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SGM Abogados - Property Lawyers

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Benijófar
SGM Abogados - Property Lawyers

We are a law firm specialising in conveyancing, tax and inheritance law, with many years experience

04/09/2026

🚦 Driving in Spain? One thing changes on 1 October 2026.

At some pedestrian crossings today, drivers can see a flashing amber light while pedestrians already have a green man — two signals, one crossing, at the same time, and plenty of doubt about who actually goes first.

From 1 October 2026, that combination is no longer allowed. When pedestrians have green, drivers will see a fixed red and must stop.

Importantly, the flashing amber isn't disappearing — it stays in place in other situations. The change only affects certain pedestrian crossings, and for most drivers there's nothing complicated to learn: just expect a different light sequence at some junctions, designed to remove conflicting signals and improve safety — especially for children, older people and other vulnerable pedestrians.

It's part of a wider road-safety reform (Real Decreto 518/2026, updating the Reglamento General de Circulación). Local authorities will adapt the affected crossings ahead of the date.

👇 A sensible safety upgrade — or was the old system clear enough already? Tell us in the comments.

03/09/2026

Spain’s courts have now settled it: the reference value used to tax property purchases is legal.
The national tax tribunal (TEAC), on 30 June 2026, backed what the Constitutional Court had already ruled in February (Judgment 13/2026). Both agree the system is constitutional and does not breach the principle of taxable capacity or the reserve of law.
What does this mean if you’re buying in Spain?
When you buy a resale property, your transfer tax (ITP) is calculated on the reference value whenever it’s higher than the price you actually pay.
You can no longer challenge the system as a whole. What you can still do is challenge the value given to your specific property, by providing evidence, such as a professional valuation, that its real value is lower. The Constitutional Court upheld the system precisely because it leaves that door open (article 10 TRLITPAJD).
One thing to watch: the Supreme Court still has to rule (order of 29 April 2026) on whether the reference value must always apply as the tax base. So the picture isn’t fully closed yet.
Before you sign, always check the property’s reference value. It can change your numbers completely.

31/08/2026

"30,000 residents. One new political party. A campaign to break away from Orihuela altogether."
Orihuela Costa, home to a large Foreign and Spanish community on the Costa Blanca, now has its own political party campaigning for independence from the municipality of Orihuela. Swipe through for what's driving it, what independence would actually involve, and — if you're a foreign resident — whether you'd even be eligible to vote on it.

This is a developing story. We'll share updates as it moves forward.

22/08/2026

Spain doesn’t just track your address — it tracks your time here.
If you’re on the path to long-term residence, the days you spend outside Spain can matter as much as the days you spend in it. Under the general rule, absences over the five-year qualifying period shouldn’t add up to more than 10 months in total.
Having a valid residence permit isn’t automatically enough — authorities can look at whether Spain has genuinely been your main place of residence.
Start building your paper trail now: padrón registration, utility bills, medical appointments, school records, bank transactions. Ordinary paperwork, but it can matter later.
There’s a tax angle too. Spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, and you’ll generally be treated as a Spanish tax resident — which can mean declaring worldwide income.
If long stays abroad are part of your plans, it’s worth understanding how that affects both your immigration status and your tax position, before it becomes a problem rather than after.

21/08/2026

🛻 WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUR CAR BREAKS DOWN ?
Find out here ...

Dirección

Avenida Federico García Lorca 90
Benijófar
03178

Horario de Apertura

Lunes	08:30 - 17:00
Martes	08:30 - 17:00
Miércoles	08:30 - 17:00
Jueves	08:30 - 17:00
Viernes	08:30 - 14:00

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+34688483750

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