The author of ‘Knowing the Law in Spain’ is Harry King, he has written a number of expert books on what it’s really like to live and own property in Spain and in this particular book he takes an incredibly practical approach to detailing and fully explaining the main Spanish laws that expatriates moving to live in the country will encounter.
Because the Spanish legal system is so different to the British system and because it seemingly contains many contradictions and alternative interpretations, Harry King has written ‘Knowing the Law in Spain’ as a really useful guide for new residents, Spanish property owners and long term holiday makers and this book is thoroughly recommended both to those thinking about buying property in Spain and those planning a move to live in Spain.
As stated the author has refrained from taking an academic and in depth approach to analysing laws and detailing the application of laws in Spain – rather he has taken the approach of detailing in simple and understandable terms the essential laws and rules that apply to, and will need to be understood by, those expats residing in Spain or foreign owners of property in Spain.
The fact that there are upwards of a million Brits with long term interests in Spain – either though the fact that they live there, take extended breaks there or have a home or investment real estate there – means that it is really timely and wise of Harry King to produce such a guide to ‘Knowing the Law in Spain’ specifically targeting a British readership. The author begins with an overview of the Spanish legal system and some of the historic reasons for certain laws being in place before getting down to the nitty gritty of explaining legal obligations and requirements.
Firstly the author looks at all things personal and financial – from documents required to prove identity when opening bank accounts to obligations as EU citizens in terms of registering your presence in Spain or having certain rights to reside or own homes in Spain. Harry King provides a useful chapter on the professional people one may encounter in everyday life from lawyers to police to local council workers and then he moves on to take the entire property law side of things on.
Harry King tackles property law from the approach of buying, financing, selling, letting and owning property in Spain. Each aspect is approached in a separate chapter and fully expanded upon meaning that it contains all essential and useful legal information possible. After property the author looks at working in Spain, paying taxes, owning a car, births, marriages, deaths and divorce, inheritance tax and wills.
This is an essential guidebook to have on your bookcase if you have any significant interests in Spain and if you want to read reviews of the book, a further content synopsis or order ‘Knowing the Law in Spain’ from Amazon click here.
