One of the main expenses a business owner faces each month is their Social Security contribution. As we all know, Spain is renowned for its high rate just for the pleasure of having a business. Now I’m not saying contributions aren’t necessary, after all, this is used to fund sick pay, unemployment and pensions but there should be boundaries.
In previous articles, I have explained how Social Security determines the contribution business owners must pay each month but lets go over it again.
The Spanish Supreme Court has ruled in favour of OCU (Consumer Organization) by manifesting that Banco Popular’s floor clause to be null and void. This is another battle OCU has won against one of Spain’s leading banks following up from sentences in 2013 that ruled against BBVA, Abanca and Cajamar.
If you have been following this particular issue that is rampant in Spanish banks, you would know that during the property boom, limits were placed within clauses of mortgage loans to stipulate a minimum interest rate throughout the life of the mortgage. This means that if the interest rate were to fall below the stipulated minimum or floor clause, the holder would not benefit because the bank would charge the “agreed” floor clause. I say “agreed” simply because most holders were not properly advised of the existence or the meaning of this clause in their contracts.
Right, so this issue has been talked about extensively, debated, caused arguments, tears, frustration and near bloody murder. Instead of spending my time off over Christmas and New Year’s relaxing, I have been reading and re-reading legislation, articles, documents and making further personal enquiries because for the majority, this law makes zero sense and nobody until now has really been able to explain it clearly in a way that can be properly understood (myself included!).
The big question is: Who is obligated to exchange their EU driving license for a Spanish one and why? I hope that by the end of what I hope to be the final and definitive article on this matter, we can lay it to rest for good. Please note that throughout this post, I am only referring to EU licenses as non-EU must follow a different procedure.
It has been a tough few months what with tax season but now that it is behind us here at the office, I can return my attention to Canary Bloggers as it has been pretty much abandoned lately. So much has been happening, regulations that have gone unnoticed in recent years are being discovered so plenty of reading and research is going on at the moment.
Well, this article brings what will hopefully be the start of great news for motorists in Spain. As we all know, Trafico engineers laws to their convenience and not always to the benefit of road users. Some of their campaigns are viewed as an easy way to earn a fast buck than actually creating road safety awareness. Anyway, the point of this article is that AEA, Automovilistas Europeos Asociados or European Motorists Associates has fought and won a long 5 year battle against traffic regulations established in 2010 in Madrid in which agents fine motorists without actually informing them on the spot of their alleged violation, rather, surprised road users receive the dreaded and familiar looking notification by post advising them of their “crime” way after time and the AEA has declared this type of action as completely illegal. According to the Supreme Court, agents must stop the offender at the time the offense has been committed as long as conditions and traffic safety allow it. If it is deemed impossible to detain the offender, the agent must fill in a detailed report explaining what impeded them from taking action.
If you’re a driver, you may have at one time or another over the past few months felt as if you’re being watched. Well, you can rule out paranoia, as there has definitely been a significant increase in police controls, speed traps etc as part of new road safety measures.
If your car is more than 10 years old, you may have also received a similar letter to the one shown here, “encouraging” you to improve road safety by purchasing a newer car. According to statistics, more than 50% of vehicles on Spanish roads are more than 10 years old, doubling the risk of death in the event of an accident as opposed to newer cars. During the last year alone, more than 13 million letters were sent out to car owners who fell under this category and there are more in the pipeline.
