@claxnes
American expat in Spain
Forum
182 posts
Contacts
21
About me
American
Speaks Spanish and Englsh fluently. Less fluent in Valencian and Norwegian (Bokmål).
Registration: 22 May 2016
Activity
Moving to Spain in 2 months by Beatraveling
New to this group. I’m married to a Spaniard for 22 years and we decided to semi-retire and move to Spain in April (2 months from now). I wrote to the consulate in miami (where I live) and they told me that I was better off waiting until we ...
We have a US Skype Number. Our plan costs $30/year for the phone number and $3/month for our plan. From my mobile or PC I can call any US number as a local call. I receive texts free, voice mail, and can make international calls a very good rates. Read More
What do you hate about living in Spain? by Bazseville
Good Morning to all you expats out in Spain. Don't get me wrong, I love living in Spain, but some things get on my goat. Despite being in Seville for 7 years I still get treated like a guiri most places I go, the litter and dog poo drives me mad, ...
Jeez. Most of these problems have easy solutions and they have nothing to do with Spain as a country! I am a US expat who retired here about 9 years ago, but have lived here off and on since 1995. My favorite complaint about Spain over the years ... Read More
Vaccines required in Spain by Diksha
Hello everybody, When living or moving abroad, and in particular in Spain, vaccination against certain diseases is often required to enter the country or to avoid risks. We would like to ask you a few questions to help future expats ...
Gattus. I have friends from the US that are permanent residents. The vaccine is distributed by the national health service. You need to register and get a temporary SIP card. They then call you. That's what my friends did. Read More
How does it feel to be locked down once again? by Veedushi
Hello everyone! I hope you're well. How does it feel to be locked down once again in your expat country? How are you coping with work, family and the absence of social life? What about your children's schooling? Feel free to share your ...
My daughter lives in Spring, Texas (The Woodlands). She has two small children. She wanted to take them to swimming classes, but had to stop as parents of other children, no doubt Trump supporters, would arrive maskless and congregate in the lobby ... Read More
Taxes in retirement for Americans by Erichsisol
hi there, I'm planing to retire in Spain (around Barcelona) but the main concern are taxes. I did online research but found incomplete or confusing information about taxation in retirement. Here is my info: I'm US and also Slovakia-EU ...
I have a private pension from a company in the US. Don't know the answer to the other questions, but I assume that interest and income are not taxable until retired from 401K and IRAs as per US law. Here is the Spanish BOE and explanation, but ... Read More
Taxes in retirement for Americans by Erichsisol
hi there, I'm planing to retire in Spain (around Barcelona) but the main concern are taxes. I did online research but found incomplete or confusing information about taxation in retirement. Here is my info: I'm US and also Slovakia-EU ...
Lots of questions. I recommend consulting with one of the online companies that do international taxes. From my own situation, I know the following: 1) Both Spain and the US tax all international earnings. Tax treaties are set up so that one is not ... Read More
Spanish toilets (may contain offensive observations) by Guest578976556
* If easily offended please do not read the following * This has been an issue for my 10 years in Spain. I must say to begin-with that I love Spain but there persist some inexplicable practices. I am a man of 90 kilograms. Since the start of my ...
The Spanish toilets were obviously designed by Socialists and Commies and fixtures in the US have the same problem. But there is hope! The DJ Trump toilet (The DT), DJT incandescent light bulb, and DJT high pressure shower (fire hose and pump not ... Read More
Expat interest in politics in Spain by Bhavna
Hello everyone, As an expat, your day-to-day life in Spain is impacted by decision-making at the political level in your host country as well as in your country of origin. We would like to know how involved you think expats should be in the ...
I am a US expst, fluent in Spanish and semi-fluent in Valencian. As a non-EU citizen I cannot vote in Spain, but I am known to the local EU/Podem community and I am usually invited to local events and mitins which I sometimes attend. I try to keep ... Read More
Payment methods in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Once youre settled in Spain, you will need to make some basic purchases, like groceries or pay bills. Hence, it is essential to know the payment methods available in your host country. Which are the most common payment methods ...
I am a retired American. I have an American Airlines Citi Platinum card that I use for most expenses. It transfers money from my US credit union at approximate interbank rates with no commision, and gives me frequent flyer miles, as well as other ... Read More
COST OF DYING IN SPAIN by Bob and Pat
We were stopped in Carrefour by 2 female sales people selling death plans. They said Spain is the most expensive place to die and we need a 20,000 euro plan each now ‘’today’’ to be able to stay in Spain. Is this true?.
Thank you, Michele! Read More
COST OF DYING IN SPAIN by Bob and Pat
We were stopped in Carrefour by 2 female sales people selling death plans. They said Spain is the most expensive place to die and we need a 20,000 euro plan each now ‘’today’’ to be able to stay in Spain. Is this true?.
Well, it is true that I have strayed a bit from the original question, but I believe that parts of my answer address questions that have arisen from the ensueing discussion. Not sure how to separate my answer and start a new thread. Perhaps, other ... Read More
Starting to investigate Alicante by petewales
Hello, I am starting to investigate Alicante, In the first instance I would like a holiday apartment, but gradually look to relocate totally to Spain over the next decade. I am visiting Alicante to investigate soon but would appreciate any ...
I live in the San Anton neighborhood in Alicante, which is close to the city center. Generally speaking, apartments inctease in price the closer they are to the city center or thr beach. As for "trendy" artsy areas, there is the Santa ... Read More
COST OF DYING IN SPAIN by Bob and Pat
We were stopped in Carrefour by 2 female sales people selling death plans. They said Spain is the most expensive place to die and we need a 20,000 euro plan each now ‘’today’’ to be able to stay in Spain. Is this true?.
I preface my message with my own experience upon my father's death in the USA. He left a will providing for my sister and I as well as his spouse but my sister and I received nothing, even though his estate was significant. There are various ... Read More
Euro / pound exchange rate by Johncar
I had occasion to check how the pound to euro rate has changed since 1st January 2002 when the euro currency, in our pocket, was introduced. On that day it was 1.60 euros to the pound, a few days later it was at its highest ever at 1.64. It ...
Well, Trump pressured and got the Fed in the US to lower the interest rate to drive up the EUR/ USD ratio, and yesterday it responded in the opposite, falling below the 1.11 mark, which was the lowest it has been for a year! Read More
Sense of humour in Spain by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Should we set out to explore Spanishs culture through its sense of humour? Indeed, if one is planning to settle in the country, it is best to understand the cultural codes governing humour in order to avoid any faux-pas. What ...
I disagree with a lot of Writerman's comments. In my opinion, every culture offers up, to the degree permitted by government or religious institutions, humor at various levels. I think this is a quality of being human. As for the comment that ... Read More