DECADE OF SUCCESS Property The
OLIVE PRESS We are looking for quality propertie to list in the Golden Triangle area
A E COST ON TH YEARS R N EB
LAUNCH: Olive Press Property’s launch issue in February 2015
Kill the Drug THE Olive Press is launching a nationwide campaign against the ‘deadly’ drug Nolotil. It comes as a protest group filed an official complaint with Spain’s public prosecution office after yet another Brit died at the hands of the ‘deadly’ drug. The complaint calls on health officials to ‘urgently initiate a thorough investigation’. The Association for Drug Affected People (ADAF) claims giving Nolotil to tourists and other expats is a ‘crime of serious negligence’. As reported in our last issue expat dad Mark Brooks, 42, died a senseless death by sepsis caused by the drug after a minor golf injury. The Olive Press has since discovered serious flaws in an official warning about the drug issued from Madrid in 2018. We have discovered Nolotil - which is banned in 40 countries - is still being
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Beds Grand apartment with a villa feel in the popular gated urbanization of3LosBaths Granados Golf directly front line golf to Royal Las Brisas, Nueva Andalucia. The ample reception 263 m² Built room leads you the spacious living and dining room that leads you out onto the very large covered terrace with open garden views. From here you can walk straight out onto the communal gardens and beautiful pool area. There are 3 large bedroom suites that include a very generous master suite leading out onto the terrace.
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BOLICHES, Elegant bungalow for sale inLOS an exclusive residentialFUENGIROLA area. 5 Beds | 5 Baths | 2537m2 Built | 653m2 build REF: 176-02231P | 5.950.000€
AUDACIOUS: Brit Stephen Hills is paying himself €86,700 a year to run a community of 109 properties
Located in the prestigious residential area of La Cerquilla in Nueva Andalucia, this exceptional south facing residence is nestled between world-class golf courses and within close proximity to the finest dining, shops and beaches! The property sits on a generously sized plot and occupies over 600m² of living space with a stunning wrap-around covered terrace which is ideal to spend outside all-year-round and with views overlooking the Los Naranjos golf course.
2 Baths
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4 Beds
6 Beds Established 5 Baths in 1984 Ref: 065 – 250.000€
3 Baths
330 m² Built 1.059 m² Plot 479 m² Built 2.893 m² P maintenance. Very large apartment in They have regular meetings with TORR FUENGIROLA CENTRE prestigious building with all services and amenities on the door other presidents, where they can PENTHOUSE TRADITIONAL SPA Call for appointment step. Comprising of 5 bedrooms, 4 propose laws or changes which bathrooms, spacious kitchen, large lounge with access to large terrace +34 951 318of 480 are voted on by the residents approx. 100m2, wrapping around most of the apartment. they look after. Very sunny and bright south The issue appears to have arisen facing with open views over Mijas mountains, sea and town. Needs as the majority of homeowners updating having great potential as a home or divide into home and in Torre Bermeja don’t live there rental apartment. Must be seen! and ended up giving Hills the L016 – 549.000€ THEright NEXT GENERATION OF REAL ESTATE HASRef:ARRIVED to vote on matters on their Dreaming Spain? S PA N I Sof H property E S TAT E in AG ENT behalf. Sea front, very bright and sunny Outraged FUEN FUENGIROLA apartment overlooking the sea, “Most of those who gave him desun rise and sun set from the Now a ‘large group’ of residents, ferred votes by proxy don’t know large south facing terrace. PLUS + Very spacious with 3 bedrooms, many of them Brits and Irish, what they have been used for,” 2 bathrooms, spacious kitchen have taken Hills to court to added Valadez. with utility room, lounge-diner with direct access to 43m2 terrace prove his actions are ‘illegal’. E X P E R I E N C E D • F R I E N D L Y • with P R Obeautiful F E S S I Osea N Aviews L “So when he decided to award a and sun all day. Underground garage and “People are outraged, his actions salary of almost €87,000, there store room included, community are totally illegal and against the was no one to stand in his way.” gardens. A real gem by the sea worth paying a visit! Great rental rules,” explained lawyer David However, not everyone is in potential and ideal home. Valadez, who is representing the agreement with the action Ref: L025 – 595.000€ residents. group, with one British owner “I am convinced he will face a defending him saying he is ‘doCountry side small cosy house BENA MIJAS situated in C A S A L A S C H U Mfor B nature E R Alovers, S judge, however the courts in Es- ing his best’ to develop the comthe outskirts of Fuengirola near R3906091 – 1.500.000€ Mijas Golf, this charming property tepona are saturated right now munity. in a very quiet area offers lots ‘An Oasis in the Village of Benahavis’ is the phrase used by friends visitors to describe so we are not sure when to exof and potential, 77m2 built on this south-facing Let our professional team take care of you and your purchase for sale in Benahavis. Designed by the architect Antonio Martín Ortiz and with high standards for the 4626m2 plot.built Overlooking pect a trial.” until you have the keys in your hand andinbeyond. and country side owners, by a local company. One of the top 5mountains villas Benahavís village. Control and yet only a few minutes According to Valadez, local comdrive285 to town. BED: 4 | BATH: 4 | Knowledge BUILT SIZE: 497M2 | TERRACE 1100 M2 | Customised | Handling and experience proceduresSIZE: everyM2 step |ofGARDEN/PLOT: the way munity bylaws dictate a presi- “There is another president who DANISH, NORWEGIAN, SWEDISH,YES GERMAN, ENGLISH AND SPANISH GARAGE: YES | GARDEN: | SWIMMING POOL: YES dent ‘cannot earn money’ for the is trying to control the whole of Guadalmansa and wants to get role. T: +34 952154 85 54 89 Ref: – 205.000€ Torre Bermeja is one of five ur- rid of anyone standing up to E: info@propertiespain.com banisations that form the ‘Gua- him, such as Stephen. W: www.propertiespain.com Urb. La Aldea Plaza Camilo José Cela, Local 1 “This is all part of a feud that dalmansa development’. 29679 Benahavís, Málaga, Spain WE NEED PROPERTIES FOR KEEN CLIENTS WAITI Each has a president, who looks has been going on for five or so after the day-to-day running, years, people don’t know the half PROPERTY. CONTACT US WITHOUT COMMITM such as collecting community of it! INTERESTING AND USEFUL fees or arranging gardeners and “Stephen works a full-time job TEL: 952 664 966 INFO@IMPERIALESTATE.CO looking after his residents and has roperty been president COSTA LIVING.. for 20 years. A lot WITH A DIFFERENCE of us appreciate what he does.” See page 40 The Olive Press SPECIAL has contacted I Hills for comment.
he is earning more than Spain’s deputy leader Yolanda Diaz, who pockets €79,415, and the same as Andalucia chief, Juanma Moreno, who earns €87,000. Rubbing salt in the wounds, Hills allegedly exempted himself from paying community fees which currently cost residents around €6,000 per year.
THE
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Call in for a coffee at one of our agencies • AVENIDA ES PAÑA 250 29680 ES TEPONA • AVENIDA VIRGEN DEL ROCÍO 29 S AN PEDRO DE AL C ANTARA 29670 MARB EL L A 0034 951 516 905 enquiries@thespanishestateagent.com T H E S PA N I S H E S TAT E AG E N T. C O M
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Celebrating its tenth year on the Costa del Sol with...
FREE Vol. 18 Issue 437 www.theolivepress.es February 7th - February 20th 2024
A BRITISH expat is earning more than Spain’s Vice President for ‘managing’ an urbanisation of just 109 properties on the Costa del Sol. Stephen Hills has come under fire for paying himself €86,700-a-year - despite the job being ‘voluntary’ and ‘salaKILL ry-free’. THE Hills is DRUG now ‘at war’ with the outprescribed regularly at hospitals and r a g e d clinics around Spain. residents Dozens of readers have been in touch of Torre to report their dealings with the drug, Bermeja, in while some have revealed their horror Estepona, after stories. his inflated In particular, we spoke to the family pay packet of Irish victim, James Hanley, 72, who was redied after a simple operation led to an vealed. agonising flesh-eating disease within It is not days of being prescribed the drug. known Meanwhile, Doreen Hughes suffered if this ‘total organ failure’ and had to spend i n months learning to walk again, after cludes her battle with Nolotil. ex-footThis week ADAF President Cristina b a l l del Campo revealed her group had managacted after Spain’s official agency for ers Harry RedSee Page 5 knapp a n d George Graham ( b o t h left), or the Irish m a f i a clan, the K i n a h a n s , who are l a n o ti also said Inter na & K U Compare funerals All to own ms te s y s TV p r o p Plans cover the d Soun erties V T C whole of Spain C n there. io is V & But it Interest free payment plans t e n r te means from €2,250 or as little & 4G In c ti p O as €29.16 per month Fiber
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OUTDOOR LIFE
May 2023
How to lead that lifestyle to the Spanish full
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The secret dozen leadingSpanish homes of a celebrities
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45 years as an agent
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Marbella’s agent Chrisleading on how he Clover out on the started Costa del Sol in 1970
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T is a coast famed for its endless golden beaches poilt wind-swept beauty. and uns- atop the landscape. But now the Costa de la Luz, in Cadiz, to fame. has a new claim Composed of stones mirroring the local terrain, not only anchor the Overlooking the Atlantic, house but also enhance its foundations its natural surroundings. the recently completed its connection to Air (Casa en el aire) House on the prowess of Valencian showcases the distinctive architectural This design choice ensures that the interior spaces provide uninterrupted views Drawing inspiration studio Fran Silvestre Arquitectos. of the sea, capturing the glimmering renes, near Zahara de from its unique location on Playa Alema- flections of the sunset. himself - envisioned los Atunes, the design team – led by Fran The home is divided into three distinct areas: The main living inspires, framing the a project that not only shelters but also space with its amazing panoramic views and beauty of its natural and three more bedrooms, Navigating the challenging surroundings. which share the sameits master suite the lower floor two terrain marked views, and on contours, it is artfully positioned as if it was by slopes and The House on the extra bedrooms facing a shady courtyard. Air seamlessly integrates gently perched rroundings, with its natural suproviding a unique and inspiring living experience.
HEADING SOUTH Spain comes top for UK digital nomads thanks to its better quality of life - especially for women aged 25 to 30
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A MAJOR global exhibition work of architectural is to recognise ron, as they giants Herzog the & De MeuThe Royal reach their 45th anniversary. Academy ring the Swiss show, in London, pair’s incredible is explohealthy half dozen built designs, with These include in Spain. a Forum, Madrid’s(from top left) CaixaForum the Barcelona remarkable Since 1978 2007 HQ of Spanishand (main) the jects, many the pair have graftedbank, BBVA. Frontera’s yet to be built, includingon 600 proCity of Flamenco. Jerez de la
Golden Millionai re
SPAIN’S golden visa scheme pected to survive… is but it’s goingexdouble in price. to While Portugal and Ireland scrapped
GRANDAD
P
NEARLY a quarter of fessionals able to workall British prowould choose Spain to from abroad uproot. Some 22% of Brits yearning to ditch their dreary island in weather and increasedfavour of better er would choose Spain spending powBy Walter Finch keep their current jobs. - if they could The country knocked second place with 19%,American into nered 5% and Latin America came a poor third with while France A striking 53% of UK only 3%. professionals able to embrace remote Portugal would be the 13%. dream location would working for 6%, while Southeast move Asia gar- would stick abroad, while just 33% with Blighty and 14%
2015
OLD TO NEW: buildings have how unwanted new lease of lifebeen given a See page 22
MOVE OVER
million and survive… recently their THE average Put us to it could encourage but investment the visa schemeprogrammes, in Spain international Spanish property the test. See is expected buyer of By Walter threshold likely tended. you has begun to be exif Finch downwards But the government spending in less-populated to trend in age profile, Government to vestments of time and money. HiFX could save the latest data. according to deny his claims, By Walter was It comes more than only those sources indicate Finch areas in deposits or While there after left wing The new champions insisting thequick to vestment. €1 million that party investing try was are still plenty But now a report more minis- However, Germans, French ital companies,shares of Spanish capbe given a €1million or Social Mas Pais claimed that political tives withactually looking at alternaof market: Young of the Spanish idencywill it has been or more than three-year ing in to hand and Belgians Brits, itos Inmobiliariosfrom Union de Credlion in government permit. frequently res- sionallySecurity Ministry had Spain’s political suggestions from various icised for creating €2 milexpat A source parties. are the days over their cash, com- the prevailing trend(UCI) claims that pandemic unleashed Brits, French bonds. proviconfirmed housing Europe Limited inflationary crit- CertainHiFX told sures and desirable and Germans gone tional buyers it was to scrap One of these Sucursal en among interna- the home Conduct prescame under scheme. will be doubledEl Pais This the genie datafigure that the highly high-income, of them being entirely Authority España is from thethe under skilled a branch of of to UCI. scrutiny for fessionals and but only in is to allow investment encouraging black College of trars proin town are indicates the new sheriffs which has office and flexible working, Leader HiFX Europe paints an optimistic of €500,000 from the family the Payment The typical near-retirement couples. Services current less-populated Regiscases Limited. a younger, seen a surge total scheme Inigo Errejon claimed invested in2023, socially beneficial less financially buyers drawn areas or in Spanish economy. money into the dency are also eligible reunification Regulations 2009, registrationHiFX Europe Limited is authorised picture as an investment used to be profile of foreign buyers comfortable demographic. in younger Despite the real with the had fora the Introduced led to 462444, for first quarter projects. Currently, people between permit without for this resiseeing estate These young by the in a Spanish the provision ‘brutal’ increase Thus they by this way of working. on mortgagesfact that interest rates 23,380or in house years old, married already of payment Financial prices, 50 and 60 and can fulfil the upstarts (between eigners to the scheme allows for- In 2022, Spain grantedinvestment. adding: “Spanish ers. company.transactions services. the Euro in 2013 in the invariably higherfor non-residents spending extended with children, by foreignizenship cannot 40) have been a high level obtain a three-year dream 30 are The visas to property cit- tended crisis, the scheme wake of dence permit, 2,462 golden be bought”. periods on of offered to residents,compared to those maximum come of moreof education and anwith freedom afforded bycapitalising on the Spanish coasts resiwas as a means extendable investors, an the ues to without waiting in- lifestyle to the market hovers around financing percentage the digital nomad they are than €60,000. to re-inflate in- two, by investing for another crease of nearly 60% housing market inwitness a surge contin- valuation invest in Spanish grey 70% of the until international at least vious year. from the prethrough foreign the real estate, UCI's analysis in demand As the Olive and wrinkly. property's Only a handful with an amortisation excluding any €500,000 in in companies from of buyers. Press in- The shows that property. around 30 years. mortgages. mechanism the Covid ly, buyers from has reported recent- The numbers are period or governmentinvested the United underlined also applies Since Spain's attractiveness, matic 45% also surged bonds. to in- peoplethe scheme began surge in foreign by a dra- of onto the scene,States have purchases life, profitability, enviable quality have acquired some 31,000 property according a golden visa. transactions.in 2022, totaling 88,800 stable safe haven and its status as a for investments not, it seems, ward trajectorybeen dented by thehave upof interest rates.
Other coastal locations, Malaga, Marbella, Valencia,including money (19%) and an attractive Alicante ture and lifestyle culand Palma were popular (12%). Job opportunities (7%) Inland cities like Madridchoices. and also hold their own in and Sevilla tives (4%) are also factors. tax incenwere undecided in the the rankings, poll by Nebeus. proving The most common profile that Spain’s appeal extends Yet incredibly, 89% of British professionals were unaware looking to move to Spain of a Brit beyond its coastline. ital nomad visa, with of Spain’s digis a woman aged 25 to meanwhile The study points out several half questioned 30 in ‘a man- tives agement role in the private for choosing Spain as incen- saying they would now look into a remote The main it. work base. Barcelona, with its blend sector’. financial challenges perceived in relocating politan flair, tops the list of cosmo- The promise of a better Spanish cities at 14%. of preferred is the most significant quality of life healthcare costs (31%), include draw at 46%, living cost followed by the potential (21%), and retirement of for saving savings and plans (10%).
REPORT
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PAGE 7
Marbella
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CRIME
www.theolivepress.es
NEWS IN BRIEF Smart move EXPATS are installing water deposits or tanks in their homes in the hopes of avoiding ‘inevitable’ water restrictions in Andalucia and Catalunya due to the drought.
Farmer slayer POLICE are investigating a potential serial killer in northern Spain after three farmers were found dead in very similar circumstances - with the main suspect having fled to France.
Rape claims REAL Betis midfielder William Carvalho is the latest La Liga footballer to be accused of raping a woman. He insists the accusations are “totally false.”
RIP Jonnie A PLACE in the Sun star Jonnie Irwin has died aged 50 after a four-year battle with cancer. Costar Jasmine Harman said she will ‘always smile’ when thinking of him in a touching tribute.
February 7th - February 20th 2024
Dodgy Doug facing jail over tax evasion THE husband of disgraced Tory peer Michelle Mone has appeared in court as part of a €6 million tax evasion case in Spain. Doug Barrowman, 58, (pictured with Mone) is accused of misappropriating €6.3m from a Spanish cable factory ‘for illicit benefit’ in 2008. The Glasgow businessman and six other British co-defendants are also accused of defrauding the Spanish government of a half million euros in tax relating to the payment.
The brash millionaire - who reportedly made his fortune marketing tax avoidance schemes - faces five and a half years in a Spanish jail, plus a six-figure fine. Barrowman admitted at Cantabria’s Provincial Court he had played a leading role in the purchase of B3 Cable Solutions in 2008. He also confirmed the Spanish firm had made the €6.3m payment to Aston Ventures, a UK company founded by Barrowman, insisting it was a ‘con-
sultancy fee.’ The company went bust four years later, costing the jobs of 200 people in the Santander area. It comes as Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) investigates how Mone recommended a company secretly owned by Barrowman to supply PPE, including masks, during the Covid pandemic. PPE MedPro was awarded €142 million in government contracts for equipment that turned out to be faulty.
Barrowman and Mone - who became famous as a bra manufacturer - had €87 million in assets frozen in the UK last week, including a country estate, a six-bedroom house in London's Belgravia, a yacht and a jet.
UNFAIR COPS
A GUARDIA Civil department is under investigation for allegedly colluding with a ‘cartel’ of suppliers in a €180 million corruption scheme. Some six officers are accused of dishing out cosy contracts to dozens of companies in return for private school fees, hunting trips and VIP football tickets. In the scheme that stretches back 24 years, they illegally contracted 26 companies
REVEALED: The free hunting trips and school fee payments behind a €180 million Guardia Civil corruption scheme
to supply kit including uniforms, boots, bulletproof vests and helmets. A court has heard how six officers at the Guardia Civil Supply Service (Sabas) even exchanged mobile phones and game consoles as ‘bribes’ in return for con-
tracts. One of the officers even had his son’s private school tuition fees paid for as a sweetener for the steady stream of orders, according to an in-depth investigation by ABC. The gravy train began when Alberto Jose Martín Marbella, usually striking bebecame the head tween 7pm and 10pm when their of Sabas’ Techvictims were out having dinner. nical Section in The Albanian group conduct2000 and contined exhaustive research before ued under Cololaunching their attacks - prefernel Juan Antoring to operate on villas next to nio Maroto from golf courses. 2015.
DINNER THIEVES
POLICE have revealed how an eastern European gang of ex-soldiers robbed at least 70 homes on the Costa del Sol at dinner time. The gang operated with ‘extreme measures’ in order to rob 71 wealthy properties, mainly in
By Walter Finch
The officers felt so little threat from outsiders they even kept detailed records of what had been exchanged. Colonel Maroto also ran a laundry business which showed regular entries of cash deliveries. One of the company salesmen, who worked closely with the police, had a log of perks naming the police officers involved. Commissions paid ranged from 3% to 8%, with many unwitting law-abiding companies failing to win rigged tenders. The officers face a litany of charges that include bribery, embezzlement, fraud, abuse of power, and money laundering, as well as membership of a criminal organisation. The case continues at Madrid Court Number 50.
‘Scarface’ brother is cuffed A NARCO money laundering operation has been smashed thanks to the arrest of a Dutch cartel boss in Marbella. Police had been on the trail of Karim Bouyakhrichan, brother of notorious crime lord Samir ‘Scarface’ Bouyakhrichan, for the last ten years. After Samir was murdered outside a pub in Benahavis in 2014, his brother allegedly led the criminal network known as the ‘mocro maffia’-. Six others were arrested, including several front men from Spain who helped the Moroccan-origin gang launder ‘at least €6m,’. Police have frozen at least 172 properties linked to the cartel, with many being luxury mansions in Marbella worth at least €50 million.
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February 7th - February 20th 2024
GET ready for Spain’s most hedonistic landmark on the calendar: Carnival. Cadiz’s famous Carnival, the biggest and most prestigious in Spain - and one of the biggest in the world - starts on Thursday (February 8) and runs until February 18. For those wanting a
Be cool!
CARNIVAL CAPERS
more ‘Brazilian’ experience head to Tenerife where the streets are thronged with colourfully clad party seekers. Spain’s second biggest Carnival takes place in Sitges, near Barcelona, while there are plenty of local events around Spain. See Mask crusaders, page 31
Sunny outlook Former Olive Press staffer finds fame at last on hit UK TV show A New Life in the Sun ONE could argue that Pauline Olivera doesn’t need any more time in the sun. The long-time expat bowled up in Spain from south London nearly two decades ago and promptly landed a job helping to set up Spain’s Number One English newspaper the Olive Press. Then based out of a converted cowshed, near Ronda, the hairdressing teacher quickly became the receptionist, head of admin and debt collector all rolled into one. But after working for seven years at the paper she went on to set up her own hairdressing academy and salon in Gibraltar. Now, 20 years on, she has made another big move West, all the way to the wilds of inland Portugal to set up a ‘glamping business’. Along with her husband, Sid, 66, her move has been filmed for the new series of Channel 4’s hit show A New Life in the Sun. Seen jugg l i n g life between Portugal and Gibral-
3
PAULINE TAKES ON PORTUGAL: with husband Sid
EXCLUSIVE By Yzabelle Bostyn
tar, Pauline, 58, is still a livewire of ideas and laughter. “It’s been a lot of fun, but obviously there have been a lot of challenges and ups and downs, particularly with no electricity lines nearby,” she told the Olive Press. “We’re in the middle of the countryside and had to set up completely off grid, with 12 solar panels.”
Frogs
Aside from that they have had to clean a pool full of wildlife, including frogs and lizards, as well as renovating a ruin from scratch. “It was great fun though and as there was just one cameraman who was really chilled, we ended up becoming good friends with him.” The business, TwinSprings, near the historic town of Almodovar, is 30 minutes inland from Carvoeira on the Algarve. “It’s a wild spot and really allows people to get away from the hustle and bustle of working life,” explains Pauline, who previously lived in rural El Gastor, Cadiz.
ME? R READERS E E S U CAN YOO CAN ALL OU THEN S INESS S U B R YOU E AS B D L U CO S THIS A L A U VIS ITTLE L S A FROM N ISSUE A AS €50 CONTACT US FOR INFORMATION ON OUR ADVERTISING ON 951 27 35 75 OR EMAIL US ON SALES@ THEOLIVEPRESS.ES
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY: Dua Lipa and The Killers singer Brandon Flowers
“It is great for just chilling out and being at one with nature.” She added: “The tents will be luxury. They’ll have beds and themed interiors. I’m going to upcycle second hand furniture and put chunky blankets in for the evenings. “We want the wow factor rather than the basic glamping experience.” The pair became well known to Olive Press readers in
2009 when they saved a pig called ‘Chino’ from the chop by adopting him. They ended up adopting dozens of rescue animals over the years, including horses, donkeys and a Vietnamese Pot Bellied pig. Sid, a BBC radio DJ by trade, spent a number of years working as a journalist in the Falklands, and has run his own radio stations.
Barca calling MANCHESTER United’s controversial prodigy Mason Greenwood, in exile at Getafe on a season-long loan, is dreaming of a move to Barcelona. The 22-year-old Mancunian, who didn’t play for 18 months as he faced a rape trial, has impressed in La Liga since his arrival in
the Spanish capital. The Crown Prosecution Service announced the charges against Greenwood had been dropped in February 2023 after the key witness pulled out. Now Barcelona are reportedly keen to sign one of England’s formerly - and perhaps once again brightest prospects for next season.
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DUA LIPA and The Killers are among a long line-up of international artists taking to the Mad Cool Festival stage this summer. Other headliners at the Madrid bash include Avril Lavigne, Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins and Garbage. The event, taking place from July 10 to 13, was first launched in 2016 with music legends like The Who and Neil Young performing and is already one of the biggest in Europe. The acts are drawn from a wide mix of music genres such as rock, indie, pop, hip hop and electronic music, catering for different types of audiences. With an impressive array of performers, from established icons to emerging stars, the festival claims to be ‘a celebration of music that resonates with a wide and diverse audience in the heart of Madrid.’
PAPER DEAL
A NAPKIN where a teenage Lionel Messi sealed his first deal with FC Barcelona will go on auction with a starting price of over €315,000. Messi put pen to the paper napkin in December 2000 when he was just 13-yearsold. The napkin came from the Pompeia tennis club at a lunch held there between Barca officials and the Messi family. With Messi's father, Jorge, beginning to doubt Barca's commitment to his son the club's director of football, Carles Rexach, hastily scrambled together an agreement on the napkin. The item will be sold next month by British auction house Bonhams.
NEWS
4 www.theolivepress.es A Place on the Costa A PLACE In The Sun is coming to the Costa del Sol as three expat hotspots are set to be featured. The Channel 4 programme is currently filming in Portugal but will soon move to the southern coast of Spain. It comes after producers posted a request for potential properties on a local Facebook group, Manilva Coffee Chat. The sun-seeking Brits have a budget of €220,000 plus purchase costs and are looking for houses in Estepona, Manilva and La Duquesa, but are particularly fond of the latter. You can contact Freeform Productions, the company behind A Place In The Sun by email (info@fftv.co.uk) or phone (+44 1923 728175).
February 7th - February 20th 2024
TRACTOR TROUBLE
FARMERS blocked access to Malaga port and other parts of Andalucia, as part of a Europe-wide protest against agricultural policies. A total of 30 protests brought
large parts of the country to a standstill, with Ronda and Almeria particularly affected. In Malaga 200 tractors arrived in the early hours of Tuesday from the nearby Valle del Guadalhorce.
Police were quickly on the scene, but were unable to stop the protesters who were wearing yellow jackets. They cite ‘environmental’ policies and low prices of wholesale buyers which make it ‘impossible’ to function as small or medium sized farms.
Brexit revenge
THE Tories will ‘regret’ giving the vote to 2.3 million British expats abroad as experts predict they will vote against Rishi Sunak’s government en masse in this year’s general election. There is nothing to suggest any change to a 2020 study that found that the overseas vote share for the Labour and Lib Dem parties had risen from 56% to 85% after Brexit.
Legion of expat voters will ‘help to oust’ Tory leader Sunak at forthcoming general election Despite this huge rise, the Conservative government still removed the previous 15-year cut off limit for British citizens living abroad on January 16. Dr Susan Collard, from the University of Sussex, ex-
VAMOS, ZORRA! SPAIN has chosen its Eurovision entry for 2024 and it's sure to be a memorable one. Nebulossa, an electro pop group, will perform their hit Zorra in Sweden in May. Zorra, depending on the context, translates to vixen or b**ch/slut in English - but in this case it is definitely referring to the former. The catchy song aims to reclaim the once sexist slang word, with lead singer Maria Bas, 55, proudly dominating the stage (left).
By Walter Finch
plained that British expats are still fuming they are ‘living with the consequences of Brexit.’ “They're not forgetting. Many are still living in the consequences of Brexit so all I could say is there isn't any evidence that the mood has changed among those voters,” she said. Pundits in the UK currently predict a general election in either May or November, with the latter the most likely with Sunak currently around 21.5 points below Labour leader Keir Starmer. Activists in Spain hope a Labour victory, ideally in a
coalition with the Lib Dems, would bring about a reverse of Brexit over the next few years. Their main issue will be explaining how expats can go about registering, a fairly simple process, Sue Wilson MBE, of Bremain in Spain, told the Olive Press.
Eligible
“Now we have the task of ensuring that Brits abroad understand the process and get themselves on the electoral register,” she said. British citizens can now register to vote as long as they were either previously registered to vote in the UK or were previously resident in the UK. Before beginning the process, prospective voters will require proof of ID and a former UK address. It is estimated that over half of the eligible expat voters are based in Europe.
Cheeky monkey… CROSS-border workers and tourists alike have long bemoaned the long queues and bureaucracy at the Gibraltar border. But one nimble creature has worked out a way to avoid the stringent passport checks and queues. This barbary macaque, who normally lives halfway up the Rock, was spotted swinging from lampposts and on roofs in the border town of La Linea. Members of the Guardia Civil, local police and zoo officials worked together to finally locate and catch the monkey on top of a primary school.
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NEWS
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Whisky and chocolates: the loves of Ivy, 102
CHOCOLATE and whisky are the ‘secret’ to a long life, a 102-year-old British expat has declared. Ivy Rhodes, who has lived on the Costa del Sol for 40 years, turns 103 this Sunday.
Transplant record THE Regional University Hospital of Malaga has broken its record for kidney transplants after 201 procedures were performed last year. The number of kidney transplants in 2023 is an annual record, representing a 29% increase on the 156 procedures that took place in 2022, and a 14% increase on the previous yearly high of 176 transplants in 2018. There have also been substantial increases in the number of living donor kidney transplants (up 150%) and combined pancreas-kidney transplants (up 44%). Miguel Lebron, Malaga’s transplant coordinator, said: “These results are thanks to the solidarity of donors and their families that allow this important number of transplants”. Spain is the world leader for transplants and organ donation - 5,861 organ transplants took place in 2023.
Born on February 11, 1921, she is believed to be the oldest expat resident in Benalmadena. She lives alone but has a ‘thriving social life’ and is a member of various local social clubs.
Eviction Disgrace
February 7th - February 20th 2024 According to Age Concern Benalmadena she eats at the same restaurant, Domandas, every day, and attributes her longevity to her unusual diet. “I’m still here because I like whisky and chocolate,” she said. The expat often enjoys her favourite tipple at Rincon Mary, her nearest bar. Age Concern Benalmadena held a party for Ivy (with crown, left) this week.
Elderly pensioner thrown out of her home despite appeal from expat celebrity James Rhodes A BIG-HEARTED celebrity expat has offered to pay the debt of a ‘vulnerable’ pensioner who is being evicted from her Spanish home after five decades. However, it appears that British concert pianist James Rhodes' kind offer didn’t come in time as the 88-yearold has now been removed. Blanca Espinosa lost the apartment she has lived in since 1968 over an €88 unpaid debt from years ago. The eviction in Barcelona’s
CRUEL: 88-year-old Barcelona resident evicted despite kind offer from Brit James Rhodes
By Simon Hunter
Gothic quarter came after the council failed to reach a deal with the owner allowing her to stay. The problems for Blanca began six years ago when she discovered a leak in the flat and called on the owners to fix it. However, after the landlord sorted it - as well as upgrading the electricity and kitchen - he raised the monthly
rent by €88. Espinosa refused to pay it, with the landlord eventually getting an eviction order over the unpaid amount. Rhodes, who lives in Madrid, offered to pay two months’ rent to make up the shortfall, but the landlord refused the offer. Rhodes revealed this made
it ‘obvious the only thing they are interested in is converting the apartment into a tourist flat’. The eviction attempt failed three months ago, but has now been successful, meaning Espinosa is forced to live in a guesthouse until the local council can find a place for her to live.
5
From Front
KILL THE DRUG
medicines, AEMPS, launched a marketing campaign promoting the drug. The group doesn’t believe Madrid is doing enough to communicate why Nolotil has been banned around the world. Among many key questions, the complaint asked: ‘What is happening in Spain when in the UK, US and Ireland, the product is banned because it is highly dangerous?’ “We cannot wait, while we wait, more people die. Mark Brooks died recently and there will be more cases,” she told the Olive Press. “Our lawyers have found evidence of criminality and a full investigation is needed. We will provide all of the cases we have gathered, none of which the authorities have looked at yet.” Boehringer Ingelheim, the German company that produces Nolotil claims the drug is safe and all the side effects are listed in the medication’s information packet. A spokesman told the Olive Press: “Nolotil (metamizole) has a well-established safety profile and has been used by patients for almost 60 years. “Agranulocytosis is a very rare, adverse reaction that has been known for decades and is well-described in the medicine package information.”
6
NEWS FEATURE
www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION NO SUGAR COATING AS our successful Property magazine enters its 10th year it’s worth remembering the values we started out with - and still stick to. While some rivals are too scared to tell the truth for fear of upsetting advertisers, the Olive Press has always taken seriously the need to inform our readers. The property market has been on a rollercoaster ride over the last decade and we have faithfully reported on its highs and lows as it soared and dipped. In order to do this we worked with many experts and professionals who gave us the real facts, rather than the spin. This meant seeking the opinions of analyst Mark Stucklin, surveyor Campbell Ferguson and agents like Adam Neale, Ben Bateman and Chris Clover, who have always given honest, intelligent no-holds-barred opinions on the coast. We had their authoritative views from Year One and we continue asking their opinions this year, as we approach our tenth birthday. Thanks to our daily stories on the markets on our website and our weekly Property newsletter sent out to subscribers, you can get boned up too. Just visit the website. But, above all, keep your eyes peeled for our 10 special Property Magazines this year - and if you are an agent and want to add your voice or simply comment, contact us at newsdesk@theolivepress.es
Expats unleashed IT’S hard to fathom Rishi Sunak’s logic to rescind the 15year rule restricting the voting rights of British expats last month. The move now gives some 2.3 million annoyed expats the chance to have their say in a pivotal year for British politics with a general election imminent. It may well be that our expat votes in Spain are what seals Mr Sunak’s fate, and ushers Sir Keir Starmer into No.10 in his place. For many, the law change will provide an opportunity to exact revenge for the 2016 referendum shambles that millions were unfairly left out of. As Brits abroad, we are on the Brexit frontline, whether through the exasperating 90/180 day rule, draconian work restrictions or lengthy passport queues. Now we can all finally tell Westminster what we think. Whatever your political persuasions, we’re pretty sure where you’ll be putting your ‘X’ in this year’s big election.. Assuming you get registered to vote!
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Together we can ‘Kill the Drug’
T
HE Olive Press has relaunched its ‘Kill the Drug’ campaign in a bid to bring in tougher regulations on controversial drug Nolotil. Our original campaign in 2017 helped highlight the dangers of the lethal painkiller, which has been blamed for dozens - and potentially hundreds - of deaths of tourists and expats in Spain. Yet, incredibly, the drug is still being freely administered in Spain despite now being BANNED in 40 countries globally, including the UK, US, Ireland and Australia. Our hard-hitting campaign launched in early 2017, alongside the patients asso-
The Olive Press relaunches its Kill the Drug campaign as deadly Nolotil claims yet more victims while goverment advice continues to be blatently ignored
ciation ADAF, came after a spate of British and Irish deaths around Spain. Following a dogged investigation with over a dozen stories, a year-and-a-half later the campaign appeared victorious when in December 2018, the authorities finally acted. In a landmark ruling, the goverment brought in
WHAT IS NOLOTIL? NOLOTIL is the Spanish brand name for the drug Metamizole, a commonly-prescribed painkiller which was first available in Germany in 1922. The drug is used to relieve muscular pain, reduce inflammation and treat fever. Nolotil is made by German firm Boehringer Ingelheim, the largest private pharmaceutical company in the world. Popular worldwide - it is the most commonly prescribed painkiller in Germany, the most popular medication in Brazil, and over 22 million Nolotil boxes were sold in 2020 in Spain alone. However, it is banned in 40 countries - including Canada, Australia and France - due to its adverse side effects. It can cause a potentially fatal condition known as agranulocytosis, which reduces white blood cell levels, increasing the risk of infection, sepsis, and even organ failure. The Association of Drug Affected Patients (ADAF) has identified 350 suspected cases between 1996 and 2023, including 170 Brits who either live in Spain or were on holiday. A 2009 study suggested that British and Irish patients were more susceptible to the serious adverse effects of the drug, potentially due to genetics.
KILL THE DRUG
nationwide ‘guidance’ for health centres, hospitals and pharmacies across the country. These stated that Nolotil - a form of metamizole - must only be used by patients for short periods of time, and they should be monitored and have blood tests to detect any severe reaction. The drug should also NOT be given to tourists and others who would not have access to such controls and monitoring. It must also be available by prescription only and on a case-by-case basis, with a patient’s medical history and risk factors taken into consideration. However, despite the guidance, we have discovered multiple health centres and even state hospitals across the country have continued to ignore them. So far, only the region of Catalunya has brought in official laws to monitor the drug. This has resulted in the deaths and terrifying near-deaths of multiple British and other northern European patients. As we reported last issue, Mark Brooks, 42, lost his life to sepsis after being given Nolotil for a minor golf injury in Alicante. The otherwise healthy father-of-one, who was due to marry this year, died after slipping into a coma just days after the drug was given to him. This week other victims, including Doreen
‘SHOULDN’T BE SOLD LIKE SHAMPOO’ N OLOTIL campaigner Cristina del Campo has revealed sinister political pressure is behind the drug being so readily available in Spain. Speaking as the Olive Press launches a campaign against the lethal drug for northern European tourists and expats, she explained her seven-year investigation into Nolotil is part of a wider crusade against Big
Campaigner Cristina Del Campo claims serious corruption in her fight against Nolotil
Pharma. The president of the Association for Drug Affected People (ADAF), claims Spanish authorities and pharmaceutical companies are simply ‘ignoring reports’, ‘hiding things’ and ‘indoctrinating us to buy more medicine.’ “They shouldn’t be selling drugs like shampoo,” she told the Olive Press. “Yet if you watch TV in Spain there’s hundreds of adverts for medicine. “I have never seen anything like that in England,” she added. The campaigner, who has been fighting for the prohibition of Nolotil since 2017, claims that the drug is still being promoted due to ‘commerical interests’. “Nolotil is a very clear TOGETHER: Cristina with Olive Press example of a social editor Jon Clarke in 2019 problem. I do a lot of
By Yzabelle Bostyn
media interviews in Spain and they always put a doctor in at the end saying Nolotil is safe,” she said. “They have been trained by pharmaceutical companies to say so because it's in their interest to sell more Nolotil.” Sometimes, she claims, journalists are even ‘forbidden’ by their bosses from talking about the drug. She said: “I have spoken to so many journalists who tell me they won’t let me publish this because we have commercial agreements with Boehringer and/or the government.” Her claims follow a recent marketing campaign by the Spanish Medicine Agency (AEMPS) promoting Nolotil, a drug known to be capable of causing severe side effects in many of Spain’s million-plus expat population plus millions of tourists. The point is, while it may not
be dangerous for Spaniards, it is potentially lethal for many other nationalities. “I have over 100 cases of British people who have either died or been very ill due to Nolotil, had amputations and worse,” added Cristina, a medical translator turned campaigner. “Something needs to be done about this as nobody's taking any notice. “Unless you want to lose more tourists, I suggest you do something about it. And I know we get 18 million British tourists in Spain every year so it's no joke.” As part of her tireless campaigning, the Alicante-based medical translator hopes to ‘stop’ the marketing of medical products. “Because of the Association for Drug Affected People (ADAF), I’m getting a lot of people affected by other drugs as well. “There are a lot of medicines creating terrible problems for people. I want to fight all of them.”
Mijas Costa Vol. 11 Issue 271
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EXCluSiVE By laurence dollimore
A BRITISH expat couple are fighting to save their Malaga home from demolition over a technicality. Gill and Bob Ward, both 74, have been locked with their town in a battle claims their house hall, which in Almayate is illegal. Just yesterday the retired couple from Cornwall were given
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EXCluSiVE By laurence dollimore
THE Olive Press is calling on Spain to ban a that is killing lethal painkiller countless of unsuspecting expats. British dentists are supporting and doctors the ban after Briton Graham Ward, 75, complained to of how he was the Olive Press deadly Nolotil prescribed the one month to tist last week.drug by a denonly property knock down their same drug that It’s the very (pictured above). was blamed In a court order for killing his Dr Nina King, wife in 2006. seen by the Olive Press, The Marbella-based the campaign, of Oasis Dental Care in Marbella, the Wards are warned they will expat was furious when fully supports she prescribes.telling the Olive Press the he was told nally responsible be held crimidrug is not something to take the painkiller “It’s not a drug “I don’t know if they refuse. by his Spanish dentist, she said, “And I use, I stick to safe and standard more, I’m at what to do anying from a difficultafter suffermedication,” I won’t be usingafter seeing what damage abscess. tether” Gill toldthe end of my it can do, it’s His wife Mary, Marbella-based in the future.” the Olive Press, a drug 59, had died af“I’m totally exhausted ter being prescribed private doctor Almeda also agrees Dra. Victoria from the the same whole ordeal.” drug following María Chacón the drug is dangerous. the drug,” she The retired pair, tomy at Costa a double vasectients and I am told the Olive Press, “I have “I don’t prescribe spent thousands who have now “Within 24 del Sol Hospital. “There needs aware of what it is capable lots of British pagal costs, bought of euros on leto be a lot more of in intensive hours she was care, her white research on its doing. house ‘in ruins’ the old farmblood cell count impact.” in 2004, and plummeted doctor to get were given permission to zero within days,” explains renewal in April,a from Velez-Malaga Graham, a former The dad-of-two town hall to computer tests showed build it. retechnician, from later died from the HAPPIER TIMES: London. drug had caused But when the She never regained Graham with septic shock original wall colconscious- again. wife, and Billy a toxic poisoning lapsed of its own – ness and was believed to Smyth accord during in his bone marconstruction, be machine for on a life support “He said she Metamizole, linked to taking would FOUR months, she tect told themthe Wards’ archibefore spending hadn’t taken it, be alive if in the US, Nolotil is banned row and his white the Nolotil. it would be fine the UK, Ireland three years heard but I have and that he would fighting the and blood cell was most of Europe, from dozens Another impact of the and let the town hall know. Unfortunately Britdrug, which led Irish who have of Brits scribed widely but it is pre- dangerously low. ish expat Hugh to organ fail- it,” added been given Billy, a keen in Spain. for ure. Irishman Wilcox was Graeme. William Continues on pre“The chief surgeon It is the ‘Billy’ sportsman, Page 8 scribed the same at the hos- drug the third victim of the Smyth was given a five-day oped sepsisdevelpital promised course of the and medication Olive Press has drug in Febru- necrotising fascifor never prescribeme he would ported on in under re- ary. mild shoulder that drug Sometimes a year. itis as a result But when and pain on the Costa known also as turned to the 66-year-old re- required ‘radical surgery’ del a different Spanish remove the He developed Sol. affected tissue to severe head an attempt to save his life. in
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British expat, 42, dies k.co.uk Father-of-one develo after taking Nolotil: ped sepsis after being given the ‘lethal’ painki 96 626 5000 ller for +44 a minor golf injury(0) 1353 699082 www.globelin
Hughes, 78, tell us how she nearly died in 2022 when all her organs failed after taking the drug following knee surgery. Another, Adam Neale, had three days battling the symptoms of the drug after a skiing injury in Granada four years ago. And just last weekend a British grandmother on holiday in RonTel: 952 147 834 952 147 834 da told the Olive Press how she was offered the drug, without any warning, after falling over and cutting open her face. We have since been contacted by a string of other Brits who have been given the drug. We expect a deluge of Irish, Scandinavian and other nationalities to reach out to us about the plight of their loved ones. We are now calling on the major health providers in Spain to sign our pledge, promising to enforce the 2018 guidance and ensure no other Brit loses their life due to negligence. Back in 2017 many clinics were quick to join our campaign and over 1,000 people signed a petition. So if YOU are a foreigner living in Spain who was given Nolotil after 2018, we want to hear from you. And if you are a care provider in Spain who has strictly followed the Nolotil guidelines, or plan to do so going forward, we also want to hear from you. We will regularly update our readers on which doctors, pharmacies, health centres and hospitals have signed up to our pledge. Together, the Olive Press is sure we can Kill the Drug for northern European tourists and expats. The first step is to raise awareness. The next will be to tackle the authorities with the help of relentless campaigner Cristina del Campo, who has lived and breathed the fight for seven years (see panel below). FINAL HOLE: Just 48 hours later, Mark (centre left ) was dead
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lotil campaigner Christina del Campo told the Olive on Northern EuropeBy Yzabelle Bostyn Press this week. ans and is banned in 30 “She’s now workcountries, including Briton his buttocks. ing two jobs just to ain, Ireland, Australia When he was taken make ends meet. in Torrevieja, doctorsto A&E and the US. It’s not just his life found A 2018 report from the he had a low white blood that’s been ruined, cell European Medicines count, alongside signs TRAGIC: 4-yearit’s her life and her of liver Agency showed a ‘potenand kidney failure. old Aurora is left daughter’s too. All tial to induce agranuloHis without her dad, condition rapidly deteri- cytosis’ among because of a paincertain orated and just four days Mark (above) killer.” ter receiving the injection, af- populations. The incident haphe A 1999 Swedish study esslipped into a coma. pened when he According to death certificate timated the risk at one in British people,” explained attended a clinic every 2000 prescriptions del manding new analysis records, Brooks’ cause , with Campo. popular with exof death a 26% mortality rate. on October 20 was ‘organ risks of the drug and a of the pats in Ciudad It failis revision believed the drug ure, septic shock and cellulitis.’ of the information sheet Quesada on Octohave contributed to up could Regulations Now his ex-partner to 350 to medical professionals given ber 15. . reached out to the Nolotil has cases of agranulocytosis, in- “I want them to Within hours of revise and Boehringer Ingelheim, the cam- cluding 170 Britons living paign group, the Association company that makes in modify regulations and investireceiving an inof Spain. Nolotil, Drug gate Affected cases properly. They need claims all the side effects Patients (ADAF) Yet incredibly, jection of Nolotil are only one run by del Campo. he developed a ish health authority, Span- to act because it keeps being clearly listed in its information Catalugiven packet. without rash and blisters a prescription. nya, has warned against us- People’s lives are at stake.” ing the drug as a first-choice Deaths The campaigner is also painkiller. deIt came after she discovered It ruled there was Opinion Page 6 documents, which revealed ‘no evidence’ it was better at controlling that Mark’s death was as the ternatives’ pain than ‘safer alresult ‘an apparent allergic like paracetamol or re- ibuprofen. action to metamizole’. Meanwhile, one English Anything but the first, the expat drug newspaper recently has now been linked even pubto over lished a two-page 40 deaths in Spain, including feature tively promoting the drug.effecANDALUCIA reservoir many expats. It came just after ADAF spite the recent rainfall,levels are still critically low deSo dangerous is the drug, began latest statistics have shown. the legal action Almeria is the worst affected Olive Press launched province with water a cam- ish Medical against the SpanCompare funerals paign plies stand at just 9.38% Agency (AEMPS) in 2017 to have it - while Cadiz and Malagasupalso at perilous levels. for expat patients, in banned in November, claiming a 2018 are Plans cover the particu- government Across Malaga province lar, as many clinics continued directive whole of Spain sell Nolotil to Northernnot to which is alarmingly a levels stand at just over 15%, to hand out the drug. Europeans is not being followed. and a year-on-year fall 0.2% drop over the past week Spain’s most popular Interest free payment of 22%. plans sub- “We’re not looking The stark numbers come from €2,250 or as scription painkiller, Nolotil for money little after Junta president Juanma is or damages. We Moreno warned the region as €29.16 per month known to have adverse want to make effects them stop rain to avoid severe water needs 30 straight days of giving Nolotil to Plans range from cuts this summer. However, record high simple unattended temperature s are forecast for the rest of January, with the direct cremation to a mercury set to reach the 20s - with ZERO rain more traditional high send off predicted. In Cadiz, reservoir levels comparefuneral.or being added over the pastare at 15.32%, with just 0.16% g week. +34 951 120 752 Meanwhile, Granada See pages 24 stands at 23.4% (+0.17%), 21.3% (+0.7%), Sevilla Jaen Tomorrows Funeral (+1.6%) and Huelva 36% 34% (+5%), Cordoba 18% (+3.8%). at Today’s Price
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in the mountains and Andalucia’s city for world leaders is a hot ticket Hemingway’s their wives despitewrites Elisa lukewarm words, Menendez
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good wine, exNICE promenades, nothing to do…’off cellent food and wrote Thus Ernest Hemingway he spent numerthe town wheredrinking the local ous holidays at corridas, no wine and carousing many of Rondoubt disappointing with his puzzlingly da’s proud residents lacklustre review.travellers - including Most of today’s prime ministers and Britain’s last two Lady - would certainan American Firsthim. Ronda has been ly disagree with third most-visited crowned Andalucia’s hard to see why.a true town and it’s not of Dreams’ is a ceof The so-called ‘City and somewhat wanderlust gem lebrity hang-out.Theresa May, Anne HaWhittaker, This year alone, Gervais, Jodie Thomas thaway, Ricky Kristin Scott Rajoy Gordon Ramsay, Mariano and Spain’s ex-premier visited the stunning have all allegedly so say locals in the mountain town... know.
Clarke
Obama
also made headlines Michelle Obama in 2010, touring the Moorish when she visited discovering the old town and daughter Sasha. Novelli dynasty with her Jean Christophe after Celebrity chef in the town went house hunting it in 2009. falling in love with high sierra setting, With its spectacular lanes and atmoRonda leafy parks, cobbled it’s no wonder spheric ventas hearts of so many has stolen the travellers. a slew of writers Over the centuriesabout its timeless have waxed lyrical views and charmcharacter, stunning it the ing locals. Rilke baptised The German poet Orson Welles took a ‘City of Dreams’, scene and shine to its bullfighting Continues on
PainGRAND TOUR-ISTS: gorge, whiters tackle the visitors le (inset) recent Gordon Anne Hathaway, Whittaker Ramsey, Jodie and Ricky Gervais
Page 18
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against the Junta for are taking legal action ENVIRONMENTAL groups claimair’ in the Campo de Gibraltar. ‘failing to tackle toxic has filed a complaint with the Health Ministry, Ecologistas en Accion done to protect citizens from a rise in air pollutants the Bay of Algeciras. poling nothing has been of ‘toxic’ industries in caused by the expansiongroup, more than 10,000 tonnes of dangerous According to the greeninto the atmosphere last year. as well as lutants were released ing chemical benzene, cancer-caus lethal This includes potentially to have the worst other fine particles. was officially declared province Cadiz as The writ comes ranks as the 30th most air quality in Spain. which borders Gibraltar, And alarmingly, La Linea, in terms of air quality. polluted place in the worldrevealed in a damning World Health Organisaed’ The shocking stats were the world’s ‘most contaminat tion report which lists Continues page 11 in towns and cities. Cadiz also came bottom Adding salt to the wound,
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Lethal painkiller BANNED for Brits after hard-fought battle BEST
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xx See page 18
EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore
A BRITISH expat couple are fighting to save their Malaga home from demolition over a technicality. Gill and Bob Ward, both 74, have been locked in a battle with their town hall, which claims their house in Almayate is illegal. Just yesterday the retired couple from Cornwall were given
Vol. 11 Issue 271
www.theolivepress.es
EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore
one month to knock down their only property (pictured above). In a court order seen by the Olive Press, the Wards are warned they will be held criminally responsible if they refuse. “I don’t know what to do anymore, I’m at the end of my tether” Gill told the Olive Press, “I’m totally exhausted from the whole ordeal.” The retired pair, who have now spent thousands of euros on legal costs, bought the old farmhouse ‘in ruins’ in 2004, and were given permission from Velez-Malaga town hall to rebuild it. But when the original wall collapsed of its own accord during construction, the Wards’ architect told them it would be fine and that he would let the town hall know. Unfortunately for
THE Olive Press is calling on Spain to ban a lethal painkiller that is killing countless of unsuspecting expats. British dentists and doctors are supporting the ban after Briton Graham Ward, 75, complained to the Olive Press of how he was prescribed the deadly Nolotil drug by a dentist last week. It’s the very same drug that was blamed for killing his wife in 2006. The Marbella-based expat was furious when he was told to take the painkiller by his Spanish dentist, after suffering from a difficult abscess. His wife Mary, 59, had died after being prescribed the same drug following a double vasectomy at Costa del Sol Hospital. “Within 24 hours she was in intensive care, her white blood cell count plummeted to zero within days,” explains Graham, a former computer technician, from London. She never regained consciousness and was on a life support machine for FOUR months, before spending three years fighting the impact of the drug, which led to organ failure. “The chief surgeon at the hospital promised me he would never prescribe that drug
S u b j e c t
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E n d s
Need for more research
Dr Nina King, of Oasis Dental Care in Marbella, fully supports the campaign, telling the Olive Press the drug is not something she prescribes. “It’s not a drug I use, I stick to safe and standard medication,” she said, “And after seeing what damage it can do, it’s a drug I won’t be using in the future.” Marbella-based private doctor Dra. Victoria María Chacón Almeda also agrees the drug is dangerous. “I don’t prescribe the drug,” she told the Olive Press, “I have lots of British patients and I am aware of what it is capable of doing. “There needs to be a lot more research on its impact.”
Continues on Page 8
praised her incredible campaigning in early 2019 after the authorities finally acted to warn about the risks of the drug for certain foreigners. Alongside, Christina we have now decided to relaunch the campaign to push for tougher regulations on the drug, as well as urge medical professionals to pledge to actually follow the 2018 directive. To learn more about how you can help, please visit the www.adafspain.org website or donate www. gofund.me/2a6beff5
The dad-of-two later died from septic shock – believed to be linked to taking the Nolotil. BritAnother ish expat Hugh Wilcox was prescribed the same for medication shoulder mild pain on the Costa del Sol. He developed severe head
HAPPIER TIMES: Graham with wife, and Billy Smyth
again. “He said she would be alive if she hadn’t taken it, but I have heard from dozens of Brits and Irish who have been given it,” added Graeme. It is the third victim of the drug the Olive Press has reported on in under a year. Sometimes known also as
Metamizole, Nolotil is banned in the US, the UK, Ireland and most of Europe, but it is prescribed widely in Spain. ‘Billy’ William Irishman Smyth was given a five-day course of the drug in February. But when the 66-year-old returned to a different Spanish
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‘NO OP, NO IDEA!’ Attention readers, MANY of you got in touch over the weekend to say you had just missed the January sale and were hoping to take advantage of the generous discount - well today is your lucky day. We are launching a special Valentine’s sale with a massive 50% off your first year’s online subscription… how’s that for sharing the love?! It means you can have full, ad-reduced access to the Olive Press website from just 75 cents per week staying informed about everything in Spain, all for less than the price of a caña! And the subscription more than pays for itself thanks to our new money-saving tips that you simply cannot be without. These include how to book the cheapest flights, how to avoid sneaky new tax fines or how to swerve new sanctions on renting out your home. Remember, our new catchphrase is simple and to the point: No OP, No Idea. And unlike our ‘rivals’, you also get a string of exclusive stories that you will NOT find elsewhere. Subscribers also receive a personal newsletter from the digital editor each Saturday plus curated newsletters covering travel, health and propD: ME OR INF STAY erty throughout the week. y ekl we Our twiceYou will also get the chance travel newsletter to pitch story ideas and suggestions, with two articles alone inspired by subscribers this week… one a probe we launched into pesticide-use in Spain.
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Simple as A.B.C MY NOLOTIL HELL: Doreen with husband Clifford
WITH SEPSIS AND TOTAL ORGAN FAILURE, I WAS GIVEN A 50/50 CHANCE OF SURVIVAL By Laurence Dollimore
Despite sleepless nights and investing a lot of her own money into her campaign, Cristina is thinking of expanding her crusade worldwide. “I’m thinking of expanding my association to the USA, UK and more. “The more people that join the association, the stronger we get.” The Olive Press first spoke to Cristina in 2017 to hear of the many horror stories she had already compiled by then. Our meeting led to us lauching our Kill the drug campaign, which supported her aims. Editor Jon Clarke later
doctor to get a renewal in April, tests showed the drug had caused a toxic poisoning in his bone marrow and his white blood cell was dangerously low. Billy, a keen sportsman, developed sepsis and necrotising fasciitis as a result and required ‘radical surgery’ to remove the affected tissue in an attempt to save his life.
Irish tourists. be adminisExpats in Spain will now term prescriptered Nolotil on a short it can only be issue SALE CAMPAIGN: Previous tion only. Furthermore 59 analysis of Mosquito which prescribed after a detailedmedical hiseffects, Screens despite various side in white the patient’s blood can cause a rapid drop tory and heritage. unable to fight It will also have to be cells, leaving patients translator, Cristina much more closely mon- infections. Medical who has pulled toGarcia del Campo, itored. case studies from It comes after an Olive gether hundreds of probe, said she Press investigation into victims for the AEMPS’ the authorities was ‘very happy’ the mysterious deaths Folreacted. have finally of expats from lowing the results of her the drug was KILL THE rigorous investigation she launched See page 43 DRUG has now demanded that 2016, in sold the drug must not be dealong with a a without a prescription and 1,000-stro ng reguanalysis. it have patient tailed petition to problem has “I am very happy that the lated a year later. told the Olive Nolotil, also known as been dealt with,” she sure that the Metamizole, is banned in Press. “I will be making tions are carthe UK, the US and most AEMPS recommenda make sure it’s ried out and if necessary Olive Press of Europe. The Despite this, the drug is banned completely.”after a trio of exstill one of the most pop- began investigating their pat families told us how ular painkillers in Spain, relatives had died unnecessarafter in excruciating pain, CASHBACK ON ily taking the drug in Andalucia. the In April, the paper revealed YOUR HOUSE first steps towards regulation Marina had been taken, with in network Salud, a big health to Alicante, issuing a warning to drug the g stop administerin PAYBACK WHEN British, Irish and Scandinavian patients. YOU SELL
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tribute bands Think Floyd, Deeper Purple and Whole Lotta Led rocking out the greatest hits of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin at the Plaza del Toros on August 26. For a chance to win a pair of tickets to see Bolton, just answer the question; what year was Michael Bolton born in? For the Pink Purple Zep Fest in Estepona, just tell us; Where was Jimmy Page born? Email WIN WIN WIN: Bolton and Pink Purple Zep Fest tickets answers to the newsdesk@theolivepress.es.
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THE Olive Press is giving away three pairs of tickets for two of the best concerts on the Costa del Sol this summer... And all you have to do is answer two simple questions! Michael Bolton takes to the stage for an emotive end of season night at Marbella’s Puente Romano on August 10, while Estepona is set for its biggest rock concert in years with mammoth
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banned for tourists in Spain. The Spanish In a breakthrough move, has finally Medicine Agency (AEMPS) bodissued a directive to all healthcare to British and ies to stop giving the drug
to be reA LETHAL painkiller believed of dozens of exsponsible for the deaths in Spain. pats is finally being regulated has invesNolotil, which the Olive Press has been tigated for nearly two years,
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local gym? There’s no need to worry as scientists have revealed the best way to get into shape - a daily walk. Researchers have highlighted sev-a eral small changes that can bring wide range of anti-ageing, health-improving and fitness-enhancing benefits. Walking with greater intent can alleviate stress, strengthen muscles and bones, increase flexibility and lengthen lives, all without the additional costs of fitness classes. Studies have found that nasal breathing during walks, the technique of breathing through your nose rather than your mouth, enables a range of improvements to your cardiovascular health. Research conducted by Colorado State University showed athletes who practiced nasal breathing had a lower respiratory rate than when breathing through their mouths, indicating an improved flow of oxygen through the bloodstream. Likewise, wearing a weighted vest was found to accentuate the health benefits of a daily walk. A study conducted by the journal Ergonomics suggested men who wore a nine-kilo vest burnt 6% more calories than without (a 2.5 kilogram vest is recommended for women). average is 8.6 litres. Spanish smoking rates were also Best of all, altering the speed of higher than world averages, with a walk has the greatest impact. 19.8% of people over 15 smoking Even small bursts of power walkdaily. ing have the potential to reduce Compared to the international averthe risk of key diseases such as age of 16%, the UK ranks low, with type 2 diabetes. smoking daily. SAMPLES from the oldest woman in the world - Maria Branyas - are being analysed to try and find the key to a long life. The Spaniard from Catalunya is an incredible 116 years old, but has no health complications other than hearing and mobility issues. Unlike most people her age, she has zero cardiovascular problems nor memory issues, and can recount stories from the age of four as if they happened yesterday. Maria herself has previously credited eating natural yoghurt each day for her longevity, and avoiding ‘excesses’, adding: “I have always eaten little, but everything, and I have never followed any regime. I have not suffered from any illness or been through an operating room.”
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A 2018 study by The Lancet predicted Spain could hold the world’s at highest life expectancy by 2040, 85.8 years old. Other specialists have speculated that frequent siestas, regular walks and even more frequent sex could of be influencing the longevity
Spaniards. This comes despite Spain also ranktoing highly for negatives such as bacco, cocaine and alcohol use. The country ranks third in cocaine use, following the UK and Australia. In the last year, almost 3% of adults in the UK and Spain admitted to using coSciences is anacaine in the past extract- The University of Agricultural A SWEDISH university team has beensee what lysing the blood from animals at the El Burriyear and in Ausing blood from Spanish donkeys to are losing to Feliz Association, in Hinojos, in Andalucia’s tralia this figure can be learnt to help humans who Doñana National Park. rose to 4%. their hair. It is looking at the ‘enormous However, Spain strength’ of their manes to had the lowest obtain a formula to be transrates of overall HAIR ferred to human hair. opioid use in the BRAINED Researcher Juan Negro exworld, alongside SCHEME?: plained: “We are looking at Israel, with just Donkeys the characteristics of hair 0.1% of adults usin Doñana growth shared by humans ing opioids in the could help and four-legged animals. last year. cure baldto “Hopefully we will find posAccording ness sible remedies to baldness, most recent data, which is important to some Spain ranked 7th peoin terms of alcople.” hol use, the average person consuming 10.5 litres per capita. They drink more than in the UK, ranked which 11th, with 10 litres per capita. The international
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that’s for sure. port from everyI have had supcante-based Garcia and Irish patients fessional I have healthcare prodel Campo spotted our spoken to. fering with sepsishad been suf“If I hadn’t come working withcampaign, while at hospitals along the Costa article I wouldn across your who suddenly an Irish expat “I thought, thisBlanca. alised what was ’t have reill with sepsis became critically happening to mal,” explained can’t be northe English commu fasciitis after and necrotizing from Madrid. the translator, added. We launche nity,” she He died later intaking the drug. November. And after looking the Drug’ campai d our ‘Kill gn against notes, she found at patients’ the painkiller that each had one thing in learning that last August, after dozens of British were all taking common - they and Irish expats Nolotil. Although manufa their immune had died after side effects such cturers list legedly destroysystems were allocytosis, necrotiz as agranumonly prescribed by the comKill ThE and sepsis, they ing fasciitis of families tolded drug. A trio us how their drug ‘very rare’ affectinare considered relatives had died unnecessarg one in every 10,000. ily in excrucia ting pain. Yet, The figures did authorities refused not to take up to Garcia del seem to add claims seriousl our set about doing Campo so she evidence being y, despite the search. Howeve her own relocal doctors. backed up by SALE APPEAL: Our Fortunately, Ali59 tion existed in r, no informaSpanish media. Mosquito campaign last Screens The only articles year on the drug and she could find Nolotil, or Metami zol, is still effects was in the its lethal side one of the most “I was in disbelieOlive Press. killers in Spain, popular painthe Javea-based f,” continued feared side effect yet the most is agranulocylived in the UK translator, who tosis, a severe and rapid drop “I thought this for 18 years. white blood cells, in was surely wellknown and someon patients unable which leaves to fight infecsomething about e was doing tions. & GARDEN TREE it. Except it wasn’t. Garcia del Campo SERVICE “I felt I had a large number Snoticed that to inform Spain expat of other English
ito Scr ANTHONA NY’DSA L U CCal Í A eens l
JANUARY 2024
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in THE average life expectancy the Spain is the fourth highest in inworld and three years above the ternational average. Most Spaniards live to at least 83.3, the according to a new report by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). They tie with Australia which takes at fourth spot in the report, Health a glance. Japan took the top spot, at 84.5 years, followed by Switzerland
for)
2018
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on EXclUSiVE THE Olive Press is calling By Elisa menen dez Spain to ban a lethal painkiller of unthat is killing countless AN Olive Press health camsuspecting expats. paign has led doctors British dentists and drug probes in to ‘the biggest’ afSpanish history. are supporting the ban 75, Our investigation Marbella, fully supports into the mysof Oasis Dental Care inthe drug is not something ter Briton Graham Ward, terious King, Nina Dr deaths Press Olive Press complained to the Olive the the painkiller of expats from the campaign, telling the Nolotil last year, ” is of how he was prescribed finally medication, prescribes. she being standard a denstick to safe and In a landmarkacted on. deadly Nolotil drug by very it’s a drug “It’s not a drug I use, I what damage it can do, a national probe breakthrough, tist last week. It’s the she said, “And after seeing blamed is expected to future.” lead to new regulati same drug that was I won’t be using in the doctor Dra. Victoria María Chacón their on of the one month to knock down drug, which is for killing his wife in 2006. Marbella-based private drug is dangerous. “I don’t prescribe above). expat only property (pictured by the UK and most of banned in the The Marbella-based Almeda also agrees theOlive Press, “I have lots of British patold In a court order seen “It has been a Europe. was furious when he was the drug,” she told theof what it is capable of doing. are by his long time in comOlive Press, the Wardscrimiing and by raising to take the painkiller suffertients and I am aware more research on its impact.” so much warned they will be heldrefuse. awareness, I am Spanish dentist, after “There needs to be a lot they if abscess. difficult nally responsible already been sure lives have ing from a do anydied afsaved,” medical The dad-of-two “I don’t know what to of my and legal translat His wife Mary, 59, had same a died from get end the later to the or at doctor I’m prescribed Cristina more, Garcia del Campo ter being Press, vasecseptic shock – told the Olive renewal in April, tether” Gill told the Olive the Press. drug following a double believed to be found The medical professional tests showed the “I’m totally exhausted from tomy at Costa del Sol Hospital. was linked to taking online our 1000-strong petition drug had caused whole ordeal.” “Within 24 hours shewhite andWant took it forward now the Nolotil. a toxic poisoning to stick after The retired pair, who haveon lein intensive care, her around Brit- one of her patients as long as Another died from TRAG in his bone marthe drug. “Spain spent thousands of euros farmIC: Graeme Spain’s blood cell count plummeted Maria - ageBilly and Billy Smyth Ward with wants 116? ish expat Hugh row and his white to help, gal costs, bought the old and zero within days,” explains HAPPIER TIMES: Graham with wife, to wife Smyth, who Wilcox was preboth died from Mary (left) and banned blood cell was house ‘in ruins’ in 2004,from Graham, a former computer Metamizole, Nolotil is Nolotil Take a a look at our tips scribed the same UK, Ireland and dangerously low. were given permission to reinside our special again. technician, from London. RRP 3,000health for alive if in the US, the supplement € medication is pre- Billy, a keen Velez-Malaga town hall “He said she would be She never regained consciousmost of Europe, but it shoulder mild sportsman, develand was on a life support she hadn’t taken it, but I have scribed widely in Spain. build it. ness Costa colpain on the ‘Billy’ oped sepsis and from dozens of Brits Irishman But when the original wall William machine for FOUR months, during given years heard del AllSol. lapsed of its own accord archigiven a five-day necrotising fascibefore spending threeof the and Irish who have been was about Smyth head and severe He developed drug in Febru- itis as a result added Graeme. construction, the Wards’be fine fighting the impact to fail- it,” the third victim of the course of the your required ‘radical surgery’ in tect told them it would town OUR PRICEWalk It is drug, which led to organ way fit ... ary. 2 tissue rePage the on affected has let re- remove the live 16 Continues THE LONGER the Olive Press and that he would ure. years longer But when the 66-year-old 1,200€ and ly for hos- drug save his life. LIFE hall know. Unfortunate different Spanish an attempt to “The chief surgeon at thewould ported on in under a year. D also as turned to a 8 pital promised me he drug Sometimes known Old age Continues on Page wonder www.mo never prescribe that
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Doctors and dentists join Olive Press appeal for ban on dangerous painkiller Nolotil
are A BRITISH expat couple Malaga fighting to save their over a home from demolition technicality. 74, Gill and Bob Ward, both a battle have been locked in which hall, with their town claims their house in Almayate is illegal. couJust yesterday the retiredgiven were Cornwall ple from
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A BRITISH expat has revealed how she almost died after being administered Nolotil in Spain. Doreen Hughes, 78, was given the ‘lethal’ painkiller following knee replacement surgery in Alberic, Valencia, in 2022 - despite clear nationwide guidance against giving the drug to British patients. “I sat up in my hospital bed to eat my meal then I suddenly had a funny turn and just started shaking dramatically,” she told the Olive Press. “My husband Clifford called for help and the doctors just looked at each other blankly then sent me to the ICU.” Doreen was sent home with doctors blaming her reaction on ‘low potassium and iron’ - and incredibly, she was prescribed Nolotil pills to manage her pain. Within a day, she took another turn and was rushed back to the ICU (A&E) in an ambulance. She added: “I was in ICU for over a week with total organ failure, pulmonary embolism, sepsis and zero white blood count. “This was followed by another couple of weeks in the hospital before being allowed home. “It was very touch and go, Clifford was extremely upset and I was told I had a 50/50 chance of pulling through… luckily I’m a tough old bird and I did, but I now know never to touch Nolotil again.” Doreen said she was never given advice or a warning before being prescribed it. This was despite Spain bringing in clear nationwide guidance for health centres, hospitals and pharmacies across the country in December 2018.
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8
NEWS
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Remembering the dead
INVASION: Franco’s forces besieged Malaga
Untying the knots
THE Junta has promised to change 500 laws, making Andalucia the region ‘with the least bureaucracy’ in Spain. Known as ‘Andalucia simplifies’ the project is a bid to attract investment in the region. It pushes for digitisation, better automation and a reduction in paperwork. The rules mainly affect urban development and renewable energy. “We want your business and we will be your best ally if you decide to move here,” said Junta President Juanma Moreno in a keynote speech.
February 7th - February 20th 2024
AN annual commemorative march for the tens of thousands killed by fascists fleeing Malaga during the civil war kicks off today (February 7). The eighth Marcha Integral de La Desbanda, pays tribute to the civilian population, forced to flee in 1937 as General Franco’s nationalist forces besieged the city. Over 300,000 residents left with over 5,000 losing their lives on the road to Almeria as they came under attack from the navy and Nazi-backed air force. The route takes the original route snaking along the coast via Almuñecar, Salobreña and La Rabita before culminating on February 14 in Almeria. More people lost their lives during the exodus than the infamous bombing of Guernica, which killed 1,600.
5,000 LOST: Fascist airforce attacked fleeing citizens
STAMP IT OUT!
BRITISH residents are still having their passports stamped as they arrive in Spain despite showing the necessary documents, the Olive Press can reveal. A reporter from this newspaper arrived at Malaga airport on Friday morning, having spent a few days at home in London to visit family. On his way out of the country last Monday, officials did not even open his passport as he was carrying a green residency card and a Spanish driving licence.
Make daddy pay! EXPAT victims of a property fraud are appealing to the influencer daughter of the alleged scam artists to help them recover their stolen funds. Danish national Kim Gabrielsen and his wife, Rita, were lured into investing into the renovation of a luxury villa in Marbella. However, once the work was complete, property owner David Topping, from Manchester, VANISHED: Topping p r o m p t l y sold it and is no longer in vanished Marbella without a
Fury as British residents continue to have their passports stamped in Spain However upon returning, a policia nacional official claimed neither document was valid enough proof. She insisted that a photo ID proving residency, i.e. a TIE card, was required to avoid being stamped. This is categorically false, with the British Embassy in Madrid issuing guidance
trace, making off with the profits. Kim and Rita, both 57, lost up to €500,000 in the fraud, a modus operandi that Topping is alleged to have repeated on the Costa del Sol various times. Topping and his Brazilian wife, Miria Boisard, were later convicted of the crime in absentia by a Malaga court, according to documents seen by this newspaper. Having got away with the loot, the couple are suspected of fleeing the country with a Spanish arrest warrant hanging over their heads. Now, Kim and Rita, who own a CBD shop in San Pedro, are pinning their hopes on 20-year-old Larissa Kimberlly, a Madrid-based influencer with over 20 million followers on TikTok alone. “Kimberlly is aware of her parents’ wrongdoing and knows where they are,” claimed Rita. “When I saw her in Marbella recently she told me that she knew everything about what they had done to us, but there was nothing she could do. “When I asked her to tell us where they are, she refused and ran out of the shop. It’s the last time we’ve seen her, but we know from her social media that she comes to Marbella regularly.” Kimberlly rose to social media stardom
By Laurence Dollimore
confirming that the green residency card is in fact acceptable. The embassy even prepared a letter for British residents to show passport officials who refuse to acknowledge
the law. However, when our reporter tried to show her this form he was simply ignored and told to pass on through after getting stamped. AENA, which manages Malaga airport and most airports through Spain, refused to comment, saying it was a question for Policia Nacional. The force has been contacted for comment. In its guidance last year, the British Embassy warned that many officials across Spain are not properly informed of how the green residency card remains valid for residents entering the country. It advised Brits to get their TIE as soon as possible. However, as expats around the country have discovered, there have been very few available appointments available. This week, for example, Marbella had zero TIE appointments for the coming weeks, with the online booking platform telling users to check back at a later date.
Brad Pitt conned me SCAMMERS who allegedly posed as Brad Pitt to defraud a woman out of €170,000 have been arrested in Almeria. The victim, from Granada, was tricked into believing she was in a real online relationship with the actor. The Inglourious Basterds star, 60, is worth around €400 million and is currently dating stunning jewellery designer Ines de Ramon. The bogus Pitt told the woman he was short of money, asking her to make a series of bank transfers into their accounts. The victim was reeled in at the start of 2022 when she joined a Brad Pitt fan club on social media, which promised to grant her personal online access to the Hollywood icon. A bogus Pitt profile was then set up to send her messages and photographs. She parted with her money on the pretext that he needed it for a possible trip to see her and to help fund his role in a new movie.
TRANS STANCE
CAN’T HELP: Topping’s daughter TikTok influencer Kimberlly over the past three years, posting videos of herself lip syncing, dancing and playing with her hair. Have you been victims of Topping’s alleged fraud? Email tips@theolivepress.es
A TRANSGENDER soldier who has not had a sex change operation and kept ‘her’ male name is suing after being banned from a women’s changing rooms. Francisco Javier, 42, from Sevilla, declared himself as ‘female’ last year and registered it legally before a judge at the Civil Registry. Now Francisco defines herself as a 'lesbian who likes women'. He is now on sick leave and claiming ‘discrimination’ after being ordered out of the women’s changing rooms at Torreblanca barracks.
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LA CULTURA
February 7th - February 20th 2024
CULTURE WAR
In for the laughs Government minister has put BRITISH comedian Jimmy Carr, 51, will perform on the Costa del Sol this summer as part of his new Laughs Funny tour. Carr, known for his deadpan delivery of often-controversial one-liners, is set to perform in Marbella as part of the European leg of his new tour. The 90-minute show will take place in the open-air Marbella Arena on August 31 - which has a capacity of over 5,000 people. Tickets for the comedy show are available online from €45.50, with doors set to open from 7:30pm local time.
forward a motion to ‘decolonise’ museums SOME 17 state museum collections will be investigated in Spain for their ‘links to colonialism’ in a move branded ‘woke’ by conservatives. Led by the Ministry of Culture, the project is currently being debated in the Spanish parliament. The museum collections will be revised in an attempt to remove ‘gender and ethnocentric bias’ as well as ‘links’ to the country’s colonial past. It is hoped the project will ‘establish a dialogue and ex-
Marbella vice
By Yzabelle Bostyn
change which will help us to overcome Spain’s colonial history.’ However, strict proposal has provoked criticism from opposition leaders. Borja Semper, vice secretary of culture for the conservative Partido Popular, said: “It’s a debate imported from other countries. Either they’re ignoring the history of Spain or they’re blinded by woke activism.”
ART: but is it appropriate? The revision has been under consideration for some time, even before current culture minister, Ernest Urtasun, took
Surreal, Man AN exhibition showcasing the weird and wonderful work of legendary American photographer and avant-garde artist Man Ray has opened in Malaga. Born Emmanuel Radnitzky in Philadelphia in 1890, Man Ray is celebrated for his works that set the artistic tone of the postwar period after World War I. He is a famed pioneer of both the surrealist and dadaist movements that emerged in response to the industrial slaughter of the Great War, which he showcased through nudes and portraits. Man Ray's ability to capture the human body is evident in his nudes, which were
up his post. Some Spanish museums, such as the Museum of the Americas and the National Anthropology Museum, have already implemented similar measures. According to Urtasan, the move follows recommendations from the International Council of Museums. He said: “Museums respond to the debates of their time.”
Decolonise
DIFFERENT VIEW: Man Ray’s works shocking for the period. The exhibition, at the Carmen Thyssen Museum, predominantly features female figures who were the artist's friends, lovers, and muses, such as Kiki de Montparnasse. It runs until April 21.
Andres Gutierrez Usillos, director of the Museum of the Americas, backed the proposal, while former culture minister, Miquel Iceta, asked: “How can we decolonise a museum?” It is a question that one of Spain’s most famous museums, Museo del Prado, has ‘already been considering’, according to Benito Navarrete.
A THRILLER telling the tale of Marbella’s early 2000s corruption scandal has become Spain’s latest blockbuster movie. Directed by Daniel Calparsoro, El Correo follows the fortunes of a young criminal in the murky real estate world of Marbella. Aron Piper, well known for the Netflix series, Elite, plays Ivan Marquez, a valet turned gangster as he rises up the ranks of an international money laundering operation. He is flanked by Maria Pedraza, of hit Spanish TV show, Money Heist. As ‘dirty money flows like wine’ on the Costa del Sol, the pair work with corrupt politicians, bankers, construction entrepreneurs, sportspeople and even the Chinese mafia. The film touches on the infamous Malaya scandal, in which more than €33 million were exchanged for government building permits in Marbella. El Correo was filmed last spring in Marbella, Malaga and Madrid, alongside international locations.
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August 2023
Kick off your heels at Spain’s hottest new hotels See page 6
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May 2023
OUTDOOR LIFE
How to lead that Spanish lifestyle to the full See page 14
OLD TO NEW: how unwanted buildings have been given a new lease of life See page 22
Swiss salute!
A MAJOR global exhibition is to recognise work of architectural giants Herzog & De the ron, as they reach their Meu45th anniversary. The Royal Academy show, in London, is ring the Swiss pair’s explohealthy half dozen incredible designs, with a built These include (from in Spain. top left) the Barcelona Forum, Madrid’s CaixaForum and (main) the remarkable 2007 HQ Since 1978 the pair of Spanish bank, BBVA. jects, many yet to be have grafted on 600 probuilt, including Jerez Frontera’s City of Flamenco. de la
See Partners in Design
Golden Millionaire page 22
SPAIN’S golden visa pected to survive… butscheme is ex- Spain’s Golden it’s going to Visa double in price. rise to €1 million andscheme to survive… but investment threshold While Portugal and Ireland it could encourage spending likely of more than scrapped their programmes, recently in less-populated areasto investments deposits or shares of €1 million By Walter Finch But the government the visa scheme is expected in Spain was quick to vestment. ital companies, or more Spanish capto be exdeny his claims, insisting tended. than €2 million in government bonds. try was actually looking the minis- However, it has been frequently It comes after left wing Government sources at alternacritonly those investing indicate that party Mas Pais claimed thatpolitical tives with suggestions from various icised for creating inflationary pres- Certain desirable highly skilled pro€1million or Social fessionals sures and came under more will be given a three-year Security Ministry hadSpain’s political parties. scrutiny for cases are and family reunification provi- One encouraging black money res- sionally confirmed also idency permit. into the dency permit eligible for this resiit was to scrap but of these is to allow investment Spanish only in less-populated economy. the scheme. without A source told El Pais THE average international In 2022, Spain grantedinvestment. socially beneficial projects.areas or in Currently, the scheme allows will be doubled from thethat the figure Leader Inigo Errejon claimed buyer of 2,462 Spanish property has the Introduced in 2013 eigners to obtain a three-year for- visas to property investors, golden begun to trend of €500,000 invested in current total scheme had led to a ‘brutal’ in the wake of an indownwards in age profile, resi- crease By Walter Finch The new champions increase the Euro crisis, real estate or in house according to as an investment in a Spanish prices, adding: “Spanish the scheme was in- dence permit, extendable for another vious of nearly 60% from the preof the the latest data. Spanish company. cittwo, by investing at least expat year. market: Young Brits, tended as a means to izenship cannot be bought”. But now a report from This data from the While there are still €500,000 in in companiesOnly a handful invested re-inflate the real estate, College of RegisUnion de CredFrench and Germanshousing trars housing market through or government bonds. excluding any mortgages. pandemic paints an optimistic picture Germans, French andplenty of Brits, itos Inmobiliarios (UCI) claims foreign in- The mechanism that the home unleashed the genie of to UCI. Belgians com- the prevailing for 2023, with the first also applies to in- Since the scheme began some 31,000 ing in to hand over their trend quarter already people have acquired a cash, gone tional buyers indicatesamong interna- which hasoffice and flexible working, Despite the seeing 23,380 are the days of them golden transactions by foreignfact that interest rates seen a surge in younger visa. the new sheriffs being entirely in town are a ers. on mortgages for non-residents high-income, near-retirement younger, less financially buyers drawn by this way of working. are The maximum couples. comfortable demographic. invariably higher compared Thus they can fulfil The typical profile of financing percentage the dream of offered foreign buyers These young used to be people between to residents, the marketto those hovers around 70% of the property's upstarts (between 30 spending extended periods contin- valuation with on the ues to witness 50 and 60 and 40) have been years old, married with an amortisation period a surge capitalising on the Spanish coasts without waiting until children, with freedom afforded international buyers. in demand from of around 30 years. a high level of education by the digital nomad they are grey and wrinkly. Spain's attractiveness, The numbers are underlined As the Olive Press has reported come of more than €60,000.and an in- lifestyle to invest in Spanish property. enviable quality by a drarecentUCI's analysis shows that the Covid ly, buyers from the United States have matic 45% surge in foreign property of life, profitability, and its status as a stable safe haven for investments purchases also surged onto the scene, according transactions.in 2022, totaling 88,800 not, it seems, have been dented ward trajectory of interest by the uprates.
MOVE OVER GRAN DAD
LAUNCH: Feb 2015
2A0GE
COSTA LIVING.. WITH A DIFFERENCE P
SPECIAL
I
T is a coast famed for its endless golden beaches and unspoilt wind-swept beauty. But now the Costa de la Luz, in Cadiz, has a new claim to fame. Overlooking the Atlantic, the recently completed House on the Air (Casa en el aire) showcases the distinctive architectural prowess of famed Valencian studio Fran Silvestre Arquitectos. Drawing inspiration from its unique location on Playa Alemanes, near Zahara de los Atunes, the design team – led by Fran himself - envisioned a project that not only shelters but also inspires, framing the beauty of its natural surroundings. Navigating the challenging terrain marked by slopes and contours, it is artfully positioned as if it was gently perched
atop the landscape. Composed of stones mirroring the local terrain, its foundations not only anchor the house but also enhance its connection to its natural surroundings. This design choice ensures that the interior spaces provide uninterrupted views of the sea, capturing the glimmering reflections of the sunset. The home is divided into three distinct areas: The main living space with its amazing panoramic views and its master suite and three more bedrooms, which share the same views, and on the lower floor two extra bedrooms facing a shady courtyard. The House on the Air seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings, providing a unique and inspiring living experience.
HEADING SOUTH NEARLY a quarter of all British professionals able to work from abroad would choose Spain to uproot. Some 22% of Brits yearning to ditch their dreary island in favour of better weather and increased spending power would choose Spain - if they could keep their current jobs. The country knocked America into second place with 19%, while France came a poor third with 13%. Portugal would be the dream location for 6%, while Southeast Asia gar-
Spain comes top for UK digital nomads thanks to its better quality of life - especially for women aged 25 to 30 By Walter Finch
nered 5% and Latin America only 3%. A striking 53% of UK professionals able to embrace remote working would move abroad, while just 33% would stick with Blighty and 14%
were undecided in the poll by Nebeus. The most common profile of a Brit looking to move to Spain meanwhile is a woman aged 25 to 30 in ‘a management role in the private sector’. Barcelona, with its blend of cosmopolitan flair, tops the list of preferred Spanish cities at 14%.
Other coastal locations, including Malaga, Marbella, Valencia, Alicante and Palma, were popular choices. Inland cities like Madrid and Sevilla also hold their own in the rankings, proving that Spain’s appeal extends beyond its coastline. The study points out several incentives for choosing Spain as a remote work base. The promise of a ‘better quality of life’ is the most significant draw at 46%, followed by the potential for
saving money (19%) and an attractive culture and lifestyle (12%). Job opportunities (7%) and tax incentives (4%) are also factors. Yet incredibly, 89% of British professionals were unaware of Spain’s digital nomad visa, with half questioned saying they would now look into it. The main financial challenges perceived in relocating include healthcare costs (31%), cost of living (21%), and retirement and savings plans (10%).
12
PROPERTY
February 7th - February 20th 2024
A DECADE AND COUNTING
I
The longest running property magazine on the coast
T is with real pride that our Property Magazine has made it into its tenth year. When we launched in earKick off your heels at Spain’s hottest new hotels ly 2015 we had no idea how roperty well it would be received. N But we knew the coast deserBR E L ved a publication to explore CE the real state of the market not simply a glossy publication roperty looking at it through rose-tinted spectacles. BUILDING FORTUNES... So we went to the experts; the Swiss salute! likes of property analyst Mark Stucklin, the longest-serving agent in Marbella, Chris Clover, of Panorama, and the thoughtful musings of philosophy graduate - our Property Insider Adam Neale, in Estepona. And it is no surprise that all three of them are with the magazine ISSUE: Featuring former BEST COVER: A 2017 story about BriRECENT ISSUE: As well as champiotoday, as well as long-establi- FIRST Sunday Times property doctor Mark tish buyers coming in ‘like a fireball’ ning Spain’s golden visa scheme, we shed trustworthy agents like Stucklin and Marbella’s Chris Clover before Brexit with two amazing new celebrated the amazing success of Andalucia Development and on the cover churches Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron Properties Spain. SLIM SHADY As we head towards our Property Property Property Property Property Property tenth birthday, we vow L Courted by On brand to continue offering the courtyards most varied and interesting content from around Spain and - above all - we promise to give you a true ONLY WAY IS UP* Tech BOOM! YSTAY IN THE NEST! analysis of the market and FOREIGN RUSH MOVE OVER GRANDAD NEW GOLD RUSH not hide it behind glossy A photos and PR puff pieces. st be ag ’s m ain rty lish Sp pe Eng pro in
P
STA O C E H NT O S R YEA
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FEEL THE FEAR Spain’s most huanted houses
See page 16
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es
OCTOBER 2022
A MAJOR global exhibition is to recognise work of architectura the ron, as they reach l giants Herzog & De Meutheir 45th anniversary. The Royal Academy ring the Swiss pair’s show, in London, is explohealthy half dozen incredible designs, with a built in Spain. These include (from top left) the Forum, Madrid’s CaixaForum and Barcelona remarkable 2007 (main) the HQ Since 1978 the pair of Spanish bank, BBVA. have grafted on jects, many yet to be built, including 600 proFrontera’s City of Jerez de la Flamenco.
Golden Millionaire See Partners in Design
page 22
...but where do Spain’s Santiago Calatrava and Spain-based Norman Foster rank in the world’s wealthiest architects?
SPAIN’S golden visa pected to survive… scheme is ex- Spain’s Golden but it’s going to Visa double in price. rise to €1 million andscheme to survive… but investment While Portugal and thresho it could encourage Ireland recently scrapped their programme spending in less-pop ld likely to vestments of more than €1 million By Walter Finch the visa scheme is expecteds, in Spain But the governmen ulated areas in deposits or shares of Spanish t was quick to vestment. to be excaptended. deny his claims, insisting ital companies, or more the minis- However, than €2 milGovernment sources It comes after left try lion in government it has been frequently wing political tiveswas actually looking at alterna- icised bonds. crit- Certain only those investing indicate that party Mas Pais claimed with suggestions from for €1million or that Spain’s various sures and creating inflationary pres- fessionalsdesirable highly skilled promore will be given came under scrutiny and family reunification a three-year res- Social Security Ministry had provi- political parties. for idency permit. sionally confirmed it was to scrap One of these is to allow investment encouraging black money into the cases are also eligible for this resiA source told El Pais the scheme. but only in less-populat Spanish economy. dency permit without ed areas or in Currently, will be doubled from that the figure Leader Inigo Errejon socially beneficial projects. In 2022, Spain grantedinvestment. the scheme the current total scheme claimed the Introduced 2,462 golden allows for- visas of €500,000 invested eigners to obtain a had led to a ‘brutal’ three-year resi- creaseto property investors, an inincrease the Euro in 2013 in the wake of dence permit, as an investment in a in real estate or in house prices, adding: of nearly 60% from crisis, the scheme was extendable Spanish company. “Spanish for another the citinpreizenship cannot be bought”. tended as a means to re-inflate the two, by investing at least €500,000 in vious year. Only a handful invested housing market through real estate, excluding in companies or governmen any mortgages. foreign in- The mechanism t bonds. also applies to in- Since the scheme began some 31,000 people have acquired a golden visa.
LIVING LIFE AT THE TOP See Rich by design on page 4 to find out
MALAGA offers one of the best qualities of life in Spain. A new survey put out of Spain’s mainthe city as sixth 15 cities. By Cristina Hodgson It is only beaten by Cordoba in Andalucia, in the poll by the Organisation of Consumers and Users vironmental care and (OCU). Malaga was considered The city, with a climate. population of best places to live and one of the 577,405, also fared with praise for its costwork in Spain ‘abundance of leisure well for its of living, en- the digital infrastructurfacilities and es available’.
Malaga, Cordoba and Sevilla
Sp pr ai op n’ in er s be En ty st gl mag ish
Sp pr ai op n’ in er s be En ty st gl mag ish
Sp pr ai op n’ in er s be En ty st gl mag ish
to live in Spain
Sp pr ai op n’ in er s be En ty st gl mag ish
Sp pr ai op n’ in er s be En ty st gl mag ish
FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE: The legend of Karl Largerfeld in Marbella
among the best places
In total, it scored ity, as well as a good 66 points, with airport with Cordoba only just beating of top great it with 68 of 3,000places to live in the survey Forbesinternational connections. points in Andalucia. magazine also people in each The only other southern try’s most populated of the coun- it as one of the best recently cited cities to live in the top 10 was Sevilla city to make The northern city locations. Europe. scored 70 at 10th with despite 63 points, while Valencia having wet weather points The survey questioned (65) came with Britain. residents’ on a par opinions seventh and Alicante on mobility, health and eduVigo, in Galicia, came(64) ninth. Malaga cation, top of the list Europe is the fourth sunniest city in ket, public safety, the labour marthe and has reasonable air qual- pollutioncost of living, environment, and urban cleanliness.
Sp pr ai op n’ in er s be En ty st gl mag ish
OUTDOOR LIFE
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IKE London buses, as the saying goes, you wait ages, then two turn up together. And that’s certainly the case with a pair of brand new buildings just opened in Estepona. Dramatically changing the coastline - and genesis of the once small fishing village - the Mirador del Carmen tower and nearby ‘carbon neutral’ town hall are very much a statement of current mayor Jose Maria Garcia Urbano. Soon to enter his fourth term, they come after a decade of grand openings, including a hospital, athletics stadium and orchid museum. Taking just 14 months to build, the unusual 12-floor Mirador del Carmen (left) comprises an arts and cultural centre, with close links to the Carmen Thyssen Museum, in Malaga. It also has a library, an auditorium for concerts and a rooftop terrace with viewing platform. At the opening at the weekend Urbano described it as a ‘colophon’, a Greek word, meaning inscription or stamp at the end of a book or manuscript. Junta president, Juanma Moreno, added it was a ‘gift’ to the town and its visitors. It comes just weeks after the town also finally inaugurated its new €13 million town hall (right). While its signature boast is an internal slide between the fourth and fifth floors to liven up the days of the 200 employees, the seven-floor structure also aims to be carbon neutral. Said to be the ‘most sustainable town hall’ in Spain, due to its renewable energy creation and ‘bioclimatic solutions’, the cube is sheathed by a white lattice designed to shield the inhabitants from the heat of the day. Meanwhile, photovoltaic panels have been installed on its roof, which are expected to cover the entire electricity demand.
ELITE: Homes include Karl Lagerfeld and (below) Dolce & Gabbana
Designer homes are flooding image-conscious Marbella in the latest trend for super-rich investors, see page 9
OLD TO NEW: how unwanted buildings have been given a new lease of life See page 22
EXTRAORDINARY: How do they do that? Spain’s most outlandish, original places to live
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NOLOTIL WARNING
A LETHAL painkiller is STILL being given to Brits five years after it was banned, the Olive Press can reveal. It comes as a reader contacted us to sound the alarm after he was given the potentially deadly drug while receiving treatment at HCB EXCLUSIVE launching a lawsuit against the By Yzabelle Bostyn Hospital in Denia, Alicante. Spanish Ministry of Health after Nolotil, also known as Metamizol, she claims doctors are not followis the most common painkiller In October 2018, the drug was ing the guidelines and patients are in Spain and is often marketed banned for sale without still being given the drug ‘against as an alternative to Ibuprofen or scription to British people a pre- their will’. visiting Paracetmol. Spain following a months’ long A spokesperson for the hospital campaign by this newspaper and said: “HCB Hospitals follows the tireless medical campaigner Cris- recommendations of the AEMPS, Deaths tina Garcia del Campo. and particularly those for the forRecommendations were also is- eign population, we are very aware sued advising medical staff to of the recommendation not to preavoid giving the drug to patients scribe Nolotil to foreign patients.” in urgent care and to carry out It insisted that the recommendation follow up blood tests if the drug is is followed and patients are informed given for seven days or more. about the best available treatments. The directive note, issued by the WARNING: Cristina has campaigned Spanish Opinion Page 6 Medicine against Nolotil alongside the Olive Press Agency (AEMPS), recommended medical staff monitor patients given the drug to check for potentially deadly side effects like low white blood ‘You’re killing us!’ cell count and sepsis. However Cristina, founder of the AffectOVER 1,000 people took to the ed by Pharmaceutiof Palma to demand ‘less tourism,streets cals Association, says more life’, ahead of an EU tourism summit bethe guidelines are ing held in the city. ‘not strong enough’. Protestors marched from Porta “It's worrying beCatalina to Passeig Born, wherede Santa a manicause this is somefesto backed by 77 groups was signed. thing that can kill The manifesto, read by author you, it has killed so gold, spoke out against the ‘lackClara Inof’ susmany people,” she tainable tourism. She added there were far too many told the Olive Press. holiday rentals and labelled tourism Now, Cristina is a ‘devas-
Outrage as dangerous Spanish painkiller continues to be given to Brits despite being banned
But the drug has been linked to several deaths and serious illnesses among British expats and tourists visiting Spain. Though usually harmless, Nolotil can affect Northern Europeans with fair complexions and is banned in the UK, Ireland, Sweden. Stars from Anne Hathaway to Jodie Whittaker keep visiting Ronda, find out why in our travel supplement inside
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for ENVIRONMENTAL groups are taking legal action against the Junta ‘failing to tackle toxic air’ in the Campo de Gibraltar. Ecologistas en Accion has filed a complaint with the Health Ministry, claiming nothing has been done to protect citizens from a rise in air pollutants caused by the expansion of ‘toxic’ industries in the Bay of Algeciras. polAccording to the green group, more than 10,000 tonnes of dangerous lutants were released into the atmosphere last year. as This includes potentially lethal cancer-causing chemical benzene, as well other fine particles. The writ comes as Cadiz province was officially declared to have the worst air quality in Spain. And alarmingly, La Linea, which borders Gibraltar, ranks as the 30th most polluted place in the world in terms of air quality. The shocking stats were revealed in a damning World Health Organisation report which lists the world’s ‘most contaminated’ towns and cities. Continues page 11 Adding salt to the wound, Cadiz also came bottom in
Tragic end
“IT’S a dirty world that I don’t want to live in anymore.” These were the intended last words of a British teen who had embarked on a suicide pact with her 16-yearold boyfriend in Marbella. The privately-educated expat, 14, added: “I’m Sorry: To anyone who has ever loved/known or supported me, thank you, I love you and I will miss you.”
Bizarre
However, her heartfelt messages had a cruel, bizarre twist, when her British-Brazilian boyfriend Richard Fitzsimons managed to take his life off the top of the Corte Ingles department store, while she miraculously survived. It came as a hero security guard somehow managed to grab the girl before she was able to plunge to her death after her lover. In a tragically sad incident - that has shocked the coast and made headlines around the world - the teenager, who we are not naming for legal reasons, is now requiring serious Continues page 2
TOXIC: Oil refinery plumes black smoke into the Campo
NOLOTIL VICTORY
A LETHAL painkiller believed to be responsible for the deaths of dozens of expats is finally being regulated in Spain. Nolotil, which the Olive Press has investigated for nearly two years, has been
banned for tourists in Spain. In a breakthrough move, The Spanish Medicine Agency (AEMPS) has finally issued a directive to all healthcare bodies to stop giving the drug to British and
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Irish tourists. Expats in Spain will now be administered Nolotil on a short term prescription only. Furthermore it can only be prescribed after a detailed analysis of the patient’s medical history and heritage. It will also have to be much more closely monitored. It comes after an Olive Press investigation into the mysterious deaths of expats from the drug was launched 2016, in along with a 1,000-strong petition to have it regulated a year later. Nolotil, also known as Metamizole, is banned in the UK, the US and most of Europe. Despite this, the drug is still one of the most popular painkillers in Spain,
Lethal painkiller BANNED for Brits after hard-fought battle
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Mosquito which despite various side effects, Screens can cause a rapid drop in white blood cells, leaving patients unable to fight infections. Medical translator, Cristina Garcia del Campo, who has pulled together hundreds of case studies from victims for the AEMPS’ probe, said she was ‘very happy’ the authorities have finally reacted. Following the results of her KILL THE rigorous investigation she DRUG has now demanded that the drug must not be sold without a prescription and a detailed patient analysis. “I am very happy that the problem has been dealt with,” she told the Olive Press. “I will be making sure that the AEMPS recommendations are carried out and if necessary make sure it’s banned completely.” The Olive Press began investigating after a trio of expat families told us how their relatives had died unnecessarily in excruciating pain, after taking the drug in Andalucia. In April, the paper revealed the first steps towards regulation had been taken, with Marina Salud, a big health network in Alicante, issuing a warning to stop administering the drug to British, Irish and Scandinavian patients.
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tating industry’. The protest on Monday also called end to pollution, overcrowding for an and the growth of more tourist lets. It comes after growing frustration residents who claim their quality from is being sacrificed for the comfort of life of visTOO MUCH: locals rail against itors. 'overtourism' The protest was in response to the meeting of EU tour- who ism ministers in Palma. rent legally.” She also highlighted climate change The European Tourism Forum brought as a significant chalindustry leaders lenge for the together to discuss the social sustainability islands. of tourism. “We The summit aimed to find ways to promote ‘alternative’ just are a limited, small and fragile territory. We have destinations. over one million inhabitants and receive 15 million tourists a year. Balearic President Marga Prohens urged EU leaders to “We want bring in new laws to regulate holiday to minimise the negative effects rentals. of tourism and be sustainable from an economic, She said: “Holiday lets present a great opportunity to ronmental social share the wealth generated by tourism. point of view. If just one of these and enviHowever, illegal everything things fails, ones create unfair competition for hotels and owners Ministers fails.” took part in a series of discussions at the summit this week to try and combat the negative impact of the trade. In particular, they signed a joint social and sustainable tourism. declaration in favour of In the declaration, ministers agreed to advocate for ‘greener, more digital, inclusive, See pages 9 & 11 resilient and responsive’ tourism. They also vowed to create job opportunities and ensure the ‘long-term well-being of everyone in the value chain, especially the local populations’.
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THE average international buyer of Spanish property has begun to trend downwards in age profile, according to the latest data. While there are still plenty of Brits, Germans, French and Belgians coming in to hand over their cash, gone are the days of them being entirely high-income, near-retirement couples. The typical profile of foreign buyers used to be people between 50 and 60 years old, married with children, with a high level of education and an income of more than €60,000.
By Walter Finch
But now a report from Union de Creditos Inmobiliarios (UCI) claims that the prevailing trend among international buyers indicates the new sheriffs in town are a younger, less financially comfortable demographic. These young upstarts (between 30 and 40) have been capitalising on the freedom afforded by the digital nomad lifestyle to invest in Spanish property. UCI's analysis shows that the Covid
The new champions of the Spanish expat housing market: Young Brits, French and Germans pandemic unleashed the genie of the home office and flexible working, which has seen a surge in younger buyers drawn by this way of working. Thus they can fulfil the dream of spending extended periods on the Spanish coasts without waiting until they are grey and wrinkly. As the Olive Press has reported recently, buyers from the United States have also surged onto the scene, according
to UCI. Despite the fact that interest rates on mortgages for non-residents are invariably higher compared to those offered to residents, the market continues to witness a surge in demand from international buyers. The numbers are underlined by a dramatic 45% surge in foreign property purchases in 2022, totaling 88,800 transactions.
This data from the College of Registrars paints an optimistic picture for 2023, with the first quarter already seeing 23,380 transactions by foreigners. The maximum financing percentage hovers around 70% of the property's valuation with an amortisation period of around 30 years. Spain's attractiveness, enviable quality of life, profitability, and its status as a stable safe haven for investments have not, it seems, been dented by the upward trajectory of interest rates.
IF you’re still wondering whether buying in Spain is a sound investment, the latest figures should give you a clue. In the second quarter of 2023, prices nationwide increased by 3.6% compared to the same period in 2022. It follows a healthy 3.5% year-onyear boost during the first quarter of this year. The latest statistics mean prices have been rising in Spain every quarter since 2014. That’s almost 10 years of continuous and steady growth. Driving the uptick has been the construction of new-build homes, which are popping up across the country, but particularly on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca. And if you bought a new-build home last year, you will have already seen a tidy increase in value, with the av-
Property prices in Spain have risen for every quarter since 2014 By Laurence Dollimore
erage price rising 7% year-on-year. The investment opportunities have not been lost on foreign buyers,
who only purchased 2.7% fewer homes in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 2022. That is a strong sign of demand given the sharp interest rate rises this year and the worsening cost of
AN incredible 90% of luxury homes bought in Marbella are bought by foreigners and 90% are purchased without a mortgage. The surprising figure has emerged in a fascinating new report on the resort by leading agent Panorama. It comes as the luxury market - defined by the agency as homes over €2 million - proves to be even stronger than 2022. “Some agencies are reporting an increase in sales of up to 20% at the high end,” explained author of the report Chris Clover. Of foreign buyers, the British are still the main
living and inflation crises hitting Spain’s most important foreign buyer markets in the UK and Germany. In particular, the number of purchases by foreigners fell by just
NINETY NINETY
buyers with 16% of purchases, followed by Swedes, at 12%, Dutch at 8%, with the Belgians and Germans not far behind. Asking prices in all price categories in Marbella have risen, on average, by about 15% between June 2022 and June 2023, reaching a new alltime high of €4,233/m2 – approximately double the average asking price per m2 of 10 years ago.
2.7% year-on-year in Q1 2023, compared to declines among Spanish buyers of a 9% for second-home purchases and a 12% for first-home purchases. In addition, this strength in sales among foreigners follows the significant rebound of 2022, when they grew by 30.7% compared to 6.4% growth for home sales as a whole. As a result, they now account for a much larger portion of total sales (19.5%, according to the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda), and this is partly down to the fact that foreign buyers are less dependent on credit when purchasing property. *With respect to longterm expat Malaga resident Yazz
HUNDREDS of new luxury homes will be needed on the Costa del Sol after Google announced it was making big moves into Malaga. Global developers are jostling for position to satisfy the expected demand as the city becomes the new ‘Silicon Valley of Europe.’ US property giant Berkshire Hathaway is aiming to build an initial 400 luxury villas to meet demand, after Google announced a cybersecurity ‘centre of excellence’ in the city. Its Spanish chief believes many of the buyers will be Americans relocating for the new jobs, having been seduced by the lifestyle and climate. “The interest Americans are showing in Malaga is especially significant as the city
Google’s plans to make Malaga new ‘Silicon Valley’ will see rising demand for luxury homes on the costa By Walter Finch
quickly positions itself as the Silicon Valley of Europe,” explained Bruno Rabassa at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Spain, which has opened an office in the city. “In a short time the city will have to accommodate many displaced workers from large companies.” His new office in the city centre intends to offer 400 new luxury properties to serve the burgeoning tech sector after Google’s announcement.
"The technological and cultural attractions, the climate, and above all the lifestyle have turned Malaga into a strategic key point for the real estate sector," he told SER radio. His company has already opened an office in Marbella, with plans to develop over 1,400 luxury properties along the Costa del Sol. Google released new details on its ‘centre of excellence’ at its annual cybersecurity summit in Madrid, a fortnight ago. The Google Safety Engineering Centre (GSEC) is being developed inside the shell of a historic building by the port of
Malaga. It aims to open its doors to budding cybersecurity professionals in the second half of 2023. And rather than just focus on southern Europe, as originally believed, the Malaga centre is now aimed at becoming a global hub. It will be ‘at the heart of the digital revolution’, revealed Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer at Google. “This is going to change the rules of the game: In 2023, Malaga will become our new Google Security Engineering Cen-
ter, a global centre for cybersecurity and malware research,” he said. Google released a slick video showcasing the new development, featuring some of the most iconic locations including the Pompidou Museum, the port and the cathedral as part of its promotion for the new project. Such a development is expected to create an agglomeration effect, drawing a wider range of tech enterprises to Spain’s south coast, creating the ‘Silicon Valley’ effect.
OUNGSTERS in Spain are among the oldest in Europe to flee the nest. The average age to leave home is an incredible 31 years, the third highest on the continent. Only Greeks and Slovakians leave home later. The percentage of young adults living with their parents is over 60% in the case of 18 to 34 year olds, and 50% for 25 to 34 year olds. The lack of affordable housing in cities and popular tourist spots, including the costas and the Balearic Islands, is the key issue. According to a new OECD Economic Survey on housing across Europe, Spain has a long-standing issue due to
Lack of affordable housing is keeping Spaniards at home into their 30s By Alex Trelinski
continually rising prices. It blames the ‘difficult transition from education to the labour market’ and adds it creates ‘a difficult transition to independent life for young Spaniards’. High rental prices mean youngsters are priced out of the market, while there is a critically low supply of council housing. According to the report average rents have risen by 40% over the last decade compared to just 10% in salaries. Yet, alarmingly, only 1% of Spain's hou-
sing stock is 'social housing' compared to 7% in other OECD nations. The report did however sound a note of optimism over the new Housing Law, which is seeking to ‘address the lack of affordable housing’ through regulations and tax measures. The plan to allocate 40% of new residential construction to social housing half of it for social rental units - ‘could generate benefits for lower-income households’, ruled the report. “But only if carefully monitored to ensure that such inclusionary zoning does not reduce incentives to start new projects or drive up market prices,” it added.
NOT LEAVING: Spanish are the third oldest to fly the nest
FOREIGN property buyers accounted for 88,858 home purchases in Spain last year - up by 45% on 2021 figures. The College of Registrars says deals struck by non-Spaniards worth at least €500,000 increased by 63.5% compared to the previous year, accounting for 8,975 transactions. The registrars added that the percentage of foreigners entering the Spanish housing market is normally around 13% annually, but rose last
High spending foreigners boost property market with Brits on top By Alex Trelinski
year to 13.8%. Overall, nearly 650,000 sales were carried out last year - the highest figure since 2007, just before the property bubble burst in Spain. The breakdown of results by nationality puts UK buyers at 11.07% of purchases made by foreigners. They are followed by Germans with
9.47%, French (6.97%), Belgians (5.21%), Moroccans (5.15%), Romanians (5.07%) and Dutch (4.91%). The registrars deduced that properties with an area of over 100 m2 are bought by Americans, the British, Danes and Dutch, while those below 80 m2 are usually acquired by Moroccans, Romanians, Bulgarians, Poles and Italians. Unsurprisingly tourist areas are the areas that most foreign buyers go
for- led by Alicante province with 41.7% of all house deals, with Tenerife on 35%. In terms of regions, the Balearic Islands account for 34.38% of all non-Spanish sales. That's followed by the Canary Islands (28.6%), Valencia (26.8%), Murcia (19%), Andalucia (15%) and Catalunya (13.5%). Broadly speaking, British and German buyers led the list of foreign
buyers in coastal and island areas, while Romanians and Moroccans were the leading non-Spanish purchasers in landlocked regions like Aragon, Extremadura and Madrid. Total transactions last year were 646,241 deals - 14.5% more than in 2021 with used property sales exceeding 530,000. The average price paid for a home in Spain was around €188,000 - a 4.5% rise, with bigger increases in the Balearic Islands, Madrid, the Basque Country and Catalunya.
MERICANS are coming to Spain for longer both as digital nomads and to retire. The number living in Spain grew by 13% from 2019 to 2021, while home sales to US buyers jumped by 88% from 2019 to 2022. Americans also splash the cash more than any other buyers, apart from the Danes, cough-
By Alex Trelinski
ing up an average of €2,837 per square metre. And their purchasing power grew the most in the same period, according to the General Council of Notaries report. American buyers tend to focus on urban areas like Madrid, while
Surge in buyers from US with sales up 88%
Valencia and Andalucia are key locations. “As with any big city, people are attracted to its job opportunities and amenities,” said Alex Ingrim from financial services firm Chase Buchanan. “There is a strong word of mouth about Valencia, with a large ex-
pat community and among them many Americans,” he added. Spain launched its digital nomad visa earlier this year, making it easier for foreigners to move and work in the country. The visa is tailored for ‘international teleworkers’ and applicants must comply with a set of require-
ments, such as accreditation or professional experience of at least three years. “Prior to having this visa, it was difficult to work in Spain because the tax rates were so high and there wasn’t a clear-cut immigration regime, other than the ′golden visa’ that allowed you to move to Spain and work,” added Ingrim.
PROPERTY
February 7th - February 20th 2024
SAVED BY NOMADS AN eyesore hotel which has been left to crumble into ruin is finally due to undergo regeneration - thanks to digital nomads. The long-abandoned Los Alamos Hotel in Torremolinos is set to be transformed into the largest co-living building on the Costa del Sol.
Developer Nuovit Homes is undertaking work to cater to the growing community of digital nomads on the coast. The project, named ‘Oceanika’, will occupy approximately 15,000 square metres and will feature 180 apartments, each designed to maximise natural
light. Set to open in 2025, it will have a gym, coworking spaces, and many green areas. It will also be heavy on green technology and will feature ‘energy-saving’ elevators, solar panels and electric vehicle
BEFORE AFTER charging points. Using sustainable wood as a large part of its build will reduce construction time by 20%
as well as its carbon footprint by 60% and water consumption by 30%.
Estepona’s expat army Resort pips Marbella as the fastest-growing town in Andalucia up to January 2023 ESTEPONA is Spain’s second-fastest growing town. According to official stats the population surged by 4.6% in the year up to January 2023. The National Institute of Statistics (INE) report
SURGE: Mar bell a by grew 10,000 more residents in 2023
GOODLIFE: The expat dream of beach yoga in Estepona’s Guadalmina
By Walter Finch
showed the Costa del Sol resort grew from 73,698 to 77,068 residents over 12 months from January 2022. And the main rise is due to foreigners, whose numbers officially grew from 18,250 to 20,987, a rise of 15%. Marbella came second in Andalucia (and fourth
in Spain) as its population rose by 3.9% from 150,321 to 156,153 residents. And this has shot up again
to a remarkable 165,871 this year, according to statistics from Marbella town hall just released.
PASTORAL CARE
LESS THREATENING: Great teaching spaces for kids ‘with anger issues’
Fab four
13
A SCHOOL is embracing true pastoral care by teaching pupils in shepherd huts. They have been bought by a school in Swindon (UK) for €40,000 to use as a ‘well being space’. The Lydiard Park Academy believes they are ‘less threatening’ then normal classrooms and corridors. As a result children with anger issues and other problems who have been home-schooled are being enticed back to the academy.
The jewel of the Costa del Sol comes third only to Madrid and Barcelona as the most international place to live in Spain. Some 153 nationalities are registered in the municipality, compared to 180 in Madrid and 177 in Barcelona. The largest number of foreigners in Marbella are Brits (5,486), followed by Moroccans (5,177) and Ukrainians (4,516). There are 3,712 Colombians and 3,319 Russians officially registered on the padron. Benalmadena meanwhile saw a 3.8% growth to 76,318 people, while Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca came top growing by a staggering 6.8% to 91,731 residents by the beginning of 2023.
THE top four most expensive homes for sale in Spain are all within about ten miles of each other. That’s according to the most popular real estate portal Idealista, which ranks this stunning villa in Marbella at Number One costing €35-million. The 16-bedroom property in Las Lomas del Marbella Club spreads over 2,743 metres on a plot of 8,799 square metres. It has all the mod cons you would expect including an art-deco floor design and a bar (left) complete with topLUXURY: Spain’s ‘most expensive’ o f - t h e home costs €35 million range Bose
FIT FOR A KING
IT is the most emblematic inland town in rural Spain. Yet, despite being the third visited place in Andalucia, Ronda hasn’t got a five-star hotel. But now one is on the way after the town hall gave planning permission to build one in the heart of the old town. The Catalonia Hotels chain will begin work on the historic El Castillo building, once a religious college and monastery, later this year. The project will bring hundreds of jobs and boost the local tourism industry.
Rosy year ahead for UK PROPERTY experts have done a U-turn over prospects for the UK residential market. With inflation falling faster than expected, together with a rate-slashing spree by mortgage lenders, prices are set to rise by 3%. It comes after leading agent Knight Frank issued a gloomy forecast of a 4% DROP in prices in 2024 only four months ago. The average five-year fixed mortgage rate is now at 4.86% in the UK, down from an August high of 6.11%.
speakers. Next on the list comes a nearby villa in the Sierra Blanca area, costing €30 million. It has six bedrooms over 2,000 square metres as well as a cinema. Next up is a property in Benahavis, which comes in at €29 million and has 14 bedrooms and 3,188 square metres of space. Finally the fourth most expensive property in nearby Nueva Atalaya counts on six bedrooms and a price tag of €27.5 million.
FOR SALE building in Torremolinos (El Pinillo) directly from the owner CALLE MADRE TERESA DE CALCUTA, 8 370sq.m build including – three 90sq.m. apartments, one 90sq.m. studio and garage, private lift, fully furnished Photos and full description available on request.
Euros 825,000
José (+34) 661 34 15 68 Email: ensena@gmail.com
14
PROPERTY Mark Stucklin
t.com www.spanishpropertyinsigh
W
ITH the data in hand it looks like the Spanish housing market enjoyed a soft landing in 2023 after a remarkable mini-boom that followed in the wake of the pandemic. There are no obvious reasons to see why the market might lurch up or down in 2024, with it more likely to track sideways at the current level. Using data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) for the first 11 months of last year we see that home sales for Spain as a whole came in at 550,215
February 7th February 20th 2024
Soft Landing
A stable year for the Spanish property market, except for the Alicante bounce transactions, down 9% compared to the same period in 2022, but 17% higher than in 2019 the last normal year before the pandemic distorted the market. Sales in 2023 were the second highest in more than 15 years, second only to the boom of 2022, and 24% above the 10 year average, despite headwinds like higher interest rates (up 22% in 2023), and inflation eroding purchasing power (7% on average last year, falling to
SLOWING DOWN: But gently, except in Alicante, where sales kept up in 2023
THE NEXT GENERATION OF REAL ESTATE HAS ARRIVED
All roads lead to home.
4% by year end). It was a similar story of a return to pre-pandemic normality in areas of most interest to foreign buyers like Malaga and the Balearics, but in Alicante the sales boom continued almost unabated in 2023, fueled by strong foreign demand. Sales in Alicante cruised towards the end of 2023 ending up 34% above 2019 and close to record highs. Strong foreign demand contributed to the market resilience in 2023. The number of home sales involving a foreign buyer in the first nine months of 2023 was down 6% compared to 2022 but up by 41% compared to 2019, 45% higher than the 10 year average, and the second highest on record, all according to the land registrars’ association. Regionally, foreign sales were down 19% in Andalucia and 28% in the Balearics, but up 6% in the Valencian region. House price evolution in 2023 was driven by firm demand and a chronic shortage of homes for sale in big cities and popular
coasts. According to the INE the average Spanish house price increased 4.5% year-onyear, to reach a level last seen in Q1 2008, in nominal terms at least (in real terms, Spanish house prices are still 25% below where they were in 2008). In comparison, according to Eurostat, EU house prices declined an annualised 1% in Q3, 2.1% in the Euro area, and 10.2% in Germany, so Spanish house prices are holding up much better than in most other EU countries. Regionally, house prices increased 4% in the Balearics, and 5% in Andalucia and the Valencian region. What to expect this year? It looks like interest rates have peaked, and the Bank of Spain forecasts continued economic growth, albeit less than last year, and lower inflation than the last two years, all of which should support local demand. On the foreign front, the 2020s baby boomer retirement surge will continue to increase the number of northern Europeans thinking about retiring to the sun. In the absence of some nasty shock, I expect the Spanish housing market to lose a bit of altitude in 2024, but nothing to write home about.
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PROPERTY
February 7th - February 20th 2024
PEAK OF ACHIEVEMENT Buying a ski chalet is the very definition of luxury, with - mostly - prices to match
CREDIT: Sotherby’s International Reality
16
A Price: €38,700,000 Bedrooms: 8 Area: 1335sqm Country: France
With magnificent views that encompass the Swiss Alps and Mont Blanc, this luxurious chalet neatly moulds its rustic, wooden exterior with a clean, modernist interior.
Price: €19,170,000 Bedrooms: 3 Area: 388sqm Country: Switzerland
CREDIT: Cum Laude Immobilia
Price: €13,550,000 Bedrooms: 8 Area: 1250sqm Country: Canada
CREDIT: Knight Frank
Nestled within a private community in Whistler, this stunning skiin/ski-out property offers vast expanses of living and entertaining space, including an outdoor pool, gym and games room.
CREDIT: Fotocasa
CREDIT: Engel & Volkers Whistler
CREDIT: Swish Sierra Nevada
Known as Eclipse, this luxury chalet is a bastion of prestige and glamour, exquisitely combining Alpine architecture with topclass modern facilities. Set in the skiing nirvana of Courchevel, it offers stunning views and plenty of places to sleep.
S Andalucia’s unique ‘Semana Blanca’ half term holiday looms, schoolchildren along the Costa del Sol will be dusting off their skis and stocking up on warm layers ready for a trip to the slopes. Be it nearby Sierra Nevada or - if they’re really lucky - Baqueira or the Alps, why let the kids have all the fun? For up there in the snowy expanses of
A cosy skiing lodge within the heavenly surrounds of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, this property has been meticulously designed to guarantee comfort and jaw-dropping panoramic views.
Price: On application Bedrooms: 4 Area: 165sqm Country: Spain
Reasonably priced by skiing standards, this chalet subtly merges authenticity with bespoke fittings in a hotly sought-after region of the Austrian Alps.
Price: €2,490,000 Bedrooms: 3 Area: 280sqm Country: Austria
With snowy slopes in winter and rolling, green hills in the summer, this Pyrenean chalet near Baqueira is unique for its truly year-round appeal.
Price: €1,100,000 Bedrooms: 4 Area: 262sqm Country: Spain
By Ben Pawlowski
Spain, Europe and further afield in north America, there are a myriad of opportunities to acquire a dream chalet. So let your imagination run wild and become inspired to pick up a pair of skis with these bespoke, handpicked chalets available to buy or hire in some of the world’s best skiing locations.
PANORAMIC VIEWS, MONTE HALCONES Ref: OP14465 Beds: 5 | Built: 461 m² | Plot: 1,732 m² | Price: € 2,925,000
PENTHOUSE, MONTE PARAÍSO COUNTRY CLUB Ref: OP14047 Beds: 4 | Built: 269 m² | Terraces: 147 m² | Price: € 2,695,000
FRONTLINE GOLF PLOT WITH VILLA PROJECT, LA CERQUILLA Ref: OP13864 | Plot: 1,810 m² | Price: € 2,300,000
LUXURY APARTMENT, MONTE PARAÍSO Ref: OP14619 Beds: 3 | Built: 168 m² | Terraces: 41 m² | Price: € 1,675,000
REFURBISHED FLAT, EMBRUJO DE BANÚS Ref: OP14406 Beds: 3 | Built: 166 m² | Terraces: 26 m² | Price: € 1,295,000
FAMILY HOME, LOMAS PUEBLO Ref: 08982 Beds: 4 | Built: 217 m² | Terraces: 33 m² | Price: € 795,000
Tel. (+34) 952 863 750 panorama.es
Offices at Puente Romano and opposite the Marbella Club hotel
18
PROPERTY
Rising rents
RENTALS prices in Spain are set to soar with available properties at a 'minimum' according to real estate portal Fotocasa. Rents are projected to rise by over 5% this year, after record-high prices were logged last year. In the first half of 2023, the all-time high rental price was recorded at €11.69 per square metre - a figure exceeding the previous record set during the 2007 real estate bubble. Higher rents are causing the exclusion from the market of many potential tenants - up to 40% who can only afford lower prices. The escalating costs means that there is a 14% rise in demand for rooms in shared housing.
Housing woes THE slice of a paycheck going up in smoke each month on rent has climbed three percent to 33%. Barcelona tops the list, demanding 44% of household income, followed closely by Palma at 43%, Valencia at 39%, Málaga at 38%, and Madrid at 37%. Meanwhile, average mortgage costs have jumped from 18% to 22% in the last year. A tight squeeze in housing supply and the resulting price hike is blamed for pushing rental costs to the limit, while rising interest rates are the culprits for buyers.
RENT CRISIS SPECIAL
February 7th - February 20th 2024
RENT CAPS
A fine record
Controls set for Spain’s second city as 140 municipalities in Catalunya are labelled ‘tense zones’ CATALUNYA is set to be the first region in Spain to order price limits on landlords. Rent controls are to be introduced in 140 municipalities, revealed planning boss Ester Capella. All of Barcelona and the pro-
ticularly in densely populated areas. A meeting between vincial capitals of Lleida, Tar- Capella and Isabel ragona and Girona will come Rodríguez, Spain's under the ruling. Minister of HousThe move is a response to the ing culminated in urgent affordability crisis, par- an agreement to finalise the Rental Price Reference Index in the up- CAP: Six million people live in the affected area JUST 16% of Spanish young- ish Youth Council study. coming weeks. sters have managed to move out The figure represents a fall This index is designed - will be designated as ‘tense of their parents’ home, compared from the 19% before the panto provide a benchmark zones’, meaning rents for new to the European average of 32%. demic and a huge drop from the for setting rental prices, leases ‘cannot exceed’ the price The 18 to 30-year group is finding 26% registered before the six particularly in areas with set in the last contract over the it even harder since the COVID year ‘crisis’ hit in 2008. high housing demand or past five years. pandemic, it has emerged. Youth unemployment, sitting where there's a significant Furthermore, landlords who Just seven million youngsters at 28% for the under 25s, is a imbalance between supply own more than 10 properties in that age range were able major factor in the change, as will be restricted from setting and demand. to move away from the family well as the high price of rentThe municipalities - home rent prices above the estabhousehold, discovered a Span- al accommodation. to over six million people lished index. By Walter Finch
STAY-AT-HOME GENERATION
A SPANISH landlord has been slammed with a record €420,000 fine for renting out unlicensed tourist apartments 'for years'. The unnamed Barcelona owner rented 14 flats for years, advertised online through holiday accommodation portals. On arrival, punters were handed keys by an elderly tenant who lived in the same block. Barcelona town hall hopes the giant fine will serve as a warning that illegal rentals are no longer being tolerated in the city. The 14 flats had initially been advertised on Booking.com and Airbnb, but in 2018 the portals withdrew any apartments in the city that did not have a license number. Inspectors have been busy over the last six years monitoring the owner and others like him via a string of other sites. The properties usually appeared under many different names in order to trick the authorities. The €420,000 fine is understood to equate to the estimated profit he made. The town hall is also providing their file to the Hacienda tax authorities in case he hasn’t declared his income properly.
Have a look at our website and find your perfect home. Either second hand or under construction we are going to guide you all the way through your purchase experience. Fuengirola centre, very cosy and bright semi detached townhouse in very central and quiet position, comprising of 1 very large bedroom, bathroom and toilet, open plan kitchen, spacious lounge with fireplace and sunny patio, must be seen to be appreciated!
PUEBLO LOPEZ
FUENGIROLA CENTRE
Ref: 027L – 399.000€
Ref: 023L – 249.000€ RESERVA DEL HIGUERON
Beautiful bright apartment with 2 double bedrooms, one of them with ensuite bathroom, shower room, kitchen, lounge with access to the spacious terrace with beautiful open views over the sea. Private underground parking space and storage room. Beautiful communal pool and gardens, gym, spa and exclusive restaurants within the complex. Perfect as a home or rental income!
Large apartment with all services within door step, offering 4 bedrooms, 2 renovated bathrooms, fully fitted renovated kitchen, lounge and large terrace of approx. 50 m2, bright and spacious makes an ideal home in the town centre and has great rental income.
FUENGIROLA FAIRGROUND
Ref: 028L – 349.000€
TEL: 952 664 966 INFO@IMPERIALESTATE.COM
Large apartment with four bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, utility room, lounge – diner and bright sunny terrace, excellent location with all services and beach within walking distance. Underground garage space and community pool. Viewing recommended.
Ref: 029L – 380.000€
WWW.IMPERIALESTATE.COM
20
A
PROPERTY
T the end of last year, a well-established squat (okupa) was raided in Barcelona, leading to several arrests. The mass raid by riot police (pictured right) reignited a debate in Spain about squatting and spurred a flurry of articles and denunciations of the current government. The facts are squatting emerges when a section of the population is unable to afford basic housing. The problem is exacerbated by rental markets suffering a chronic shortage of properties at reasonable prices. That’s Spain in a nutshell and, sadly, government attempts to address the issue, specifically with the new housing law, are only making matters worse. The facts are, the new law is merely discouraging private investment without replacing it with anything else. What’s more, the burden of dealing with the problem is now being levied on homeowners, including the costs associated with evicting squatters. It’s all stick and no carrot for everyone concerned. Media slant v reality Spain’s mainstream media allows politicians to continually fear-monger that a
February 7th - February 20th 2024
PROBLEM OR PANIC?
by Adam Neale
The squatting of empty homes is a necessity not an anarchist’s folly and the actual numbers do not match up to the media hype, explains Adam Neale criminal underclass exists, one intent on squatting homes for profit or just for the thrills. However this picture of an insurmountable and unbearable crisis simply is not true. While there are tens of thousands of squatted homes in Spain, the number of denuncias against squatters began to decline since 2022. Furthermore the number of squats has actually declined since 2016 from 87,000 to 78,000 in 2023. Addressing the housing crisis
UNDER INVESTMENT: Spain spends a tenth of the UK on social housing
THE
The Property Insider
Meanwhile, rents have been rising far faster than incomes in Spain.
According to the Cerda Institut, rent now takes up over 40% of BATTLE: Squatters in Barcelona waged a desperate fight against eviction in November income for low earners, putting housing out of reach for many. ters to avoid addressing the root of the Solutions With such financial pressures, particularly problem. What we need is a sharp increase in the in the cities, some resort to squatting empty Quite simply, no goverment has se- construction of affordable housing. buildings out of economic necessity rather riously committed to expanding social Rather than political rhetoric, governments than criminal opportunism. housing or funding its development should offer tax breaks, low-cost loans In Barcelona, the average squatter is with private sector incentives. and other financial incentives for private between 36 and 45 years old with de- Rather than addressing the issue they developers to build affordable housing. pendent children. Some 72% are Spani- are simply pushing the problem onto Where market incentives fail, direct sh nationals despite some sectors of the landlords and into the courts, which are public investment in social housing is media claiming they are all immigrants or now overwhelmed. warranted. anarchist hippies. Evicting a squatter takes ten to 11 mon- So yes, it’s true that 78,000 squatted ths on average at trial level and a fur- homes – even if it only represents 0.4% Social housing tragedy ther ten months if appealed, for a total of the country’s housing stock – is cauof around 20 months. sing headaches for thousands of proSpain spends just €35 per person per As the Olive Press revealed last year perty owners. year on social housing, compared to one English owner in Ronda has wai- However, politicians and the media have €439 in the UK (see chart left). ted two years to even get a court date. exploited the situation to generate disproIt is the lowest in Europe, in fact. With such delays, it is understandable portionate fears of a widespread crisis. But instead of constructive policy solu- owners feel aggrieved, but the root of We must address the root economic cautions, politicians exploit fears of squat- the problem remains unaddressed. ses rather than whip up moral panic.
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22
PROPERTY
February 7th - February 20th 2024
Celebrity
HAVEN
W
Soller ( Mallorca)
NEWS
www.theolivepress.es
January 24th - February
this month that reShe told her 143,000 followers decision. locating had been a great Zumba class, she gushed: IT is something Smiling after a beachsideI mean to go on. moving to Spain. as when the costas’ latest So it was no surprise in, Jasmine Harman, “I’m starting the year to you, whatever “Whatever happened expat celebrity to move the good, let go a kitten. went on in 2023, hold onto announced she was adopting rescue i n the in took afresh 48, of the bad and start The Place in the Sun star, it living by a bin. cat after a friend found a new addition! Over 2024.” is “Family News! We haveours found a kitten all She continued: “Family thing the holidays, a friend of put on her Instagram the most important us a and this will give alone by some bins,” she balance.” better much feed. ADOPTED: she’s now called Hashe chose Es“We have taken her in, to life with a On whyshe added: “It Jasmine and tepona, zel and she’s adapting amazingly family have a lovely commufamily.” taken in a helping Brits find has After spending decades Harman finally took nity feel. We have stray kitten lots of Spanish famtheir ‘dream life’ abroad, (far left) buying a home in Esilies nearby.” the plunge in October tepona.
6th 2024
3
anyone of a rite of passage for
Place in our home
Shot in the foot
FRUIT CAKE Julio Iglesias stopped at airport with suitcase full of berries and meat
As TV star Jasmine Harman and ex-Premiership ace Steven Caulker move to the Costa del Sol, we look at 10 of the most well-known celebrities to make this country their home (well, at least, on/off)
HETHER it is Saudi princes, Hollywood actors or British TV stars you are looking for, there is no shortage of celebrities who have made Spain their home. From the early days when Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant could be spotted chatting over breakfast in Marbella, to the current batch of publicity-hungry reality TV stars routinely spotted falling out of clubs, the trend has shown no sign of abating. The latest high-profile expats to make the move Iberian-side include Jasmine Harman who has moved to Estepona on the Costa
Annie Lennox
SpanBy Ben Pawlowski HE is the best-selling ish artist of all time having sold over 150 million albums stringent import rules he according to worldwide. still was detained, Yet, Julio Iglesias, 80,in his a popular Spanish TV show travels with foodstuffs Fiesta. suitcases. spokesman for the DoMarbella-based A s AgriculThe ‘al- minican Republic’ multi-millionaire was ar- ture Ministry confirmed the most arrested’ on his Re- stop after Iglesias arrived on rival in the Dominican a private flight. ex-girlfriend, public with an astonishfood Meanwhile an‘Makoke’ Giing 42 kilograms of Jose María she often stuffed into his luggage. Lat- aever revealed The so-called ‘King ofPunta used to transport food in’ was pulled over at immi- for Iglesias, who has 5,000 Cana airport where vast performed over gration officers seized ies, concerts around the world. quantities of strawberr s, “Sometimes I would bring blueberrie Galicia from raspberries, seafood him cherries, tomatoes, celery, which he loved,” she told the beans, spinach, lettuce, Fiesta programme. mushrooms and meat. of eight, including father The Falling foul of the country’s
a pop star Enrique, has lived quiet life since retiring. time He mostly splits his
Spain inflight magazine.part in a simiA BMW dealership in The actress took tion in 2017. has dropped an ad campaign actress lar demonstra armed terrorist featuring Money Heist in ETA was an waged a bloody Itziar Ituno for protesting political group that independence for defence of the rights of campaign for prisoners from ETA. took of- the Basque Country killing 829 The garage in Bilbao e at the people over nearly 60 years. appearanc disbandher fence at in The group eventually protest of 20,000 people ed in April 2018. Raquel Bilbao. an Ituno played inspector hit Netflix show. Airline Iberia also removed for its Murillo in the interview with the star
between The Bahamas livand Punta Cana, old ing with his 58-yearDutch wife, Miranda Ri-
while jnsburger. 1-0 to the league leaders, the second game, losing He regularthey drew 0-0 on Sunday. ly visits his 123 appearances in England’s The centre-back made at Tottenham, Southampton huge estate top flight, including spells between side MalLiverpool. Marbella FIFTH-tier Spanish football a surpris- and 32-year old’s career had previously been derailed The Ojen, as the defender suffered aga City have announced staff. and by a wave of personal issues, and a gambling his ing new addition to their alcoholism where anxiety, , Totwith depression Former Liverpool and son Enrique getting addiction. kept just tenham star Steven Caulker they and grew up. a play- “I hit so many rock bottoms has joined the club as Reports lower and lower,” he confessed.a financial rock bottom, er-manager. rock bottom, in the US ip star rock The former Premiersh g the “It was a mental an emotional and spiritual his bottom, suggest rock discoverin physical a after joined up his bottom”. health is declub while on holiday with and therapy, Caulker admits teriorati ng, Following intensive rehab day-by-day. girlfriend and son in Nerja. a com- he has to confront his personal battles an organisation in particuIt was sadly anything but Behind the White Lines, team belar suffering manding start with the end of a He set up to provide training camps to young players mowhich seeks from ing on the wrong young. clubs when for 6-0 hammering in his who are released from bility issues Caulker can not yet playable first game. While Brexit rules mean has been and memoim- the club until he has a special licence, he Things coaching badges. ry loss. proved for to manage the team while completing
CLEAN START
By Dilip Kuner
del Sol. The Place in the Sun star, 48, has spent decades Shelping find S ERBrits EE ME? UR READ N YOU CAN ALL O S their ‘dreamCTHAlife’ abroad EN SO SINES and has U B R S U A D BE COUL S THIS now taken her ownYOadvice. LA VISUA S LITTLE A M O R S Meanwhile Hollywood F IS UE actress 0 AN AS €5 Amber Heard recently moved to Madrid, after a year in Mallorca, following her split from Johnny Depp, while ex-Manchester United ace Lee Sharpe is happily living near Javea on the Costa Blanca having become a golf pro. There are literally hundreds of ex-professional footballers and other sportsmen living here, not to mention reality TV stars. It’s no surprise as Spain offers an at-
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All FANCY yourself as a boxer? a session Comers can earn €368 the ring if they fancy a whirl in with heavyweight contender . Oleksandr Usyk (pictured) - who is Actually, the Ukrainianhis forthtraining in Valencia for with Tycoming world title fight ed son Fury - needs right-hand 210 cm boxers between 200 and tall and have an arm span of 200 to 216 cm. Usyk fights the Gypsy King, the WBC champion, in Saudi Arabia on February 17. Fury, 35, is training in Morecambe, Lancashire, previhaving trained ously for fights at KinaDaniel han’s controMTK versial gym in Marbella.
Bit of a tough guy?
The former Eurythmics singer has long been a big fan of Spain and particularly Mallorca where she owns a house in Soller where stone buildings line charming narrow streets that weave in and out of lush squares. Despite her busy schedule, Lennox spends extended periods in her charming home… and less so in the two village houses she bought two deca-
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des ago in the inland Cadiz provincial town of Olvera. All’s the better, for now you can sprinkle a bit of stardust on your life, with one of them, Annie’s Corner, now on the market for just €90,000. The classic white-washed home spreads over 190m and counts on three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The sweet dream can be acquired at www.olveraproperties.com.
Fuengirola – 952 1 Av. Conde San Isidro
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tractive combination of fantastic weather, luxurious properties and discreet locations, which all add to the appeal. From pop stars to leading actors, the Olive Press takes a light-hearted peek behind the gated mansions of some of the more famous names who live or spend time in Spain.
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Javea ( Valencia)
The Hollywood power couple famously own an estate in Mallorca, although little is known about the holiday home they acquired in the charming Valencia resort of Javea (pictured left). Overlooking an isolated, rocky cove, it has a stunning, enviable position. Maybe when in town they pop round to the pad of TV chef Nigella Lawson for a spot of dinner – she too has a home in Javea. It’s less likely they play golf with Lee Sharpe.
Brad Pitt
Port d’Andratx ( Mallorca) Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt can occasionally be found in his mansion in Mallorca, an impressive house in Port d'Andratx that’s worth €3.5 million. A keen fan of architecture with a serious property portfolio, he bought the home in 2016 but hasn’t visited that often, according to neighbours.
Michael Schumacher Port d’Andratx ( Mallorca) The legendary Formula 1 driver is well known for his love of Mallorca. With its tranquil landscapes and Mediterranean allure, it is the perfect setting for Schumacher to recuperate in the long years since his tragic skiing accident in 2013. His wife Corrina bought Villa Yasmin in Port d'Andratx for a reported €30 million, in 2017, to provide a tranquil retreat for the racing icon on the family’s visits to the island. He is anything but the only famous German on the island with tennis ace Boris Becker long owning there, while Claudia Schiffer had a family home there in Camp de Mar for decades. Continues on page 24
A unique opportunity to purchase this Cortijo style villa, designed and constructed in the traditional Andaluz style and situated in the heart of Sotogrande. The property is surrounded by towering mature trees in spacious private grounds with all that nature has to offer and amenities such as restaurants, polo, golf and the beaches are close by. This special family home has now become available for purchase, fully renovated with a recent addition of a spectacular new kitchen and has been furnished by a local interior designer.
FOR SALE 2.650.000€
FEATURES: MAIN HOUSE | MASTER SUITE | 3 X DOUBLE GUEST EN SUITE BEDROOMS | CLOAKROOM | 6 BATHROOMS | GUEST CLOAKROOM LIVING AREAS WITH CHIMNEY | DINING ROOM DINING FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHEN WITH CHIMNEY | SERVICE QUARTERS WITH STORAGE ROOM, BEDROOM AND BATHROOM | SWIMMING POOL | GAZEBO 2 X PATIOS | TABLE TENNIS | BARBECUE | GATE HOUSE | GUEST COTTAGE WITH 2 DOUBLE BEDROOMS, SHARED BATHROOM LIVING SPACE WHICH IS CURRENTLY USED AS A GYMNASIUM | DOUBLE GARAGE
Contact: +34 656 942 635 Email: info@darchandco.com www.propertyspecialists.group
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PROPERTY
February 7th - February 20th 2024
Dolph Lundgren Marbella
Swedish actor and martial artist Dolph Lundgren is another Andalucian lover and chose the scenic beauty of Marbella for his second home. Famous for his roles in action films, Lundgren finds solace in the tranquillity of the Mediterranean coast, providing a contrast to his dynamic on-screen persona. A big muscle man, he blends in with all the other strongmen who regularly spend time here, including famous boxers like Tyson Fury and Matthew Macklin.
Photo by Jon Clarke
Benahavis
The 79-year-old British rocker was once deported from Spain as a callow 20-year-old. Police found him sleeping rough in Barcelona and put him on the first plane home. But Rod has had the last laugh and now owns a sumptuous mansion in Spain’s most exclusive private estate, La Zagaleta overlooking Marbella, where his neighbours include the Mayor of Moscow and ex chairman of the UK Conservative Party Lord Stanley Fink.
Hugh Grant Benahavis
Hugh Grant has often embraced the sun-drenched lifestyle of southern Spain, in particular Marbella where the Olive Press once snapped him (above) having dinner in the Casco Historico…but rumours of his ‘palatial home’ have been greatly exaggerated. It would seem he would rather rent than buy. Indeed, when the Olive Press recently asked Grant at a party in London if he owned a property in the hills in Zagaleta, where he has stayed, he said: “Yes I do know the area and have visited many times but I don’t own a house there,” he insisted. “I guess it is just a great bit of promotion for the local agents”.
Continues on page 26
From page 22
Rod Stewart
Dreaming of property in Spain?
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26
PROPERTY
From page 24
PRESERVING NATURE
Cape Reed sources structural timber exclusively from sustainable forests
C
ape Reed International stands as the epitome of excellence in the design, supply, and construction of natural, sustainable timber and thatch structures. With regional offices strategically located in Estepona, Dubai, and Cape Town, the company has successfully positioned itself as an industry leader, redefining outdoor living through a unique blend of environmental responsibility and luxury. At the core of Cape Reed International's masterpieces lies their primary roofing material – cape reed (thamnochortus insignis). This exceptional thatching material, native to the southern tip of the African continent, adds an element of exclusivity to their creations. Their commitment to sourcing structural timber exclusively from sustainable forests further reinforces their dedication to environmental consciousness. For over two decades, they have been providing turnkey solu-
tions, seamlessly integrating design, supply, and construction of natural, renewable structures. From enchanting thatched roofs to intricate timber pergolas, wooden decking, and fences, Cape Reed International's expertise manifests in a diverse range of projects. Each creation is not just a testament to luxury living, but a commitment to responsible construction practices. Choosing Cape Reed International means embracing a sustainable lifestyle that harmonizes with nature. Cape Reed International's commitment to excellence is measured by the longevity of its structures. Beyond mere aesthetic appeal, every creation is engineered to withstand the test of time. The company's dedication to the highest standards ensures not only the durability of wooden structures but also the preservation of the resources they depend on.
David Guetta Ibiza
The world-renowned DJ owns one of the most luxurious villas on Ibiza. Named after one of his songs and designed by his wife Cathy, Villa Titanium has 12 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, as well as a cinema, spa, gym and its own disco. He’s certainly anything but the only superstar DJ owning on the island with Calvin Harris recently buying a farm in Santa Eulalia and Pete Tong a long time on/off resident. Supermodel Linda Evangelista meanwhile has an isolated villa in Es Cubells.
Antony Worrall Mads Mikkelsen Santa Catalina ( Mallorca) Thompson Another long-time Mijas
The TV chef is known to enjoy regular trips to his avocado farm in the hills above Mijas on the Costa del Sol. “It’s remote, tucked away in the mountainside in Las Lomas, without anyone overlooking it. It’s got sea and mountain views and it’s a nice place to escape to,” Thompson has said of the property.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO EXPLORE THE WORLD OF SUSTAINABLE ELEGANCE, REACH OUT TO JOHN AT 638 421 464 OR VIA EMAIL AT JOHN@CAPEREED.COM. VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.CAPEREED.ES TO WITNESS THE ESSENCE OF ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE AND LUXURIOUS LIVING.
fan of Mallorca, Hannibal and Casino Royale star Mikkelsen has snapped up a property in Palma’s trendy Santa Catalina. Locals have spotted the award-winning Danish actor enjoying meals out in neighbourhood sushi restaurants.
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Discover a unique blend of countryside serenity and modern living with this exceptional 4-bed villa next to San Pedro. Enjoy the open-plan living and underfloor heating throughout the house. Also, two separate garden areas where you have sun all day. The beach and Puerto Banus are just a 10 minute drive away.
Spacious luxury 7-bed villa finished to the highest specifications, delivering exquisite design with underfloor heating throughout, a garage for 5 cars, a heated pool, etc. Located in one of Marbella’s most desirable areas, Nueva Andalucia, just 5 minutes from Puerto Banus.
Luxury 2-bed private apartment in an award-winning 5-star beachfront resort where you can enjoy premium amenities and services offered by the Kempinski resort. Located within walking distance of Estepona.
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PROPERTY
February 7th - February 20th 2024
HOMESELLERS REPORT
GENERATIONAL FLIP A
Regulation will bring trust back into the market, explains well-established agent Ben Bateman… but the proposals ‘mustn’t be self serving’
S his agency approaches its half century it’s fair to say Ben Bateman’s Holmes Sotogrande has had to overcome plenty of challenges. Aside from various recessions, the pandemic and Brexit, his 45-yearold agency has had to put up with dozens, probably hundreds, of flyby-night one-man bands turning up promising the earth, but ultimately falling flat, often leaving buyers (or sellers) in the doldrums. “The market in Sotogrande is pretty slow be“You need to be able to cause not many people want to sell. trust in the people who ul“And they don’t need to: The place is very timately handle the largest popular with long term expats and has really purchases you will make grown in recent years. in your life,” he explains, “Just take Sotogrande school, for example, it over lunch in Sotogrande has 1400 pupils at the moment, which is a big port. increase on five years ago. “It’s incredible how many “The thing is so many owners here are wealdirect marketeers arrive in thy and take, for example, more recent buSpain and subscribe to the yers who bought since the financial crisis… big listings portals, simply most didn’t buy with mortgages, but bought taking data and marketing with cash. it from their bedrooms. “So interest rates going up simply doesn’t ma“The problem is most of tter to them. They don’t need to sell.” them have no idea what’s
HOW’S THE MARKET
happening in their local markets and end up promising sellers they will sell their homes for way more than they are worth. “Sure, one in 100 patsies will get lucky, but most of the time they end up wasting months or years for owners and proper agents like us have to pick up the pieces and help them out.” And he should know having taken over from the agency his father Ian set up in 1979 and having grown up on the Costa del Sol in the leafy enclave of Sotogrande. He joined up not long after graduating with a degree in microbiology at Bristol University and working in London in marketing. Like his whole family, including his grandparents, he has lived in Sotogrande for decades and now has five children growing up in the exclusive resort, one of the most privileged in Spain. “I’ve now got old school friends from Sotogrande who are coming back to buy and things have moved on so much. “Let’s face it, how many people re-
member the Ryder Cup (in which Ben worked) in 1997 or what it was like before the Almenara hotel opened in 2000? “I call it a generational flip when there are so few people left who remember the history and legacy of this place.” He sees it almost as his own legacy to help new buyers coming in, of which the majority are foreigners these days. “It’s a huge melting pot and there are 48 nationalities at Sotogrande school these days, and like the kids there, I don’t see people as French, Russian or Spanish etc. They are simply internationals. “I look at their personality profile, not their nationality or wealth in any case.” As a founding member (along with
six other agents, including Panorama and Diana Morales) of the LPA group of agents on the coast, he is a strong supporter of proper regulation in the Andalucia market, as there is now in Catalunya and most recently Valencia. The 30-plus agencies in the group - who all adhere to a strict code of ethics and are all professionally qualified - are mostly supporters of similar laws being introduced. “But for it to work we need to have confidence that the regulations are not just self-serving, explains Ben” Not anyone can just get in by paying. “There will need to be proper rules with training that can’t be just easily bought…and if you break the rules you get thrown out, just like you are in America.”
www.holmesotogrande.com
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LA CULTURA
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February 7th - February 20th 2024
Mask crusaders
W
EARING masks has been part of carnival celebrations in Spain for centuries. But there was a dark period during the 16th century when mask-wearing was punishable by 100 lashes. If the offender was a nobleman he could be exiled for six months. The reasons for such harsh punishments lay with over-zealous leaders fearful of mockery or sticklers for Christian penitence, even though Carnival is one of the most iconic annual celebrations in regions with a strong Catholic history and identity. The festival is religiously linked to the
As carnival season approaches, Dilip Kuner examines how Spain’s party poopers waged a war against the celebrations and ultimately failed beginning of lent, traditionally a period of fasting and penitence for Christians. Despite the religious connotations, the celebration is believed to have roots in paganism – especially the Roman festivals of Saturnalia or in those in honour of the god Bacchus, divinity of wine. Carnival celebrations are wildly different depending on their country and culture but they tend to have a few common characteristics. These include parades, costumes, dances, masks and partying. The general lack
of order and control has also led to carnival being a time to satirise authorities, something which in turn has led to knee-jerk reactions from kings and clergymen.
Whipped into line
A municipal act from Aragon (northern Spain) dating to 1569 sheds some light on the religious concerns surrounding carnival. The document from the town of Daroca tried to defend the crusade against carnival, saying: “The chief Justice has proposed how much God is offended in the rejoicings that are usually done on the days of Carnestolendas (carnival) throwing
water, rockets, garbage, mud and other dirty tricks and dishonesty.” The letter urged councilmen to pass ‘appropriate laws’ to control partying locals in preparation for lent. Nearly 50 years earlier in the Aragonese city of Zaragoza, a 1521 law passed specifically regulating mask-wearing and disguises. The law stated that no person could wear a mask or dress up ‘except’ in 10 days around carnival time. By 1523, the King Carlos I made it law that no one could go ‘masked’ throughout the entire Spanish kingdom – including during carnival. Anyone caught out would be given 100 lashes – if they were a peasant – and be excommunicated from the realm for six months if a nobleman.
The Franco years
Over two centuries later Cadiz imposed restrictions on citizens to ban them from dressing up as clergyman, or from cross-dressing in public.
KILLJOYS: Partying was punishable by 100 lashes
“Anyone found dressing up like that would be taken to jail,” wrote Alberto Ramos Santana in his book El Carnaval Secuestrado (The Kidnapped Carnival). Similar Scrooge-like behaviour re-appeared during and after the Spanish Civil War, when Franco issued an order banning celebrations of carnival in 1937. Though it took until Spain’s transition to democracy in the 1970s to lift bans on carnival, not all of Spain had paid much attention. One of the biggest and most famous carnivals is held in Cadiz and the local gatitanos were not about to give up their traditions. At first, the carnival carried on behind closed doors, with people meeting every February to reminisce and sing carnival songs. From 1950 carnival was moved to the summer and dubbed the Fiestas Tipicas Gaditanas (Typical Fiestas of Cadiz) to get around the ban, until 1977 when the carnival was restored in its full glory.
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DO YOUR BIT!
WHAT TO DO WITH WASTE?
T
HE biggest garbage dump sits in the Pacific ocean at 1.6 million square kilometers in size. That’s three times the area of Spain and made up of mostly plastic. This appalling ‘plastic soup’, sitting halfway between Hawaii and California, is getting worse and killing thousands of sea creatures each year and slowly entering our ecosystems as microplastics. Indeed it is estimated that up to 2.41 million tonnes of plastic are being dumped into our seas each year from rivers. Most is less dense than water, meaning it doesn’t sink and merely floats on the surface. It slowly degrades into smaller microplastics from continual blasting from waves and the sun and it is becoming a major ecological issue.
Everyone needs to do their bit and we should all know what to do by now. As producers we are the first line of defence and while separation of our rubbish could be improved (particularly in Spain) the best solution is to avoid picking up plastic in the first place. Let’s set it as a challenge. Something I managed to do recently and created almost zero waste! It was certainly hard but by introducing certain things into your daily routine it is do-able. Here’s where you might start: ● Take your own bags for shopping (I always have an empty cotton bag in my handbag in case I go spontaneously shopping) ● Take your own nets for vegetable and fruit shopping or reuse old bags ● Always choose fruits and vegetables not packed into plastic ● Are there alternatives to plastic? On many occasions you’ll find items in glass or paper, including yogurts and even detergents ● Take your own reusable coffee cup and your own water bottle ● Try out so-called ‘shampoo bars’: for body as well for hair and there are now plenty of them packed into paper. One of the best known brands is Lush ● Try to avoid food waste by putting what you don’t eat today into tupperwear and eat it the next day ● Put food into the freezer to eat next week or next month ● Visit a ‘zero waste’ shop to refill your kitchen essentials like rice, pasta, spices and even cleaning products ● Use reusable coffee pods for your Nespresso ● Avoid supermarket tea where they put the bags in small plastic bags e.g. Mercadona
Please send your questions or comments on how to be greener to Christin@theolivepress.es
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GREEN
February 7th February 20th 2024
POOLS AND BEACH SHOWERS OFF
CATALUNYA has declared an emergency due to extreme drought, imposing water restrictions on six million people in 202 municipalities, including Barcelona. A serious lack of rain has left reservoirs at dangerous levels, in particular at just 16% in the Ter-Llobregat system. The use of water will now be limited to 200
litres per inhabitant per day, which will fall to 180 litres in phase two, and then 160 in phase three should the crisis deepen. Showers on beaches and at public pools and gyms will be turned off and foam parties will also be prohibited. Plants and trees can be watered to prevent them from dying, but only using reclaimed water or groundwater.
Drop in the ocean
A €217m emergency drought plan is a fraction of the €4.5 billion damage for Andalucia this year
A NEW emergency package of anti-drought measures is nowhere near enough to overcome what could be a disastrous summer for Andalucia. Some €217 million of measures, announced by the Junta, is a fraction of the damage the
By Ben Pawlowski
drought will cost the region this year. The longest drought in 50 years is predicted to damage the economy by as much as €4.5 billion, its bosses have admitted. In a desperate plea to Brussels, Junta boss JuanHEAT records were broken around Spain ma Moreno has last month.Record temperatures were reasked for urgent ported from Cadiz to Teruel and Malaga support to remeto Albacete. dy the effect. Chelva, in Valencia, was the warmest He told the Europlace as temperatures reached 29.6C. pean Commision Alarmingly, Fredes, nearby, saw 21.6C that last year’s despite being at 1,200 metres above sea lack of rain had level, while Madrid’s Navacerrada ski staalready cost Antion saw a maximum temperature of 18C. dalucia €4.2 bilThe Spring-like spell of weather is due to lion, with its GDP a powerful anticyclone block preventing contracting 2.1%. the arrival of Atlantic storms. Official Junta
HEATING UP
statistics show agricultural production fell by 13% in 2023 compared to 2% for Spain as a whole. Fears are now rising that draconian water cuts are set to be imposed, akin to the infamous drought of 1995. Reservoir levels are continuing to drop with Malaga’s reserves sitting at just 15.75% of capacity, while Almeria’s reservoirs are at only 9%. While rain is predicted for later in the week, the proportions are likely to fall again due to low levels of precipitation and record January heat. According to Junta officials at least 30 days of rain are needed in order to prevent major restrictions this summer. The new injection of funds will go towards supporting town halls fixing leaky pipes, a key source of water loss.
OP QUICK CROSSWORD Across 6 Removing faults (8) 8 Periods of history (4) 9 Christmas wish (4) 10 Far from stern, let nine go off (7) 11 Milky (7) 14 Open space in a forest (5) 15 Slumbered (5) 17 Costumed procession (7) 21 Unsettle (7) 22 Capital of Fiji (4) 23 Nurture (4) 24 It could happen (8) Down 1 Chew on (4) 2 Names (6) 3 Prolonged pain (5) 4 Signal to arise (8) 5 Cured (6) 7 “The Scream” artist (5) 12 Artsy pet organized picture in fabric (8) 13 Leap on one foot (3) 16 Beaver abodes (6) 18 Superior of a convent (6) 19 Orange variety (5) 20 Short and stout (5) 22 Jump lightly (4)
OP SUDOKU
Christin Hagermeier on ways to help cut plastic trash that is killing our oceans
All solutions are on page 39
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
OWN BRAND BOOST
SHOPPERS in Spain spent €117 billion last year on basic foods and goods, with more of them turning to supermarket own brands. Mercadona, Lidl, and Consum were the main beneficiaries of the trend as buyers looked to fight rising food costs - prompting Carrefour to announce 500 ‘permanent’ price cuts. Last year's shopping basket spend was 10% more than in 2022, as prices spiralled largely as a result of the Ukraine war. The study by consulting firm NielsenIQ says that a shopping basket of basic items that came in at €100 in 2019, now costs over €126. Mercadona (27%, up 0.6 points), Lidl (6.1%, up 0.2) and Consum (3.7%, up 0.2) are the three supermarket chains that gained the most market share last year.
February 7th - February 20th 2024
Joy of cooking 55 Michelin-starred chefs to team up at key event to promote healthy eating for children IF there’s one thing Spain can be proud of, it is the astonishing number of restaurants with Michelin stars 271 at the last count. Now a quarter of their chefs -
STARS: Top chefs team up
World’s best
Basquing in glory
By Walter Finch
14 with the highest accolade of three stars - are teaming up to teach children the joys of cooking and healthy eating. Andalucia’s finest, Angel León, Paco Morales and Benito Gomez, will be joined by Valencia’s superstar Quique Dacosta at the sixth edition of Chefs For Children in Benahavis. Under the motto ‘Eating healthy is fun’, other Spanish legends, including Elena Arzak and Eneko Atxa will travel down from the Basque region to give cookery workshops to groups of local kids.
A HOTEL in Huelva has been chosen as Spain’s best ‘all inclusive’ joint at the World Travel Awards. The four-star Barcelo Isla Canela hotel, in Ayamonte, whose design takes inspiration from Andalucian architecture, was praised for its outdoor eating areas and kids clubs. It has won the category four out of the last five years in Spain, only being pipped by Ibiza’s Grand Palladium in 2022. Best of all, a visit will not break the bank. Rooms are available from €80 for bed and breakfast. This rises to €134 with all meals included, depending on time of year.
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CHEESE: The event promotes healthy eating for kids Other famous chefs include Martin Berasategui (who holds a record 12 stars) and the team from Disfrutar in Barcelona, Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch y Mateu Casañas. Sponsored by Sabor a Malaga, the fun kicks off on February 26 at Le Cordon Bleu school, in Madrid, while another session will take place in the Bahía de Cadiz nature reserve, on March 4. A grand gala dinner featuring a special menu by several Michelin-starred chefs from Malaga province will take place at Anantara Villa Padierna hotel on April 22. The Diputacion de Malaga
is providing most of the local ingredients for the event, while jamon is being provided by Joselito, from Salamanca. President of Malaga region’s council, Francisco Salado praised the region’s eight local chefs who now have Michelin stars. This year’s event is raising money for charity, Autismo España, which represents nearly 175 local groups around the country. Mayor of Benahavis, Jose Antonio Mena, said he was ‘proud’ to be sponsoring the event again this year, after a very successful celebration in 2023.
DESPITE its regular rain and colder temperatures, Bilbao has been named as Spain’s happiest city. According to London’s Institute for Quality of Life, the Basque city - where it rains 123 days a year, or similar to London - ranks 69th globally. It is also home to the worldclass Guggenheim museum (above) and is well known for the quality of its dining scene. Bilbao was awarded a happiness score of 1,464, some 200 points fewer than the world’s happiest city, Aarhus in Denmark, while Amsterdam comes second and rainy Bergen (over 200 rainy days a year), in Norway, third. Spain’s only other city to make the top 100 is Madrid coming in at 95th. Cities are assessed for their social policies, economy, education, mobility and access to green areas, among other indices.
T H E O L I V E P R E S S A N D P I C U BA N U S I N V I T E YO U TO A B OT T L E O F W I N E * W i t h eve r y t a b l e re s e r va t i o n - s c a n t h e Q R c o d e.
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h c a e b a s ’ fe
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
Li L
February 7th - February 20th 2024
These are the 5 best beaches in Spain to visit in 2024, writes Yzabelle Bostyn
ONELY Planet has named the world’s 100 best beaches and five of them are in Spain. Many people assume you have to travel to luxury destinations like the Bahamas, Hawaii or Fiji to experience a slice of paradise.
Punta Paloma, Tarifa, Cadiz The name may translate to ‘Pigeon Point’ but do not be deceived, this is one of Spain’s finest beaches. An unspoilt wonder, Punta Paloma is a natural escape from the nearby city of Cadiz and just an hour’s drive from the Costa del Sol. Popular with water sports enthusiasts, the beach has something for everyone.
However, the latest Lonely Planet list of the world’s 100 best beaches shows some of the top coastal getaways are on our doorstep. Out of some 30 European destinations, five are in Spain, showing just how much the country’s coast has to offer.
Playa de Famara, Lanzarote, Canary Islands Cala Estreta, Costa Brava, Catalunya Lined by trees and tumbling rocks, this Costa Brava beach is loved by day trippers from nearby Barcelona. The ‘hidden beach’ can only be accessed on foot by a 20-30 minute walk, but it’s more than worth the wait. The shady coast and dramatic rocks contribute to the enchanting landscape which you won’t want to peel your eyes away from - even to take a nap on the clean, fine sand.
Found in the Parque Natural del Archipiélago Chinijo, this ‘wild’ beach is perfect for sun seekers and adventurers alike. The shoreline offers plenty of opportunities for water sports, including surfing, bodyboarding and windsurfing. Once the sun is setting, the beach forms a mirror which reflects the fiery skies.
P uerto Ba nús
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FOOD & DRINK
February 7th February 20th 2024
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Platja Illetes, Formentera, Balearic Islands Surrounded by perfectly turquoise waters, this white sand beach is a favourite with tourists visiting the Balearic Islands. The shallow, calm waters make this a great spot for families, who can enjoy a tranquil bike ride to the flower lined shores. At some 450 metres long, there’s plenty of room to relax and enjoy one of the area’s best sunsets.
Playa de Torimbia, Llanes, Asturias The rugged but enchanting landscape of Northern Spain is becoming increasingly popular with Spanish tourists and it's easy to see why. Described as ‘one of the wildest and most spectacular of the Bay of Biscay, protected by giant cliffs’, Playa de Torimbia is the perfect beach break for adventurers who also like to sunbathe every once in a while. The dramatic landscape, golden sand and almost perfect shell shape make this cove an astonishing beauty spot. But visitors be warned, the Playa de Torimbia is a nudist beach.
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HEALTH
February 7th February 20th 2024
Time to quit
MEASLES ALARM
THE Spanish health ministry is considering imposing a new levy on cigarettes and tobacco in an attempt to reduce the number of smokers nationwide. The consideration comes as part of an initiative known as the Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention and Control of Smoking which health authorities hope to approve this year. A 2019 study from the European Commission showed Spain to have one of the highest proportions of smokers across Europe. Almost 20% of all Spaniards aged 15 or over smoke, a quarter of whom go through a packet of 20 each day. Health experts hope that increasing levies on tobacco will curb consumption levels, particularly amongst the young, and encourage current smokers to quit.
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) says that it has detected an ‘alarming’ increase in measles cases in Europe over the last year, and is calling for an increase in vaccinations. Fortunately for Spain, the disease is considered to have been eradicated thanks to vaccination levels that reached 95% of the population. There were just 11 confirmed cases in Spain last year, all of which were contracted from other countries. But across Europe 42,200 people were infected in 2023 compared to just 941 during the whole of the year before. The disease has no treatment and usually clears up in 10 days, but complications can include pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures.
ALZHEIMER’S REVELATION
How the brain disease was spread between humans via a growth hormone given to children A NEW study has revealed that brain disease Alzheimer’s can spread between humans. Experts have found evidence of at least five people contracting the illness. Each person who caught
Are you depressed? Suffering from anxiety? Worried about the year ahead? Are your kids having social issues? PERHAPS YOU NEED SOMEONE PROFESSIONAL TO TALK TO I HOPE I CAN HELP. Call me, Fijaz Mughal, in confidence. I’m fully-accredited and professionally-trained in London and recently moved to Spain. I understand the issues many expats feel in Spain. Change through relocation abroad can really add to mental health pressures and these life changes are never easy. Counselling and therapy has changed the lives of many. Getting in touch is the first step. Recognising that there is an issue is the first step on the road to recovery. Help is available through my confidential counselling CONTACT: Fijaz Mughal OBE FCMI MBACP on info@counselling4anxiety.com www.counselling4anxiety.com
By Yzabelle Bostyn
the memory erasing condition were amongst 1,848 people injected with growth hormones full of toxic amyloid-beta protein ‘seeds’, or prions, as children. They all developed the same early onset variant of the condition. Now, others who received the same treatment are considered ‘at risk’ of developing Alzheimer’s. For some 27 years between 1958 and 1985, unusually short children were given hormones harvested from human corpses to help encourage their growth.
Used in the UK and US, it was found that some batches were contaminated with prions that led to a deadly, incurable brain disorder known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). The illness, closely linked to mad cow disease, led doctors
Keep the doctor away A NEW report has confirmed that tomatoes are good for you, especially if you eat them daily. Spanish doctor David Murcia-Lesmes, who is a Food Science and Nutrition researcher, has concluded that tomatoes can help prevent and treat high blood pressure. The condition is suffered by as many as 11 million people in Spain, and can cause other issues such as heart failure and strokes. The doctor’s research, which was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, shows that the daily consumption of a tomato can reduce the risk of high blood pressure by 36%. The reason for this is the fruit’s high content of lycopene which is known to be beneficial particularly in elderly and overweight people.
to instead use synthetic hormones. Researchers now believe other medical procedures could lead to Alzheimer’s disease as prions can survive medical grade sterilisation methods. Prions can encourage illnesses by accumulating in the brain and killing neurons, a vital part of brain function. According to the UK’s NHS, the accumulation of prions can lead to plaque deposits. This abnormal build-up of proteins in and around neurons is believed to lead to Alzheimers. The memory robbing disease was formerly thought to come in two forms. Most common is the ‘random’ variant suffered by thousands over the age of 65. The other variant was a genetic early-onset type that runs in families. The latest research was carried out by University College London.
Miracle baby A BABY has been born in Spain using his grandmother’s donated uterus. Manuel was born just two years after his mother, Mayra Montes, received a uterus transplant from her mum. Mayra said: “It’s incredible when they tell you can’t have children and then two years later you have one of your own.” The birth took place in the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, the only health facility in Spain to have performed a uterus transplant birth. The first took place in the hospital in March 2023. In both cases, the mothers suffered May-
er-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome, being born without a uterus or fallopian tubes.
HEALTH Cancer on the rise CANCER cases could rise by 77% by 2050, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation. Current standing at 20 million, the WHO predicts global cancer diagnoses will rise to 35 million in the next 25 years. The report covers 185 countries and 36 types of the illness. The research indicated that lung, breast and colorectal cancer are the most common forms of the disease. According to the study, several factors will drive the expected increases, including obesity, air pollution, tobacco and alcohol use. The ageing population is also a key factor in influencing cancer rates. However, the rise will not affect all populations equally. While most-developed nations will record the greatest increase in case numbers, mortality rates will be much higher in less developed nations.
SPECIAL REPORT
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DIABETES SURGES
Doctor advises exercise and good diet are key factors in avoiding the disease
D
IABETES is surging in Andalucia at an alarming rate, health experts have warned. Dr Diego Fernandez, head of the Endocrinology and Nutrition department at Xanit Hospital in Benalmadena, revealed: “We are facing a high incidence of diabetes in the region, a phenomenon that we cannot ignore. “Although Andalucia has been recognised for its development and quality of life, the prevalence of diabetes has experienced a constant increase in recent years.” He added: “Genetic factors and unhealthy lifestyles are contributing
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to this increase. It is crucial to understand that diabetes is a complex disease that requires a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, early diagnosis and effective management.” He added that to avoid the disease: “You have to maintain a Mediterranean diet, that for me is one of the main keys. “Also, awareness about the importance of regular physical activity is essential to reverse this trend.” A Mediterranean diet is rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts, healthy oils and fish. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) advises people to ‘reach and keep a health body weight’. It adds that they should ‘stay physically active with at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day… eat a healthy diet and avoid sugar and saturated fat… and do not smoke tobacco.’ Meanwhile, new
nology and techniques. At the German Clinic IMED, this has become a reality. Due to the high volume of patients, they have now moved to new premises: C/ Jacinto Benavente 10, 29601 Marbella. Here they offer a high-quality healthcare service and manage a team of specialists who have been highly trained in Germany and other EU countries. All have international experience. Patients, residents or tourists visiting the Costa del Sol, are offered a multilingual, innovative and personalised service. Located in the heart of Marbella, the clinic has numerous treatment rooms equipped with the latest technology. In addition to paediatrics and orthopaedics/traumatology, a wide range of other medical specialities are offered. These include odontology, orthodontology, general medicine, neurology, psychology, ear, nose and throat medicine, cardiology, dermatology, gynaecology, physiotherapy, gastroenterology and endocrinology. With this comprehensive spectrum, the German Clinic IMED aims to provide holistic and high-quality care for patients, because every patient is unique and deserves individualised treatment.
specialist diabetes care units are insulin properly, which can lead to open next year across the Costa to high levels of blood sugar if not Blanca and Valencia regions. treated.’ There are two types of diabetes, Over time, it can lead to serious Type 1, which is widely damage to the body, believed to be genetic, particularly against Over time, it and Type 2, which can nerves and blood be prevented. vessels. can lead to According to the World You are more at risk damage of Health Organisation, of developing Type Type 1 is character2 diabetes if you are nerves and ised by deficient inoverweight, do not exsulin production and blood vessels ercise enough and if it requires daily adminruns in the family. istration of insulin. It is important that Type 2 diabetes ‘affects how your you are regularly tested for the disbody uses sugar (glucose) for en- ease, as early diagnosis helps you ergy. It stops the body from using to avoid its worst effects.
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Streets of gold
IF you want to earn top dollar in Andalucia, you need to head to the big cities. A new report has identified Sevilla and Malaga as the places to become top earners, boasting average salaries of €18,259 and €18,280 respectively. Huelva and Jaen present a stark contrast, with average earnings of €14,811 and €15,205 respectively. However, Jaen’s feeble salaries are still a whopping 37% higher than the provincial average, highlighting the economic challenges faced by workers in Andalucía's smaller municipalities. The Institute of Statistics and Cartography of Andalucía's recent study reports a 5.8% increase in the region's average salaries during 2022, setting them at €17,233 gross per year. But the gender pay gap persists, with men earning 24.6% more than women. This disparity translates to €18,995 for men compared to €15,247 for women annually.
Canary warning AN excess of tourism is putting Spain’s Canary Islands under enormous strain and leaving the hugely popular destination facing ‘systemic collapse’ due to ‘too many tourists’. That’s according to the Ben Magec-Ecologists in Action campaign group, which has produced a report on the issue. “The Canary Islands territory was more than overexploited,” the report reads. “We exceeded the carrying capacity of the territory by seven times, resulting in a scenario of systemic collapse due to the urban development structure.” Tourist figures for 2023 showed that there were a record number of visitors to the Canary Islands in 2023, for a total of around 16 million. Of these, as many as half are estimated to be from the UK.
February 7th February 20th 2024
39
H&M cutbacks
Evading sanctions
FASHION retailer H&M will close more than a quarter of its shops in Spain. The Swedish-owned business says up to 588 employees will lose their jobs. The company said it had to carry out the collective layoff for 'unspecified organisational, productive and economic reasons', according to the CCOO trade union. H&M has 91 outlets and employs 4,000 people in Spain, with 28 stores said to be ear-marked for closure. In 2021, 349 employees lost their jobs in the wake of the Covid pandemic, with unions managing to negotiate down from the almost 1,100 redundancies originally proposed by the company. H&M is the world's second largest clothing retailer behind Spain's Inditex who
SPAIN’S largest bank, Banco Santander, saw 5% of its value wiped off in the Spanish stock market after the Financial Times reported that Iran had used its accounts to avoid international sanctions. At 11am on Monday the bank’s shares were trading at €3.671, according to Spanish news agency Europa Press, which was a fall of 5.38% compared to its closing price on Friday. The Financial Times reported that Iran had used the British arm of the bank, Santander UK, as well as competitor Lloyds, to covertly move money around the world as part of a ‘vast sanctions-evasion scheme backed by Tehran’s intelligence services’.
COULD DO BETTER
SPAIN has held steady in its mediocre ranking of shady countries, according to the latest edition of Transparency Internationals’ Corruption Perception Index. The NGO put the country in joint-36th place (out of 180) and awarded it 60 out of 100, with 100 being perfect and zero being hopelessly ridden with dishonesty. It is exactly the same ranking and score as last year - however it comes off the back of declines in the two preceding years, dropping one point in 2022 and another in 2021.
Endemic
The long-term trend for Spain, according to the CPI, is one of gradual stagnation since 2019, and a six-point deterioration since 2012. “Without a doubt, it can be stated that corruption remains a serious problem that should alert both citizens and public authorities,” Transparency International
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Spain’s report card for its efforts to combat endemic corruption is in - and it’s a little underwhelming By Walter Finch
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wrote, in a year where Andalucia’s nearly-€1 billion ERE corruption scandal from 15 years ago is still occupying the courts. “The weakening of the judicial system is one of the funIN the ever-changing landscape of expat life in Spain, sedamental causcuring comprehensive and affordable health insurance is a es that prevent priority for many. progress and NowCompare.es, a seasoned player in the international affect the drop insurance comparison arena, is making waves with its exin the global clusive campaign to offer expats in Spain an unparalleled opportunity. Save up to 40% on top-tier health insurance ranking.” while ensuring compliance with Spanish residency requireDenmark (90) ments. tops the index Discover the NowCompare Advantage for the sixth Established in 2009, NowCompare has been a trusted ally consecutive for expats seeking financial relief without compromising on year, closely essential services. With almost 15 years of experience, the followed by platform has evolved into the largest expat advisory serviFinland and ce, supporting over 10 million expats globally. New Zealand NowCompare's international insurance comparison service
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A BRITISH couple had their day ‘ruined’ after a restaurant in tourist-friendly Lanzarote charged them a whopping €137 for just five king prawns.
Fatphobic A SPANISH TV presenter has been criticised after fatshaming an American TikTokker live on national television. Toñi Moreno asked if the influencer ‘used filters’, adding, ‘you look much slimmer on TikTok.’
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Shell shocked
ANDALUCÍA
CARELESS LUCK
Woman, 73, is reunited with €13,000 cash after she left it in a supermarket trolley NOT everyone who loses a five-figure sum of money is so lucky as to have it returned to them. However, this was the outcome that befell one elderly woman after she managed to leave €13,325 in a shopping trolley in an Estepona supermarket. An employee in the Merca-
Switch off SCHOOLKIDS in Murcia have been banned from switching on their mobile phones in classrooms with other areas of Spain set to follow suit.
By Walter Finch
dona on Avenida Andalucia found a purse carelessly forgotten in the trolley. Resisting the urge to rifle around inside, the worker conscientiously handed it over to the Policial Nacional. When officers took posses-
sion of the item, they too had little idea of what it contained. Thus on inspection, they were surprised to find a huge wodge
FEATHER TOUCH FORMER La Liga player Hugo Mallo will face a Barcelona court this summer after being charged with inappropriately touching a female mascot dressed as a parakeet before a match. Mallo, 32, was a Celta Vigo player when the alleged incident happened before a match at Espanyol in 2019. He currently plays for Brazilian side Sport Club Internacional and has denied the assault. Mallo is accused of touching the woman’s breasts when she was inside Espanyol’s parakeet costume as the players lined up.
of cash: 206 bank notes of €50, 144 notes of €20, three tenners and three fivers. The police had to make a number of enquiries to determine who was the rightful owner of the not-inconsiderable amount. Eventually, they managed to identify a 73-year-old local woman, who was contacted and given the joyous news that her pile of cash was waiting for her at the police station. Just a little later, she attended the station in the company of her adult children where she thanks the officers profusely for the miraculous return of the money. No reason has been given on why she was carrying so much money.
THE GUARDIA CIVIL is looking for people willing to give their police dogs-in-waiting a home during the crucial first year of their lives. Officers want members of the public in Madrid to help raise the pups until they head off to join the force.
What a Caulker!
JUST a month after a former England defender took the helm, Malaga City have secured their first win, defeating Rincon 1-0 on Sunday. The local club made waves when they appointed former Liverpool defender Stephen Caulker as player-manager at the start of the year. The tenure got off to an inauspicious start, being tonked by Almeria 6-0 in Caulker’s first game. However, under Caulker’s management they gradually steadied the ship, losing the following match by a fine 1-0 margin and drawing the next two. Finally the hard work on the training pitch paid off, with striker Borja Morales netting a 52nd minute winner.
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