‘Tourists go home': Inside the angry protests on Spain's holiday islands
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Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
How to retire to Spain – and stop the taxman raiding your wealth
Sunny Spain is the dream retirement destination for thousands of us – golden coasts, delicious food and a rich culture are hard to resist. It is little wonder that more than 100,000 British pensioners have already settled in the country. Relocating to a warmer climate may be enticing, but it is crucial to plan ahead before making the move. If rushed, it could kick up surprise tax bills and pension headaches. However, the sun could be about to set on this expat dream. Pedro Sánchez, the country's socialist prime minister, plans to impose a 100pc tax on property purchases by non-residents living outside the EU – and may ban sales altogether. He branded these buyers 'speculators', who were out 'just to make money'. While current British residents in Spain would be unaffected by this proposed plan, it threatens to put an abrupt end to the phenomenon. Here, Telegraph Money explains everything you need to know about relocating to Spain, from taxes and visas to pensions and property prices. How much money you will need to retire to Spain Pensioners are categorised as 'economically inactive' in Spain, which means they have to fulfil extra requirements to stay in the country, compared with working age people. There were two types of visas to earn the right to live in the country: the 'non-lucrative visa' and the 'golden visa'. The non-lucrative visa requires proof of your financial resources to pass the income check, which applies for one year. On renewal, the visa then lasts for another two years. As of 2025, the income requirement is €28,800 (£25,043), plus €7,200 per dependent for each year you live in Spain. The immigration authority will also accept available savings. The visa renewal process requires you to prove your income will last over each period, or that you have roughly double the savings compared with the initial one-year application. The income requirement increased by 3.5pc last year, so plan around an annual increase of around this size. Today, if you receive the full new state pension of £11,973 each year, you would need another €13,976 from other sources as a single person. A more flexible option was the 'Golden Visa', which provides permanent legal residency without the requirement to spend any time in Spain – but it required a €500,000 investment in real estate, or €1m in investment funds, bank deposits, or listed company shares in Spanish financial institutions, €2m in Spanish government debt, or a business investment that delivers jobs. But in a crackdown on non-EU buyers, the government axed this scheme, and it closed on April 3 this year. It is another sign of hostility towards British buyers. How you will be taxed in Spain Anyone planning their move must consider their financial and tax situation before they relocate, or risk facing hefty bills. British tax-efficient investments, such as Isas and National Savings & Investments, do not have the same tax-efficient treatment abroad. In Spain, any interest, dividends or capital gains arising within these accounts will be taxable. When it comes to pensions, income is taxable where the pension holder lives. The only exception is government employee pensions, which will only be taxable in the UK. Importantly, the 25pc tax-free pension cash rule will not apply if you take this after relocating to Spain. Your cash lump sum is taxable because Spain does not have a non-taxable element of a pension fund. Those planning ahead may be better off taking the tax-free cash before relocating. Anyone planning to sell their family home in Britain after making the move may also be stung by charges. Jason Porter, of Blevin Franks, said: 'Most countries have some form of main home tax relief, so in the normal course of events no capital gains tax arises on sale, but the UK's rules are significantly different than those in Spain. While the sale may not lead to a tax liability in the UK, it may in Spain if it occurs after you have left.' Similarly, anyone planning to delay selling a British business until they have left to avoid UK capital gains tax, are likely to find the sale taxable in Spain, he added. Spain, like other countries in Europe, has additional taxes that do not exist in Britain, such as a wealth tax. This means expats must fill in additional tax return forms. Any assets must be declared on a wealth tax return where they exceed €2m after use of allowances. Previously, several Spanish regions considered matching Madrid's 100pc exemption to wealth tax. In 2023, the central government, fearing a significant reduction in tax collection, decided to impose a 'solidarity tax' at a national level, starting at 1.7pc on wealth over €3m, then to 2.1pc at €5m and 3.5pc at €10m. There are additional charges that vary between regions. Where both wealth and solidarity tax might be payable, a taxpayer will not pay twice on the same assets. Overseas assets exceeding €50,000 must also be declared on a form 'modelo 720'. Failure to do so could result in significant penalties. Inheritance taxes vary hugely from region to region in Spain. Some areas like Madrid have 100pc relief on inheritance tax, while other regions can charge up to 34pc in death duties. Buying Spanish property Spanish property is much cheaper than the value of an average British home. The national average square metre in Madrid costs €5,316 (£4,638), compared to £8,110 in London, according to Global Property Guide. In Córdoba to the south of the country prices fall to €1,532 a square meter. However, buying real estate in Spain attracts certain taxes, stamp duty and fees. These costs can amount to between 12pc and 14pc of the property purchase price, mainly due to VAT, according to Spanish Property Insight. In addition there are conveyancing fees, typically around 1pc of the property purchase price. Getting health cover or insurance Britons must prove they will not be an 'undue burden' on the Spanish state, which requires them to have comprehensive health insurance. For many of Spain's long term visa options, having full private health insurance coverage is a condition of application. However, if you receive the state pension in the UK you may be eligible for some costs to be covered by the UK government via an S1 FORM. Benefits of retiring in Spain There are many benefits of spending your later years in the sun-filled land of Spain: Property is cheaper, meaning you can get a lot more bang for your buck if you choose to move. It's expat friendly. Malaga, Valencia and Alicante were named the top three cities for expats in 2025 by InterNations, a global community for people who live and work abroad. Spain ranks seventh in the World Healthcare Index, surpassing Portugal and Italy, for instance. It spends 11pc of its GDP on healthcare, which is more than most European countries. However, you will have to get an expensive, comprehensive health insurance. Disadvantages of retiring in Spain But there are serious disadvantages to consider as a backlash against tourists spreads across the country: Spain has certain taxes that don't exist in the UK, such as a wealth tax. Isas and NS&Is do not have the same tax-efficient treatment abroad. While its cities are welcoming of expats, there is a wider backlash against tourism across Spain's holiday hotspots. Last summer, protesters in Barcelona drenched tourists with water pistols to highlight the damage they believe they are doing to their city. The coveted 'Golden Visa' no longer exists. And bear in mind Mr Sánchez's plans to impose a 100pc tax on property purchases by non-residents living outside the EU. It will be enough to dissuade many buyers. You may also experience serious pension headaches. The 25pc tax-free pension cash rule will not apply if you take this after relocating to Spain. Your cash lump sum is taxable because Spain does not have a non-taxable element of a pension fund.
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Schoolboy, 17, investigated on suspicion of using AI to make deepfake nudes of his female classmates
A 17-year-old schoolboy in Spain is under investigation after allegedly using artificial intelligence to create deepfake nude images of his female classmates, which he is suspected of selling online. The investigation began after 16 young women, all students at an educational institute in Valencia, southeastern Spain, reported disturbing incidents of AI-generated sexual images of themselves circulating on social media. The images showed the minors naked and were allegedly being sold to others. The first complaint was lodged in December, when a teenage girl informed police that an account had been created under her name, with AI-generated videos and images depicting her in a compromising position. 'Photos of various people, all of them minors, appeared on this account. All these photos had been modified from the originals, which had been manipulated so that the people in them appeared completely naked,' the Spanish Civil Guard said in a statement. The suspect, a 17-year-old boy, is now facing investigation for the alleged corruption of minors. Authorities are continuing to gather evidence to determine whether he is responsible for creating and distributing the explicit images. This alarming case comes at a time when AI-driven sexual exploitation is on the rise, particularly among minors. Spain is no stranger to this phenomenon. In 2023, a similar case in Extremadura saw 15 minors investigated for using AI to create explicit images of their female schoolmates. The offenders were later sentenced to probation. The deepfake issue is not confined to Spain. Celebrities around the world, including pop stars like Taylor Swift and politicians like US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have fallen victim to AI-generated pornography. In the UK, more than 250 British celebrities were targeted by a Channel 4 investigation that exposed how their faces were superimposed onto explicit videos using AI. Although the Spanish government pledged in March 2023 to introduce laws to criminalise the creation of AI-generated sexual content without consent, the bill has yet to be passed by parliament. Currently, cases like these often fall into legal limbo, with existing laws not explicitly addressing the issue of AI-manipulated imagery. In the UK, however, the Online Safety Act 2023 has criminalised the sharing of explicit deepfake content without consent. Offenders who create or share such material maliciously now face criminal charges, with the possibility of imprisonment and unlimited fines. 'It is unacceptable that one in three women have been victims of online abuse. This demeaning and disgusting form of chauvinism must not become normalised,' said Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones. 'We are bearing down on violence against women – whatever form it takes.' Baroness Jones, the UK's Technology Minister, also condemned the rise in intimate image abuse, saying: 'The rise of intimate image abuse is a horrifying trend that exploits victims and perpetuates a toxic online culture. 'These acts are not just cowardly, they are deeply damaging, particularly for women and girls who are disproportionately targeted.' The rapid development of AI technology has made it easier than ever for perpetrators to create and distribute explicit images without the knowledge or consent of the victims. With new cases emerging, there are growing calls for stricter legislation worldwide to keep pace with this emerging threat. Tech companies are also under increasing pressure to remove deepfake content from their platforms and take stronger measures to prevent its creation and distribution.
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
European holiday hotspot loved by Brits issues strict rules for tourists - with huge fines if you break them
The Spanish city of Malaga is taking a firm stance on unruly behaviour from tourists this summer by issuing a 10-point guidance plan that encourages appropriate dress, the respecting of local customs and keeping the noise down after hours. The Costa del Sol destination, known for its links to Picasso, beautiful old town and sweeping beaches, has put its Improve your Stay campaign front and centre across the city. The straight-talking ads are aimed at curbing behaviour that has angered locals in recent years, especially during the peak tourist season. Signage across the city spells out expectations, with posters - on buses and billboards, written in English and directly addressing antics often attributed to British holidaymakers. There's also a social media campaign reminding tourists they must follow municipal bylaws or face fines of up to €750 (£655) for violations. In Malaga's city centre, residents have objected to foreigners walking around the city wearing only bikinis or shorts. One of the Improve your Stay city hall signs reads: 'Dress completely. Both on the street and in public places always wear an upper garment out of respect and hygiene.' Billboard posters ask visitors to wear full clothes while in town - demanding they 'dress properly', 'dress appropriately' and 'dress completely'. The campaign, promoted by Malaga's tourism department, highlights four major issues: inappropriate attire, littering, excessive noise, and reckless e-scooter use. Another sign focuses on noise pollution, urging visitors to 'respect the sleeping hours' of residents, including the elderly, students, and essential workers. The sign advises against shouting, singing loudly, or playing music at high volumes in public areas, adding: 'Don't be conspicuous.' Littering is another sore point for locals, with signs asking tourists to 'Keep the city clean' by using rubbish bins and taking care of historical monuments, gardens, and public seating. Meanwhile, scooter riders are reminded that 'pavements are for pedestrians. If you use scooters or bicycles, do so in the legally authorised areas, in compliance with municipal ordinances.' The measure is an attempt to combat visitors who ride indiscriminately in cycle lanes, invade pedestrian areas and have been involved in more than one serious incident. With the summer season now in full swing, overtourism has become a major issue in many European resorts and cities. Italy's Dolomites were compared to Disneyland last week by fed-up locals, as the beauty spot became overloaded by swarms of selfie-snapping tourists and so-called influencers. Images and videos shared on social media shared by furious residents showed crowds of holidaymakers clogging up a cable car station in the Seceda area of the Alpine mountain range, which has become increasingly popular thanks to social media. Another sign focuses on noise pollution, urging visitors to 'respect the sleeping hours' of residents, including the elderly, students, and essential workers Littering is another sore point for locals, with signs asking tourists to 'Keep the city clean' One particular video shows a lengthy queue of visitors at the station over-spilling onto a nearby cafe, while some tourists are seen blocking a staircase as they wait in line. Another clip showed how a hiking trail came to a standstill as it became overwhelmed by tourists trying to reach the cable car. The video, which was shared on an Instagram page, was captioned: 'Something incredible even just to be told. 'Hours in line waiting for your turn to go up the Seceda to admire the meadows, ridges, the most beautiful mountains of the Alto Adige, being careful not to step on each other's feet, not to clash, to take the selfie as 'freely' possible in the presence of other tourists.' Such is the surge in visitors that the operator of the cable car that takes hikers up to the summit of the Seceda mountain has put in a request to triple the capacity of the chairlift, Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera reports. But recent scenes of overcrowding at the UNESCO World Heritage Site has sparked anger among locals and environmentalists who say large crowds could put wildlife at risk.
