UK Driving Licences Invalid Without Medical

One of the most important pieces of advice I give in my book is that you should always seek professional advice rather than simply doing research on the internet of taking information from a guide book.

Listening to Brian Deller on REM.fm bought this home yet again as he mentioned the case of an expat involved in an accident who while legally using a UK licence had not had the medical that is required by law in Spain.  Because of this, he says her licence was deemed invalid, she lost the case and her insurance would not pay.

I stopped looking when I read that UK licences were valid!   So of course I will be straight down to Trafico tomorrow to get my licence changed. 

And for those who kept them (like me) because they don´t need to be renewed until you are 70 will be disappointed to hear that they are talking of bringing in the same renewal procedures in the UK.

Brian Deller is author of Motoring in Spain and you can find his website at:  www.spainvia.com

Reclaim Spanish Capital Gains Tax Paid 2003-2006

According to the website  www.spanishtaxreclaim.co.uk

If you sold your property in Spain between 2003 and 2006 you could be entitled to reclaim thousands of pounds back of the Capital Gains Tax you paid.

In the past non-residents were liable for 35% capital gains tax on property sold in Spain compared to only 15% that was payable by residents.  The EU has ruled that this was discriminatory and the rates were lowered to 18% with the resident rate increased to this same amount.

To qualify they state you must fulfill the following criteria:

1. You sold a Spanish property between May 2004 and December 31st 2006.
2. You were NOT a fiscal resident in Spain when you sold it.
3. You paid the Capital Gain Tax to the Spanish Authorities.
4. You sold your Spanish property as an individual; not as a company.
5. You have, or can obtain, a copy of the Spanish Tax Form “Modelo 212” you completed when you sold the property

They also have a calculator on the site which allows you to estimate how much you are entitled to.   Based on a €200,000 property purchased in October 2005 and sold for €250,000, they calculate you could be entitled to approximately €10,000!  Not to be sniffed.

Rush over to their site and see if you qualify - www.spanishtaxreclaim.co.uk

Thanks to Steve Clark of www.euro-cheque.com for bringing this to our attention.

Computers in Spain - with English customer service!

Need a new laptop or some computers accessories but find it impossible to navigate your way through the  jargon in Spanish?  Computer Pitstop is based in Spain but with English-speaking staff and some great bargains!

They have laptops starting from just €305.74 as well as pc accessories, MP3 players and more.

According to their website:

Computer Pitstop engineers are all qualified and certified to the highest standards set by companies such as Microsoft, CISCO and Linksys.

Visit their website at www.cheaplaptopsinspain.com to see what they have to offer.