THE Junta has launched blasting works on the crucial A-397 between Ronda and San Pedro after heavy rains caused severe damage.
Over 20 workers are working seven days a week, manually drilling and blasting unstable rocks on the steep slopes to stop landslides.
A containment mesh will also be fitted to protect the road from rock falls. The road has been closed since March 8, forcing 9,000 daily drivers onto longer routes adding over an hour to their journeys.
With €3.5 million allocated, officials hope to reopen at least one lane in four and a half months.
Blast off
FAKE POWER OF ATTORNEY STOLE MY HOME
A PREGNANT expat fears losing her baby after she discovered fraudsters had stolen her dream home with fake legal certificates. The Scandinavian environmental scientist is now questioning how conmen could somehow create a bogus power of attorney (POA) to acquire the apartment on the Costa del Sol.
The 32-year-old is now ‘terrified’ of leaving her Mijas flat, after someone started to send threatening notes, ordering her out.
“There was no verification, no phone call, no warning. We were completely blindsided,” she told the Olive Press, this week.
“How can the Spanish legal system allow this to happen?”
Alarmingly, a leading Malaga lawyer, Diego Echavarria said it was ‘not uncommon’.
“It’s in fact the third example I’ve
heard of in a year,” he said.
Asking not to be named for legal reasons, the Scandinavian buyer had moved to Spain in search of
tranquility after buying the 80m2 property worth €320,000 in April last year.
But what was meant to be a peaceful haven in the sun has turned into a living nightmare.
“It was my dream home with the most breathtaking sea view,” she continued, her voice clearly shaking.
“I used to sit on the terrace in the evening thinking, ‘this is where I’ll grow old’.
Then, in September, everything changed, when her house was broken into. She said the burglars stole golf clubs, branded perfumes, bags and keys to her car, and they installed two high security locks on her front door. She also believes they stole her identity documents, which were in easily accessible and named cartons in the apartment.
And then began a bizarre and terrifying journey, leading finally to Colombia - where, it emerged, a forged power of attorney certificate was created in her name.
The house sale was eventually com-
pleted back in Spain in December, by a notary in Sevilla.
“Apparently, I gave someone the le gal right to sell my home,” she con tinued.
“But I never actually signed any thing. I’ve never even been to Co lombia,” she said. “And yet, here I am, being told that my house be longs to a stranger.”
Fraud
Sara only discovered the fraud this month when property tax agency, the Catastro Hacienda, informed her the house was now registered under someone else’s name.
“I obviously thought it must be a mistake. But when I checked the registry, I felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me. My name is gone.”
Even more disturbing was how easily the fraud went through.
Since hiring a lawyer to fight the fraudulent transfer, things have taken a darker turn. She has received handwritten, threatening notes from someone claiming to be the new ‘owner’ of the apartment.
They demanded she contact them via WhatsApp or face ‘violent consequences’.
“We’re be ing treated like criminals in our own home - like squatters,” she said.
“I’m scared to open the door and to even walk outside in case they are watching or stalking us. We don’t know who’s behind this or what they’re capable of. Every night, I sleep with one eye open.”
To make matters more complicated she is 23 weeks pregnant and
EXCLUSIVE
By Samantha Mythen & Dilip Kuner & Jon Clarke
IN BRIEF
Beach showers
A not-for-profit is arguing for the removal of Spain’s beach showers due to future water scarcity concerns. Sanxenxo removed its showers last year, saving ‘litres and litres’ of water.
Cuddle cots
BRITISH expat Hayley Wilkins has raised more than €4,000 and donated two ‘cuddle cots’ to hospitals in Marbella and Estepona after her baby was stillborn in January.
Urgent
THE British Embassy is urging its residents now living in Malaga and Alicante to get their TIE cards before October or they may risk being denied entry to Spain after holidaying abroad.
Pay disparity
DIRECTORS of Ibex 35 companies earn a salary 79 times higher than their average employees, meaning that even in two lifetimes, with 72 years of work, its employees would not make what their bosses earn in just one year.
LA Linea’s mayor has slammed the brakes on filming of the new Movistar Plus+ series Marbella, accusing the production of painting the town in a bad and unfair light.
Despite the council’s outright refusal to back the gritty drug trafficking drama, the show’s makers have managed to bag permission from the Junta to shoot in some
It’s NOT a wrap
spots around La Linea.
Mayor Juan Franco made it crystal clear: “The City Council of La Linea has not given any authorisation to film in our town.”
He added the council will not support any production that tarnishes the rep-
utation of La Linea or the wider Campo de Gibraltar area.
Officials have also launched a probe to sniff out any sneaky filming that might have happened without the proper green light.
Marbella stars Hugo Silva as Cesar, a lawyer dragged deep into the Costa del Sol’s shadowy world of crime and corruption.
OPEN SESAME!
Brits heading to Spain 'will be able to use e-gates and skip queues’ as part of new UK-EU deal
BRITISH passport holders will soon be able to use e-gates at airports across Spain and other EU countries, following a new agreement reached at the first UK-EU summit since Brexit. The change, confirmed on Monday, aims to ease airport queues and improve travel ahead of the busy summer season.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the UK’s Minister for EU Relations, previously said the government was pushing for faster border
By Samantha Mythen
processing for British travellers. “I am certainly pushing for people to go through [passport control] more quickly,” he told the BBC
Since Brexit, UK citizens have faced manual checks and long queues, and are no longer eligible to use e-gates previously reserved for EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals. While access
Papers trail
OVER 400,000 undocumented workers in Spain could soon get full legal rights to live and work.
The push follows a petition from last year backed by over 600,000 signatures and 900 groups, calling for half a million illegal immigrants to be regularised. The government stalled the plan during immi-
to e-gates will now be restored, travellers will still be subject to the 90-day rule within any 180-day period in the Schengen Zone.
gration reforms, saying new rules would cover undocumented workers. But critics warn the changes could leave many asylum seekers without work permits if their claims fail. Now, socialist ministers are reviving the debate in Parliament to close that loophole. These migrants usually fill low-paid rolesfruit picking, care work, delivery driving - jobs that Spanish locals often reject. Without legal status, they risk exploitation despite their role in Spain’s economy.
DELAY: These Brits queued for hours at Barcelona airport passport control
was hospitalised this week with fears of a premature birth caused by the stress. She now believes she is battling to save both her baby and her home.
“Spain was supposed to be our safe haven. But it feels like a jungle, where the strong prey on the unsuspecting,” she said.
“There’s a loophole in the system big enough for criminals to walk right through - with your home in their hands.”
Despite the ongoing legal battle, which she’s certain she will win, she insists she will sell up and return home, once it’s over. “I don’t feel safe here anymore. It doesn’t feel like home. It feels like betrayal.”
The agreement was reached at a London summit hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, attended by senior EU officials including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“It’s time to look forward - to move on from the old political fights and to find common sense, practical solutions,” Starmer said on X. “We will close a deal in the national interest.”
Passport stamping for UK travellers remains in place until the EU launches its biometric Entry/Exit System (EES).
AMERICAN megastore Costco is ramping up its Spanish takeover, with a new branch landing in Malaga’s Nostrum mall by late next year. Already boasting five storesincluding two in Madrid - four more are on the way in Valencia, Torrejon, Siero and Malaga. But it’s no ordinary shopentry requires a paid membership. Shoppers can snap up bulk bargains on everything from TVs to tyres.
NEWS HOUNDS
Delve into the expat stories that matter in Spain with the eyeopening new Olive Press podcast
KEEN to discover how investigative journalism works in Spain? The Rest is Spain podcast offers an insider’s look at the major stories impacting expats and tourists each week.
Hosted by Costa del Sol resident Caroline Lips, with Olive Press editor Jon Clarke and digital editor Walter Finch, the 30-minute show breaks down Spain’s most compelling headlines.
Shock
This week’s episode dives into the shock imprisonment of expat fashion designer Jody Smart and uncovers the growing scandal around Iberian Funeral Plans SL, which could leave thousands out of pocket. From natural disasters like the Valencia floods to national crises such as the
By Jon Clarke
power blackout, no subject is off-limits. The team also investigates the strange and scandalous behavior of Estepona’s popular mayor, including allegations of employing a woman for €3,300 a month to ‘inspect lampposts’. The Rest is Spain doesn’t just report the news - it explores how journalists uncover it. Listeners get a rare glimpse into the challenges investigative reporters face, including sourcing stories, verifying facts, and making tough ethical decisions. Whether you’re an expat, a frequent visitor, or just curious about life behind the headlines in Spain, this podcast offers something for everyone.
LISTEN: To our new podcast
MULLINS IT OVER
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE IN THE UK AND LIFE IN SPAIN, WRITES
Hurry up and wait!
From delayed footpaths to Brexit border queues, life in the sun runs on its own clock
SPAIN as a nation, is famously inefficient - where getting anything done feels like a miracle, and when it does happen, it takes 10 times longer than it should.
There’s definitely a north-south cultural divide in Europe, and in this regard, it couldn’t be more obvious.
But I don’t think it’s because the locals don’t care or lack the will to make things happen. It’s more like an evolutionary coping mechanism - a built-in safety valve to manage expectations.
If something’s promised in a year, just assume five. That way, you’re never too disappointed.
Einstein and Stephen Hawking said time isn’t a fixed thing, and honestly, life in Spain might just be the best real-world proof of that theory.
What’s prompted this little rant, you ask?
Well, down in my neck of the woods, it’s taken three years just to award a contract for a pedestrian path between La Cala and Fuengirola. At this rate, we might see it finished by 2030 - if we’re lucky.
Speaking of things finally getting done, I see common sense has at last prevailed: Brits will soon be allowed to use the automatic immigration gates at Spanish (and other EU) airports. I won’t dig up the whole Brexit mess, but it’s taken nearly a decade of posturing for a bit of practicality to shine through.
I’m sure EU citizens had a bit of a chuckle watching the long queues of Brits winding their way through Malaga airport, waiting for a passport stamp - all after we told them exactly where they could shove their club membership. Personally, I won’t miss being treated like a second-class citizen by puffed-up border officials. Meanwhile, over in the Canaries, the locals are kicking off - again - about there being too many tourists. Which, frankly, seems a bit rich.
Most of what makes those islands such great places to live is thanks to the vast amount of tourist money flowing in every year.
And as for the original inhabitants of the Canaries? We’ll never know what they’d think, since the Spanish wiped them out 500 years ago when they showed up and took the islands for themselves.
Sure, Spain has its own issues with illegal immigration. But honestly, people booking hotels, eating out, employing
AGREEMENT: Britihs passport holders will be able to use automatic passport gates - at last!
locals - that seems a far cry from what’s happening back in the UK, where we’re apparently under siege from asylum seekers chasing a free ride.
Maybe Keir Starmer could install e-gates on the south coast that issue work visas, spending money, and a hotel address all in one go?
And finally - though I’m no massive football fan - I expected at least one Spanish side to make it into one of the two big European finals.
But no such luck. My first year living in what was once the epicentre of world football, and we’ve got a French team playing an Italian one for the Champions League, and two of the worst Premier League sides in Manchester United and Spurs scrapping it out for the Europa League.
Dua’s Spanish duo
POP queen Dua Lipa thrilled fans in Madrid by belting out Spanish songs on stage.
Kicking off her Radical Optimism tour with two soldout shows, Dua stunned crowds with a sultry cover of Enrique Iglesias’ Hero, fully en Español. “I’m nervous,” she giggled, “but sing along if you know it!”
The crowd roared “¡Reina!” as she followed up the next night with Manu Chao’s Me Gustas Tu Between shows, she hit the Prado Museum (pictured) and fan-girled over Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights. Even film icon Pedro Almodovar showed up – no wonder, she’s his latest muse!
OSCAR-winning actor Jeremy Irons got the red carpet treatment at Sevilla’s famous Feria de Abril. The Lion King star, 76, was all smiles as Mayor Jose Luis Sanz pinned a badge on him at the city’s official marquee (pictured). “It’s an honour,” beamed Irons, rocking a spotty scarf, red flower, and sipping local tipple rebujito This marks his fourth visit to the city - but first at the
fair. The Brit mingled with celebs, took in horse parades, and posed for thrilled fans.
“Sevilla always opens its arms to culture,” said the mayor. “This time, it hugged a legend.”
IRONS TREATMENT
Do you have a passion for plants and a deep understanding of Andalucia's unique climate and native flora?
We're looking for a reliable and enthusiastic part-time gardener to help care for a beautiful private garden in the wider Gaucín area.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Knowledge of local plants and growing conditions
• Experience in garden maintenance and care
• Passion for outdoor work and attention to detail
DETAILS:
• Flexible hours and workdays
• Tasks vary by season and garden needs
•
•
CHARLIE MULLINS
Available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and via the Olive Press
website. Just search for the Olive Press Podcast and tune in.
Olive Press reader offer
30% OFF
All Ladies, Mens, Lingerie and Kidswear in the Stores listed below
Marbella (CC La Cañada), Granada (CC Nevada), Málaga (Calle Nueva), Madrid (CC La Vaguada)
TO REDEEM, TAKE A PICTURE OF THIS PAGE AND SHOW IT IN STORE
Excludes online, food and drink Valid 22nd May - 22nd June 2025 Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
Voted top expat paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION
Don’t let the trust die
WHEN 32-year-old Sara moved to Mijas from Scandinavia, she dreamed of sun-soaked evenings and peace by the sea.
Instead, she was plunged into a legal and emotional nightmare - her home stolen through a forged power of attorney.
Her story is not just shocking, it’s a glaring warning. Someone impersonated her, created a fake power of attorney in Colombia, and sold her property in Spain. And the Spanish legal system allowed it to happen. A notary in Sevilla approved the transaction without any verification call or in-person check. No one raised a red flag.
In 2025, how can this still be possible? How can someone lose a home without knowing it’s even being sold?
Sara’s trauma is profound. She is pregnant, frightened, and receiving threats from someone claiming to be the ‘new owner’.
She’s been hospitalised due to stress. And yet, she is the one fighting to prove her innocence, while the criminals remain untouched.
This isn’t just one woman’s misfortune - it’s a systemic failure. Spain’s property laws are riddled with loopholes that allow fraudsters to exploit bureaucratic blind spots.
Expats are especially vulnerable, often unaware of how easily such crimes can occur.
It’s time for reform. Power of attorney rules must be modernised, remote document authentication strengthened, and notaries held to stricter accountability.
A real-time alert system should notify owners of any changes to their property records. And cross-border document verification must become standard.
Spain cannot afford to let trust in its legal and property systems erode any further. If homeowners can’t rely on basic protections, what hope is there for anyone’s dream of a safe home?
PUBLISHER / EDITOR
Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es
Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es Walter Finch walter@theolivepress.es
Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es
Samantha Mythen samantha@theolivepress.es
Tom Ewart Smith tom@theolivepress.es
ADMIN Victoria Humenyuk Makarova (+34) 951 154 841 admin@theolivepress.es
AS Spain’s National Court gears up for one of the most high-profile money laundering trials in its recent history, the spotlight has turned to the sprawling financial empire allegedly built by Rifaat al-Assad.
The infamous uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - known as the ‘Butcher of Hama’ - and his extensive investments across Spain and Gibraltar are in the crosshairs of the public prosecutor.
The case is centered on the alleged laundering
How the ‘Butcher of Hama’ and his family allegedly laundered a fortune through Spain and Gibraltar
By Dilip Kuner
relatives and two close associates, all accused of being central players in a network of shell companies, shady deals, and offshore assets.
At the heart of the scandal is not just the astonishing amount of wealth involved, but also the political and ethical questions it raises for European governments - particularly in Gibraltar and Spain.
In particular, the court has been looking at how such a notorious figure was allowed to embed himself so deeply in the real estate and financial systems of both
Especially as Rifaat earned his gruesome nickname over the 1982 Hama massacre, where he led a military operation that killed an estimated 25,000 people.
Syria’s then Vice President, Rifaat fell from grace following a failed coup attempt against his brother, then-President Hafez
Exiled soon after, he began amassing property and influence abroad, particularly in France, Spain, and Gibraltar. European investigators now believe he was syphoning off billions from the Syrian treasury even as Syria descended into poverty and civil war.
French prosecutors in 2020 sentenced him in absentia to four years in prison for money laundering and embezzlement, and seized €90 million in assets. Now, Spanish authorities are following suit, even though the case has temporarily been sent back to Marbella court, over an administrative issue (see below).
The Marbella empire
The scale of Rifaat al-Assad’s real estate holdings in Spain is staggering. Prosecutors allege he purchased over 500 properties - including luxury hotels such as the Park Plaza Suites and Plaza Beach Banus in Marbella - and a vast estate in Benahavis.
Many of these acquisitions were made through shell companies registered in
SPEAKY ENGLISH?
IN a dazzling display of irony, the UK has announced that skilled workers and immigrants wanting to settle there must now speak English to B2 standard - a level so advanced it practically requires you to quote Hamlet before you are handed your residency permit.
Meanwhile, in Spain, tens of thousands of British and other northern European expats are still pointing at menus, mouthing words like mime artists, and calling every waiter ‘amigo’, despite living here for years.
“Fluent English?” scoffed a barman in Marbella. “Tell that to the man who’s been ordering a ‘pint-o beer-o’ since 2013!” Social media erupted with Span ish delight.
One post teased, “So, do all Brits in Benidorm have to take GCSE Spanish now?” Another suggested the ultimate punishment: “Ban fish and chips for anyone who cannot say pescado.” Which brings us neatly to the linguistic tragedy of Sid the guppy.
Brits Demand B2 English from immigrants – while still asking for a ‘pint-o beer-o’ in Spain
By Dilip Kuner
In English, fish is fish. Alive, dead, battered, grilled. It swims and it fries under the same name.
But in Spanish, there’s ‘pez’ (the swimming kind) and ‘pescado’ (the vinegar-soaked dinner kind).
If it moves, it’s a pez. If you shake salt on it, it’s a pescado. Simple? Not for Karen. Ah, Karen. She has lived in Andalucia for 25
years and still greets neighbours with the linguistic finesse of someone shouting into Google Translate. When a kindly local woman knocked on her door with a homemade cake, decorated with ‘Bienvenidos a Espana’ (welcome to Spain), Karen was polite ly baffled. The woman kept say ing, “Yo, Milagros. Mila gros, yo!” Karen smiled and nodded, then later told a friend: “Very kind of her, but I do not know who this ‘Jo’ is.”
This, friends, is what happens when we study a language system that teaches us to conjugate ‘avoir’ at 13, then forgets to mention that real people might one day talk back.
Blame the education system if you must. But maybe it’s deeper - an imperial ‘resaca’ (that is hangover, not a tapas dish).
Brits abroad often operate under the noble assumption that if they just shout English slowly
Gibraltar, often with the help of disgraced accountancy firm Marrache & Co.
The financial structure behind these purchases was labyrinthine. At its centre was High Mountain Estates Ltd, a company registered in the Bahamas but owned by the Alhambra Trust, controlled by Rifaat.
and loudly enough, people will understand.
Take a stroll around any Spanish market town, and you will hear it in action - a baffled cashier asked: “DO... YOU... HAVE... MILK?”, as if volume alone might bridge centuries of linguistic and cultural difference. Case in point: in Spain, if your bar bill is €19 and you say ‘bote’ as you hand over 20, the place erupts in smiles and bell-ringing. In Britain, that same bell is a passive-aggressive death knell telling you to finish your pint and leave.
Cultural nuance? Linguistic sensitivity? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves - there are still entire expat communities in Spain who think gracias’ is pronounced ‘grassy-arse’. And yet, while Britain tightens its rules and
BUTCHER: A bread queue in Halfaya was the scene of disaster when it was bombed on Assad’s orders
High Mountain owned 99% of 29 separate Gibraltar companies, with the re maining 1% held by Groove Limited, itself owned largely by Hiba Development SA. This complex ownership structure, facil itated by the Marrache brothers, Isaac and Benjamin - who were later jailed for fraud - was designed to obscure the Assad family’s involvement.
Through these offshore channels, millions of euros flowed into Spain to purchase property and business interests, effectively laundering Syrian national wealth, as well as alleged profits from drug smuggling, extortion, and the trafficking of archaeological treasures.
But in 2017 his Marbella property empire came crashing down when Magistrate Jose de la Mata ordered the confiscation of 503 properties including holiday homes, car parks, luxury apartments and rural estates worth €700 million. Authorities also seized an estate with a market value of €60 million in Puerto Banus, and froze dozens of bank accounts.
Trial and evasion
While the trial in Spain targets eight individuals, including Rifaat’s sons and other family members, the patriarch himself is notably absent. His lawyers claim the now 87-year-old is hospitalised in Dubai, too ill to attend court.
demands near-poetic English from many new arrivals, there are pensioners in Alicante who believe ‘hola’ is something you say when answering the phone. Still, the double standards are rarely noticed by those enjoying roast dinners in 30-degree heat, surrounded by satellite dishes beaming in Coronation Street. They are, after all, ‘living the dream’ - just not the local one.
So while the UK gears up to enforce B2-level English from newcomers, Spaniards are laughing into their ‘jarras de cerveza’ at the irony. And somewhere in Benidorm, a British bar is already preparing its summer menu… in Comic Sans. In English. Naturally. ¡Viva la diferencia! Or should we say, long live the... difference-o?
SEIZED: A property in Puerto Banus under guard, while (right) former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has taken refuge in Russia
Despite this, prosecu tors are pressing for a sentence of eight years and a fine of €2.7 million against Rifaat, along with six years and €2.2 million fines for each of his relatives.
The defense has challenged the trial’s jurisdiction, demanding the case be moved to Malaga’s provincial court. Proceedings were suspended earlier this month, sent back to Marbella court to pend a judicial review. An Olive Press source revealed: “I understand this might take a year.”
The Gibraltar connection
A key part of the investigation is focused on Gibraltar, where Rifaat’s business dealings flourished for decades. One of the most controversial aspects involves his sale of a prestigious property at 6-9 Europort, an office complex in the heart of Gibraltar’s financial district.
In 2018, Rifaat sold his stake in the building for £17.5 million - a figure critics argue was well below market value.
What raised eyebrows wasn’t just the price, but the identity of the buyers: a company linked to the Isola family, including Gibraltar’s Financial Services Minister, Albert Isola.
The deal was facilitated by Fiduciary, a firm partly owned by the Isolas, who also managed Rifaat’s sale.
This led to allegations of conflicts of interest and prompted opposition parties in Gibraltar to demand full transparency.
Isola has always denied any wrongdoing.
Independent MP Marlene Hassan Nahon
Our pledge, our appeal AND help us to win more media awards!
AS we approach our 20th year in Spain we would like to explain a few things.
The Olive Press is an award-winning newspaper covering the entire Iberian Peninsula with a team of NCTJ-trained journalists.
Set up to campaign and represent expats based here, it has now become the country’s Number One website for anyone interested in Spain.
Covering everything first hand on the ground from the recent power blackout to the Valencia floods and from the Catalunya independence riots to the Europa League final between Manchester United and Spurs this week.
accused the government of ‘burying the case under layers of legal jargon’, and called for a public explanation.
The opposition GSD party also called on the Attorney General to investigate whether any proceeds from the sale were frozen or distributed to Assad’s family.
Despite public pressure, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo defended the legality of the sale, stating that Gibraltar courts had approved it and they were cooperating fully with French investigators.
A matter of conscience
The Rifaat al-Assad case is not just about financial crimes - it’s about moral accountability. How could a man accused of mass murder and corruption build a property empire in democratic Europe?
Why were alarm bells not raised sooner, especially when Interpol warrants and international sanctions were in play?
Furthermore, the controversy has implications for Gibraltar and Spain’s financial credibility. With increasing global scrutiny on tax havens and offshore financial centers, the Assad case serves as a cautionary tale.
As Anonymous, hackers targeted Gibraltar’s government website shortly after the Europort sale was publicised, the symbolism wasn’t lost - this is a story about transparency, ethics, and the thin line between legality and complicity.
Looking ahead
Spanish prosecutors are expected to push ahead with asset seizures and verdicts later in 2025.
Whether Rifaat al-Assad will ever face justice in person remains unclear, but his family’s alleged financial web is rapidly unraveling.
In the end, the case is about more than one man. It is a story of how wealth stolen from a devastated nation found a safe haven in Europe’s sunny enclaves, shielded by legal structures, financial institutions, and at times, political silence. The outcome of the trial will not only affect the Assad family but could set a precedent for how Europe handles dirty money, offshore finance, and the lega
cy of authoritarian regimes hiding their loot in plain sight.
Investigating everything from crime to corruption and politics to paedophile networks, we have a long track record of success.
Apart from locating three of the UK’s Most Wanted criminals, we have helped to expose dozens of frauds and scams.
This year alone, we’ve covered the collapse of Iberian Funeral Plans and followed the long-running Continental Wealth Management case, which finally saw its boss sent to prison. We were at the recent anti-tourist protests and haven’t let up on stories that matter.
Our hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. This year, Olive Press journalist Yzabelle Bostyn (above) was named Trainee Journalist of the Year in a fiercely competitive British media award, beating candidates from The Times and Express & Star. She joined us two years ago and, through mentoring from News Editor Dilip Kuner (ex-Sunday Mirror), Digital Editor Walter Finch (ex-Daily Mail) and Editor Jon Clarke (ex-Mail on Sunday), blossomed into a sharp, passionate investigative journalist.
We’re especially proud of her continued work on our long-running campaign against the dangerous drug Nolotil. Since we first reported on it in 2016, we’ve published over 60 stories, and thanks to Yzzy’s dedication, regulation is finally tightening - and expats are learning to steer clear.
Over the past two decades, we’ve trained many other exceptional journalists. Russian-born Anatoly Kumanaev recently had a New York Times front page; others have gone on to ITN and to win awards in documentary filmmaking, like Laura Balfour.
As we expand into Madrid and Barcelona, we’re committed to training even more. But here’s the thing - we need your help.
The Olive Press is a not-for-profit company. All profits are reinvested into journalism and investigations. Despite our huge growth - over 1,000% online since 2023, with seven million annual visitors - Google and Meta swallow most of the ad revenue. The pennies we earn from banners and videos barely cover basics.
So we’re asking for something small - less than one euro a week.
Your support helps train new journalists, keeps our stories flowing, and ensures we can keep investigating, informing, and campaigning - without drowning in pop-ups or selling out to clickbait.
It’s really so simple.
Scan the QR code, for an annual special deal, and join the growing independent media group that offers so much more than anyone else in the Iberian Peninsula in English. No OP, No comment
Chemical blaze
A MASSIVE explosion at a chemical warehouse in Alcala de Guadaíra, near Sevilla, has raised serious environmental concerns after sending toxic black smoke into the sky.
The plume was visible from over 80km away and captured by satellite.
The blast at Plainsur, a chemical distribution facility, ignited a fire that burned for hours, releasing potentially hazardous fumes.
Authorities warned 25,000 residents to stay indoors, shut windows, and wear masks.
Two people were injured, and over 100 emergency personnel were deployed.
The fire, reportedly sparked by a flammable solvent, prompted evacuation of nearby businesses in the industrial estate.
Environmental groups are urging a thorough investigation into chemical storage practices and long-term air quality impacts in the affected area.
Don’t panic! GREEN
A MASSIVE seven-metre basking shark has been seen cruising just a few hundred metres from the Marbella coast. Its huge dorsal fin sliced through the water, but despite its size, this gentle giant has no teeth and feeds only on plankton. It’s the first sighting of a harmless basking shark this close to the Marbella shore in over 30 years.
The species is the planet’s second largest fish after whale sharks, growing up to 12.5 metres in length and weighing over four tonnes. Though they prefer colder waters, these migratory sharks are increasingly spotted in the warmer Mediterranean during spring and summer, chasing plankton blooms.
TAKE AN UBER!
A PROTEST has been organised in Mijas over renewed concerns about the welfare of its famous donkey taxis, despite steps by the Town Hall to improve conditions.
Expat Michael Wisniewski says his partner was left in tears after seeing ‘emaciated and ill’ donkeys during a
Protest over donkey taxis in Mijas amid fresh cruelty claims
By Samantha Mythen
recent visit. “Some looked okay, but others were strapped to metal carriages,
Famine to feast
MARBELLA’S La Concepcion reservoir is full to the brim for the first time in 15 years. After months of drought, it’s now bursting with 57.62 cubic hectometres of water - just over its 57.54 limit.
Heavy rain in March pushed levels to 80%, triggering controlled releases to avoid flooding. But this time, despite being completely full, no water is being let out yet, as summer’s high demand looms.
Safety measures are in place to avoid flooding, and the dam is under constant watch. The smallest reservoir in the area, it fills and empties quicker than the rest.
looking sick and skeletal,” said the ex-soldier. “It was truly heart-wrenching.”
On the right path
WORK will soon begin on a new coastal footpath connecting La Cala de Mijas and Fuengirola, costing €4.1 million. After three years of paperwork, construction is set to start mid-summer and will last six months. The three-metrewide wooden path will link key points and protect beaches.
He questioned whether the authorities are turning a blind eye to cruelty for tourism. “Any real human being would stop this.” Mijas’ donkey taxis have faced criticism since 2018. In 2020, riders over 80kg were banned. More recently, rules prohibit rides during high heat alerts, and shaded areas and longer ropes have been introduced. Plans are also underway for Parque Platero, a donkey-friendly space with larger stables and an educational museum. Local group Donkey Dreamland has offered technical advice. But activists say more must be done. Anne Blitz, from El Burrito Libre, said the service should be phased out as licences expire. Tracy Duggan, from AIM Sanctuary, accused the town hall of being ‘reactive’ rather than proactive. PACMA will lead a protest on May 25 at 11am in Mijas Pueblo. “Next time you visit, pray Spanish authorities end this barbaric treatment of such defenceless animals,” added Wisniewski.
17 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
Scan to find out more
TIDAL WAVE
642 sun-kissed spots bag blue flag – but big names in Benalmadena, Benidorm and Mallorca are booted off!
SUN, sea and squeaky-clean shores - Spain has stormed ahead in the global beach beauty contest with a tidal wave of Blue Flags. A whopping 642 beaches
By Yzabelle Bostyn
have clinched the prestigious Blue Flag award – marking the country as a true titan of
tan lines and turquoise waters.
Boasting 15% of all Blue Flag beaches on the planet, the country has once again proven it’s the ultimate destination for sunshine seekers.
The elite Blue Flag status, handed out by the Foundation for Environmental Education, isn’t just about golden sands - it recognises top-tier water quality, safety, accessibility and eco creds.
This year sees 16 newcomers diving into the Blue Flag club for the first time, with another 23 old favourites reclaiming their place in the sun. Among the fresh faces are Puerto de Sotogrande in Cadiz, Los Monteros in Malaga, El Bol in Alicante, and Calblanque in Murcia – just a handful of the stunners now flaunting their flags.
CHANGING WEATHER
EXPERTS say unusual jet stream behavior is behind Spain’s heavy rain as well as the UK’s dry spring. Normally bringing storms to northern Europe, the jet stream has shifted, creating high pressure over the UK and pushing rain south to Spain. France has seen its driest February–April since 1959 and its fifth hottest April.
Leading the sandy charge is the Valencian Community, flying high with 143 Blue Flags, followed closely by Andalucia (138), Galicia (108) and Catalunya (101). Even the island getaways are shiningwith 47 in the Canaries and 32 in the Balearics.
But it’s not all sunshine and sangria - 38 beaches were stripped of their blue status this year. Victims of pollu-
tion, overcrowding and poor safety
The UK is experiencing its driest spring in 69 years, with farmers already irrigating fields. Though not at drought levels yet, experts warn that future heat waves could escalate risks. While climate change links remain unconfirmed, scientists say changing patterns suggest a shift toward a warmer, more erratic climate.
included Cala Major in Mallorca, Mal Pas in Benidorm, and Santa Ana in Benalmadena - a major blow for some of Spain’s best-known beach resorts.
Top of the Blue Flag leaderboard is the Galician hotspot of Sanxenxo, with 17 beaches making the cut. Not far behind are Vigo (12), Orihuela in Alicante (10), and Cartagena and Marbella with eight apiece.
BLUE FLAG: La Jaquita beach in Tenerife picked up the award
CEREMONY: The winners were announced at an event in Javea
SILVER LINING
INSIDE: The fabulously ornate architecture that took its inspiration from tableware
GREEN DESIGN
THESE pictures show off some of the eye-catching eco-projects in
Dubbed Internalities: Architectures for Territorial Equilibrium, the Spanish Pavilion is all about saving the planet - brick by brick. Curated by architects Roi Salgueiro and Manuel Bouzas, the show takes aim at construction’s dirty secrets - pollution, waste, and vanishing local skills - and flips the script. Instead of hauling in materials from across the globe, the exhibition champions homegrown, low-impact solutions. Sixteen standout projects from all over Spain take centre stage, each built using smart, sustainable techniques - think wood from Cantabria, earth walls from Catalunya, and emissions-cutting hacks from the Balearics. Five themed zones - Materials, Energy, Labour, Waste, and Emissions - drive the message home.
GREEN REBUILD: Local materials were used to bring this ruined barn back from the dead in a sustainable way
HOMEBUYERS in Spain are being completely ripped off when it comes to property taxes.
Purchasers pay a shocking third of a property’s purchase on extra costsby far the highest in Europe.
According to a report by the Institute of Economic Studies (IEE), they pay an effective tax rate of 30.3% when purchasing a home.
This is almost five times the European average of 6.5% and second only to Canada across the OECD western world nations.
Up to a quarter of the home’s final price is attributed to taxes alone, while further costs go in conveyancing and agent’s fees.
Tax bombshell
By Tom Ewart Smith
IEE President Iñigo Fernandez de Mesa called the situation ‘surprising’, noting that housing - a basic necessity - is ‘so severely penalised’.
The think tank warns the heavy tax load is widening the gap between supply and demand and making it increasingly difficult for Spaniards to
access affordable housing. But it is unlikely the government will want to change things with Spain’s housing-related taxes generating around €52.2 billion annually, or 3.5% of the country’s GDP.
Property Tax (IBI) makes up nearly 30% of the total, followed by VAT and income tax. The Property Transfer Tax (ITP) stands at 11%, among the highest in Europe, while capital gains tax on
sales can reach 30% - almost double the EU average.
Regional disparities are stark, however, with the Balearic Islands levy up to 13% ITP on new builds, compared to 6% in Madrid.
The IEE lauds Madrid’s approach as a model of fiscal competitiveness.
The think tank also warns Spain needs 2.2 million new homes by 2040, requiring €380 billion in investment - far beyond the public sector’s reach.
It is urging sweeping tax reforms, including cuts to transaction and property taxes, incentives for landlords, and a reduced VAT rate on renovations to ease the housing squeeze.
Spain’s pavilion at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale.
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
Mark Stucklin www.spanishpropertyinsight.com
THE number of home sales involving foreign buyers in Spain hit a record high in the first quarter of 2025, defying expectations of a post-boom soft landing. Instead of reverting to pre-2020 norms, foreign demand appears to have shifted structurally to a higher level.
According to data just published by the Land Registrars, there were 21,525 sales involving foreign buyers inscribed in the Land Registry between January and March this year— the highest Q1 figure on record. That’s more than in the same period of the boom years of 2022 and 2023,
NEW BOOM
Foreign demand for property in Spain hits new high in early 2025
when pent-up demand from Covid lockdowns fuelled a surge in purchases. By contrast, this year’s numbers reflect solid, organic demand with no clear boost from prior distortions. Foreign demand has not only rebounded—it has stepped up to a new level. Before the pandemic, the average foreign market share (FMS) stood at 12.6%, whereas since 2021 the average has been closer to 14%.
In Q1 2025, the FMS was 14.1%, close to the record high of 14.5%
seen in recent years. Rather than softening as I expected, the market has bounced back from a dip in Q1 2024, with both foreign and domestic demand registering annual increases. Foreign demand rose by 19% year-on-year, while local demand grew by 20%—though foreign sales are significantly higher relative to the decade average (+50% vs. +40%).
British still on top, Americans growing fast
STAGGERING: The foreign buyer growth spurt since 2021 continues this year
By nationality, the British remained the largest group of foreign buyers with 2,110 purchases, followed by the Germans (1,626), Dutch (1,549), and the French (1,314).
The French, once a fixture in the top three, have now slipped to fourth place, perhaps due to problems back home.
In year-on-year terms, US demand saw the strongest growth of any nationality, surging 57% to 520 purchases—well ahead of the Dutch, who rose by 36%.
GROWTH: Year-on-year growth shows Americans on top, while in actual numbers (top) the Brits are still ahead
All the major European markets grew in Q1, with the sole exception of Russia, which fell by 6%. Even the British market, which had declined in seven of the last nine quarters, managed to grow by 7%.
What’s driving the lasting boom?
Buyers from a wide range of countries appear to be responding to a mix of global uncer tainty and Spain’s perennial attractions: safety, sunshine, high quality of life, and good value for money in real estate.
But the standout growth from the US could be linked to political jitters, with a spike in interest from Americans possibly tied to the election of Donald Trump. A strong dollar in 2024 may have helped fuel purchases too, although the currency has since weakened, raising questions about whether US demand will sustain its momentum.
As things stand, however, the outlook for foreign demand remains strong across the board. When the world gets messy, Spain’s property market seems to shine.
A BRITISH entrepreneur has been revealed as the owner behind Spain’s most expensive home.
Joe Ricotta is selling a spectacular Marbella mansion, Villa Bellagio, priced at an eye-watering €70 million.
The British businessman is best known for founding one of the UK’s leading refrigerated logistics companies.
A friend to celebrities including Rob-
Bella villa with a scary €70m price tag
ert de Niro, Michael McIntyre and Tyson Fury, he sold the business for a reported €52.5 million in 2015. Since exiting the logistics world, he has turned his attention to luxury property development in Spain, Italy and the UK - with this Marbella jewel his most extraordinary venture yet. Villa Bellagio spans an extraordinary 5,600 square metres in size built on a vast 14,000 square metre plot - the largest in the Sierra Blanca.
Rental nightmare
SPAIN’S housing crisis is worsening, with new data showing renters now spend nearly 47% of their gross income on housing - the highest in five years.
A study by InfoJobs and Fotocasa reveals rent hikes are far outpacing wage growth, straining affordability nationwide.
While average salaries rose 3.1% in 2024 to €27,060 annually, rents surged 14%. The average price is now €13.29 per square metre, meaning tenants in an 80m² flat pay about €1,060 monthly.
Fotocasa’s Research Director Maria Matos warned that spending close to 50% of income on rent far exceeds the 30% affordability benchmark, increasing housing insecurity.
In Madrid, renters spend 71% of income on rent. With average wages at €2,340 and rent at €20.62/m², a typical flat costs
€1,650, while in Barcelona, renters use 64% of income.
Fifteen of 17 regions saw double-digit increases in income share spent on rent. The Basque Country (56%), Canary Islands (55%), and Valencia (47%) are among the hardest hit.
InfoJobs’ Monica Perez noted: “It’s not just young people. Inflation and rent hikes are eroding household budgets.”
of the Mediterranean, plus a 22-metre infinity pool melt-
ing into the horizon. It counts on 13 luxurious bedrooms, including eight 50 m2 suites on the upper floors, all dripping in opulence and space.
However, it is the lower level that truly sets Villa Bellagio apart.
sauna, massage rooms, and even a professional hair and beauty salon.
offers a
Designed by renowned architect Jesus del Valle it has incredible panoramic views
Described as resembling a private wellness resort, it features a fully equipped spa, heated indoor swimming pool, Turkish hammam, Finnish
Fitness enthusiasts will find a stateof-the-art gym, while entertainment seekers can enjoy a double bowling alley, billiards lounge, stylish bar, and a private cinema that seats 22. For automotive fanatics, Villa Bellagio
FOREIGN INVASION
FOREIGNERS make up 23% of Malaga province - with Brits high in the rankings. Some 414,316 out of 1.7 million
residents are born abroad, according to official Spanish statistics. It makes Malaga the province with the fifth highest number of for-
Benahavis: Wealthiest and most foreign town in Andalucia
IT has long been known as the wealthiest town in Andalucia.
Now it has been confirmed that Benahavis is also the municipality with the highest proportion of foreign residents in Malaga province.
New stats from Spain's National Statistics Institute reveal that more than 60% of Benahavis’ 9,256 residents were born outside Spain, mostly from other EU countries.
They account for 5,919 of its 9,265 inhabitants with Brits the largest number.
They make up 1,388 of the population, followed by Russians (556).
And most of them are comfortably well off when it comes to income - the average resident earns more than €40,000 a year.
A DERELICT school has been transformed into eco-friendly housing for residents over 65, setting a new benchmark in sustainable design.
H Arquitectes led the project, reusing local mares stone from the demolished building to create structural blocks - cutting waste and carbon emissions. The 25 compact flats feature cross-ventilation, thermal massing, and private outdoor space. Communal areas include a rooftop garden, laundry, and lounges.
Census reveals over 20%of people livinginMalagaare foreignwithBrits leadingtheway
By Yzabelle Bostyn
eign residents, following Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante and Valencia. However, the proportion of inhabitants born outside of the country is larger in other areas such as Almeria and Tenerife (24%), as well as Girona, the Balearic Islands and Alicante (26 to 27%).
A third of the province’s towns (35) have more than 20% foreign residents.
And Benahavis tops the list with the highest percentage of residents (64%) being foreign It is followed by Fuengirola, with 44.6% foreign residents, mostly made up of Finns and Brits.
Competa meanwhile sees 44% of its residents born abroad while in the village of Sayalonga, 700 of its 1,624 residents are foreigners.
In Manilva and Torrox, the proportion of foreign residents is 40%, with most coming from Britain, Germany and Morocco. Meanwhile in Marbella, around 60,800 of the city’s 159,054 population were born abroad, accounting for 37%.
The biggest community hails from Morocco, followed by Colombia, Argentina, Britain,
Stones from the early 20th-century school were broken down and cast in concrete, forming a strong new material. MAC Insular, a private recycling firm, processed over 1,000 tonnes of demolition waste, reusing 95%.
Despite some use of cement, the project is seen as a success in ‘urban mining’, showing that quality, lowcost housing can be both functional and sustainable.
Ukraine and Russia.
In Mijas, over a third of the town’s 92,211 local residents are foreign (34,700), with mostly Brits (7,193), Moroccans (3,617) and Argentinians (3,208).
Some 34% of Nerja was born outside of Spain, with Brits leading the way followed by Argentinians. Similarly, Brits are the biggest foreign population in Alhaurin el Grande (2,279) and Coin (1,700).
On the lower end of the scale, just 15% of the population of Velez-Malaga and Malaga capital are from overseas, with most hailing from Latin America.
A NEW app is giving renters the power to share honest reviews and uncover the hidden truths about potential homes.
Launched last year by the Barcelona Institute for Urban Research, Reviu lets tenants post experiences and read reviews of properties, neighbourhoods, and landlords.
Co-founder Jaime Palomera says the app could soon act like Booking.com - offering listings, reviews, and bookings.
“We want to bring transparency to an opaque rental market and reward fair practices,” he said. The platform, already live in Barcelona, will expand across Catalunya in the coming weeks, with national rollout to follow.
Users can now search by neighbourhood or agency - an upgrade from the previous address-only system.
Reactions have been largely positive, despite some estate agent concerns.
showroom garage capable of displaying 12 vehicles - with an underground facility providing parking for an additional 30 cars. Ricotta, who owns website marbella. co.uk, is often pictured mingling with pals including Boris Johnson, Arnold Schwartzenegger and John Travolta.
THAT’S RICH: The villa is on sale for €70 million and is owned by Joe Ricotta (left, with Robert De Niro)
Discover your dream home
Trusted experts offering bespoke property services across southern Spain
ANDALUCIAN
Property Sales
is a legally registered Spanish business run by Diane Heston and her team of bilingual professionals.
With over 20 years of experience in the stunning province of Jaen, the team specialises in property sales throughout Andalucia, offering clients a personalised and pressure-free experience when buying a Spanish property.
They provide expert help, support, and guidance throughout your property search, purchase process, and with dedicated after-sales service.
Andalucian Property Sales features a diverse portfolio of properties, ranging from charming village houses to expansive country fincas and cortijos. While based in Jaen, they also list properties in the provinces of Granada, Cordoba, Malaga, and Almeria. They cover popular towns and villages such as Alcala la Real, Alcaudete, Castillo de Locubin, Martos, Iznajar, Nerja, and Arboleas, among others.
For all your inland Andalucian property needs, contact Diane and her team today.
Visit www.andalucianpropertysales.com or call +34 669 249 539 to begin your journey to discovering the real Andalucia.
ANDALUCIAN PROPERTY SALES
A MONUMENTAL
Barcelona unveils ambitious plans for three landmark halls to mark the centenary of the 1929 International Exposition
Offering you help, support and advice during your search, through the buying process and personal after sales services.
Search www.andalucianpropertysales.com or call +34 669 249 539 to start your discovery of the real Andalucia
We have a wide range of properties to interest our clients, from small village houses to large country fincas or cortijos.
BARCELONA’S Montjuïc is gearing up for a major transformation, and plans for three significant new structures have been unveiled.
This initiative is part of the centenary commemoration of the 1929 International Exposition that took place on the hill.
These proposals offer an initial look at a comprehensive renovation project aimed at revitalizing the well-known Montjuïc hill area.
The plans address the renovation from three distinct perspectives.
Firstly, there’s the construction of a ‘Multifunctional Palace’ along with the refurbishment of the existing ‘ Communications Palace’.
Secondly, the proposal includes the development of a new Barcelona Conference Centre within the current Alfonso
Offering you help, support and advice during your search, through the buying process and personal after sales services.
We have a wide range of properties to interest our clients, from small village houses to large country fincas or cortijos.
XIII Palace. And thirdly, there are plans to remodel the ‘dress palace’ with the future intention of establishing it as an innovation hub for trade fair activities.
The Barcelona Council’s Commission for the Centenary has released images of the winning architectural designs. A key
RENDER: A massive new ‘multifunctional palace’ is planned for the site consideration in these plans is sustainability, aiming to transform Montjuïc by blending modern design with the historical surroundings.
The construction of these three halls will mark the first phase of this significant renovation of a city landmark. The city council has stated that the ultimate goal is to create a cutting-edge urban space for exhibitions and events suitable for the 21st century.
The selection of the winning designs was made
Continues on next page
From previous page
FANTASTIC NEW DESIGNS REVEALED
by a panel of five experts, chaired by the architect Josep Lluis Mateo. Important criteria for selection included the optimisation of the exhibition facilities to make them more adaptable and versatile, with a strong focus on efficiency and sustainability. In terms of energy, the new buildings are designed to be entirely self-sufficient through reduced consumption via high-efficiency installations and the use of energy-producing aerothermal and geothermal systems.
Construction for this initial phase is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with an expected completion date in 2029.
This timeline coincides with the centenary celebrations of the 1929 International Expo. The total estimated cost for this first phase of the project is €255 million. Furthermore, a new architectural competition will
be launched for the second phase, which involves the remodelling of the Palacio de las Comunicaciones. Trade fair activities will continue throughout the renovation process.
PLANNED: A conference centre is slated to be built within the current Alfonso XIII Palace.
Regarding the specific projects, the first contract was awarded to the team behind the Multifunctional Palace and the renovation of the Communications Palace, designed by architects Smiljan Radic, Miquel Marine nuñez, Beatriz Borque, and Cesar Rueada Bonet.
The second winning proposal, which includes the Barcelona Conference Centre, was developed by Forgas Architectes, Archambac, and Alvaro Alejandro Fernandez. Their design features a garden courtyard, an exhibition hall, and an auditorium with a capacity of 2,025 people. The third winning design proposed a three-story Z-shaped building, a plan created by Bjarke Ingels Group and MIAS Arquitectura. This building will be surrounded by green spaces, with its entrance incorporating the existing columns of the Plaza España.
FAMILY VILLA, NUEVA ANDALUCIA
Great fully refurbished family villa in the Golf Valley
As you enter the living, dining and open plan kitchen you are greeted with an abundance of light and space. From here you have direct access to the beautifully manicured gardens, gazebo, heated pool and open terraces with shaded large sails for extra comfort. The house is well thought out creating private space on the master level and then you have 2 wings ideal for guest. There are 5 bedrooms and 4 bathroms, 3 of which are onsuite. On the living room level you have a laundry area and a guest toilet near by. The house was completely refurbished 6 years ago using natural colors to create a homely feeling. The house is complete with underfloor heating throughout, airzone ac systems both powered by an aerothermic system. This house is also ideal as a rental property due to its 5 bedrooms and distribution.
ALOHA GARDENS, NUEVA ANDALUCIA
Newly fully refurbished duplex penthouse.
4 Beds | 3 Baths | 227m2 Built | 60m2 terrace
REF: 176-02831P | 1.295.000€
As you enter you are greeted by the light and the soft colour scheme creating a feeling warmth and luxury. The open plan kitchen, living and dining room opens up to double doors onto the lower terrace which is perfect for that morning coffee. On this floor you also have the 4th bedroom and the combined bathroom and guest toilet. On the 2nd floor you have the large mastersuite with plenty of wardrobe space, large bathroom and a beautiful bay window looking towards Marbella and the sea.
We present this special & classic property in the well known development of Los Jarales. Nestled in the heart of Aloha with views towards the Aloha golf course and across the valley. The spacious entrance takes you to the property through the large patio where you can enjoy the morning sun and its a perfect place for the warm summer evenings.
Iglesia de San Esteban, Salamanca
Salamanca’s Iglesia de San Esteban presents a towering facade, a grand and religiously significant example of Plateresque architecture. Carved from sandstone, its intricate details cover the surface, creating a visually impressive display. Ornamentation blends religious iconography with characteristic floral and figurative motifs. This monumental church facade stands as a testament to the artistic and spiritual fer vor of the Spanish Renaissance.
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
SILVER LINING
SILVERWORK is delicate and it’s all about detail, so when an exclusively Spanish style of architecture flourished in the time of Cervantes and Philip II, it earned the nickname ‘silver smithery’.
It’s now known today as the ‘Plateresque’ style.
Plateresque was an artistic movement, especially architectural, developed in Spain, between the late Gothic and early Renaissance periods in the late 15th century.
It carried on spreading for the next two hundred years, bringing joyful details to hundreds of grand buildings around the Iberian peninsula.
In architectural terms, Plateresque takes on from the Gothic style and is a heady blend of Mudejar and Flamboyant architecture with a touch of the Tuscan Renaissance movement.
Adorning some of Spain’s most celebrated buildings, it reached its apex during the reign of Charles V, with its epicentre in Salamanca.
However, it also flourished in many other Spanish cities and towns including Casares, Burgos, and Santiago de Compostela.
ou can spot a Plateresque building from the ornate floral designs on its facades, as well as internal items such as its chandeliers, roofs and altars.
Above all, it was an artistic movement that responded to the demands of the It was a time of great optimism and wealth, coming as the Reconquest
The ornate Plateresque style flourished during Spain’s Golden Age, leaving a legacy of intricate
By Michael Coy
facades
against the Moors was completed - in Granada in 1492 - and the colonisation of the Caribbean and the Americas was beginning, led by Christopher Columbus.
The Spanish were rapidly acquiring wealth and power - as the gold and silver began to flow from the New World - and this was reflected in the money spent on a series of new grand buildings.
The decoration, at its best on the facades, featured motifs of plants, as well as shields, medallions and even animals and insects.
You could often tell the owner of the building from the types of decoration, be they military shields for soldiers or laurels for lawyers.
And when we think of the word ‘ideals’, we need to pause and think.
The owners and builders of these structures wanted to ‘send a message’.
In an age when passers-by in the street were illiterate and clueless about aesthetics, the way to impose a sense of power and authority over them could be conveyed in the building’s look.
Casa de las Conchas, Salamanca
Salamanca’s Casa de las Conchas presents a unique facade, instantly recognisable for its distinctive shell-covered exterior. This curious and eye -catching design creates a textured surface, studded with hundreds of sandstone shells. Delicate ironwork details around the windows further enhance its ornamental character. Blending Gothic and Renaissance influences within the Plateresque style, this urban palace offers a fascinating and memorable example of Spanish architectural individuality.
Forget the concept of form following function, the wealthy aristocrats and conquistadores of Spain’s golden age were stamping down their power. It didn’t matter the extraordinary cost of creating wonderful ornate stone forms on their buildings. They had the money and they wanted to spend it. Here, the Olive Press picks its favourite Top 10 Platareque masterpieces
Salamanca’s Palacio de Monterrey is a prime example of the Plateresque style. Its facade boasts intricate, shallow relief carvings resembling silverwork. Delicate ornamentation frames windows and door ways, featuring floral motifs, mythological figures, and heraldic symbols, creating a rich and ornate surface.
Salamanca’s university features a majestic sandstone facade, a testament to the Plateresque style. Intricate carvings depict a wealth of detail, blending Gothic and Renaissance motifs harmoniously. Figurative sculptures and heraldic symbols adorn the surface, conveying academic prestige and historical significance. Delicate ornamentation, like sculpted silver, makes this facade a captivating example of Spanish architectural artistry.
Convent of San Marcos, Leon
The Convent of San Marcos boasts a grandiose facade, an expansive and elaborate display of Plateresque ar tistry. Its symmetrical design features intricate sculpted details flowing across the sandstone surface. This
monumental structure exudes a regal and dignified presence, reflecting the power and wealth of the era. Refined ornamentation and impressive scale make it a significant cultural and artistic landmark in Spain.
Ayuntamiento of Sevilla
Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso, Alcala de Henares
Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso showcases the grandeur of Plateresque design with its imposing facade. A layered structure, incorporating brickwork and arched elements, exudes classical elegance and historical importance. Intricate detailing frames windows and door ways, while heraldic symbols and sculpted ornamentation add to its dignified appearance. This monumental facade reflects the prestige of this significant university and refined artistic sensibilities.
Hospital Real, Santiago de Compostela
Santiago’s Hospital Real - today the parador hotel - features an imposing and symmetrical facade, exemplifying the grand scale often associated with Plateresque architecture. Detailed ornamentation and sculpted elements reflect Renaissance ideals embraced by the style. This historical building, once a royal hospital, now a parador, stands as a majestic and dignified landmark, showcasing intricate craftsmanship and artistic sophistication.
Puerta de la Pellejería, Burgos Cathedral
Burgos Cathedral’s Puerta de la Pellejería represents a transitional style, blending Gothic elements with the emerging Renaissance Plateresque. Detailed sculptures and an arched structure showcase the evolving artistic tastes of the period. Intricate ornamental work frames the doorway, adding delicate refinement to the cathedral’s imposing presence. This historical gateway serves as a testament to Burgos’ rich architectural heritage and the influence of Plateresque design.
Sevilla’s town hall boasts a grand facade, a civic example of the Plateresque style, conveying historical authority and governmental importance. Its ornate detailing and sculpted elements are characteristic of the period, reflecting the city’s wealth and power. Intricate ornamentation frames the building’s entrances and windows, creating an impressive and striking visual statement within Sevilla’s urban landscape.
Casa del Dean Ortega, Guadalajara
Guadalajara’s Casa del Dean Ortega highlights the delicate and precise nature of Plateresque ornamentation on a more intimate scale. Intricate car vings around doorways and windows showcase the refined craftsmanship of the era. Even on a smaller urban dwelling, characteristic floral motifs and sculpted details are evident, reflecting the pervasive influence of the Plateresque style.
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
AN AVALANCHE OF CONCRETE
SPECIAL DISPATCH: How a disgraceful 411room eyesore is finally set to be demolished to return a virgin beach back to its natural status, writes Jon Clarke and Michael Coy
AFTER decades of turning the coastline of southern Spain into a collar of concrete, it seems the environment might finally be fighting back.
In a dry, dusty corner of Almeria, in a hauntingly beautiful natural park, moves are underway to undertake what will be one of Spain’s biggest-ever demolition projects.
The enormous task - set to create 400 jobs and cost tens of millions - will see a 411-room hotel built over 21 floors and just 14 metres from a beach hopefully erased from history.
By Jon Clarke & Michael Coy
ly rode a camel in Hollywood hit, Lawrence of Arabia, this being Spaghetti Western territory, after all.
On top of that the beach had been protected since the Junta had issued a decree in December 22, 1994, ruling that all the land around it should be ‘C1’ protected land and could never be built on.
“The news finally came two months ago, when Spain’s vice president Maria Jesus Montero announced the government would be expropriating half the monstrosity, while the Junta would seize the rest.
It came after a landmark Supreme Court judgment ratified an order in 2016 to knock down the disgraceful Algarrobico Hotel on February 18.
Describing it as a ‘symbol of real estate degradation’, Montero announced it would be knocked down by the summer. “It is something that should have happened a long time ago,” she explained. “For the government, it means ending the greatest environmental attack the park has ever suf fered,"
But then came the sleight of hand in the dark days of politics at the Junta in Sevilla, when at some point in 1997, a civil servant at the Ministry of the Environment mysteriously modified the local natural park plan to change the area’s protected status from C1 to D2.
It took a shocking three years before Almeria’s High Court finally paralyzed the works… by which time 95% of the structure was built
Indeed, it was back in 2007 that the Olive Press first worked with Greenpeace to shed light on the eyesore that sits on pretty Playa Algarrobico, between Carboneras and Mojacar
After daubing the hotel with a giant ‘illegal hotel’ sign, the pressure group launched an international campaign to have it torn down.
It was, after all, built on one of Andalucia’s last virgin beaches, an unspoilt spot where Peter O'Toole famous-
Overnight, this made it available for development, and after a few years of carefully waiting and plotting, developers from Madrid submit ted plans and in 2003 hotel works began in earnest and very, very fast.
With their building permit issued from Carboneras town hall, construction giant Azata del Sol knew it was not technically breaking the law. And local environmentalists were caught on the hop and desperately trying to catch up. The same had coincidentally happened near Ronda, with the infamous Los Merinos golf macroproject of 2,000 houses and hotels that also mysteriously got - later rescinded - permission in an important UNESCO-protected area.
“Despite environmental groups immediately going to the courts, it took a shocking three years before Almeria’s
High Court finally paralyzed the works in February, 2006… by which time 95% of the structure was built and the internal works had begun.
FACTS ON THE GROUND
You first come across the unbelievable sight when you are driving along the windy AL-5107 backroad that hugs the coast inside the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park.
Rising up a brow of the hill, you first catch a view of the giant construction that dwarfs the sleepy cove, in fact almost dominating it entirely.
The ghost hotel squats above the beach, its security fence is rusting. The fire hoses remain coiled inside.
What was once a beach of haunting natural beauty, a place to escape the rampant overdevelopment that has scarred much of the Costa del Sol, Costa Calida and Costa Blanca to the north, has become despoiled. Devoid of noisy nightclubs and cheap and cheerful chiringuitos, the Cabo de Gata is a place for hikers, bird watchers and nature lovers.
Not far from here in the same park, you
find the charming villages of Las Negras, Rodalquilar and Agua Amarga, the award-winning Genoveses and Los Muer tos beaches and the chapel where Gabriel Garcia Lorca based his famous play Blood Wedding
The dusty town of Carboneras is something of an outlier. A dusty, workaday place of 8,000 souls set up around the coal industry and with unemployment fluctuating from 10 to 20%. Feeling empty and isolated, it’s perhaps no wonder that its local politicians would want a
grand new hotel opening near the town.
The 21-floor hotel right on a nearby seafront, was seen as an act of philanthropy, injecting life and jobs into a dying communit y.
The locals and politicians still argue for its benefits today (somehow hoping that the recent decision will be reversed).
Mayor Salvador Hernandez sees it as a practical problem. “The building is there. Refurbish it and open it. There is nobody more respectful of the environment than the people who live in Carboneras,” he recently told the Financial Times
The Algarrobico's history began in the 1980s – well before the area was declared a national park. This was the era when the concrete-mixer was king. Before the Marbella corruption scandals became household knowledge, developers did as they pleased.
After all, they were making Andalucia prosperous – weren’t they?
of the biggest scandals on Spain’s 5,000 miles of coastline' and claim to have won more than 40 court cases against it.
Thanks to their campaigning, the hotel has become an even bigger symbol, showing up the weakness of the law in Spain and the greed of its developers.
But while the politicians might have hoped the issue would simply melt away, green groups, also including local group Salvemos Mojacar, continued in their campaigning.
Developer Azata del Sol, owned by a wealthy Madrid family, took over the original permits handed out to another business in the 1980s . And it hasn’t helped that the courts have flipped flopped over its legality, with the Andalucian High Court, for example, actually ruling the hotel was legal in 2014.
Greenpeace and others immediately launched an appeal and legal action was even launched against the judges themselves, over claims of corruption and backhanders.
Greenpeace described it as 'one
Spain’s Supreme Court finally sided with the environmentalists, while another court formally ordered Carboneras town hall to review the hotel’s ing licence – an order ignored for years. While the Junta claims it has been trying to demolish the hotel for over a decade, it needed the central government to finally rule on its ultimate destination: back to sand and dust.
And even now, after everything, the PP-led regional Junta has yet to confirm its side of the bargain, with commentators suggesting it may not cooperate.
It is, in short, a tragicomic tangle of red tape and stone. “It’s a joke,” insisted activist Jaime del Val, the president of Salvemos Mojacar to the Olive Press this week. “There are thousands of Algarrobicos around Spain and this one could be stuck for 10 more years.”
While everyone is searching to understand the lessons of this costly scandal, a trio of cranes still loom over the abandoned site, which might, just might, be finally put into reverse over the next few months.
HOTEL ALGARROBICO: ASSET OR EYESORE?
PROTESTS: Greenpeace claims it is ‘one of the biggest scandals on Spain’s 5,000 kilometres of coastline’
CAMPAIGN: We started working with Greenpeace in
from La Cala since
NEW! – BIG RANGE OF SMALL APPLIANCES
INDUSTRIAL 18KG WASHING MACHINES WITH COMMERCIAL WARRANTY OF 2 YEARS - ONLY €1099! ALSO WE REPLACE
WATER BOILERS AND REPAIR DOMESTIC APPLIANCES
Small appliances always in stock
BE SOCIABLE
SPAIN’S rural heartlands are hollowing out. As young people migrate to cities and northern European ‘snowbirds’ snap up second homes, villages are left teetering on the edge of extinction. When Diego Yuste became mayor of Tragacete, a mountain town in Cuenca, in 2019, the population was in steady decline. Like many rural areas, Tragacete lacked the basic facilities needed to sustain life: schools, health centres, even a post office. Without people, they closed. Without housing, people couldn’t return.
Yuste saw potential in disused buildings – former Guardia Civil barracks and old teachers’
By Michael Coy
houses – transforming them into public rental housing. With ten units renovated, the town has seen a small but vital resurgence. The local school now has eight pupils, up from just two. “I’m always in favour of social housing,” says Yuste. “People don’t come and buy immediately. They rent, try it out. Then they commit.”
But across Spain’s interior, housing shortages are strangling revitalisation. The rural rental market is almost non-existent. Many homes lie empty most of the year, owned by foreign retirees who only visit seasonally.
ACT QUICKLY !
THINKING of letting your Spanish property to holidaymakers? Beware. In Andalucia, some local councils are now revoking tourist licences, claiming properties breach local planning laws - particularly the PGOU (General Urban Planning Scheme). In Cordoba, dozens of landlords have received letters cancelling their tourist licences. The town hall argues that these properties don’t meet PGOU standards, especially rules about ‘adequate access’ under Article 12.4.
This affects flats with shared entrances - common in Andalucia - and even renovated loft apartments.
EmptySpain:rural exodusleavesproperty market in flux as foreignersmovein
MAGICMAYOR:DiegoYuste,Mayorof Tragacete,hasmanagedto attract people to his dying town
Jesús Patón, a 48-year-old resident in one of Tragacete’s public units, says locals are being priced out. “Everything’s going to second homes and tourist properties. For those of us who want to live here, there’s nothing.”
Lawyers at Aguirre Donate Verastegui report a wave of over 50 families affected, and suggest the move is more about revenue than regulation.
Landlords can appeal within 10 days, which freezes the process. You can argue either your access is compliant, or that you're exempt. If the council still proceeds, threatening legal action - especially if multiple landlords unite - can prompt them to back down.
The key, say lawyers, is organisation. By forming a Plataforma (pressure group), affected owners can push back effectively. What’s happening in Cordoba could soon spread to other towns. If you receive a warning, act quicklyand don’t face it alone.
The 2019 rise of Teruel Existe, a political party born from rural protest, highlighted these issues nationally. Others, like Manifiesto por Cuenca, have called for reform to support rural renters and restore vacant homes.
“There’s no widespread homelessness,” says economist Soledad Morales, “but in some areas, finding a rental is like striking gold.” There’s no quick fix. But for now, driven local leaders - and bold housing policy - may be Empty Spain’s best hope of survival and regeneration.
MORTGAGE THINK TANK
by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola
RIDING THE EUROZONE’S EASING TIDE
MARBELLA’S property market is feeling the ripple effects of the ECB’s 2025 rate cuts.
A steady series of 25-basis-point reductions has lowered key rates, directly impacting Spanish mortgages.
The 12-month Euribor, crucial for variable-rate mortgages, has notably declined, offering relief to homeowners.
Here at The Finance Bureau, we’ve seen banks adjusting their offerings. Non-resident fixed-rate mortgages now range from roughly 2.75% to 3.5%, while variable rates are offered as low as Euribor + 0.85%. Mixed-rate mortgages, with an initial fixed period, are gaining popularity, providing a balance of stability and potential savings.
However, global events are casting longer shadows. The resurgence of protectionist policies, notably potential tariffs and trade disputes stemming from Donald Trump’s political influence, adds a layer of uncertainty. Such policies could disrupt global trade flows and potentially reignite inflationary pres-
But will Trump’s tariffs upset the markets and affect interest rates?
sures. This could lead the ECB to reconsider its current easing stance, potentially reversing the downward trend in interest rates.
For those considering mortgages in Marbella, this means a need for vigilance. While the current climate favours borrowers, future global economic shifts could alter the landscape. The Spanish economy, though currently strong, remains susceptible to external shocks.
Therefore, whether seeking a fixed, variable, or mixed mortgage, it’s imperative to consider both current ECB trends and potential global economic headwinds.
The current relatively low Euribor rates (coming down after the shock of the pandemic) offer an excellent opportunity for those getting onto fixed-rate mortgages, but the future is uncertain.
At The Finance Bureau, we recommend consulting with experienced professionals to navigate this complex environment and secure the best financial solutions for your needs.
To contact Tancrede for all your mortgaging needs call: +34 666 709 743 or for insurance queries call: +34 952 801 401 Email: tdp@thefinancebureau.com
The Finance Bureau Centro Comercial Guadalmina II, Oficina 7, Guadalmina, 29670, Spain
PROFESSIONAL LINGUISTIC SERVICES
SWORN TRANSLATION
We provide official translations with legal validity, carried out by sworn translators
TRANSLATION
We can translate any kind of document: touristic, websites, medical etc
INTERPRETING SERVICE
Liaison, consecutive, simultaneous and whisper interpreting
€54,000 compensation for Brit against Banco Sabadell/Solbank mortgage
THowever,
The clients are named Turner and the house is in Orihuela... and the ‘floor clause’ affected mortgage was approved in 2008
sands of homeowners spent years paying hundreds of euros more per month than they should have done.
One legal firm in southern Spain has been at the forefront of winning back money for affected homeowners – and on a promised ‘no win, no fee’ basis.
Fairway Lawyers boss Diego Echavarria, based in Marbella, told the Olive Press that one of his latest clients, the Coopers, were recently awarded a total of €21,075, plus legal costs.
The British family had bought a home in Riviera del Sol, in Mijas, in 2006, but didn’t sell up until recently. They were totally unaware of the floor clause issue until they read about it in a copy of the Olive Press last year. Now, after six
months of legal wrangling, Echavarria, originally from Madrid, has won them the fee, plus compensation.
“It’s always a bit of a game and involves plenty
of legal letters being pinged backwards and forwards, but I know what I’m doing having done this for years now,” he explained.
It comes after the golf-loving lawyer, a member of Guadalmina, won another British couple, the Brighouses, €48,359, last summer.
The couple had bought an off-plan apartment in Mirador de Costalita, in Estepona, in 2004.
They took over the mortgage from the developer, which contained the hidden clause and they ended up paying an extra €250 per month than required. It was the fourth case Fairway Lawyers have won on homes in Mirador de Costalita alone.
There are thousands of similar cases all around Spain in which expats or former expats had no idea they were victims.
“Right now I am handling cases all
over the country,” explained the father-of-two.
Warning signs
There are two tell tale characteristics to look out for; Your mortgage was signed off between 2001 and 2010 and your payments were the same amount for a large number of years.
“What is key is they will not have lowered for years,” continued the lawyer, who also handles many other legal work, in particular conveyancing from his office in Marbella.
He added: “Even if you have sold the property and paid off the mortgage, you can still claim.
“There is no deadline since the latest ruling from TJUE (Tribunal de Justicia de La Union Europea).
“There are around 100,000 mis-sold mortgages that have yet to be resolved in Spain.”
If you want to claim for a mis-sold mortgage or feel you may have been affected, contact diego@fairwaylawyers.com or send a message via Whatsapp to +606 307 885
Simple process
WHAT BANKS WERE INVOLVED IN FLOOR CLAUSES?
Most Spanish banks, but especially Banco Popular (now merged with Santand- er), Caja Duero, Caja España (merged with Unicaja), La Caixa, Solbank, Sabadell and many other savings banks which have since been taken over by major banks.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR MAKING A CLAIM?
You need to submit a claim be- fore the bank to try to reach a settlement out of court. Then comes a three-month period in which you await their response. Unfortunately the Spanish banks do not want to reach any kind of agreement or set- tlement and they always force the clients to go to court to get a positive ruling. They do this because they hope clients will get fed-up with the process and drop the claim – which is why we operate on a no win no fee basis.
NO SILVER BULLET
Despite new housing laws and government intervention, Spain’s rental market remains under severe strain
The Property Insider
by Adam Neale
The situation with rental housing availability in Spain remains abysmal. The number of long term rental units continues to drop as demand continues to rise. We need a solution but there’s no “silver bullet.”
At the beginning of April, hundreds of thousands of Spaniards demonstrated in over 40 cities demanding real solutions. Everyone agrees that something has to be done, rental costs are rising at a rate higher than incomes or the rate of inflation.
In 2024, rental prices in Spain as a whole rose by 11.5%. That was spread unevenly, meaning that in Spain’s cities, rental prices rose more steeply, with Barcelona witnessing a rise of 13.5%, and 15.3% in Madrid.
This comes against the backdrop of a new housing law in Spain, which regulates prices, rental contracts, legal remedies for okupas (home occupations), as well as tax incentives for landlords who provide long term rental contracts at government set rental rates - or lower.
In Spain’s fractured political landscape, it’s no surprise that this law has generated a lot of debate. Is it throwing gasoline on the fire? Is it a solution? Or is it neither?
To understand what is unfolding and the likely impact of the current round of reforms, we need to take a deeper look at the situation.
The place to start is the imbalance between supply and demand. This is really the root of the problem. Ironically, it is itself caused by measures that are meant to solve other crises.
It’s not a secret that Spaniards are not having children at anything close to the rate needed to replace the aging population. The rate of replacement is currently 2.1 children per female but
Spanish born women are only having 1.12 babies per woman. This represented a decline of 2.6% compared to the year prior.
Without immigration, Spain would suffer a number of problems due to the decline in the workforce and the relative rise in the number of pensioners
drawing on their public pensions, for example. It would also damage the ability of Spain to grow and modernise its economy.
According to a report by the Bank of Spain, for instance, Spain will need 25 million immigrants by 2053 - three times the current rate of immigration - to keep the pension system solvent.
For these reasons, the Spanish government has resisted the trends in the rest of Europe to restrict immigration. In 2023, Spain had net external migration (immigrants arriving) of 1.32%, or 642,000 people.
That’s all well and good but all of those people arriving need quality places to live - and Spain isn’t building enough of them. Last year, the number of new households in Spain grew by 360,000. That is expected to ease slightly to 355,349 in 2025-2026, and then 337,864 in 2026-2027.
The number of new houses being built is growing for the first time really since the bottom of the banking crisis in 2014-2015. According to a study by Caixa Bank, this trend will continue and even gather pace.
“...we have raised our forecast for new construction permits from 125,000 to 135,000 in 2025, after they gained traction in 2024 (+16.5% year-on-year in January-October of 2024, reaching around 125,000 permits in the trailing 12 months).”
This is good news but is nowhere near enough.
The result is that the deficit in housing supply will continue to grow in the coming years. Yet no one is willing to seriously work to solve the problem because it is costly in both political and economic terms.
The position of the far
end immigration and repatriate those who have arrived. But that is impossible and would lead to economic and social collapse, from public pensions to the healthcare system to the overall economy.
That means addressing the housing crisis head on - but is anyone doing that?
NEW HOUSING LAW
The new housing law was promoted as a solution to the current crisis. It gave tenants new rights, reduced the ability of landlords to raise prices and offered incentives to landlords to rent long term and hold the line on rent increases. There’s also direct aid to young home buyers (under 35-years)
On the other side, it also provided repressive measures to try and shift the rental market. There were reforms to discourage and regulate tourist rentals, for instance. And removing and penalizing home occupations (okupas) is now easier and quicker. Financial pressure will also be applied to large landlords who have empty properties, imposing significant property tax increases.
The
3x the rate of inflation - or more - the impact looks to be to push landlords into the medium-term rental market.
According to a study by real estate portal Idealista, the number of listings for long term rentals declined by 5% between 2023-2024. Those of seasonal rentals rose by 39%
There is no direct relationship between listings and the actual number of people living in long term rentals. Part of the disparity could reflect the fact that those in long term rental units are avoiding moving because they will face significant rent hikes.
deficit in housing supply will continue to grow in the coming years
However, it seems like nobody is happy with the current approach. The demonstrations in early April made it clear that a lot of people think the current approach is too timid. On the other side, business and landlord groups think that the law infringes upon landlord rights and market mechanisms that would reduce the problems.
Some of the immediate effects are becoming clear. Others will take time to unfold, such as the impact of changes to tourist rental laws or the house purchase grants for young people.
In the context of rental prices rising at
However, there is an obvious incentive for landlords to rent for a season, rather than long term. They cannot raise rents on long term rentals by more than 3%. However, if they rent to students, at the end of the school year when they move out, they could raise the rent on an apartment by 10-15%.
Is this shift to seasonal rentals caused by the Housing Law? In a sense, yes. But the bigger issue remains that there’s not enough new housing being built to meet demand - both for purchase or rental. That is creating incentives that distort the housing market away from meeting the needs of Spaniards.
However, that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing that can be done. There are interesting housing reforms that we can look at that take as their principle stabilizing the landlord-tenant relationship.
In Scotland, for instance, they passed a law in 2016 that did just this. It laid out the 18 specific conditions under
which a landlord could have a tenant removed. It also eliminated fixed rental periods entirely and provided a standardized contract for all landlords/ tenants.
In addition, they added the role of rent guarantor. A landlord who has concern about the creditworthiness of a potential tenant - such as a young person seeking to rent their first apartment, or a low income family - can insist upon a rent guarantor.
A rent guarantor is a person, or company, that guarantees that if the tenant defaults, the landlord will not lose rental income. This creates great incentive for landlords to “take a chance” on renting to vulnerable and “high-risk” tenants.
Spain is looking towards a statebacked version of this, known as aval público. It will have stringent conditions and require consent of both parties. It won’t eliminate the deeper structural causes of high rents and lack of rental housing.
But the aval público will at least overcome one major concern of landlords when it comes to long term rentals. And making it a public service, rather than private, makes it more accessible to the most vulnerable. The vulnerable are the least likely to have access to someone with a high credit rating.
It is important to see the good and the bad in the current situation. And also to keep our eyes on the fundamental problem of a lack of supply. Until that is fixed, everything else will just be delaying the day of reckoning.
HOUSING CRISIS: In April, hundreds of thousands of Spaniards marched in more than 40 cities demanding action
DEL
Ref: OP15431
589 m² | Plot: 2,293 m² | Beds: 5 | Price: € 5,950,000
MODERN APARTMENT, MARINA PUENTE ROMANO Ref: OP15580 Built: 118 m² | Terraces: 18 m² | Beds: 3 | Price: € 2,995,000
PENTHOUSE, LOMAS DEL REY Ref: OP15125
163 m² | Terraces: 113 m² | Beds: 3 | Price: € 2,490,000
LAS
Ref: OP15069 Built: 669 m² | Plot: 1,590 m² | Beds: 7 | Price: € 3,995,000
VILLA, LA FINCA DE MARBELLA Ref: OP15369 Built: 371 m² | Plot: 653 m² | Beds: 6 | Price: € 2,795,000
IN CONDADO DE
Ref: OP15672
147 m² | Terraces: 42 m² | Beds: 3 | Price: € 950,000
at Puente Romano and opposite the Marbella Club hotel
APARTMENT
SIERRA BLANCA
STYLISH
DUPLEX
VILLA WITH STUNNING VIEWS,
BRISAS
VILLA IN LAS LOMAS
MARBELLA CLUB
A COSTA DEL SOL restaurant has topped the list of Europe’s best casual restaurants for the second year running.
Los Marinos Jose, in Fuengirola, was chosen by the Opinionated About Dining (OAD) guide.
Top dogs in dining
After years in third place, the seafood venue run by five local brothers earnt first place in 2024 and again this year followed by D’Berto, a Gali -
SALUD!
By Tom Ewart Smith
SPAIN is toasting a rare win in the wine world.
As global drinking levels tumble, Spaniards are happily bucking the trend by sipping more of the good stuff. According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), global wine consumption in 2024 slumped to 214.2 million hectolitres – the lowest
DEFACED: Moorish walls have been targeted by spray paint vandals
Spaniards quaff more vino as world wine consumption slumps
since 1961. But Spaniards bucked the trend by knocking back nearly 10 million hectolitres, a 1.2% rise on the year before. It’s one of the few nations where
cian restaurant and Italian restaurant Pepe in Grani.
A further three Malagueno restaurants (Hermanos Alba, El Saladero and Tanicos) made the top 100 ranking, followed by 24 in the top 800 list.
LAST ORDERS: Global wine drinking continues to slump - but not in Spain
wine is still flowing freely, nearing post-pandemic highs and putting it firmly back on the vino map. Portugal also raised a glass with a boozy boost, surpassing its pre-COVID levels.
PHILISTINES…
VANDALS have spray-painted more than 20 historic sites in Granada, including the world-famous Alhambra and the charming Albaicin quarter.
One tag, ‘borracho dot com’ (‘drunkard dot com’), was scrawled across a centuries-old Alhambra tower in what officials believe may be an anti-tourism protest.
The UNESCO-listed landmarks, are now under urgent repair. Furious heritage bosses are calling for tighter security as fears grow over Granada’s image and its 2031 European Capital of Culture hopes. Tourists can still visit, but expect scaffolding, cleaning crews, and stepped-up patrols as the city scrambles to undo the damage.
Meanwhile, the rest of the world is nursing a serious hangover. The US, still the biggest consumer by volume, saw a 5.8% drop. France fell 4%, Germany 2.7%, and the UK tippled 1% less. China’s wine affair continues to fade, plunging a sobering 19.3%.
Experts blame the global slide on changing social habits, inflation, and younger drinkers ditching the grape in favour of other options – or nothing at all. Post-pandemic lifestyle shifts and climate chaos haven’t helped, either.
To make matters worse, production also dipped to a 60-year low thanks to wild weather hammering vineyards worldwide. John Barker, OIV’s boss, warned trade tensions and tariffs – particularly from the US – are adding uncertainty. “Any barrier creates a distraction,” he said.
Victoria Westhead: An English and Spanish speaking lawyer in Benalmadena
SHE swapped the grey skies of Britain for the sun-soaked coast of Spain - and never looked back.
Meet Victoria Westhead, the guitar-playing, multilingual legal ace who’s become a household name in Benalmadena, dazzling clients with her double dose of British and Spanish legal knowhow.
The solicitor, who first touched down in Spain back in 2009 to study Spanish in Granada, says she ‘fell in love with the country’ - and it shows. After a stint working in UK local government, she packed her bags and headed to Malaga in 2013 in search of new challenges and sunshine. Now, with more than a decade under her belt on the Spanish legal scene, Victoria is the go-to guru for expats and locals alike.
Whether it’s navigating the minefield of property law or offering a lifeline in tricky legal battles, clients say she’s ‘the real deal’.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, she’s built a booming practice where language is never a barrier - only a bridge. But it’s not all courtrooms and case files. When she’s not winning over clients, Victoria’s turning heads at open mic nights in Pedregalejo, the trendy Malaga neighbourhood she calls home with her partner. Armed with her acoustic guitar, she strums everything from indie classics to flamenco-inspired tunes.
In a world where legal jargon often leaves people lost, Victoria Westhead is the rare gem who makes it all make sensewith a smile, a song, and a track record that speaks for itself.
Phone: +34 951 707 823
Mobile: +34 678 826 771
E-mail: info@britishlawyerspain.com
Website: www.britishlawyerspain.com
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
101KM OF PAIN
RONDA is a place where dramatic landscapes, Moorish history, and whitewashed charm collide. Each spring, it becomes the unlikely setting for one of Europe’s most demanding and unique endurance events: the 101 Kilómetros de Ronda. Far more than just a race, this ultramarathon - organised with military precision by the Spanish Legion - draws thousands of participants from across the globe.
By Cristina Hodgson
Runners and mountain bikers descend on the town, ready to test their limits over 101 kilometres of steep trails, sun-baked hillsides, olive groves, and centuries-old villages.
Endurance racing has exploded in popularity worldwide, and the Ronda 101 has become a bucket-list
El Tropico La Cala De Mijas C/ Reina Fabiola, 13 Sendero Litoral, La Cala De Mijas
challenge for many adventure seekers - not only for its sheer difficulty, but for the way it immerses participants in the rugged beauty and vibrant spirit of Andalucia. For me, it offered a different kind of travel experience. Swapping sightseeing for sweat, and tapas for energy gels, I chose to mark my birthday with an unforgettable journey - one that pushed my body to the brink, connected me with strangers, and revealed the untamed heart of the Spanish countryside, one punishing kilometre at a time.
THE day before the race was my birthday. Most people celebrate with cake, friends, maybe a glass of wine. For some reason - probably madness - I decided to ‘treat myself’ to a 101km ultramara-
MILITARY PRECION: La Legion organised the event to perfection, helping thousands of participants
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
LOOKING FOR MORE TRAVEL STORIES?
Scan to visit our website
The OP takes readers inside one of Spain’s most iconic endurance events - set against the stunning backdrop of the Serrania de Ronda
thon through the Andalucian hills.
It was a sort of birthday gift to prove to myself that, while I might be entering a new decade of life, I could still do something my younger self never dared to - or perhaps was just wise enough to avoid. A year older, but evidently not a year wiser.
Training? Minimal. Life had other ideas - work, children, general chaos. Psychologists say anyone over 35 who suddenly signs up for a half marathon is probably having a midlife crisis. So what does it say about someone who signs up for two and a half marathons in one go? It’s the fitness equivalent of buying a Ferrari. Honestly, the Ferrari would’ve been more comfortable - and made more sense.
The psychology of someone who signs up for two and a half marathons
I arrived the evening before the race and bunked down in a sports pavilion with about 500 other hopefuls. Between the chorus of snores and a concrete floor, sleep was
in short supply. I managed a few hours before being jolted awake at 6.45am by the Spanish Le gion’s bugle call, blasting through the building. Subtle, it was not. Bleary-eyed and slightly traumatised by brass instruments before sunrise, I dragged myself into my kit and shuffled out with the rest of the early-morning zombies toward the football pitch. Out of nowhere, thousands of runners appeared. The Legion’s drummers were pounding away - not so much to stir motivation, but more like a final warning we all chose to ignore. The beat hit somewhere between fear and excitement, thudding into our slightly unhinged souls. The starting gun fired. The crowd roared. And we were off… at what can best be described as a dignified shuffle. We snaked through the streets of Ronda, past Spain’s oldest bullring, and into the
La Cala de Mijas
TREK: Cristina (left) had time to enjoy the stunning scenery, while (far right) before and, exhausted, after the race
wild beauty of the Serrania. Ahead of us: 100 kilometres of stunning scenery, excruciating climbs, and increasingly questionable decisions. The route was undeniably beautiful - rolling hills, olive groves, sweeping views—and somewhere along the way, strangers became companions. Stories were shared, and more Aquarius and Coca-Cola were consumed than I care to admit. The energy in Setenil de las Bodegas was electric: locals cheering, high-fives flying, and a few
faces that clearly questioned our sanity. (Frankly, at that point, I’d have traded my energy gel for a cold beer.)
Ten hours in, I reached kilometre 70. My body gently suggested, ‘maybe stop now’. But my brain, ever the overachiever, insisted we keep going. They’d saved the hardest for last - brutal climbs, cruel descents, and a bitterly cold stretch near the ermita. I stopped to throw on every layer
I had. Turning around, I saw a winding trail of headlamps in the mountains behind me - a surreal ribbon of light twisting through the darkness. Beautiful, in a masochistic kind of way. Seven hours later, I stumbled over the finish line. A medal was placed around my neck. My legs declared strike action. My face looked 20 years older than it had that morning. Around me, fellow finishers were crying, laughing,
Your funeral funds protected
AT Compare Funerals, we understand the importance of ensuring that your funeral plan funds are protected.
That’s why payments made for funeral plans are placed into the Compare Funerals Purpose Trust — a secure and independent financial structure designed to safeguard your money until it is needed.
1. Independent and Secure Trust
The Compare Funerals Purpose Trust is a completely separate legal entity from Compare Funerals itself.
This means that even if Compare Funerals
were to go out of business, your money would remain safe and untouched in the trust.
2. How Funds Are Managed
Payments you make towards your funeral plan are deposited into the trust. These funds are held securely and can only be accessed under specific conditions to ensure they are used appropriately for their intended purpose.
3. Accessing the Funds
Once the money is placed into the trust, it cannot be withdrawn freely by Compare Fu-
nerals or anyone else. The funds can only be released in two specific situations:
and sometimes both at once. Everyone had run their own story - some to test limits, others to think, to escape, or simply because they could.
I send a huge thanks to the Legion and the volunteers. The organisation was flawless, the support along the course unforgettable. And the people? Incredible. Would I do it again? Ask me once I can feel my toes again.
Our mission is to make the process of planning a funeral, in Spain, as easy and stress-free as possible. We are committed to providing affordable funeral plans with the highest quality of care and support.
UPON DEATH
–PAYMENT TO THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR
When the time comes, the funeral funds will be paid directly to the nominated funeral director to cover the cost of the services. To authorise this payment, an invoice from the tanatorio (funeral home) along with the client’s death certificate must be provided.
CANCELLATION BY THE CLIENT
If a client chooses to cancel their funeral plan in writing, the funds will be refunded directly to them, minus any applicable fees.
Compare Funerals Goes
Because the trust is independent of Compare Funerals, the funds remain protected.
The client can choose to transfer the money to another funeral plan provider or their Alternatively, they can receive the funds back so they can make their own funeral arrangements.
Our team of experienced professionals will be there to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the entire process.
5. Peace of Mind for Clients
The purpose of the Compare Funerals Purpose Trust is to ensure that your money is always available when you or your family need it most.
By placing your funds in a regulated and protected trust, we provide full transparency and security, giving you confidence that your funeral costs are covered, no matter what happens. This structure ensures that your investment in a funeral plan is safe, protected, and used solely for the purpose it was intended - honouring your final wishes.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
SPAM BAN
SPAIN'S government wants to ban companies from making spam calls to potential customers.
An amendment to the Consumer Care Services Act would force landline and mobile phone providers to block such calls from firms that don't use a specific phone prefix, which people could identify in advance.
An irony is that many current spam calls tend to come from telecoms companies.
Consumer Affairs minister, Pablo Bustinduy, said “Blocking unsolicited commercial calls would protect
Days of answering calls to telephone sales could soon be a thing of the past
By Alex Trelinski
the well-being and privacy of consumers.”
Commercial calls would be identified with ‘a specific code, a dedicated prefix’, according to Bustinduy.
“Phone companies would block calls from any firm not having a code,” he added.
A telecoms law passed in
Close encounter
2023 placed restrictions on spam calls but firms have looked at loopholes, including people having given consent by accepting cookies on a website, or an ex-customer that has not asked for their data to be removed.
Bustinduy also wants to void any contract resulting from spam calls and to oblige companies to renew consumer consent for commercial calls every two years.
A SPANISH start-up company will design and build a satellite to land on an asteroid that will fly close to Earth in 2029. The Elche firm Emxys has been chosen by the European Space Agency to construct the Cubesat satellite. It will be released by the Ramses spacecraft a few kilometres away from the Apophis asteroid. Cubesat hopes to glean important information about the structure and dynamics of a near-Earth asteroid to help plan future planetary defence missions.
“We want to discourage this business model and make companies stop engaging in these practices that cause so much bother to citizens,” the minister said.
Unsolicited
According to a 2023 study carried out in 39 countries by US security company Hiya, 42% of calls in Spain in the third quarter of that year were unsolicited - the second-highest percentage in Europe. Bustinduy said the measures would be introduced via amendments to a consumer rights bill to be debated in Congress over the next few weeks.
He suggested that everything could be approved ‘before the summer’.
BUSINESS
ON July 9, 2021, I sat through a grueling six-hour exam in a stuffy hotel conference room in central Madrid.
My 29 fellow examinees were all called Francisco or Javier and came from all corners of the peninsula. My name is Peter. That’s the day I qualified to become one of just 1,015 European Financial Planners (EFPs) now officially registered in Spain. It may come as a surprise, but in that entire list, you’ll find only three of us with foreign names: Milenka Ivanova, Zhanna Fenenko, and me, Peter Dougherty.
The three of us make up a mere 0.29% of the EFPs, the highest accreditation of the European Financial Planning Association of Spain (EFPA España).
My finance credentials don’t end there. I also hold two master’s degrees – one in taxation in Spain and an MBA in finance in America, and worked for two decades at a trio of wellknown investment banks on Wall Street. I have also written two books explaining cross border financial issues between Spain and the US, one in English, the other in Spanish. Yet, despite my extensive training in the field of finance, Spain’s financial sector remains unique and elusive to me.
Unique
How do we explain the stark contrast between the number of financial planners in Spain, on the one hand, and in the UK and the US on the other?
1,015 is a small number. Financial planners registered in the UK – counting Chartered Financial Planners, DipPFS, and Certified Financial Planners – total more than 43,000. While in the US, the number of Certified Financial Planners (CFP®) alone now exceeds 100,000.
One reason may be the head-start that both the US and the UK have had over Spain in the
SPAIN IS DIFFERENT
financial planning field.
EFPA España certified its first EFPs in 2010, 38 years after America’s first CFP® recipients (1972) and 15 years after the first CFP® holders in the UK (1995).
Another possible explanation is that compared with its English-speaking expats, Spaniards typically do not discuss money. Often not even with close friends or family. It’s a cultural difference, one of the many that sometimes make living in Spain as a British or American expat both refreshing and frustrating at the same time.
Can you imagine the difficulty of being a Spanish financial planner working in a country where the culture of your compatriots is to
not talk about money?
How do you even start conversations with prospective clients?
Still others believe the answer lies in how Spain’s financial infrastructure has evolved. To prepare for Spain’s entry into the European Union in the 1980’s, several Spanish banks consolidated and merged in an attempt to gain equal footing with the larger size and sophistication of their European rivals.
Later, they were able to grow in a way many rival banks couldn’t: by expanding in Latin America, where Spanish banks share a common language and culture.
The financial crisis of 2008 produced another strong wave of Spanish bank consolidations. Currently, the three largest banks (Santander, BBVA and CaixaBank) are what remains of what had been 29 separate banks or ‘savings’ banks at the start of 2008. All of which puts decision-making in the hands of a few very big banks. And to date not one of these large banks has yet embraced financial planning in a meaningful way.
Elusive
As an expat, if we ask any three ‘experts’ the same question in Spain, we’re likely to hear four different answers.
That may be because far more ‘grey area’open to legal interpretation - exists in Spanish rules and laws than in the UK or the US.
Or it may be because Spanish law doesn’t explicitly address cross border financial or other circumstances that may arise.
The theory to explain this that I like best, though, is that Spain’s long-running tourism slogan was right all along.
‘Spain is Different’ it boldly claimed. They were certainly right.
SPAIN'S government will impose minimum standards for healthy menus in hospitals and nursing homes.
A royal decree is being prepared to guarantee healthy and nutritious food is served to patients and elderly residents.
Social Rights Minister, Pablo Bustinduy, said the state regulation will follow the pat-
tern of one approved last month for schools. “Menus will be based on dietary recommendations in regard to healthy and sustainable eating, for all age groups and adjusting to different contexts,” Bustinduy stated. He added that he was responding to ‘many complaints’ made by citizens and groups about deficiencies found in some centres.
TB CASH PLEA
SPANISH scientists have created a new, more effective vaccine against tuberculosis, the world’s most lethal illness - but they need €20 million to finish their life saving research.
Professor Carlos Martín, a microbiologist at the University of Zaragoza, has led the research for over 25 years.
The new vaccine, MTBVAC, is hoped to be ready for global use by 2029, pending final clinical trials on adults and children.
Funded in part by Spanish pharmaceutical firm Biofabri, the vaccine could be a game-changer, offering over 50% more protection than the century-old BCG jab.
Life-saving vaccine research needs rescuing
By Yzabelle Bostyn
Unlike BCG, which is less effective against pulmonary TB, MTBVAC targets the most dangerous strains and can be distributed as a single refrigerated dose - ideal for rural regions.
However, researchers are struggling to raise enough money to develop a version suitable for infants. “The EU
LIGHT RELIEF
A BARCELONA-based research centre, Leitat, is exploring how light can be used to detect diseases and support innovation across industries like healthcare and biomedicine. Based in the DFactory, the lab uses photonics - light-based technology - to enhance scientific and industrial efficiency.
BREAKTHROUGH:
Spanish scientists develop new TB vaccine
funded half our baby project; we need the rest,” said Martín, who is now appealing to charities rather than private inves-
One highlight is the PANACEA project, which developed an optical sensor that detects and measures legal drug levels in saliva using light biomarkers.
Visitors can view the sensor at DFactory Barcelona. Leitat also applies hyperspectral vision and optical simulation to analyse the chemical composition of objects, enabling detection of contaminants and hydration levels in food or skin.
tors to avoid market speculation and profiteering.
The vaccine will be manufactured in Spain, India and Brazil, with a focus on affordable distribution to low and middle-income countries where more than a million people die of TB annually.
Speaking at a recent Multi-Sector Plan Against Tuberculosis meeting, Martin and Biofabri CEO Esteban Rodríguez said they remained optimistic - but warned the full impact of the vaccine may not be clear for another 20 years.
KIDS STAY HEALTHY
MORE than 1,200 secondary school students in Marbella have taken part in a series of educational workshops aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles, thanks to an initiative spearheaded by Hospital Quirónsalud Marbella and the Quirónsalud Foundation.
Now in its third year, the ‘Stay Healthy’ programme returned to the city this spring, offering
Over 1,200 teenagers in Marbella take part in health and wellness workshops led by Quirónsalud
in-person sessions across three local schools: IES Victoria Kent, CEIP María Auxiliadora II, and IES Sierra Blanca. Delivered by specialist educators and healthcare professionals, the workshops cover five key areas: sub -
stance abuse, nutrition, sleep hygiene, mental health, and digital wellbeing.
Launched on April 21, the latest series of sessions has resumed following the Easter break. To support classroom learning,
schools also have access to an online virtual platform, providing additional, professionally vetted materials for teachers to use independently.
Backed by the Quirónsalud Foundation, the initiative is part of a wider effort to engage young people in conversations about how their current lifestyle choices could affect their long-term health. The programme presents these issues using language and formats designed to resonate with teens. Workshops are led by specialist educational psychologists, with support from Antonio de Dios, Head of Psychology at Hospital
Quirónsalud Marbella.
A National Educational Initiative
First launched in 2018, Stay Healthy is a national initiative developed by the Quirónsalud Foundation, combining scientific rigour with innovative teaching methods and digital tools. It aims to promote long-term wellbeing and aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals - specifically Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and Goal 4 (Quality Education).
The programme is co-designed with both educators and students, using a dynamic, collaborative learning model. Since its inception, it has been rolled out in all Spanish provinces, reaching over 1,400 schools and more than 100,000 students through both in-person sessions and its online classroom, created during the pandemic. Quirónsalud is the largest private healthcare group in Spain and a
key player in Europe, operating under its parent company, Fresenius-Helios. In Andalucia alone, it runs seven hospitals - including in Málaga, Marbella, Sevilla, Córdoba, and Huelva - alongside 18 specialist medical centres and a surgical day hospital, making it the region’s leading private healthcare provider.
Across its 180+ medical centres and 57 hospitals, Quirónsalud employs over 50,000 professionals and is renowned for cutting-edge technology and internationally recognised expertise. Many of its hospitals, such as the Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital and Quirónsalud Madrid, are major centres for research and training, often leading the way in fields like oncology, cardiology, and neurology.
As part of its commitment to education and innovation, Quirónsalud continues to invest heavily in scientific research and medical education, with ten of its hospitals holding university status.
Lazarus plant
AN ‘extinct’ plant has been found alive and well in Andalucia’s Sierra Morena park. Dubbed ‘nomeves’Spanish for ‘you can’t see me’ - over 100 of the plants have been found.
Touchdown!
SPAIN will host its first NFL American football game on November 16, as the Miami Dolphins face the Washington Commanders at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium in a historic International Series clash.
Legal backing
SUPREME Court judge Jose Antonio Montero has criticised the tax agency’s conduct, backing expats’ claims of unfair targeting under the Beckham Law and calling fiscal penalties excessive.
The madcap English rush to get to Spain for Spurs v Manchester United in Bilbao – and avoid the price gouging
ENGLISH football fans are descending on Spain - and even Portugal and France - in chaotic fashion for this week’s all-Premier League Europa League final in Bilbao. With direct flights to the Basque city costing upwards of €600 one way, fans of Spurs and Man chester United have resort ed to creative, often con voluted travel plans. Some are flying into cities like Valencia, Faro, and Malaga before connecting onwards, often via multiple legs. Return flights from Manchester were hitting €1,400. At least a quarter of those on a Monday
By Jon Clarke in Bilbao
morning Malaga-Bilbao flight were heading to tonight’s match. “I’ve had two flights this morning,” said Pete Jones, 24, a Spurs fan from Essex. “It was the only vaguely affordable way.” Others were flying to Biarritz or Nice and driving five hours to reach Bilbao.
Manchester United fan Leo Doran flew to Malaga on Sunday and will return via Tenerife. “It was only 50 quid - and we get a night out in Tenerife,” he said.
The Mummy returns
PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES
Accommodation was another battle. Even basic hotels were charging over €1,000 per night. A two-star hotel hit €2,138 for two nights; a four-star soared to €3,665. Some fans stayed as far as Santander, returning to Bilbao just for the game. Up to 25,000 fans are expected to arrive without tickets. Official allocations were limited to
15,000 per club, while 20,000 were set aside for UEFA and sponsors. Ticket prices online soared from €40 to up to €2,000.
This game not only promises Champions League qualification - it also marks the first European final between two sides in the Premier League’s bottom quarter.
CROWDS are flocking to see the jaw-dropping remains of St Teresa of Avila, whose 440-year-old corpse has gone on display in Spain for the first time in over a century. The 16th-century nun, mystic, and reformer may have died in 1582, but parts of her body, including her face, foot, heart, hand, and arm, are still well preserved. Experts are calling it nothing short of miraculous, with skin and muscles still intact after four centuries. Unveiled at the Basilica of Alba de Tormes, the display has left visitors stunned. Her remains revealed health struggles like painful foot spurs from endless walking in devotion.
TWO nude German tourists, 23 and 27, shocked Murcia drivers by performing wild sex acts beside a van near Nueva Condominia. One used a sex toy while the other filmed - all in plain sight. When cops rocked up, the randy pair sped off down the A-7, sparking a wild chase. Four patrol cars boxed them in, but the saucy fugitives kicked off, resisting arrest.
