Spain Survival Manual - Expat Information

SunTalk radio, part of the News International empire is targeting the large population of expats living in Spain with a target of 150,000 listeners.

The internet only radio station has proved to be a great success and after Spain, the station will be looking to expand to other parts of the world with large expat populations.  Expats will be able to listen to high profile guests like David Cameron, Jack Straw and Boris Johnson and keep up with issues in the UK.

If you want to listen to SunTalk you can go online at  TheSun.co.uk and it will also be aired on Bay Radio and Spectrum FM between 11am and 2pm Spanish time.

A article in El Mundo has brought to light a worrying clause in mortgage contracts - if the value of the property falls more than 20%, the banks have the right to demand further security i.e. with other goods to cover the shortfall.

This nice little tidbit originally comes fom the Ley Hipotecaria of 1981, but worryingly, was restated in the state bulletin of 2 May. Those who purchased 2 or 3 years ago are very likely to have seen a 20% or more decrease in the value of their property.  

While the experts are quick to say it is very unlikely that the banks would make use of this clause, the fact is that it exists, it has been brought to the fore again in a ´Real Decreto´, and would not be unthinkable considering the state of bank finances.  However, this gives them yet another nail to hammer into the coffin of those already struggling to pay their mortgages.

Apparently, if the borrower does not provide guarantees for the shortfall between the mortgage loan and the value of the house within a month of the request, it will be ´assumed´ they want to pay off the whole loan.  If this is not forthcoming, the embargo process could begin.

Oh joy, yet more good news - but surely they would not implement such an unpopular strategy?!

via:  El Mundo

A while ago I posted about the story of a woman who was driving with a UK driving licence and had an accident that was not her fault.   Even though it is perfectly valid to drive with an EU driving licence, and the accident was not her fault, she was apparently  not covered because she had not had a medical, which is a requirement over 40 in Spain.

Having faffed since I heard it, I finally thought I should go and have this medical because of the small chance of getting caught in the same situation.  Only to face the usual confusion that seems prevalent in Spain - or is it just Huelva?

• Apparently the medical is only valid for three months
• Medical is worthless for anything else other than handing it over to the Trafico office
• Went to Trafico to change my licence to a Spanish one and she told me I didn´t need to change it because an EU one is valid
• I explained my concern about not being covered by the insurance and she said ´of course you won´t be´....so I had to insist on changing my licence
• Then I got to thinking that when you apply for insurance they ask you for your driving licence details, including where the licence was issued.  Now surely, if they have accepted you on a foreign licence they are obliged to cover you in case of an accident?
• My colleague phoned Linea Directa insurance and asked their position on the confusion.  The guy said it was absolutely nonsense that you would not be covered without a medical.  He said it was the responsibility of the insurance companies to ask for any necessary documentation at the time of taking out the contract.  He also said that there had been a story in the newspaper that had started this rumour, but that it was incorrect!

AuPair Spain is an agency based in Barcelona that helps to connect families and au-pairs looking to come to Spain.

It can be a great way for youngsters to come to Spain, in a secure environment and introduce themselves to the Spanish way of life.   Of course, they will have to work for their board - looking after the children and possibly helping with the housework, but most people will be particularly interested in English au-pairs because of the language help they can give to the children.

It is important to do your homework before accepting the first au-pair job that is offered, and going through an agency can help make the whole transaction smoother and safer.

As AuPairSpain say on their site:

As an au-pair you will have the right to:
- accommodation and meals with the family
- sufficient time to attend a language course, or to attain professional or cultural improvement.
- have a minimum of one free day per week, a weekend per month.
- receive a monthly amount as pocket money for your expenses.
- not help more than 5 hours per day with house work in the family.
- terminate the relationship with the family by giving two weeks notice in case of problems.

Visit their site for more information at www.aupairspain.com