Spanish Expats in UK Contribute £802 million to British Economy

Expats continue to fund the economy 

Spanish Expats in UK Contribute £802 million to British Economy

The never-ending love affair between the UK and Spain – outside of the occasional spat over Gibraltar – should be a reminder to everyone who wants to spread the idea that Europe is divided that even countries that are as “different” as these two countries have a lot of respect, admiration and love for each other.

Brits are in love with the climate, beaches, hospitality, and traditional foods and wines of Spain. Spain, on the other hand, loves the culture, history, fairness, liberal economic and working conditions and the food and beer of the UK. 

While there are certainly more Brits living in Spain than the other way around, the gap started to close with thousands of young Spaniards moving to Britain to escape the recession and find work. 

Some of those Spaniards are moving back home now the economy in Spain is improving, but data from the HMRC in the UK has shown there are still many Spaniards living in Britain and they are proving to be great for the country. 

The data showed that Spaniards contributed £802 million in taxes in 2014 while claiming only £62 million in benefits. This gave the UK economy a major net benefit and puts the Spanish in sixth place in the list of the top ten countries contributing taxes to Britain. 

France comes top of the list, with French residents paying a whopping £2.3 billion in taxes during 2014, putting them ahead of the Polish, who contributed £2.2 billion. As close as these figures are the net benefit of French expats is much higher than the Poles with a ratio of 25.6 compared to 2.4 for the Poles. This shows that Polish immigrants are more likely to claim benefits compared to French immigrants. 

Spaniards provide a net benefit ratio of 12.9 which makes them one of the best contributors to the British economy according to the HMRC data.

Spanish Economy Growing Three Times Faster than UK

Spanish Economy Growing Three Times Faster than UK

Spain continues its incredible recovery 

The New York Times is calling it the end of a the nightmare, while other media outlets took a more sedate approach to reporting the latest official economic data from the Spanish government; not only is the Spanish economy growing, but it’s growing at a much faster rate than the rest of Europe.

It’s been almost a decade – that’s ten years – since the worst economic crash since the Second World War hit Spain, leaving millions out of work and pushing thousands to just give up and leave Spain behind. Most believed that they would be displaced for the rest of their lives, a sign of just how deep the financial abyss Spain was dealing with between 2008 and 2012 was.

But the slow, steady, sometimes painful reforms to labour and the economy has given Spain the necessary power to climb out of the slumps and post economic growth of 0.9% across the second quarter of 2017.

This figure might not sound impressive, but it’s actually a sign of incredible performance; by itself as well as in a wider context. A growth rate of 0.9% is 3 times higher than the growth of the UK, and around twice the growth of France; which saw economic growth of 0.5% during the same period.

The figure is even more impressive in context, given that Spain was one of the two countries in Europe facing a double dip recession in the credit crunch. This data from the second quarter also marks the continuation of growth pushing economic growth in Spain past 3% for the second year in a row – which would make it the best performing economy in Europe.

Spanish unemployment plummeted to 26% during the worst parts of the crisis. These days unemployment has been brought down to 17.2% and it continues to fall. HIS Markit economist Raj Badiani suggests that the growth of consumer spending regained momentum during the second quarter following strong job creation and the overall financial climate.

It seems the strong performance of Spain may give some inspiration to the new President of France Emmanuel Macron, who is currently considering introducing labour reforms to France that are similar to those employed by Spain since 2010; including loosening employment laws that made it easier for companies to lay off their workers. This has had an effect of companies becoming more willing to hire new staff, knowing that they are not tied down by long-term employment contracts.

The reforms have helped boost the manufacturing sector of Spain, boosting the export economy of the country. Exports are now accounting for around a third of Spanish economic output, higher than the less-than-one-quarter seen a few years ago.

As exports are on the up, the local governments of Spain have also been able to increase tax takes, with the money spreading into the wider economy; as seen in the increase of infrastructure projects being constructed nationwide.

Spain has picked itself up and is looking healthier and more stable than ever.

Spanish King Spoke to UK Parliament

Add caption

Spanish King Spoke to UK Parliament  

The king and queen of Spain headed to the UK in July and spent three-days in the country on a Royal excursion. The royal couple visited Buckingham Palace, had dinner at Clarence House, enjoyed a business workshop in London, and took a trip to the House of Commons, where King Felipe addressed Parliament. 

The royal visit is the first one of its kind in around 30 years, and comes when the UK and Spain are managing to maintain their good relationship despite the issue of the Brexit. The royal visit has been rescheduled twice because of internal political reasons. 

King Felipe and Queen Letizia  arrived in the country on July 11^th where they will proceeded directly to 10 Downing Street and enjoyed dinner with British Prime Minister Theresa May. 

Everything will officially begin when the royal couple meet the British royal couple – Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh – at Horse Guards Parade. 

It’s expected that there will be a message to Spanish companies and nationals in the UK to reassure them over Brexit and let them know they are still welcome – an issue that King Felipe himself is expected to bring up when he addresses the House of Commons. 

The Spanish royals met much more than just the Queen and Prime Minister; as the entire royal family was present at a gala dinner held on July 12 at Buckingham Palace. 

It seems that the royal family gathering like this to welcome a visiting foreign dignitary is a rare occasion, and Spanish diplomats are said to be delighted at how warmly the British royals are welcoming their Spanish counterparts. 

Prince Charles accompanied King Felipe on a visit to the city, where they attended a meeting of Spanish and British business leaders, before heading to Westminster Abbey where they pay ed homage to recent terror attack victims. 

A visit to Oxford for some academic meetings and presentations will round off the trip. Reports suggest that people on both sides are responding positively to how much respect and warmth is being shown by the royal families of both countries.

Brit Avoids Extortionate UK Train Fares by Flying to London Via Spain

Brit Avoids Extortionate UK Train Fares by Flying to London Via Spain

This just shows us how much the uk is over charging for everything 

Even though environmentalists might not be fans of it, plenty of smart travellers are coming up with new and impressive ways to avoid the extortionate rale fares in the UK. Most of the time this involves taking a quick flight to Spain.

The latest such savvy Brit managing to avoid British rail is 21-year old student Joe Furness; who saved £40 by flying from Newcastle to London via a stop in Menorca rather than coughing up the £78.50 it would take to catch a train.

Furness shied away from the rail fare, opting to catch a flight to Menorca from Spain for just £15.99, returning to the country the next day on a £10.99 flight from Menorca to London. Even though not everyone would have the luxury of a spare day, the tale of this student should serve as a reminder to travellers that they should always shop for bargains rather than taking what they feel they are forced to.

Furness hired a car in Spain for £7.50 and travelled across the island during his 12-hour layover. Furness talked to Metro.co.uk, saying that he thought “why not?” when he saw how much the train ride would cost. Instead he chose to fly to Menorca through Thomas Cook, relax on the beach with a cocktail, and then fly to London to meet his friends.

Furness added his friends had thought he was joking when he told them that he would be flying into London from Spain, and that they didn’t believe him until they picked him up at Gatwick airport.

While it sounds like this tale only came together thanks to chance and circumstance, it doesn’t change the fact that flights from the UK to Spain are very cheap, which has done wonders for Brits looking to purchase homes.

Given how easily and cheaply anyone in the UK can get to Spain, it brings them one step closer to their dream of owning a home in thesun.

UK Ambassador of Spain Says Costa Del Sol Keeps a Special Place in the Heart of Brits

UK Ambassador of Spain Says Costa Del Sol Keeps a Special Place in the Heart of Brits

British ambassador to Spain Simon Manley was speaking at a forum in Marbella last week when he remarked that the Costa del Sol still holds a special place in the hearts of Brits, reassuring everyone in attendance that the Brexit would have no impact on this relationship.

Spain will always be a special place for Brits

The forum took place in the Costa del Sol to address what the Brexit could mean for both Spain and the UK. Manley said that the Costa del Sol can still expect to see many British holidaymakers, as 2017 could very well break the record set last year of 18 million British tourists flocking to Spain.

The ambassador was also keen to remind the crowd that Britain remains the third largest investor in Spain, and spoke of his belief that this relationship is likely going to last through the changes to the UK’s membership in the EU.

In terms of specifics, Manley said that the Madrid British Embassy is working hard to develop the relationship between Spain and the UK on a number of topics including telecommunications, creating closer aviation ties, and renewable energy.

Given how much air traffic passes between these two countries, it only makes sense for the UK and Spain to develop a stronger working and commercial relationship as far as air routes and airports go.

Both Spaniards and Brits alike are sure to enjoy measures that make it cheaper and easier to travel between the countries. Such measures would also no doubt increase tourism revenue and boosting the Spanish property market, which has always been a favourite with British investors.

16.5% of Flights to Spain in May Came From The UK

16.5% of Flights to Spain in May Came From The UK

Malaga Airport is living up to its new expansion

with record number of Brits coming to

the Costa del Sol

Even though the summer has just started Spanish airports are already seeing record passenger numbers.

Things may be heating up with the Brexit but no matter what comes from the result it’s clear that Brits just can’t get enough of Spain.

While things are still heating up in the relationship between the EU and the UK, with people throwing around xenophobia and mistrust, the latest data suggests that Spain is still very much beloved by the UK.

The figures in question show that 16.5% of all the passengers arriving at Spanish airports during May were either coming from or going back to airports in the UK, helping lead to the overall rise of 11.3% in overall passengers over the last month. A total of 13.43 million Brits have passed through a Spanish airport during the first five months of 2016.

Spanish airports were just under 12% busier this May than they were in May of last year. So it looks like Spain really could see their old tourism records smashed in 2016.

During the first five months of 2016 all 16 of Spain’s major airports saw a dramatic increase in visitors. El Prat in Barcelona alone saw 16 million passengers during this time; a rise of 13.4% compared to last year.

The Barajas airport in Madrid was just as busy. They saw just over 19 million passengers themselves and Malaga Airport saw an impressive 5.7 million passengers. Overall over 21 million people made their way through Spanish airport terminals in May. That’s one record down already as this number is much higher than the older record set in May of 2008.

The Spanish airport management company Aena said that this rise in popularity is due to the cheaper fuel, leading to a drop in airfares, as well as the relative safety of the country. Spain is now a safer country than other popular tourist destinations Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia.

The drive is almost definitely coming from tourism though as the increase is mostly down to British tourists due to the cost of living being so low, and Spain being so safe and for so many other reasons. Germans came in second with 11.5% of international flights coming from Germany, with Italy and France coming in third and fourth.

Tesco to Work with El Corte Inglés to Sell UK Goodies in Spanish Stores

Tesco to Work with El Corte Inglés to Sell UK Goodies in Spanish Stores

Its fantastic news for Brits wanting some more home goodies

El Corte Ignlés is known for having it all and, pretty soon, it will have some goodies from Tescos sent from the UK in their stores.

Brits have never had it too tough to get their hands on their favourite foods and goods from home. It’s about to get a whole lot easier too thanks to Tesco signing a deal with Spanish department store chain El Corte Inglés to bring in some of the best of Britain.

The agreement will mean that El Corte Inglés will soon have Tesco-supplied British goods all across Spain such as teas, biscuits and cereals.

This news will no doubt be welcomed by Brits who will be eager to get their hands on even more British goods rather than the local cuisine. The deal also allows Spaniards living in the UK to get a taste of home. This ‘contra’ deal works both ways as Tesco shelves will soon be the home to a range of El Corte Inglés specials.

El Corte Inglés became a player on the British scene last year when they put their products in five Tesco stores in London on a trial basis. The trial worked so well that their products will be entering a wider market including Brighton, Edinburgh, and Cambridge.

This deal gives Tesco a chance to enter the Spanish grocery market as the cost of living in spain is so low which is going to be good for the British chain. They already have a presence in several other European markets such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, but have been unsuccessful in some markets such as France and Germany.

As this deal works both ways it should help Tesco edge their way into the competitive Spanish market successfully.

Tesco released a statement saying the deal is part of their promise to always deliver new and exciting products to their customers through their world food range. They are trialling the products right now and are excited to see the results.

Ten Weird Things About the UK That Shocks Spaniards

Ten Weird Things About the UK That Shocks Spaniards

Spaniards love to go to the UK when they decide to live abroad but there are things about the UK that the Spaniards find almost impossible to come to grips with.

The Spanish think the British have

some strange habits

Alcohol

In Spain alcohol is enjoyed as part of a meal and it can take them the better part of an evening to drink it all. In the UK Brits drink as much as they can as fast as they can, only stopping to get something to eat on the way home.

Punctuality

Another thing is that Spaniards take being late nowhere near as seriously as the British do. A Spaniard could turn up 30 minutes late with no problem but if you’re late more than once with a Brit then you’ve got a reputation.

Personal Space

Spaniards also have trouble with personal space. Spaniards are expressive and greet eachother with a kiss while Brits prefer handshakes and formal greetings. Brits don’t even kiss people they know. Physical contact is something that should generally be avoided. Spanish expats are commonly regarded as being a bit too touchy-feely if all they do is just pat someone on the back. A good firm handshake is about as much as Brits are willing to touch strangers.

Bad Coffee

Spaniards find the coffee in the UK terrible compared to the coffee from Spain. It’s just something the Brits have never managed to get right.

Bathroom Carpets

Carpets may help a British home stay warm but Spaniards are used to wooden floors and tiles so it can be surprising to them. They also feel that bathroom carpets are unhygienic.

Winter Dress

British people are so used to the cold weather they can wear miniskirts and stringy tops in the middle of winter. Spaniards may brave the cold but they will only do so if they are wearing plenty of layers. They just don’t get how the Brits do it.

Politeness

While the Spanish say please, thank you, and sorry plenty they feel that Brits will throw these words into conversation too much. They say the words so much they lose meaning to Spaniards.

Takeaway Food

There are so many fast food joints, and the food served there is so bad, that it leaves Spaniards desperate for a nice home cooked meal. They are also surprised when they learn that curry is actually one of the national dishes of England, rather than the more traditional fish and chips or roast beef and Yorkshire puddings.

Queues

The Spanish aren’t exactly surprised to learn how much Brits are willing to queue, but they can be very surprised to learn how angry it makes Brits when someone doesn’t respect the queue and tries to jump the line.

Fake Tan

Spanish expats can’t get over how obsessed with being tanned the British are. All the fake tan and makeup that a British woman is likely to put on comes across as tacky to them.

Reciprocal Agreement with Spain likely if Brexit s confirmed: Foreign Secretary of UK

Reciprocal Agreement with Spain likely if Brexit s confirmed: Foreign Secretary of UK

With recent fears emerging that the Brits residing in Spain would have to go back to UK if majority of the voters choose so, the Foreign Secretary of UK, Phillip Hammond has said that in such conditions, UK and Spain will enter into a reciprocal agreement which will allow the foreign nationals to continue having residency in Spain and in their respective countries.

Brexit in our out

Phillip Hammond said this when he was asked a question regarding Brexit in a recent think tank event that was held in London.

The Foreign Minister appreciate this question and went ahead to answer it, giving a relief to Brits living in Spain. As of now, over two million Brits are living across different European Union countries.

Phillip also said that UK has provided a lot to EU citizens living in UK and have made sure that their stay is comfortable. On similar lines, over two million Brits live in EU nations and the largest number of them live in cities in Spain.

He said that they are planning to negotiate if there are any voting policies as such and would also try to enter into a reciprocal agreement, so that citizens living in different countries are left undisturbed.

As of now, nothing is in their plate regarding the plan of action after Brexit and said that there is a two year transition period before UK becomes totally independent of EU.

Post Brexit

If people of UK decide on June 23^rd to leave EU, it will just be the beginning of the process and not the end; as treaties with mandates of two years are less likely to be enforced within such a short span. However, if the Brits decide to relocate, the British Government will do the needful and serve a notice to the EU to start with further round of negotiations.

We personally believe that if Britain decides to leave the EU it will hardy affect residents in Spain when it comes to buying or selling in the Costa del Sol,. Spain would do everything in their powers to make trade agreements with the UK by making sure that the British don’t leave.

To give a good example that all will be well you only have to look at Norway who is a non EU member and Norwegians buy property in southern Spain in there droves and do not have any problems that is being suggested by the British government if a no vote takes effect.

There maybe a little more paperwork, and the pound may drop for a few years, but it will come back. Spain will always be the Brits number one holiday and expat destination, Why! Very simple because the sun will always shine and the Spanish people are the most friendly and family orientated nation in Europe and we are welcome.

Stay in Europe or  vote out of Europe Life is SOOOO much better in Flip Flops.

UK Property Tax Totalling €1.38 billion Owed by Spaniards.

Spanish love buying property

The British remain the largest foreign investors in Costa del Sol  property and Spanish property as a whole, but data from the Spanish tax authorities show that it’s not an unrequited love as Spaniards owe €1.38 billion in UK property tax.

The information comes from the Spanish Form 720, which Spaniards use to declare any assets they own outside of Spanish territory when they have a value of higher than €50,000. Overall Spanish citizens are the proud owners of over €9 billion in overseas property.

The love spreads across all of Europe as France is where the majority of Spanish homeowners buy property. In France Spaniards own €1.73 billion in property, with the UK in a close second. Germany comes third with Spanish brick and mortar assets totalling €728 million. Fourth place is shared by Mexico and Portugal with €682.3 million.

This data is based on Spaniards who are still based in and living in Spain and doesn’t take into account expats who have long since said goodbye to the motherland.

Spaniards have also bought property in other places including Andorra (€627.4 million), Belgium (€485 million), the USA (€374 million), Switzerland (€354.6 million) and finally Italy (€309 million).

Many Spanish also own second homes on the coast and when the summer months come or its holiday time where the temperature inland is so high, the Spanish decent to the coast areas such the Costa del Sol.