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2nd holiday home in the EU

-sp●●n-

By -sp●●n-, 1728902309

Having previously had a 2nd home in Spain (Murcia region), loved the area, love the Spanish, but over the last 20 years that area became pretty hot in summer (+40oC is not unknown there now).

I am now looking for ideas on a over-wintering 2nd home, so can split half and half the year between the UK and somewhere in Europe. Open to suggestions. Italian lakes have been suggested as reasonable climate (good central location for exploring 6 different countries), Switzerland is a possibility, but has more difficult foreign purchasing rules.

Edited by -sp●●n-

indemnity said, 1728902873

I've lived in Cyprus and Canary Islands, both places for a few years, totally different experiences. Overall Canaries gets my vote though speaking Spanish (Spanish wife) and having wife's family there helps. I would choose Thailand now, was going to move there 15 yrs ago, never happened.

Edited by indemnity

Orson Carter said, 1728903002

Rotherham. You won't be troubled by 40C there. 

Spartacusimages said, 1728903307

I too had a 2nd home is Frigiliana near Nerja spain for over 10 years loved it miss it but no more the bureaucratic red tape and costs now are far too much, now of course due to Brexit you cant stay there so long. Also cheap to rent in the winter. Still miss the lifestyle and some of the food, but its really not so cheap anymore. I don't know where people go now!

RHM.Photo said, 1728904940

You'll need visas unless you have an EU passport, don't forget.

Carlos said, 1728905064

Spartacusimages said

I too had a 2nd home is Frigiliana near Nerja spain for over 10 years loved it miss it but no more the bureaucratic red tape and costs now are far too much, now of course due to Brexit you cant stay there so long. Also cheap to rent in the winter. Still miss the lifestyle and some of the food, but it’s really not so cheap anymore. I don't know where people go now!

I was in Almuñécar for 14 years til 2017 - other side of Nerja from you.  Loved it while it lasted but became a pain having to sort out issues with the place each visit before we started to enjoy our holiday - both bureaucratic and physical.  

Finding it much easier to Airbnb in regular places now…..not getting tied down to any one location.  As Iberophiles we are rotating between Cascais (Portuguese Riviera), Fuerteventura (Canaries) and Moraira (Valencia’s Coast).  Cheaper and no stress.  Does help that we speak Portuguese well and Spanish to a reasonable degree.

RHM.Photo said, 1728905167

Be careful too buying in Spain/Canaries/Balearics if you leave the property empty because squatters can be almost impossible to remove if they get in and start living there in your absence (same with actual tenants). There's also some tightening of holiday rental properties under a VV licence if you decide to go down that route, both in terms of getting the licences now and in terms of living there in a licensed property.

-sp●●n- said, 1728924081

Carlos yes forgot the red tape in Spain, how it is perfectly normal to employ a person to do the red tape for you, and that is just paying yearly property taxes etc.

Carlos said, 1728927268

-sp●●n- said

Carlos yes forgot the red tape in Spain, how it is perfectly normal to employ a person to do the red tape for you, and that is just paying yearly property taxes etc.


Agreed.  But I know to my cost that a good lawyer and/or agent (anywhere but particularly in Spain) is hard to find and expensive when you do find one.  Having said that when I sold I had never paid property taxes, due to the aforesaid ‘not good’ lawyer.  My final ‘good’ lawyer, however, arranged  an ‘amnesty’ for me and I paid only the last 4 years worth.  She was brilliant and all the more amazing that though she was doing my work in Spanish, reporting to me in (excellent) English, she was originally an immigrant from Minsk, Belarus.  I was in awe!

JME Studios said, 1729090753

I would stick with Spain. My Dad's got a place in Marbella and I love going down there in the Winter. Very popular with the Scandinavians in winter-time, too.