of someone who will be working abroad.
Continue readingMoving Money Abroad
Should you take your money with you when you go abroad long-term? If so, how should you do it? What should you do with the money when it arrives?
Continue readingForeign Exchange (Forex or FX)
This guide deals with moving money from one country to another.
To help you understand the opportunities, it also gives a brief explanation of how the foreign exchange (Forex or FX) market works and looks at the most secure and cheapest ways of moving money from one country and currency to another.
Continue readingInternational Banks & Banking: the Basics
The concept of international banking gives rise to a lot of confusion. As is so often the case when you work in several countries, the terms used can means different things to different people.
Continue readingTransport Links to and within Spain
As one of the world’s major economies and the world’s third largest tourist destination, Spain is well served when it comes to all types of transport.
Continue readingTaxes Around the World
Tax is a subject that seems to be of endless fascination to those people who live, work or do business in more than one country. In fact, it is a topic of almost equal fascination and concern to people and companies who do not have to pay tax in more than one country!
Continue readingImmigration Around the World
Immigration, and its sister emigration, have never been of greater interest. As I write this guide (July 2018) we remain in the throes of a huge global migration triggered by the various wars and conflicts in the Middle East.
Continue readingPublic holidays in Spain
You’ll find a full list of national and regional holidays here. However, don’t forget that each municipality will have two additional public holidays; often celebrating the local saint or an event of local importance. Some notes about the major holidays, mainly for our readers in the East:
Continue readingThe European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Cards are issued by your national health insurance provider. How do you obtain a card? You obtain a card by contacting the health insurance institution where you are insured and which is therefore responsible for assuming your healthcare costs. For more information, see this website. Who can benefit from the card? To be eligible for a card, you must be insured by or covered by a …
Continue readingThe World’s Economies
This short guide looks at the relevance of the global economy to people living, working or doing business in a country that is not their own. It also looks at reliable places where you can obtain further information about the countries of interest to you.
Continue readingBusiness Issues in Spain
Every country has special issues when it comes to doing business. Spain is no exception. This guide focused on some of the issues that can catch out the unwary.
Continue readingGlossary of Legal Terms
Common legal terms and their meanings: Abstract (Of Title) A summary of the public records relating to the title to a particular piece of land. An attorney or title insurance company reviews an abstract of title to determine whether there are any title defects which must be cleared before a buyer can purchase clear, marketable, and insurable title. Acceleration Clause …
Continue readingLearning Spanish – in Spain or ‘back home’
Despite what some expats will tell you, learning Spanish is important if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in Spain. It makes you life much easier and your time in Spain both more productive and more fun.
Continue readingCultural Differences in Spain
The cultural differences between various countries are fascinating and, often, surprising. Understanding them is hugely important if you want to survive – and thrive – in a country that is not your own. Recognise them. Understand them. But don’t be frightened by them.
Continue readingCountries in the EU
EU policies aim to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services and capital within its internal market. Twenty-two member-countries – plus four that are not members of the EU – have abolished passport controls for movement between those countries. The area covered by these arrangements is known as the Schengen area. Nineteen member-countries have adopted the euro as their currency. …
Continue readingVideo Tour of the Costa del Sol
This guide gathers together film showing various parts of the Costa del Sol. It is intended to give those who do not know the area a quick impression of what it is like.
Continue readingTransport links within the Costa del Sol in Spain
Getting to the Costa del Sol Getting to the Costa del Sol by air If you’re flying into the Costa del Sol, chances are you’ll be landing in Malaga International Airport (AGP). The airport is made up of three terminals. It handled over 14million passengers in 2015. You’ll find plenty of places to load up on shopping or feed and water …
Continue readingSpain – Facts & Figures
Spain is a hugely popular destination for both expats and tourists. It has been a world power for over 500 years. Its huge empire has left its mark across the world. More than 400 million people speak Spanish as a native language – a number surpassed only by Mandarin.
Continue readingPress & Media in Spain
Spain is still well served by media, both in Spanish and in other major languages. find out what’s available
Continue readingThe Internet in Spain
Introduction Spain is fairly well served by internet providers, though service can be patchy outside of urban areas. Shopping around is paramount if you want to get a good deal – many providers offer promotional prices for new customers, or waive installation fees for a limited time. Internet penetration in Spain According to Internet Live Stats, 82.2% of the Spanish population …
Continue readingClubs, Associations & Support Groups in Spain
In Spain there are lots of clubs, associations, support groups and sources of information to help foreigners living in the country.
Continue readingThe Climate in Spain
Spain is the most climatically diverse country in Europe and in the world’s top ten. Generally, on the coast, it enjoys warm weather all year round and, inland, hot summers and cold winters, especially at higher altitude.
Continue readingAutonomous Communities in Spain
“Autonomous communities” (comunidad autónomas) are the political and administrative regions of Spain into which the whole of Spain is divided. There are 17 of them – plus two “autonomous cities” – Ceuta & Melilla in North Africa.
Continue readingThrowback Thursday – Interviewing an Irish Expat in Spain
This interview, with retired headmaster and experienced expat Gerry O’Brien, did not go as planned.
Continue readingReligion in Turkey
Religion in Turkey is as old as Turkey itself – which is very old. Islam is still a massively important part of Turkish culture, even though increasing numbers of Turks (and, in particular, of younger Turks living in the western part of the country) are becoming more secular and less strict in their observance of religion. At the same time, many in the centre and east of the country are becoming more religious and conservative.
Continue readingSex & Sexuality in Turkey
As befits an old country right in the centre of the old Mediterranean civilisation, Turkey is pretty much on the centre-ground of gender politics.
Continue readingHealthcare in Turkey
Healthcare is right at the top of people’s concerns when moving to – or even visiting – a new country. Will it be of a good standard? How do I access it? What will it cost? Will the doctor – and the nurses and other health workers – speak my language?
Continue readingCultural Differences in Turkey
Moving to or doing business in another country always throws up issues arising from the basic cultural differences between your ‘home’ country and the ‘new’ country. Turkey is no exception.
Continue readingBusiness Culture in Turkey
Whatever your reason for doing business in Turkey, you will probably find that there are some big differences in business environment and culture.
Continue readingShops & Shopping in Turkey
Shopping – love it or hate it, it’s a big part of life. It can be confusing in a new country, but Turkey isn’t complicated.
Continue readingInvesting in Property in Turkey
When you’re looking for property in Turkey, the first thing you need to know is what’s available: not the specific houses or apartments but the types of property commonly found. Just as important are the typical prices you will have to pay for any given type of property.
Continue readingLearning Turkish – in Turkey or ‘back home’
Learning Turkish is important if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in Turkey.
The good news (if you’re a Westerner): it is written in the (slightly modified) latin alphabet. You won’t have to learn a completely new script.
The bad news: the language may not seem intuitive to most Europeans and Americans. Turkish base words can stand alone – prefixes are not part of the language – but are built in complexity by the addition of suffixes. Words can therefore get very long!
Continue readingBringing Your Pet to Turkey
Many people worry more about how they’re going to take their pet to Turkey than they do about any other aspect of their move.
Fortunately, the rules aren’t complicated and most people don’t experience any major problems when importing a pet into Turkey.
Continue readingBringing Your Boat to Turkey
Many expats keep a boat in Turkey. There are several ways in which they can do so.
Continue readingBringing Your Car to Turkey
In Turkey, cars and fuel are expensive. The price of a car, both new and second hand, is likely to be much higher than ‘back home’.
It therefore looks an attractive option, especially if you live in Europe, to drive or otherwise import your car to Turkey. An added advantage is that you can take some of your possessions with you. Can this be done?
Continue readingBringing Your Possessions to Turkey
When moving – especially when moving to another country – having your personal possessions with you can be comforting. Moreover, it can be less daunting to bring stuff with you than it is to sell or find storage old possessions – and buy everything again!
Continue readingBuying a New Property on the Costa del Sol
For this see our Guide to Buying Off-Plan Property on the Costa del Sol. It describes, in particular, how to buy a new property in the area of Andalusia/Andalucía – which contains the Costa del Sol. See a map here. Please note that certain aspects of the law in Spain vary from one “autonomous community” (comunidad autónoma) to another. For …
Continue readingWorld Climate Guide
This guide is about the world’s climate and how it can impact upon your plans. Frankly, it will tell you little more than you could have found out yourself by spending a day on the internet, but it could save you a lot of time.
Continue reading