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Housing mess
ESTATE agents on the Costa del Sol have criticised proposals that could hit British and other non-EU buyers in Spain.
They claim Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s new 12-point housing plan will create ‘confusion’ and likely put off buyers.
In particular, they slammed his proposal to double the tax paid by non-EU residents.
The scheme aims to promote public housing and solve the growing rental crisis.
Sanchez insisted the law, to begin in 2026, was necessary due to ‘an excess’ of Airbnb rentals and ‘a lack of properties’.
“Our obligation is to prioritise homes for locals over tourist use,” he stated. “We will make a change so tourist apartments are taxed as a business so they will pay the same as hotels.
“We are also going to limit the purchase of homes by non-EU non-residents who buy about 27,000 houses annually, mainly for speculation.”
To do this, the government is considering plans to raise by 100% the tax levy paid by nonEU residents who buy a second home.
This will follow April’s end of the Golden Visa scheme - the residence permits for foreigners who buy houses for more than €500,000.
To fight fraud, the government is also planning to tighten the regulation of seasonal rentals.
A fund will also be created for Spain’s 17 regions to apply for money to increase inspections of tourist properties.
“This scheme is only likely to create confusion in the market,” claimed boss of Marbella’s Panorama Clover. “And it might deter some in dividuals from purchasing.”
Meanwhile, Adam Neale at Terra Meridiana, in Este pona, described it as ‘moronic’ and added: “The 12-point plan should have read: ‘Build more social housing 12 times’.”
And, as our special health supplement explores, having a glass of wine and a morning coffee will help you live even longer
DANGER DRUG VICTORY
Health warnings must be added to controversial pain drug Nolotil after years of campaigning by the Olive Press
AN Olive Press campaign against a lethal painkiller drug has won a key victory.
Manufacturers of Nolotilblamed for the death of at least 40 expats and tourists - have had to send a fresh warning to all health centres and doctors around Spain.
The note, which went out last month, warns of ‘dangerous’ side effects to watch out for after taking
By Yzabelle Bostyn
the drug.
It follows an EU investigation, which concluded it was necessary to update the drug’s safety information.
In particular, it warns how the drug can cause ‘agranulocytosis’, or the depletion of white blood cells, which can lead to a weakened immune system,
organ failure and occasionally death.
Though statistically rare, the deadly side effects are believed to be more common among northern Europeans due to genetic differences.
be stopped as they have not ‘proven effective.’
The warning lists a series of symptoms to look out for and says they can appear even after the treatment is finished.
Among the side effects are a sore throat, fever, shivers and pain in the mouth, nose and genitals. Patients must also ‘remain vigilant’ as agranulocytosis ‘can appear at any time during treatment regardless of the dosage, even just after it has finished.’
Tightened
More alarmingly, the symptoms can even ‘go unnoticed’ if the patient is suffering with the flu or taking antibiotics. Furthermore, regular blood tests, previously required, for those taking the drug and its active ingredient metamizole will now
“It’s a victory that things are (finally) being tightened,” medical campaigner Cristina Del Campo (above) told the Olive Press this week.
However, she warned that the health authorities are effectively passing responsibility over to the patients and their families to monitor the drug.
Wake up call
“I’m actually very angry as they are trying to wash their hands of the issue,” she insisted.
“I mean now they are saying there’s no point doing blood tests as agranulocytosis could appear at any time, so how are we supposed to trust that it’s safe?” she asked.
“People are waking up and getting angry that the most sold medication in Spain is so dangerous.”
The warning overseen by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) alongside the Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPs) follows a six-year ‘Kill the drug’ campaign by the Olive Press alongside activist del Campo.
Holy rebuttal
A PARISH priest in a Castilla y Leon town has refused to give Holy Communion to the mayor because he’s gay and in a relationship.
Tragic fall
A young Irish woman has lost her life after falling into Malaga’s ‘El Chorro’ gorge on January 10.
Take a hike!
Researchers from the University of Malaga have revealed tourist flats have pushed up rent prices by 33% in busy areas.
Vulnerable
MORE than two million homes (8%) across Spain are now considered at risk of flooding, more than double the previous estimate.
POLICE are probing the violent death of a woman whose body was found inside a burnt motorhome on the Costa del Sol. The body was found in her caravan at the popular camping spot of Cala Sardina, near Sotogrande, on January 9.
Junta minister Pedro Fernandez de-
CARAVAN DEATH MYSTERY
scribed it as an ‘aggressive act’ and vowed to find her killers. Firefighters were on the scene, alongside police and paramedics.
OUCH!
A GERMAN bodybuilder and ex-MMA fighter was shot in the ‘private parts and anus’ outside a Marbella padel club because he ‘owed money to everyone.’
The attack, which has been described as a ‘warning’, saw Saman Baghi, 34, flee for his life as he was shot three times.
The Cologne native had just posted a story to Instagram sitting on an exercise bike at the Real Club Padel, in Puerto Banus, alerting his various enemies to his location.
Sources in Germany told the Olive Press that Baghi was
By Walter Finch
‘quite the VIP target.’
“He was an enforcer for the Hell’s Angels, bringing them in lots of money, until he was forced out of the gang,” the source said.
“He owed a lot of people money and made a lot of enemies by threatening people and beating them up when in the motorcycle gang.”
According to witnesses, the shooter wore black as he waited for Baghi to emerge from the
Predator lurking
A BRITISH expat wanted for the rape of a young girl remains at large after failing to turn up to his trial last year. Brian Green, from Huddersfield, was sentenced to 22 years in jail for multiple counts of child rape. Following his initial arrest, Green was released on bail and allowed to return to his home in Spain, on the condition he returned to Britain to stand trial in March last year. However he never showed up and an
But the caravan was already gutted and the woman’s body was quickly found by firefighters. Bullet casings and fuel traces were
German Hells Angel shot in the genitals outside gym after giving away his location in Instagram post
popular gym.
He had uploaded the story at 1pm on January 2, and was shot around 2.35pm.
He was apparently hit three times – ‘one bullet went through his buttocks and grazed his penis,’ according to the source.
“The second hit his anus, the third pierced his left leg."
Baghi managed to drag himself back inside the building bleed-
international manhunt has been underway ever since.
An ongoing appeal on Crimestoppers reads: “Police are appealing for information to help locate a man who is wanted for rape of a child under 13.
“Despite extensive enquiries made to trace Green, officers have been unable to locate him and are appealing to the public.” It is believed he is most likely still living in Spain or nearby Portugal.
Please contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es if you know his whereabouts
ing, but the masked perpetrator followed him and continued to fire.
“But the gun jammed, probably saved Saman B.'s life,” the source told Bild in Germany.
The victim was rushed to the Costa
found at the scene, reinforcing the theory of arson. Witnesses also say they saw various people running from the scene just after the fire began. The name of the woman has not yet been released.
del Sol hospital, where he miraculously discharged himself the same day despite the severity of the injuries.
He is expected to make a full recovery and ‘everything is working down there.’
Baghi is constantly flaunting his luxury, jetset lifestyle to his 77,000 followers on Instagram.
Between posing in Dubai, Marbella and Cologne, alongside high end cars and expensive watches, he has been snapped with Necati Arabaci, the leader of the Turkish Hell’s Angels who skipped trial in Mallorca. The shooting was the latest in a spate of mafia violence over the Christmas period on the Costa del Sol.
Including a German who was shot in the Cristamar shopping center on Christmas Eve.
AN Italian crime boss has been arrested while taking a walk with his wife in Marbella.
The high-ranking capo from the feared Camorra gang was picked up by officers from Spain’s elite Udyco anti-drug unit along with their Italian counterparts.
Police swooped on Ciro Marigliano while he was out for a stroll.
The mob boss, wanted since July 2024 for attempted murder, had been living openly in the millionaires' playground. Within hours police had also snared two of his family, Stanislao Marigliano and Michele Sannino, both wanted for serious international drug trafficking offences.
The mob boss’s son, Stanislao, faces a prison sentence of 30 years for attempted murder after gunning a man down.
Meanwhile Sannino, the sonin-law, is facing 20 years for drug trafficking and tobacco smuggling.
“The arrest of three dangerous fugitives has dealt a serious blow to organised crime, achieved through meticulous investigative work and extraordinary collaboration between Naples police and Spanish authorities,” said Matteo Piantedosi, Italy’s Interior Minister.
7-8-9 FEBRUARY AND 14-15-16
INCOMING US president Donald Trump has named an 80-year-old Cuban-American businessman as the country’s new ambassa dor to Spain.
Benjamin Leon will take over the post made vacant by Ju lissa Reynoso in July.
He donated about $3 million to Trump during his successful presidential election cam paign.
Leon sold his company Clinica Asociacion Cubana to United Healthcare in the 1990s, and once paid $4.2
Trump’s pick
million for a racehorse.
Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump said: “Benjamin is a highly successful entrepreneur, equestrian enthusiast and philanthropist.
“He came to the United States from communist Cuba at age 16, with only five dollars in his pocket, and built his company, Leon Medical Centers, into an incredible business.”
Ahoy mateys!
Future Queen of Spain takes to the high seas
By Dilip Kuner
PRINCESS Leonor of Spain, the 19-year-old heir to the throne, has embarked aboard the Spanish Navy’s iconic training ship, Juan Sebastian de Elcano, for a six-month voyage.
The Princess of Asturias boarded the vessel in Cadiz for the epic journey that will take her across two oceans and to ports in eight countries, including stops in Brazil, Chile, and the United States. This milestone follows her time at the Na-
val Military Academy in Marin and is part of her three-year military training programme that will see her serve stints in the army, navy and airforce. During this voyage, Leonor will train as a first-class midshipman, learning practical naval skills and gaining real-world experience alongside 75 fellow
Absent royals at birthday bash
WHILE his granddaughter Princess Leonor was preparing for life on the ocean waves (see main story) Emeritus King, Juan Carlos, celebrated his 87th birthday in Abu Dhabi with a lavish party that waswell, fit for a king.
The event featured a special concert by the veteran Spanish singing duo Los del Rio - one of Juan Carlos' favourite music acts.
Around 30 friends and family
members were in attendance, including daughters Elena and Cristina.
King Felipe and wife Letizia were not there and neither was his estranged wife Sofia.
Reports said the festivities lasted for several days with family members staying at the mansion that spreads over 3,000 m2.
SAIL AWAY: The young royal will visit eight continues
Get back to nature
SPANISH fashion house Loewe has snapped up rising star Drew Star key for a new campaign that goes back to nature.
The 26-year-old actor has swapped the Outer Banks beach for the catwalk in a series of snaps cosying up to trees in the Spanish countryside. But he's not alone in this woodland romp - the star is joined by Taylor Russell and Chinese actor Wang Yibo for the Spring/Summer 2025 collection, shot by top snapper David Sims.
It’s not the first time Starkey's teamed up with Loewe's head honcho Jonathan Anderson. The pair hit it off while working on the racy flick Queer last year.
midshipmen and over 200 crew members.
The training cruise is steeped in tradition, with both her father, King Felipe VI, and grandfather, King Juan Carlos I, having undertaken similar voyages during their own military training.
At a recent event, King Felipe described the experience as one that ‘will remain among the best memories of your military training’ and encouraged his daughter to embrace its ‘human and seafaring’ lessons.
The Princess's journey reflects her growing public role as future queen. While she will be just another crew member at sea, she will continue to fulfill royal commitments on land during port stops.
The Elcano’s voyage will end in July in New York before Leonor returns to Spain to complete her military studies at the General Air and Space Academy. She has already completed a year in the army.
Embarking
tel/WhatsApp: 633 21 95 56 astrocoachselen@gmail.com www.seleneker.com
Fans are going wild for Drew’s new look, with one gushing: “Drew Starkey and nature? It's a match made in heaven!”
Messi in the money
A REAL estate trust owned by ex-Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi made its debut on Spain's stock markets at the end of 2024 and pocketed €223 million in a day.
Messi is chairman of Edificio Rostower which owns seven hotels in Spain and Andorra, plus offices and apartments.
Most of the company’s investments are in Catalunya where Messi, 37, moved in 2000 when he was 13 years old to join Barcelona’s youth team.
The eight-times Balon d’Or winner - currently playing for Inter Miami - has long said he plans to return to live in Barcelona with his wife and three children after he retires from soccer.
Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, is the board’s vice-president.
Mastering the lingo
SHE has already played the daughter in Federico Garcia Lorca’s seminal play Blood Wedding
So starring as her mother in the latest production comes easy for expat Emma Cherry Rolf.
Taking place at Ronda’s Vicente Espinel theatre next weekend, the version of Bodas de Sangre by production company Proyecto Platea is taking a
fresh look at the Granada writer’s 1932 play.
Based on a real life tragedy that took place in Nijar, in Almeria in 1928, it tells the story of a forbidden relationship that inevitably ends in death.
“This version makes the matriarch the star, so it’s a great opportunity for me,” Londoner Emma told the Olive Press
The Ronda-based actress, who grew up in Ibiza, has already starred in another Lorca play, The House of Bernarda Alba, also entirely in Spanish.
SAINTS COME MARCHING IN! Award-winning rural hotel
WHEN they bought Molino del Santo nearly four decades ago they were an enthusiastic young couple in need of a saint to get their country hotel open.
Short of funds and battling red tape, it was something of a miracle when the ‘Molino of the Saint’, near Ronda, opened in 1987.
The brainchild of British expats Andy Chapell and Pauline Elkin, it became one of Andalucia’s first boutique rural retreats.
Now, after 38 years, the award-winning hotel and restaurant is being passed on to a new generation… in the form of their daughter.
From March 17, Carmen Chapell-Elkin, 32, will be bringing Molino del Santo, in
Benaojan, ‘back to its glory days’.
Recently arriving from London with her Norwegian partner Martin Reymert, 33, they have loads of ideas involving activities, new vegetarian menus and a focus on wines.
“We are absolutely over the moon,” Carmen told the Olive Press. “We can’t believe this is our life
now and we keep having to pinch ourselves that we are not going back to London.”
Born in Ronda, along with her younger sister Rosi, she grew up at the Molino, which has managed to keep some of its staff for nearly 30 years.
“So many of them have been here for over two decades,” she added. “It feels like an extended family and they are like aunts and uncles to me and have taught me everything from how to braid my hair to how to make paella.”
Molino del Santo
gets
Currently sprucing up the rooms and redesigning the dining area, there will be special events and a brand new website ready for the opening. After handing over the keys this month, dad Andy - ap-
propriately a Saints (Southampton) fan - told the Olive Press: “I am so excited that they will be bringing new energy and a bit of magic to the Molino.
“This will be an exciting new chapter in the Molino story.”
SPANISH politicians have hit out after Elon Musk waded in to a controversial rape claim about immigrants.
The world’s richest man came under attack after his social media platform X pushed a post that 91% of rapists in prison in Catalunya are foreigners.
Describing his actions as ‘hate speech’, Catalan regional boss Salvador Illa insisted: “We can't allow democracy to fall into the hands of tech billionaires allied with the far right.”
Grooming
It comes after Musk also waded into a decade-old case involving grooming by Muslim gangs in the UK, criticising Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not acting or calling a public enquiry.
In Spain, he wrote ‘wow’ when he re-tweeted a report from La Razon that showed that 26 out of 29 inmates convicted or facing rape charges in Catalunya are non-Spanish. However, when including all sexual assault crimes, the figures change, showing that 115 (over a third) of 301 inmates are Spanish.
Over 1.6million foreign nationals live in Catalunya, out of a total population of eight million.
HANDOVER: Taking the keys from mum and dad and (inset) a young Carmen with staff in 1994
SET: Emma and Nijar location of Blood wedding
By Jon Clarke
Dry January
Drought continues in southern Spain as early year rain fails to fill up reservoirs
EARLY rainfall this year has failed to ease the drought in much of southern Spain despite improved reservoir levels.
While the north of Spain has overcome drought, Malaga, Almeria and Alicante’s water reserves are critical, according to a report by the Public Sanitation and Supply association (AEOPAS).
“The southern half of Spain is still in drought,” it warned, adding that the Costa del Sol needs to remain under ‘emergency’ conditions and water-saving measures need to be increased.
In total, 16 municipalities in Andalucia and the Marina Baja of Alicante are still suffering from severe drought.
“The Guadalquivir, Segura, Jucar, Guadalete-Barbate and Catalunya regions still show worrying water levels, with reserves well below the historic average.
“These challenges underline the urgent need for better water management which links to the effects of climate change,” the report ruled.
Though autumn rain has improved the situation in Sevilla and Antequera, drought measures remain in place in
Not in good health
A BRITISH tourist has issued advice to visitors to Spain after his wife had to wait nine days for an urgent operation.
Claire Wilde, 62, from Yorkshire, was admitted to Malaga’s El Clinico hospital on December 18 after falling and breaking her leg.
But despite being in severe pain, she had to wait for nine days before being operated on.
Her husband Gary Scott believes the time of year and lack of staff was partly to blame, as well as the language barrier. It came despite both he and his wife having GHIC cards and multi-trip travel insurance.
“If you live out here, it’s a no-brainer that you learn the language,” he told the Olive Press.
“While we come out regularly our Spanish is not good enough for the medical environment.”
He continued: “There are hospital interpreters, of course, and we actually saw three leading up to my wife’s operation.
“But they are volunteers, they only come in during the week and don’t work bank holidays. “It seems that like most healthcare systems the world over, the problems are systemic and there is a lack of funding and investment.
“I was told there were only three operating theatres despite being a huge hospital. I think that is inadequate.”
See Urgent Situation at A&Es on page 12
A CLUB in Torremolinos has come under investigation for anti-gay hate crime.
It comes after Casa Fatima promoted an event with an Instagram post banning ‘f**s’ from entering.
“We don’t want sick or bad people..f**s or transexuals,” announced the post for the January 18 event.
Prosecutors will probe if organisers denied entry on the grounds of sexual identity, a crime under article 512 of Spain’s legal code.
Torremolinos mayor, Margarita del Cid also reported the club for slander and hate crimes after she was ‘attacked’ by the promoters via a private message on Instagram.
According to the mayor, she was called a ‘b**ch’ and urged to support the club as a Catholic.
“We are not going to tolerate these shameful attitudes,” she said. “Hate and homophobia have no place here.”
By Yzabelle Bostyn
the Campo de Gibraltar, Guadalhorce and Axarquia areas.
Reservoir levels for Malaga still sit critically low at 28%, slightly better than January last year when they sat at 16%, but way below a decade ago when they were at 48%.
Across Andalucia, levels currently sit at 34%, which is 15% up on last year, but 11% down on a decade ago.
The most critical region is Almeria, where the levels sit at 9.38%, which is exactly the same as this time last year. In contrast, in the Basque Country, reservoirs are 100% full and there has been a significant improvement in Valencia.
“Spanish reservoirs are slowly getting better but there are marked differences between regions, showing the need for different water management policies,” concluded the report. In particular, ‘urgent action’ is needed to avoid future droughts such as a diversification of water supplies, re-use measures and the improved measuring of urban water supply.
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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
Not killed yet
THE Spanish authorities have finally taken a step towards making killer drug Nolotil safer.
As our Kill the Drug campaign has been insisting for six years, it has lethal side effects for far too many expats and tourists.
A new warning for doctors and health professionals shows that our campaign and the work by campaigner Cristina del Campo has finally been heeded.
We sincerely hope that listing the symptoms of agranulocytosis will go on to save lives and the thousands of Brits, Irish and Scandinavians vulnerable to side effects will no longer have to suffer.
However for many, the warning comes too little too late. Since we started campaigning to get the drug banned in 2019, countless people have needlessly died at the hands of Nolotil.
While the new warning is an important step forward, it is important to ask: exactly how many people died before someone put pen to paper?
Nobody knows the real number, but for now, we are sure the new warning will save quite a few lives in the future.
Property peril
SPAIN’S proposal to hit non-EU second-home buyers with a 100% stamp duty tax is not going to affect everyone. But those who it will affect will likely come from the UK, the USA, the Middle East and perhaps Russia and/or Ukraine. The type of people with money to invest and a penchant for sun and sangria – but from countries outside the club. They are clearly the target of Pedro Sanchez’s 12-point housing plan.
These are the no-gooders who will take the blame for inflating Spain’s housing market and pricing Spaniards out of their homes.
While it might feel harsh and unfair, a cash-grab even, the problems that Spain is trying to tackle are very real. It remains to be seen to what extent foreigners are the ones coming in and trying to profit off Spain’s booming Airbnb business.
Yet it’s true something needs to be done. But should this be plan A?
Instead, should’t stopping giving out licences, locating every single unlicensed Airbnb – which can’t be that hard since they literally advertise themselves – and slapping them with five or six-figure finds should be the first course of action?
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When atom bombs rained on Spain
It’s nearly six decades since a small Spanish village had four nuclear bombs dropped on it
PALOMARES doesn’t stand out in any way.
It’s just a typical Andalucían village beside the sea.
Halfway between Almeria’s charming Cabo de Gata natural park and the port of Cartagena, in Murcia, you can easily drive through it without knowing you’ve been there.
But on Monday, January 17, 1966, Palomares entered the Cold War in dramatic style.
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The aircraft fell from the sky killing seven out of the combined crew of 11
To set the scene, the US and USSR had been facing each other off for most of the decade and under a strategy known as Chrome Dome, the Americans kept several B52 bombers in the air, ready to strike Moscow, 24 hours a day.
While Spain was trying to keep out of the Cold War (so-called because neither side dared start a ‘hot war’, so devastating was the power of their
nuclear weapons), American money was too tempting for General Franco. In return for millions in investment, the dictator granted the USA the right to build a military air base at Moron de la Frontera, near Sevilla (and it’s still operational today). It meant the Americans could base their nuclear bombers in Spain and they regularly flew back and forth from bases in the US, flying non-stop around Europe.
Though they had a phenomenal range, in order to stay airborne for hours, they frequently needed to refuel in flight.
On that fateful day in 1966, a KC-135 tanker plane took off from Moron to rendezvous with a bomber 10,000 feet above the coast of Andalucia. And that’s when things started to go wrong when the aircraft collided and fell from the sky killing seven out of the combined crew of 11. A spectacular crash, but what was potentially a
DON’T GET BITTEN
TAKE a country walk in any part of southern Spain or the islands and you will almost certainly be serenaded with a cacophony of barks and howls.
Almost every country villa, finca and plot will have a dog either running up and down its fenced off border, or tied up and chained to a post somewhere near the front door. Look closely and there may be a few hunks of stale bread scattered nearby.
Welcome to Spain where owning a dog doesn't necessarily mean you are a soppy animal lover who dotes on his or her pet.
With far too many cases of cruelty coming to light over the last few decades - much thanks to the emergence of a new animal welfare party PACMA - a new law has finally come into force to remedy the situation.
The Animal Welfare Law obliges dog owners to acquire insurance for their pet, as of this month.
From now on, if a policeman asks to see
A new law requires dog owners to take out Civil Liability Insurance or face fines of up to €10,000. But, as the Olive Press asks, will it have teeth?
your dog insurance policy and you don’t have one, you could be liable to a fine of between €500 and €10,000.
In addition, all pets must now have a microchip inserted (usually in the ear) and the government is now using vets to enforce the rule.
Suppose your dog develops an illness. When you take him to the vet, he will be scanned for a chip which identifies both him and his owner. No chip, no antibiotics.
Since September 2024 all dogs have needed to have a chip and, as of January 1, levying fines becomes the law of the land.
From now on, if your dog bites someone or causes damage (for example, worries sheep or knocks over a display in a shop), you (the owner) will be liable for the harm caused and must be insured against it?
What does it cost?
If you’re lucky your pet might already be in-
cluded in your home insurance. It’s worth checking with your provider. If not, you need to consider taking out a separate poli cy. A typical safe domestic breed (e.g. a Labrador) will work out at about €30 a year. Dangerous breeds are more expensive (around €50).
As one Olive Press staffer confirmed, the pet insurance was once included in his home insurance, but is now an extra of €35. Other,
ALL-CLEAR: Tourist minister Fraga swims at Palomares despite the dropped bombs (below)
WRECKAGE: The fallout from the bombs was not understood and America and Franco brushed off the incident
SNOOKERED!
147 is the magic number if you’re Ronnie O’Sullivan playing at the Crucible: but for expat journalist Michael Coy it is anything but lucky
IT’S the maximum possible score in snooker and appropriately Ronnie ‘the Rocket’ O’Sullivan has achieved it on a record 15 occasions.
It means doing everything right. Which is what I thought I had done when I moved to Spain over two decades ago to get a job away from the grind in the grim old United Kingdom. But working long hours in Andalucia in trying circumstances doesn't always end well, as I have found out to my peril. How so?
Let me ask you a question: When was the last time you pestered your Spanish boss for an up-to-date statement of your pension status? Exactly.
For those of us brought up on the British PAYE system, or in Germany or Holland, say, it’s a no-brainer. You do the work, you get the pension. You don’t need to delve into it. Spain unfortunately doesn’t work like that.
To be fair, most of us can see the employer’s point of view. He or she not only pays your salary, but has to fork out for below-the-line costs which you know nothing about. In Spain, the rate of social security alone is a staggering 30% plus per worker.
This makes it very unattractive for small businesses to take on workers – or to put it more accurately, it’s painful for the boss if he does it by the book. So they have to cheat.
Not all of them, and certainly not government departments (but it’s very hard for expats to land such jobs).
What some cheating bosses do is quietly alter your work record to read, ‘part-time’.
It saves them a fortune, and you don’t complain (because you don’t know it’s happening). Things come to a head, as they recently did for me, when you show up at the Seguridad Social offices at your assumed retirement age and ask: “Pension please” – and they tell you that you haven’t done your full 15 years!
I’ve lived and worked in Spain for decades, and yet it has happened to me. Worse still, I was
once an employment lawyer in London, before retraining as a journalist here. So if I can get shafted, anyone can.
I’m lucky. My shortfall is only (only?) 147 days, and I’m reasonably able-bodied, and so I can find some way to make up the time.
But what about people who are ill, or simply can’t argue their corner? Can you take your boss to court?
And the answer is: Yes, you can. But it will involve years of expensive litigation, and you might well lose. Employers often argue that their employer was ‘in on the scam’...” I only took him on because he agreed to my under-the-table methods.” they might say.
So what’s the answer?
Well go back to work and find some way to make up the time.
Luckily for me, I have a background in journalism, and the kind souls at the Olive Press have found an opening for me. I am going to be writing over the coming year about rural Spain (I have lived in Ronda for over 20 years, after all).
Beat the January blues!
With a trio of controversial characters looming over Spain, it’s your last chance for a huge 50% discount on the Olive Press’s annual subscription
DUE to popular demand, the Olive Press is launching an end of January sale for those of you who missed out on our special Black Friday or Christmas deals.
We know the first month of the year can be tight after splurging on presents and parties over the festive period. So we are offering a year’s subscription to www. theolivepress.es for just €30 - which will amount to 50% off once we increase our prices next month.
It’s going to be a very busy year for news in Spain andas our 60,000-plus registered users already know - the Olive Press is the best way to stay informed.
million times worse was the B-52’s four thermonuclear bombs which fell on Palomares, three on land and one at sea. Mercifully, atom bombs don’t explode on hitting the ground. They work on a different principle, and have to be detonated by pressing a button.
However, the damage caused was extensive with the bombs releasing clouds of deadly plutonium radiation gas.
The streets of the village and the nearby countryside was badly contaminated, and the US immediately launched a decontamination programme.
While three bombs were quickly found, the fourth, at sea, proved to be much more allusive.
Furthermore American troops were sent in to search the area without any protective gear, as nuclear fallout was not properly understood in 1966. It also meant they ‘tamped down’ the radioactive dust far too aggressively and sprayed so much water onto the land that the natural underground reserves were used up, and sea water seeped in, killing all the local crops.
more expensive, policies will cover accidents (for example, if your dog causes someone to trip and fall) and that will probably work out at about €100 a year. You can also insure a pet against getting seriously ill and needing surgery, but that is far more expensive (maybe €400 a year).
UNESPA is the Spanish Association of insur-
It led to the US later agreeing to skim off the area’s topsoil, and take it back home in metal drums.
But Spanish Scientists now believe the operation was bungled and the most contaminated soil was not collected, while the metal drums were not properly accounted for.
The most important thing was to brush the dangers under the carpet as quickly as possible.
As the important tourism market was really taking off in the Sixties, with thousands of youngsters arriving from the UK, Holland and Germany, it was vital to keep the gravy train rolling.
Franco realised that Spain being seen as a nuclear wasteland was bad for the package holiday hordes and he told his Tourist Minister Manuel Fraga to do something urgently. His solution was to head for Palomares for a holiday where he was pictured swimming in the sea.
It turned out to be just metres from where the fourth bomb was found a year later. Yet ironically Fraga lived to the ripe old age of 90, dying just a decade ago in 2012.
Will it change anything?
Like many laws in Spain, they exist but are not followed properly on a national basis and half the time only one or a couple of autonomous regions will adopt them properly. In addition, the new law will create a lot more paperwork for the local police, who will also need to be motivated to go out into the countryside to identify the rogue dog owners.
And half the time the local police will likely know the owners and let them off. Alternatively, they might be incentivized to collect fines by their local town hall, perhaps after pressure from local expat residents. It could be seen as a nice earner for empty town hall coffers before the tourism season kicks off properly.
The one big controversial exception under the new law is hunting dogs, who are excluded, meaning owners might simply tell police their pet is for hunting rabbits, etc?
The cruelest irony is that the ‘galgo’ and ‘podenco’ hunting dogs are usually by far the worst treated animals in Spain… and that includes fighting bulls.
But for anyone else. Carefully check your status regularly (or pay an accountant to do it), or go autonomo, or try and win the lottery.
From now on I am always asking for a loto ticket which contains the digits, ‘147’.
EMPLOYMENT MAZE
- Know your terminology
Qualifying for a pension
In a sense, it’s very simple. You do 15 years of appropriate work, and you are entitled to a retirement pension. However, there are snags:
(1) Spanish bureaucracy has no give in it, so don’t expect to ‘top up’ your time served, or wriggle through. If your Vida Laboral (employment history) doesn’t show 15 years of ‘proper’ work, you will not qualify.
(2) You can’t object to an irregularity after the fact – they’ll tell you: ‘you should have checked your records as you went along’.
(3) If you’re self-employed (autonomo), special rules apply, so consult an accountant.
Autonomo
This is the Spanish word for ‘self-employed’. There used to be a joke that there are no autonomos in heaven, because they can’t afford the time off to die. Recent changes to the law have made going self-employed a much more attractive option in Spain. Ask your asesor/gestor (accountant) about the new tarifa plana (flat rate) option. A small monthly charge is replacing the old tax burden.
This word, referring to your employment record, means ‘official’. The Spanish govern-ment will not count any work you’ve done towards your pension entitlement unless it’s cotizado
Donald Trump’s presidency could have dramatic consequences for Europe, from trade tariffs to NATO shakeups. He also insists he will end the Ukraine war. Meanwhile, anti-tourism movements are set to ramp up their protests this summer as anger over Airbnb-style lets and ‘excessive’ tourism models reach boiling point. What effects they will have on the local property market remains to be seen - but the latest reports and in-depth analysis will be found daily in our email news mail outs as well as monthly in our Property Magazine
We will also keep you abreast of the latest travel trends and all the secret up and coming spots that you need to know about and get to before the hordes descend? Only the Olive Press keeps foreigners so well up-to-date and informed on such matters in English, thanks to our team of NCTJ-trained journalists, who have all worked for national newspapers or the BBC or Sky back in the UK.
Bryan Adams
With our numbers of registered users doubling in 2024 and the monthly visits to our website frequently going over a million, we go from strength to strength.
It is a testament to the quality and reliability of our news, with our work being picked up by the foreign national media almost daily.
Moreover we are not scared to probe controversial figures like Tommy Robinson (above), now in international news thanks to Elon Musk (above), investigate wrong-doing by politicians, such as the bizarre picadillos of Estepona’s current mayor, or expose corruption on a regional or national scale.
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Scan the QR code above to claim your very special of fer until the end of the month
POT LUCK: Michael Coy tries to emulate Ronnie O’Sullivan (right) by taking a maximum break from his working life
THREATS: Trump, Tommy and Musk
COTIZADO
Here when it matters most
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What happens when an expat dies in Spain?
The unfortunate reality for many family members, whether expected or unexpected, is the process tends to move quickly.
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Now, imagine your partner or your family, trying to get their head around it all, maybe from abroad, and having to arrange it within hours of you passing.
At an already difficult time, many struggle to confidently cope with the complex funeral system in Spain.
That’s why more than 100,000 people have chosen a funeral plan from Avalon. Because when the inevitable happens, it helps to have a team standing by to remove some of the burden from your family.
Avalon’s bilingual bereavement team help families cope with language barriers and unfamiliar procedures at an already difficult time.
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IGoing for a song!
N these days of hooking-up through dating apps, young men no longer need to serenade women beneath their balconies with music and song as in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
But in the tiny, re mote village of Cañar, near Granada, that’s exactly what they do.
Every year, starting at 2am on De cember 28, the merry min strels set off on their tour of the village with
DAUBED FOR LOVE:
Names and symbols are painted in red on faces
the intention of seducing a mate.
All the young men serenade all the young women. But to avoid misunderstandings, they also paint names and symbols on their faces using red paint. Merriment is guaranteed by copious amounts of alcohol and percussion is created by banging a fork on a bottle of anis, the local aniseed liqueur or perhaps a Bailey’s Irish cream. With maracas, cymbals and tambourines - as well as guitars and accordions - the fiesta is LOUD. Robin Smith, who owns a holiday home in Cañar, told the Olive Get yourself a balcony and wait for the
Press: “I didn’t get much sleep last night and it’s amazing that the party is still going on today”.
Tourism is thriving in the Alpujarra village today with ‘active tourists’ exploring the region’s many hiking trails, including the Europe-wide GR 47, which follows an ancient trade route from Tarifa to Delphi in Greece.
With musical instruments, smiling painted faces they are very photogenic
Hundreds of hardcore mountain-bikers are seen each weekend pitting their strength against the steep winding road to the white village
FUTURE OF MEDICINE
ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of modern medicine, offering solutions to longstanding challenges across diagnostics, treatment, and drug discovery. In Spain, this technological revolution is gaining momentum, with several institutions and companies leading the charge.
It comes as no surprise, as Spain has recently become one of the forerunners in global medical research, establishing itself as an international science and technology powerhouse.
Among Spain’s recents achievements are digital hearts used to quickly and cheaply test new treatments, AI models to develop new medicines and robot counsellors to help patients make important medical decisions.
Barcelona leads with virtual hearts
How AI is transforming Spain's healthcare - from 'digital hearts' to 'predicting strokes'
preted using mathematics. In the same way you can do human clinical trials, you can test a cohort of digital hearts.”
“ “
Elem’s supercomputer achieves in just nine hours what would take a human 57 billion years to calculate
Two Barcelona-based organisations, Elem Biotech and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, have developed a groundbreaking virtual replica of the human heart.
This model can be personalised for individual patients, enabling precise testing of drugs and treatments.
According to Elem’s co-founder Mariano Vazquez: “Nature can be inter-
Elem’s supercomputer achieves in just nine hours what would take a human 57 billion years to calculate, offering faster, cheaper, and more sophisticated medical solutions.
The company’s ultimate ambition is to model the entire human body digitally, opening new possibilities for personaliSed medicine.
Predicting risk with AI
The Barcelona Supercomputing Centre isn’t stopping at virtual hearts.
The research centre has developed an AI model capable of predicting stroke risk using data from mobile devices.
This innovation could significantly improve early intervention and prevention strategies, allowing healthcare providers to identify at-risk individuals and offer timely treatment.
By using the widespread accessibility of mobile technology, this breakthrough represents a major step towards more inclusive and proactive healthcare.
By Tate Askey
These remote monitoring systems powered by AI allow continuous tracking of patients’ vital signs, enabling timely interventions.
Chatbots and virtual assistants also help patients manage their symptoms more effectively.
Drug discovery and clinical trials
AI is also transforming drug research with Barcelona-based Biorce recently securing €3.5 million to enhance clinical trials using AI, streamlining processes and increasing efficiency. Developing new drugs has become notoriously slow and expensive, and rising costs and tighter regulations have slowed development to a crawl.
AI offers a way to reverse that trend, ensuring life-saving new treatments reach patients faster.
Biorce’s AI model ‘Jarvis’ will reduce costs and shorten timeframes for drug development. It achieves this by helping patients find and understand the requirements for relevant clinical trials, while aiding researchers in the search for eligible participants.
The AI database is a user-friendly solution including over 480,000 clinical trials, streamlining the research
Continues on next page
I’LL DRINK TO THAT
MODERATE wine drinking may benefit heart health according to researchers at the University of Barcelona. They found drinking a small glass a day could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 50% for those following a Mediterranean diet.
The study, part of a larger investigation into the celebrated diet, included 1,232 people at risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers used urine samples to
measure tartaric acid levels, a natural substance in grapes and wine, as an objective indicator of wine consumption. Results showed that light-to-moderate wine consumption (half to one glass per day) was associated with a 50% lower risk of cardiovascular issues.
A coffee a day... but NOT all day!
PEOPLE who drink coffee in the morning have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those who drink it throughout the day.
The research, by Tulane University, studied 40,725 adults between 1999 and 2018. Compared to people who did not drink coffee, those who consumed it in the morning were 16% less likely to die from any cause and 31% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease. They also fared considerably better against all-day drinkers.
Worrying trend
SPANIARDS are getting more reliant on drugs to combat anxiety and insomnia with usage tripling in under two decades. The use of drugs like lorazepam and diazepam has tripled since 2008 according to a report by the University of Santiago de Compostela. It found that one in five people between 15 and 64 regularly take hypnosedative medication.
Take it to the MAX
Elevating Wellness with Beachfront Reformer Pilates, Rooftop CrossFit, and Les Mills Classes
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MAX PILATES: Reformer Pilates by the Beach
From previous page
ROBOT DOCTORS
process so that effective treatments can be identified
AI in healthcare counselling
At a clinical level, AI platforms are being used to provide specialised healthcare guidance through apps like 1Doc3.
tient to a doctor.
This enables patients who may not normally have access to a physical clinic get the help they need.
Enhancing diagnostics and imaging
AI-powered algorithms are also revolutionising diagnostics. For example, AI tools match or surpass human experts in analysing medical images like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs These technologies enhance accuracy in detecting conditions such as pneumonia and skin cancers, significantly improving diagnostic efficiency.
URB RIVIERA DEL SOL, PARCELA PLAYA MAX BEACH, MIJAS COSTA
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Experience the precision and elegance of reformer Pilates in a serene studio overlooking the ocean. It combines state-of-the-art machines with expert instruction to help participants strengthen their bodies, improve flexibility, and cultivate mindfulness. With small class sizes and personalized attention, every session is a journey of transformation in a sophisticated, tranquil environment.
MAX OUT: Rooftop CrossFit with a View
For those seeking intensity, Max Out delivers high-energy rooftop CrossFit workouts set against stunning beachfront views. This outdoor space blends dynamic, functional exercises with an invigorating atmosphere, perfect for pushing limits and achieving fitness goals.
Les Mills Classes: Global Fitness, Local Energy
We are excited to introduce Les Mills group fitness classes, including favorites like BodyPump, BodyCombat, and RPM. These globally renowned workouts bring cutting-edge choreography, motivating music, and expert instruction, all delivered in an inspiring, results-driven environment.
A Comprehensive Fitness Destination
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The development provides Spanish-speaking users with AI-driven healthcare guidance, allowing millions to make informed medical decisions.
Powered by AI, the system is able to streamline healthcare by performing basic symptom assessment, triage and pre-diagnosis before connecting the pa-
BEST FOOT FORWARD
TAKING short breaks while walking could actually increase the amount of calories burnt.
According to a Milan University study, walking or climbing stairs in 10 to 30 second intervals requires 20 to 60% more oxygen than continual activity. This means you burn more calories and will be good news for those who struggle to walk without resting.
Meanwhile, a study by Complutense University in Madrid has found that a short brisk walk after a meal can help diabetics reduce blood sugar levels by 17%.
Around 5.1 million Spaniards have type 2 diabetes and the numbers are rising, due to poor diets.
Beyond clinical applications, AI is streamlining healthcare administration by managing electronic health records, scheduling, and reducing paperwork, thus taking some of the burden from already stretched healthcare systems.
Ethical and practical challenges
Despite AI’s potential, ethical concerns and regulatory hurdles remain challenging.
Data privacy, ethical considerations, and the need for robust human oversight are some of the issues researchers are working to overcome. Moreover, models like ChatGPT, while promising, are not yet suitable for direct medical use. Researchers at Harvard and Stanford University highlight significant gaps between AI’s performance in standardised tests and real-world scenarios. The Assessment and Validation of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare frameworks (EVIAS) aims to address these issues within Spain, ensuring AI algorithms meet efficacy and safety standards before deployment in clinical practice.
The future of AI in medicine
Combining human expertise and
AI will create a healthcare system that is smarter, more efficient, and tailored to individual needs.
Pioneering initiatives in Barcelona showcase AI’s potential to revolutionise healthcare while addressing critical challenges through frameworks like EVIAS.
As AI technology continues to advance, its influence on medical practice is set to grow, offering innovative solutions to emerging global healthcare issues such as aging populations and resource constraints.
By streamlining processes and optimising outcomes, AI could help ease the pressures on overstretched healthcare systems worldwide.
Committed to care
British services for every need on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca
DECIDING to contract care services can be a tough decision but at British Care Services we’re committed to making sure it’s the best one you’ve ever made. We provide a range of care services for every need across the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca.
Our British staff are trained according to UK care standards and we strive to excel at every turn.
Whatever your needs, we will work with you to craft a personalised care plan.
From hourly to expert live in care, we’re there for you.
We are experts in rehabilitation from hospital to home so whether you’re recovering from a hip replacement or open heart surgery, our attentive professionals will be there to help with your practical and personal needs.
We also provide physical and social support for patients, so they can enjoy a rich and full life, regardless of their abilities. Families can be sure their loved one is in good hands with our expert live in support, proven to be more cost effective than residential care.
Alternatively, we provide hourly, daily and nightly care for those who do not need constant assistance.
Whatever you are looking for, we carefully consider our patients personality, likes and dislikes when it comes to assigning them a carer, so they won’t just have a supporter, but a friend.
We are committed to providing the highest quality care, conducting weekly management visits to ensure quality control. There is also a WhatsApp group for all clients and families, forming a community spanning different ages, conditions and nationalities.
Backed by over 20 years experience in the UK care industry, British Care Services is the best choice for brits in Spain.
YEAR OF BREAKTHROUGHS
ROM face transplants to robot surgeons, Spain has achieved many medical discoveries and innovations over the last year.
The country is becoming a world leader in scientific research and last year, it overtook Germany as the European forerunner of clinical trials.
Spain is proactively investing in research centres, healthcare structure and commercial partnerships, leading to this rise in medical research.
It is also faster at recruiting research participants and performs more single-country research than most European countries.
One of the most impressive feats of the year was a pioneering face transplant carried out in Barcelona’s Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge last September. It was one of the world’s first to extract tissue from a donor in controlled asystole.
This is a way of manually stopping the heart of a patient with no hope of recovery for the purpose
A look back at Spain’s medical successes in 2024
By Yzabelle Bostyn
of organ donation, providing an opportunity to retrieve organs that would otherwise be lost after natural death.
It was the first time in the world this kind of organ retrieval allowed for the extraction of the heart, face, and kidneys.
Now, the hospital is one of only 18 across the globe to have carried out the complex operation, since France achieved the first in 2005. The operation lasted 12 hours and included over 60 professionals from at least 10 different medical and surgical departments.
It was led by Dr. Anna Lopez Ojeda and Dr. Oriol Bermejo alongside Dr. Gabriel Moreno Gonzalez.
The 47-year-old patient was suffering from type
Urgent situation at A&Es
SPAIN’S health system is dealing with record numbers of patients swamping A&E departments.
A report from the Ministry of Health shows a staggering 31 million A&E visits in 2022 alone - the highest ever recorded.
But while casualty departments are bursting at the seams, hospital admissions have plummeted to just 9% - the lowest in a decade.
Experts blame the chaos
on sky-high waiting lists and a health system at breaking point.
One doctor told El Pais the ‘deterioration’ of healthcare is forcing desperate Spaniards to turn to A&E as a last resort.
The number of people rushing to casualty has rocketed by 17% since 2013, with private hospitals seeing a whopping 46% surge.
Doctors are now suggest-
ing patients should be charged for non-emergency A&E visits.
Pediatrician Roi Piñeiro said: "We can't blame patients, but maybe it's worth charging them if it's not a real emergency - like the fire service does."
With GP waiting times stretching to 17 days in some areas, experts warn Spain's ageing population could push services to breaking point.
1 neurofibromatosis, a hereditary condition causing benign tumours in the nervous tissue. He had a large tumour on the side of his face, leading to severe aesthetic, psychological, social and functional issues.
To remove the tumour, the surgeons had to completely remove his upper lip, nose, right eyelid, the right half of his face and scalp. They then implanted the donor's face, connecting arteries, veins, and nerves.
The transplanted face will gradually take the shape of the recipient’s face as it adjusts to his bone structure.
It follows a European first carried out last June, where the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, in Granada, gave a 16 month old girl an artificial palate.
The palate tissue was designed and generated by a team at the University of Granada, the same group that created artificial skin now authorised by the Spanish Medicines Agency.
Created over 12 years ago, UGRSKIN has only been used up until now as a last resort, experiential therapy.
Now burn units can receive specialist training to use the pioneering technology.
Also in Barcelona, the world’s first emergency robot surgeon was introduced to the Hospital
Fresh clean and modern
The 4 All Fitness Gym takes a new look at keeping fit
FORGET the image of an old-style gym with muscle men pumping iron… because that's not the concept behind the 4 All Fitness Gym in La Cala de Mijas.
When you walk in, you see a brand new, fresh, clean, and modern set-up aimed at all ages.
The 500m2 centre's white decor gives the impression of light and space, helping to create a special atmosphere clearly seen by all the happy faces!
Opened just six months ago, it is the brainchild of husband and wife team Niklas and Katja Andersson. They opted for a fresh start here after moving to Spain from their native Sweden.
Niklas, with 30 years under his belt in martial arts and fitness training, said: “We wanted to move to a warmer country and experience a different culture.
“It's always been our passion to help and work with people,” he added.
What surprised the couple was the lack of gyms here with only around 30 covering the area.
“It's like going back 20 years,” said Niklas. “Back home a Swedish town would have around 40 such centres.”
The enthusiasm for the new project is clear to see and the couple’s mission is to boost fitness among all ages.
“Our centre is for everybody as we offer elite training as well as sessions for pensioners,” explained Niklas. “The gym experience should be fun and we keep things personal as we get to know all of our clients who have become friends with our staff.
“We want people to enjoy the atmosphere and it's lovely to see customers forging bonds with each other,” he added. Getting seniors involved has become an instant success as people are taught how to train and use their bodies properly which will help in say walking to the shops or having a round of golf.
“Keeping groups to a maximum of 10 people also means that whether they are seniors or learning martial arts, everybody feels they are in it together,” Niklas enthused.
Ultimately, he and Katja wanted something 'high-end and excellent space’, which anybody can enjoy with ‘a personal touch’. They’ve achieved that aim in a very short space of time.
SKIN SUCCESS: A Granada research team has created artificial skin approved by AEMPs
Germans Trias i Pujol in November.
The robot works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to attend urgent surgeries.
Known as Da Vinci, the robot will be used alongside surgeons to provide greater accuracy and less trauma for patients.
So far, it has been a great success, decreasing the time spent in hospital and speeding up recovery.
“Emergency surgeons are not always experts in certain pathologies, so robotic surgery makes surgeons who do not have the maximum expertise better,” director of the new emergency surgery unit Jose M Balibrea told La Vanguardia Spanish scientists have also been at the forefront of groundbreaking cancer research.
Javier Cortes, a researcher at the International Breast Cancer Center (IBCC) found a treatment plan to increase survival of early-stage triple-neg-
ative breast cancer patients.
Alongside Queen Mary University London researcher Peter Schmid, he identified that using drugs to boost the immune system increases survival rates if given both before and after chemotherapy. Their research was recognised by the New England Journal of Medicine as one of the year’s ‘notable’ studies. Meanwhile in Madrid, a research team from the Hospital Infantil Niño Jesus has successfully created an injection to combat tumours in children.
Known as Celyvir, the treatment has taken its first steps to approval by the
Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPs).
Injected directly into tumours, the medicine activates immune cells to fight against the cancer. It is one of three advanced therapies created in Madrid’s health system (SERMAS), alongside Alofisel and NC1.
Spanish hospitals have also begun to administer the world’s first vaccine against lung cancer. Developed by German company BioNTech, the BNT116 vaccine teaches the immune system to
attack lung cancer cells.
It is now being used at the Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe in Valencia, as well as the Consorcio Hospitalario Provincial de Castellon as part of an international study.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide but this innovation is thought to significantly improve treatment outcomes and minimise side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
It is administered alone or in combination with another drug, cemiplimab. It is hoped that combining the two will lead to better treatment outcomes.
Overall, 2024 has been a great year for Spanish medical innovation. While clinical trials are dwindling around the world, the country has strengthened its offering, becoming a leader in the medical research industry.
SPAIN is set to get 10 new proton therapy units by 2026, boosting the country’s fight against cancer.
Unlike traditional radiotherapy, this treatment fires protons directly into tumours to prevent radiation spreading into surrounding healthy tissue. Currently, there are just two facilities which offer the therapy to private clients. But thanks to a €280 million donation from
NEW ADDRESS: C/Jacinto Benavente, 10
First class medicine in the center of Marbella
NEW ADDRESS
C/Jacinto Benavente 10 (local 9)
29601 Marbella
Tel: 951 413 103
WhatsApp: 637 806 085
Instagram: @germanclinicmarbella
Facebook: German Clinic Marbella www.german-clinic.com
Best of the best
A MARBELLA clinic has been named the best paediatric clinic in Spain.
IMED German Clinic has long been a respected health facility on the Costa del Sol and has now been recognised by Spain’s National Medicine Awards.
Clinic director Dr Rocio Estella (above) has also earned the title of the best paediatric doctor.
She said: “I’m very proud that we’ve received this award after so many years of working for children and their families.
“We’ve been in Marbella for eight years and believe it’s important to treat patients in their native languages. That’s why we speak English, German, French, Spanish, Greek and Russian.”
Dr Estella was trained in both Spain and Germany, specialising in neonatal care though the clinic has professionals for every need.
“Our clinic is very modern,” she explained.
“We even use artificial intelligence in our treatments. And our commitment to quality and top notch equipment makes us deserving of this award.”
The doctor and her team will attend the awards on April 2 in Madrid.
PROTON BATTLE AGAINST CANCER
the Fundacion Amancio Ortega, a non profit dedicated to education and social wellbeing, the treatment could become common in Spain. The new centres will be in Galicia, Catalonia, Madrid, Andalucia, the Basque Country, Valencia and the Canary Islands. Galicia will be the first, with a scheduled opening date of January 2026, followed by Santander’s Hospital Marques de Valdecilla later that year.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have expanded and improved our facilities for you and your families.
The Pediatrics and Traumatology of the German Clinic Marbella has opened the doors of its new and modern clinic.
✔ POST COVID-19 RECOVERY ✔ FASTER BODY REGENERATION ✔ FASTER REPRODUCTION OF STEM CELLS
✔ WE FIGHT WITH DIABETES, ASTHMA AND CANCER
OxygenSpa is an innovative device which naturally aids relaxation and regeneration of the body. The device is used to implement completely safe and highly beneficial oxygen and hydrogen therapy, which takes place in a hyperbaric atmosphere.
Innovation in the implementation of custom knee prostheses using 3D printers
MEDICAL SERVICES
• Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery
• Pediatrics and Neonatology
• Odontology and Orthodontics
• Otorhinolaryngology
• Neurology and Neurophysiology
• Gynecology
• Gastroenterology and Endoscopy
• General medicine
• General Surgery
• Physiotherapy
• Psychology
• Endocrinology
• Dermatology
• Cardiology
• Allergology
• Pneumology
• Sleep Laboratory
Dr. Rocio Estella Pediatrics and Neonatology
Dr. Ignatios Chatziandreou Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery
A holistic approach to mental health and addiction recovery
INHARMONI is pioneering a holistic and evidence-based rehabilitation model for individuals battling mental health issues and addiction.
Focusing on treating the whole person - body, mind, and soul - Inharmoni offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to clients suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, burnout, and various forms of dependency, including alcohol, drug, and sex addiction.
Our clinic is staffed by highly qualified professionals with extensive experience, ensuring each client receives a cohesive and effective treatment plan. This dedicated team provides personalized care and support throughout your recovery journey.
At Inharmoni, we utilize evidence-based therapeutic methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and motivational interviewing, supplemented by family therapy and psychoeducation workshops. Recognizing the connection between mind and body, we also incorporate yoga, physiotherapy, energy healing, and mindfulness practices.
Clients enjoy nutritious meals, engaging physical activities, and opportunities for creative expression through art therapy.
We emphasize group exercise sessions that promote teamwork, providing a supportive environment for healing. Our comprehensive aftercare program offers ongoing digital support, ensuring you have the resources needed for continued success.
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AN UPWARD TREND
By Dilip Kuner
S we step into 2025, the health and fitness landscape continues to evolve, blending technology with holistic wellness approaches. Here are 10 trends that experts predict will dominate the industry this year.
Wearable technology dominates
Wearable devices remain at the forefront of fitness trends, offering increasingly sophisticated insights into users' health metrics. These gadgets now provide real-time data on heart rate, sleep patterns, and even stress levels, enabling more person
alised fitness regimens.
AI-powered fitness apps
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising personal training. Mobile exercise apps, ranked second in popularity, are offering AI-driven workout recommendations tailored to individual goals and progress.
Focus on older adults
Exercise programs for older adults have surged in popularity, reflecting a growing emphasis on maintaining health and mobility in later years. These programs often include low-impact exercises and strength training designed to improve quality of life.
Strength training for all
Traditional strength training is experienc-
What 2025 has in store for us when it comes to health and wellbeing
ing a renaissance across all age groups. Research continues to highlight its benefits for longev ity and functional movement, making it a cornerstone of many fitness routines.
Mental health and exercise
The connection between phys ical activity and mental well being is gaining recognition. Programs combining exer cise with mindfulness practices are on the rise, addressing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Recovery and wellness
Cold exposure therapies and sauna sessions are becoming popular for their purported benefits in recovery and longevity. This trend reflects a growing interest in holistic approaches to fitness.
Data-driven training
Leveraging data from wearables and apps, fitness enthusiasts are embracing more scientific approaches to their workouts. Heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring and recovery readiness assessments are guiding smarter training decisions.
The convenience of virtual coaching has led to a staggering 414% increase in in-
This trend allows for flexible, personalized fitness guidance from anywhere.
Pilates is experiencing a surge in popularity, with both mat-based and reformer classes becoming widely accessible. Its focus on core strength, flexibility, and mindfulness appeals to a broad audi-
Workouts that mimic everyday movements and improve overall functionality are gaining traction.
This approach aims to enhance performance in daily activities and prevent injuries. As we navigate through 2025, these trends reflect a shift towards more personalised, technology-driven, and holistic approaches to health and fitness.
Whether it's through AI-powered apps, wearable devices, or mindfulness-integrated workouts, the industry is adapting to meet the diverse needs of individuals in our increasingly digital age.
LUXURY HYPERBARIC MEDICINE: A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AT THE HYPERBARIC MEDICAL CLINIC OF ESTEPONA
The medical team at Estepona’s Hyperbaric Medical Clinic would like to begin 2025 by thanking you for your support and loyalty. We celebrate eleven years helping thousands of patients since we began our journey on the Costa del Sol in 2014. We have become a leading reference point for health in Europe. The hyperbaric centre, located in Estepona, tends to patients from Andalucia, Spain, and worldwide. We value quality and exclusivity very highly. Accordingly, the Estepona Hyperbaric Clinic (HMCE) is the perfect combination of advanced technology and luxury service. The clinic is an exclusive medical centre where each patient is first evaluated by a medical team specialised in Hyperbaric Medicine before receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). It consists of administering 100% pure oxygen at more than higher atmospheric pressure inside a hyperbaric chamber. This therapy has proven effective in numerous diseases and pathologies, as well as being a complementary treatment in many others, with significant benefits for patients’ health and well-being.
Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT):
• Reduces pain and inflammation
• Decreases fatigue
• Strengthens the immune system
• Reduces stress
• Restores sleep quality
• Promotes wound and ulcer healing
• Stimulates bone fracture recovery
• Improves circulation
• Promotes neurological sequelae recovery
It also improves performance for both elite and amateur athletes during training and sports competitions, reducing recovery time in cases of overtraining or traumatic injuries, whether muscular, tendinous or bone-related.
Advanced Technology for Your Health
The therapy is particularly effective for:
• Sudden hearing loss patients, restoring hearing
• Patients with sudden vision loss due to retinal central vessel occlusion
• Diabetic foot patients, potentially preventing amputation
• Cases of cerebral palsy, stroke, or cerebrovascular accidents and their sequelae
• Fibromyalgia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Sleep disorders
• Stress
• Delayed healing fractures
• Acute or chronic osteomyelitis
• Bone or soft tissue necrosis
• Varicose ulcers
Some scientific studies support the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in aging processes and cellular death.
This hyperbaric centre has two Perry hyperbaric chambers, manufactured in the United States, featuring state-of-the-art equipment that guarantees excellent results. This technology allows for deeper and faster tissue oxygenation, promoting more effective recovery, accelerated cellular regeneration, and an overall improvement in wellness. Furthermore, the Perry chamber is equipped with multiple safety systems that ensure a completely safe and controlled experience. This level of sophistication and reliability is a luxury offered by the Hyperbaric Medical Clinic of Estepona as part of their commitment to excellence.
A Luxury Treatment for Your Health
Access to advanced technology like the Perry chamber is not something easily found in just any old medical centre. Only a few elite establishments have the privilege of having this innovative equipment. At the hyperbaric centre in Estepona, in addition to taking care of your health, you receive a unique luxury experience in each session. The environment is designed to make you feel comfortable and relaxed, as if you were in an exclusive space dedicated to your wellbeing. The luxury atmosphere is reflected not only in the technology used but also in the personalised care that patients receive from the very first moment. At the Hyperbaric Clinic of Estepona, every detail meets expectations.
Visible and Quick Results with Latest GenerationTechnology
The benefits of hyperbaric medicine are enhanced with its advanced technology. The Perry chamber allows greater oxygen absorption, which accelerates cellular regeneration and improves circulation more efficiently than traditional equipment. This translates into faster, visible, and lasting results that reflect in a significant improvement in your quality of life. If you have tried other treatments in the past, you will be surprised by the difference this high-end equipment makes. From improved injury recovery to stimulating chronic wound healing, the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy with this latest technology chamber are evident in a short time. Additionally, this treatment is ideal for maintaining optimal health, improving your vitality, energy and general wellbeing.
An Exclusive Clinic for the Most Demanding
If you’re looking for medical treatment that goes beyond the ordinary, the Estepona Hyperbaric Clinic is the ideal place for you. Patients enjoy an atmosphere of tranquility and comfort, designed to provide the best possible experience. Furthermore, its privileged location in Estepona allows you to enjoy a visit that is not only beneficial for your health but also a moment of relaxation in one of the most beautiful places on the Costa del Sol.
Personalised Treatments for Your Health About the Clinic
The Hyperbaric Medical Clinic of Estepona treats each patient as unique, providing fully personalised service. Their highly qualified professionals design specific treatment plans based on your health needs and goals. Hyperbaric medicine with the Perry chamber is just one part of their exclusive services, and the centre’s team will guide you through each step toward a healthier life.
Luxury Testimonials: Patients Who Have Experienced HMCE
Patients at the hyperbaric centre appreciate both the technology used and their unique experience. Ana María Pérez, one of the clinic’s patients, has stated: “The experience at the Hyperbaric Medical Clinic of Estepona has been exceptional. The Perry chamber helped me accelerate the recovery of an injury that had been bothering me for months. But beyond the results, the clinic’s atmosphere is simply incredible. It’s a place where you truly feel cared for and appreciated.”
Invest in Your Health with the Best
At the Hyperbaric Medical Clinic of Estepona (HMCE), health is a luxury that everyone deserves to nurture. With their personalised treatment approach, you’re not just investing in your wellbeing, but in a unique experience that will make you feel like never before. Their services are designed for those who seek the best, without compromise. Discover everything that luxury hyperbaric medicine can offer you.
Don’t miss the opportunity to access the best technology and results. Your health deserves the best and at HMCE they have it for you. Contact us today and experience the exclusive treatment that only the Hyperbaric Medical Clinic of Estepona can offer.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Christian Keller Communications Department HMCE Avda España, 242-29680 Estepona Málaga
tel: 952 806 796 WhatsApp: 663 418 023 comunicacion@centrohiperbarico.com centrohiperbarico.com
Hyperbaric Medical Center of Estepona
At Quirónsalud, we are committed to achieving excellence in patient care, ensuring that we provide the highest quality of attention and service.
All specialties
Prestigious experts
Advanced medical technology
General and paediatric emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
The only private hospital in the city and the region listed in the ranking of the best 100 hospitals in Spain, according to Merco.
LA CULTURA
Age old custom
perched 1,040 metres above sea level. Hikers and bikers were oddly thin on the ground when I visited the Musica de las Mozuelas festival at ‘Twixmas’ between Christmas and the New Year.
Meaning Music of the Maidens the event is definitely not really for tourists.
This festival is all about the locals with every family joining in, even including young girls of primary school age (ED: hmmmm) and elderly widows who still enjoy being serenaded. It is the imbalance between men and women (211 men to 186 women), which perhaps keeps alive the tradition: with women in the minority, the men have to try that bit harder to impress the opposite sex.
With their musical instruments and smiling, painted faces, the revellers are very photogenic.
Like the fiesta, the architecture of Cañar is unchanged since the Moors were expelled from Andalucia by Christians in 1492. The church replaced the mosque which originally stood on this site.
As the iconic Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca observed when he visited in 1926: “There are of course two perfectly defined races. The Nordic, Galician, Asturian, etc., and the purely preserved Moorish. People with blue eyes and people with… indescribable eyes. I saw a queen of Sheba shelling corn on a bitumen-coloured and violet wall, and I saw a child king disguised as a barber’s son.”
Poetry, passion and polvorones (traditional almond-flavoured cookies) are the order of the day on December 29 when the fiesta continues.
Villagers and visitors dance around a bonfire, fountain and Christmas tree, celebrating with firecrackers, party poppers and balloons.
The visit inspired Lorca’s poem, The Unfaithful Wife (La Casada Infiel), based on a local folksong. It tells the story of a man who seduces a young maiden (mozuela) by the river – only to discover later that she is already married. Lorca himself is immortalised in Cañar. Quotes from his poems are set in tiled plaques around the village and a large information board describes in detail his connections to the region.
Gibraltar boys secondary school
HEADTEACHER OPPORTUNITY AT GBSS
Gibraltar’s esteemed Jewish Boys Secondary School is seeking a dedicated and visionary Headteacher to lead our vibrant academic school.
ABOUT GBSS
• Established over 20 years ago.
• A small, nurturing environment with an emphasis on high academic achievement.
• Committed to fostering a strong sense of Jewish identity and values.
• Dedicated staff and engaged parents, working together to support our students.
IDEAL CANDIDATE:
• Proven leadership experience in an educational setting.
• Strong academic background with a focus on excellence.
• Ability to inspire both staff and students, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
If you are passionate about education and committed to shaping young minds, we invite you to apply and become part of our journey at GBSS. Please send your cover letter and CV to secretary@gbss.school to express your interest and for further information and job description.
Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
Closing date: 22nd January 2025
GBSS – Inspiring Excellence, Embracing Tradition
Successfully providing Torah and secular education within a Kodesh environment!
13 Town Range, Gibraltar GX11 1AA
Secretary: (350) 200 44831
Head Office: (350) 200 50596
PLASTIC PURGE
AYEAR after millions of tiny plastic pellets were spilled off the coast of Galicia, how has the environmental disaster impacted Spain?
On December 8, 2023, the Liberian cargo ship ‘Toconao’ lost six containers, including one with 1,000 25kg sacks of tiny balls used to manufacture plastic products.
Dubbed a ‘nightmare environmental crisis’ by Spanish ecologists, over 25 tonnes of the pellets washed up in northern Spain, prompting hundreds to volunteer in clean up operations.
Despite Portuguese authorities alerting the Spanish government of the issue immediately, the regional government claims they were not informed until 25 days later, leading to greater damage and heightened costs.
Over 400 people searched 630 beaches
The Olive Press looks at the aftermath of the plastic pellet spill and how it still affects Spain
By Yzabelle Bostyn
to collect the pellets, reaching a cost of €2.3 million.
Alongside volunteers, just 5,000 kilos were removed from the coast by Spanish waste management service Sogama.
But according to experts, the damage is still being felt a year later. According to Greenpeace the incident not only ‘damaged the marine ecosystem but also put the fishing industry at risk.’
“A year later, chronic pollution persists…we need to put more ambitious rules in place to prevent this from happening again,”
a spokesman told the Olive Press
“One year after the Toconao disaster, protecting the future of our coasts and sea should be an immediate priority. ”
A Plastic pollution expert consulted by the Olive Press , Natacha Claire Tullis, agrees: “Spain has faced significant issues with plastic pellet pollution,” the Officer for Preventing Ocean Plastics at Pew Charitable Trusts said.
“The spill caused signifi -
Tullis claims the plastic particles are in the air we breathe
cant environmental harm. Plastic pellet pollution is pervasive and often invisible to the naked eye, yet its impact on ecosystems and human health is profound. These tiny particles are everywhere, lurking in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.”
while urging the central government to provide updates on their claims.
Particles
“If we do nothing they will continue to accumulate, harming marine life, disrupting food chains and posing health risks to humans.”
Galicia’s regional government is now pursuing compensation and legal ramifications against the shipping company responsible,
In a statement released in December 2024, it said: “The central government hardly helped to stop the pellets reaching our coasts. “These incidents must serve as a lesson to move forward at a European level.”
It comes as the EU takes a ‘vital’ step forward towards curbing microplastic pollution.
In December, the Council of the EU finalised its position by setting
out specific obligations for pellet transporters to prevent such disasters from repeating.
“Spain has directly suffered the consequences of a maritime pellet spill and is supportive of an ambitious legal framework to limit accidents from happening in the future,” it claimed.
HIDING:
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
PLENTY OF ROOM UPSTAIRS
MALAGA could have double decker trains to ‘cope with growing demand’ after the mayor's unique suggestion.
Francisco de la Torre has proposed the Cercanias line between Malaga and Fuengirola should have double decker trains to help increase capacity.
According to the State Secretary for Transport, the idea could soon become a reality, as the trains are already under construction.
“It’s an option, but it requires trains we just don’t have yet.
Renfe has bought 400 trains among them double deckers and they will arrive by the end of 2025. We need to have patience,” said the secretary, Jose Antonio Santano.
They have a capacity of 950 passengers per train, including WiFi and spaces for bikes.
HISTORY REBORN: The shining Canfranc railway station has been turned into a hotel
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
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January 15th - January 28th 2025
TWO places in Spain have made it onto the 52-strong New York Times list of places to visit in 2025.
The Spanish picks are the historic Canfranc railway station in Huesca, which has been converted into a luxury hotel, and the 1,000-year-old Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery in Catalunya.
The Canfranc train station is in a spectacular area of the Pyrenees and reopened in
Too good to be Teruel
TERUEL province in Aragon has emerged as the frontrunner in Spain’s prestigious ‘pueblos mas bonitos’ (most
beautiful towns) list for 2025. With the addition of two new entries, Teruel now boasts nine towns on the coveted list, making it Spain’s most picturesque province.
Holy attraction
By Yzabelle Bostyn
and Linares de
its stone houses and well-preserved arcaded square, while
Mora charms with
IT’s not the Alhambra in Granada, and it’s not the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Nor is it Sevilla’s Giralda.
No, all three have been outshone by the Mezquita-Catedral of Córdoba to claim the title of Spain's most beloved monument, according to a new international tourism study.
The stunning architectural marvel, which attracts over
2024 as a hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant offering modern and traditional cuisine.
The Benedictine monastery at Montserrat is an hour’s drive from Barcelona and celebrates its millennium this year.
A wide variety of walks and activities are available in the area as well as the chance to explore the monastery with its neo-Romanesque cloister and refectory.
cobbled streets, a medieval bridge, and stunning churches set against a backdrop of
two million visitors annually, secured the top spot with 86.3% of visitors awarding it five stars on TripAdvisor, making it not only Spain's highest-rated monument but also Europe's most celebrated tourist attraction. Travel agency Iglu Cruises conducted the comprehensive study, which analysed thousands of tourist reviews about Spain's architectural landmarks.
pine-covered mountains.
Other Teruel villages on the list include Albarracin, a National Monument since 1961, known for red-brick houses, medieval walls, and Valderrobres which features a historic stone bridge, Gothic castle, and the Church of Santa Maria la Mayor. Also on the list are Cantavieja - a medieval old town and castle with
Aragon province dominates Spain’s Most Beautiful Towns list for 2025
panoramic views - and Mirambel, a well-preserved walled town in the Maestrazgo region.
Puertomingalvo, which is noted for its medieval castle and traditional architecture rounds off the list.
The Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain evaluates towns based on heritage conservation, natural surroundings, uniqueness, and commitment to sustainable tourism. Teruel's multiple accolades highlight its rich cultural and historic heritage, making it a compelling destination for travelers seeking authentic Spanish experiences.
Peach of a beach
the tourist haven of Ibiza and many luxury hotels.
It is the largest of three extensive white sandy beaches in the area, each surrounded by calm, crystal clear water. Australia took the top two spots, with Whitehaven Beach in Queensland taking the crown, followed by Squeaky Beach in Victoria.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Platje Illetes took the final in the rankink
PLATJE Illetes in Formentera has been crowned one of the best beaches in the world by Lonely Planet. It took the final spot in the ranking, which narrowed down beaches worldwide to find the top ten coastal havens. The beach is just 10km from
La Fresneda
Mora are the latest jewels in Teruel’s crown. La Fresneda captivates visitors with
Linares de
RURAL DELIGHTS: Valderrobres Church
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
WELL Madrid has finally become one of Europe’s dining capitals. Fact.
Having long been overshadowed by its neighbours Barcelona and San Sebastian, it is at last bearing fruit from the Spanish food revolution that started marching south around 20 years ago.
No less than 29 places now carry at least one Michelin star in the city, while those on the road to getting one are well into the dozens, possibly hundreds. The capital is a place that Americans and Japanese no longer just visit for its amazing art galleries and monuments, but fly in for bespoke gourmet tours and for reservations at its temples of dining, such as Deessa, DSTAgE or DiverXo (their capitals, not mine).
But while they eat among the best meals in the world at these three wonderful joints (all of which I’ve reviewed for the Olive Press over recent years - see online), they often miss the very essence of what makes this city one of the most intriguing and charming places in Europe.
for Churros or meatballs at Casa Julio
Night at the Bernabeu or big business deal? Why Madrid’s Westin Cuzco must be your first choice in the
IT has for decades been the Madrid hotel for anyone flying in for a spot of business, or a big game at the nearby Bernabeu stadium. But now the Cuzco hotel on the city’s main thoroughfare, Paseo el Castellano, has had a major refit. Following a 17 million euro injection of capital from the Marriot group, it has been turned into a reference of cool and convenience under the hip Westin brand.
Just around the corner from the recently redesigned futuristic Real Madrid stadium and by the city’s business nervecentre, it offers plenty of reasons to stay. For art fans it is also close to the eye-catching Palacio de Congresos with its celebrated Joan Miro mural, as well as the amazing Sorolla museum where the artist made his home in the city.
It is also just a hop and a leap to Plaza Castilla with its emblematic architecture and variety of muse-
A city of extremes and contradictions, folklore and fanaticism, it has charmed and dazzled me since I moved here after university for two years in the 1990s.
January
BACK TO BASICS
Churros, Calamari sarnies and Zarajos; why Madrid is a lot more than Michelin stars. Jon Clarke picks over some of its true culinary institutions
Returning a few times a year ever since, I love its friendly locals, its distinct working class districts and its amazing weather (for a guiri, at least), which the locals describe as ‘nine months of winter, three months of hell’.
It is no surprise that Time Out singled out two barrios: Lavapies and, more recently, Embajadores, as two of the world’s trendiest neighbourhoods. A third, Vallecas, is bubbling under. Predictably, leading to gentrification and rubberneckers, there are thankfully, at least, half a dozen more barrios that still maintain their authenticity and independence from tourism. While here is not the place to tell you about Carabanchel or Usera, it’s well worth a visit out into the outer suburbs to hunt out a restaurant or cultural spot. In the centre, you can easily get off the beaten track in Malasana or Justicia and even in the heart of the casco historico there is so much to find if you’ve got the right guide.
1975 - has written various books on the city, including a new one on its most esteemed expat Ernest Hemingway. He can wax lyrical about the reasons for citing the capital here in 1561, why the Bourbons are among the most inbred royals in the world and why exactly Madrid never surrendered during the Spanish Civil War.
Meet him outside the former Hotel Florida, where all the famous journalists and photographers stayed during the war, including Martha Gellhorn, John Dos Passos and Arthur Koestler, whose book Darkness at Noon is based on the conflict. Now sadly converted into a brutal-
it’s worth a walk to the suburbs to hunt a restaurant or cultural spot
I often ask Stephen Drake-Jones, an English historian and former professor, for a few hours to show me a couple of things I may not know.
The 75-year-old - who moved to Madrid a year before dictator Franco’s death in
ums, including the Fundacion Canal and EMT Transport museum, which is great for kids. A tube station next door is just six stops to Plaza de Espana.
The second Westin in the city (the first is the historic Palace hotel, a dozen blocks south), it boasts 44 incredibly-appointed suites among its 290 rooms.
Many with impressive views across the city and nearby Navacerrada range, each has been renovated with a clear eye on style.
The suites are amazing, each with three rooms and a huge walk-in wardrobe, plus three toilets. They count on the latest in tech and, most importantly, top quality linen and pillows.
The paintings and artwork perfectly compliment the carefully-selected retro mix and match furniture. A separate meeting room with director’s table is ideal for business meetings.
Modern lines, vanguard design and earthy coloured
hues give the whole hotel an almost Scandinavian feel, while its reception area and stunning bar have become a key meeting point for football fans and business-folk alike.
The bar area with its giant curved chandelier, matching circular sofa and black and white floors are set off against natural oak arches and a bright crimson bar. This is the place to eat supper and, while limited, the menu is great value for light bites and, of course, a margarita, one of the finest around.
For warm days and evenings it also now has a terrace outside to take in the wonderful Madrid weather.
Make sure you include breakfast in your rate as it’s among the best in Madrid.
Visit www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/madczthe-westin-madrid-cuzco for more information
ist-style Corte Ingles department store, he will take you upstairs to the ninth floor viewing deck and gourmet market, from where he will point out where the fascist rebels dug in their front line in the nearby Casa de Campo park. He will tell you how their howitzers regularly hit the hotel, despite not supposedly aiming at it and he will then show you the bullet and shrapnel marks in the walls outside to prove it. Next he might show you the place outside the Cortes, Spain’s House of Commons, where firebrand politician Dolores ‘La Pasionaria’ Ibarruri famously insisted the fascist rebels would ‘not pass’ or ¡No Pasarán!, which became the slogan of the conflict.
From here it’s only a two-minute stroll to Barrio de las Letras, a hive of pedestrianised streets where legendary scribes including Miguel de Cervantes, Federico Garcia Lorca, and Lope de Vega once lived and imbibed. If you’ve got up nice and early you’ll be thinking of elevenses, or more than likely lunch is beckoning, so here are my tips for some traditional institutions and foods you must look out for:
CHOCOLATE HEAVEN
For breakfast, elevenses or a mid-afternoon pick me up, head for Chocola teria San Gines. You’ll know you are there when you see the queue which normally snakes 100m down the street.
HISTORIC TREATS: After a visit to Plaza Mayor and Don Quixote and his creator Cervantes (top) in Plaza Espana, it’s time
Photos by Jon
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
a chef prepares snails in Embajadores
Open since 1894, the walls are lined with the most famous clientelle its possible to imagine, including Pele, Tony Curtis, Maradona, President Carter and Tina Turner. The waiters jostle at the bar for mountains of cups of chocolate, plates of churros and fatter than possible porras and somehow carry them off into annexes, basements and corners.
For speed, if it’s not too cold outside grab a terrace table - or head to the takeaway window where your reward will arrive in a paper cup and bag!
As the manager told me they might get 5,000 clients in a morning, 2,000 in the afternoon and 2,000 in the evening. “It just never stops,” she explained.
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL
It’s just gone midday and time for some snacks and your first cold cana (obviously Mahou, the only beer the true Madrilenos can possibly consider).
Zarajos and entresijos are among the curious and colourful range of earthy offerings you’ll find in some of the back street bars
A bowl of snails with chois also a very typical tapa, as is a plate of pigs ) in the Embajadores district.
(sheep intestines) usually come on a wooden skewer and are lightly barbecued. “You need to eat them slowly and
savour them,” explained teacher Cristina Herrera, 31 (left).
Meanwhile, entresijos - the ‘mesentery’ of a lamb, which joins their small intestines to their abdomens - are not dissimilar to wild mushrooms, but slightly chewier. Another unusual tapa is gallinejas, or chitterlings, which are the intestines of a suckling pig.
MEATBALLS IN MALASANA
The very opposite of Michelin starred fare, croquettes and meatballs (far left) may sound a bit dull, but try them at Casa Julio and your whole perception of these basic Madrid staples will change.
Madrilenos have been eating these delicious morsels here for a century and the Malasana restaurant, which opened in 1921, has been patronised by the likes of U2, who filmed a photo shoot here in 2003.
The very definition of a spit and sawdust joint in a grotty backstreet, best of all are the prices, which might get you a slice of bread in DiverXo.
SLICE OF HISTORY
Looking for a proper slap up meal then head to Botin, which is the oldest restaurant in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records Open since 1725, Hemingway and Graham Greene waxed lyrical about the place and it’s the spot that foreign dignitaries are usually taken for a bit of authentic Madrid.
The legend goes that its wood oven has never gone out and the dish to try is roast suckling pig (pictured left), sad as it may be, and easily one of the most succulent and richest meals you’ll eat anywhere in the world… But don’t have it for supper!
Sure, you might also try roast lamb, but I prefer it in nearby Segovia or Pedraza, where it just seems to have the edge.
www.botin.es
CASA VARONA
For something a bit more modern try 150 year old Casa Varona In the heart of Barrio de las Letras.
Open since 1877, it’s a no nonsense, great value tapas joint, with plenty of recipes reaching back a century or so.
Excellent wines by the glass, and an original list of their wares that serves as a tick box for what you fancy, be it fishy or meaty.
I particularly loved the home cooked gammon ham with Gorgonzola on toast, while a boiled egg recipe from the owner’s great grandfather was original, coming with tuna and mayonnaise.
Best of all though was the typical Madrileno dish of thistle stew with clams cooked in a hot pot.
www.casavarona.com
SHARPEST TOOL IN THE BOX
It was once an ancient ironmonger on one of the busiest, scruffiest, thoroughfares from Atocha station into the heart of the city.
Now Ferreteria is one of the hippest spots in Madrid. Beautifully designed you walk into what was once the shop with floor to ceiling wooden cupboards, which were once full of every nail, screw and light fitting imaginable. You can perch at the bar or various spots in the entrance area,
or try and get one of the tables in the expansive interior that goes down into a series of vaults underground. Charm personified, this is where the chefs are found and the menu is full of alluring dishes, very much with a Madrid flavour.
This includes the meal of the moment, Torreznos, which are basically pork scratchings (or effectively roast suckling pig). Delicious, but make sure you share them though as they come in a very generous portion.
www.ferreteriarestaurante.com
THE BARRERA NECESSITIES
Ok, OK, Restaurante Barrera may only be two decades old, but the recipes here reach back centuries.
One of the most no-nonsense places to eat in the city, it was chosen as one of the favourites of top London importer of Spanish produce, Brindisa, in a recent list.
I’d never heard of it and, no wonder, it sits in a highly unfashionable out of the way place, up on Calle Alonso Cano.
A bit Adams family, a bit French rural, it apparently featured in a Netflix documentary a few years ago. But what you first notice is peeling paintwork and a light bulb missing. Ignore all that for Ana, who comes from the small nearby village of Santa Maria de la Alameda is a massive foodie, who sources her ingredients daily from the local markets.
So yes, there is no actual menu and your receipt, if you need one, will be hand-written and stamped… but you will definitely eat well.
This was clear when we were thrust a delicious ensaladilla with hot almonds and pumpkin seeds as an amuse bouche.
The artichoke hearts with foie, aubergine jam and pomegranates (below) couldn't be more seasonal - and were delicious!
We’re soon talking about seasonality in cooking and her favourite Arabic-style way to cook quinces, while she admits the Boletus mushrooms, I like the sound of, are frozen. No worries, I tell her, and they turn out to be delicious, chunky and gelatinous.
Then came the hake (merluza) which was oven baked and came with a typical pimiento de pequillo - red pepper - deep
red and proud! The kid chops are a bit too rangy and so typical of the meseta... Tasty but short of flesh... And come from Jaén as it turns out! An amazing lemon meringue pie - quite different to anything seen in Madrid - more than makes up for it though.
POST DINNER DRINKS
in the world. Having featured in a couple of Pedro Almodovar’s films (almost all of them are set in the capital or nearby), it is a great place to take a glass of wine or cana while often being able to watch some fla menco or a jazz singer. Later, it be comes a bit of drinking den and a place to meet friends.
CHIC IT OUT
You’ll now be ready to take your excursion into the early hours, of which Madrid is famous.
The two traditional haunts to hang out are Malasaña and Santa Ana where there are hundreds of buzzing bars to traipse around.
A more traditional and glamorous place that has been open for a century is Chicote, which actually calls itself a ‘museum’. Up on Gran Via this is where Hemingway would hold court after a bullfight or when he was trying to impress a lady, during one of his
many stays in the
It was also where Frank
Ava Gardner and
would come for a
thanks to the skills of
who learned his trade at the nearby Ritz
www.museochicote.com
UNUSUAL: Tasting zarajos and
Tablao Villa Rosa is one of the most beautiful bars
TASTY: Toasts at Casa Varona and the generous torreznos at Ferreteria (below left)
RECORD-BREAKING:
Botin is world’s oldest restaurant, while (right) two dishes at Barrera
NIGHTLIFE: at Villa Rosa and (below) drinks at Chicole
city.
Sinatra,
Sofia Loren
margarita
barman Pedro Chicote
hotel.
January 15thJanuary 28th 2025
types of construction from A-Z undertaken.
Pools, Retaining Walls, Stone Walls, Refurbs etc Planning, Building and Registration Services.
We work in and around Alcaidesa, Sotogrande, Manilva, Estepona, Cancelada, San Pedro, Marbella, La Cala, Fuengirola and everywhere in between including inland areas.
To see how we work visit us at www.casaresliving.com Jaime +34 630 344 897 or email: info@casaresliving.com
Across:
Down: 2 Unclean, 3 Urged, 4 By itself, 5 Guts, 6 Orifice, 7 Nouse, 12 Ugliness, 14 Schools, 17 The Axis, 19 Tammy, 21 Extra, 22 Firm.
Pension timebomb
PENSIONERS in Spain have seen their retirement benefits surge by a third since 2018 - outpacing wage growth across the nation.
New data released by Spain's Social Security system reveals that while working Spaniards have seen their salaries rise by 25% over the past six years, retirees have enjoyed a 33% increase in their monthly payments.
The average pension has jumped from €1,107 in 2018 to €1,450 per month in 2024. Workers' wages have climbed from an average of €1,748 to €2,181 monthly.
The pensions system closed 2023 with a shortfall exceeding €50 billion, according to calculations by the Foundation for Applied Economics Studies (Fedea).
Top of the class
Spain responsible for 40% of all GDP growth in the eurozone
SPAIN is set to account for 40% of all economic growth in the eurozone after a near-miraculous 2024 that has left traditional heavyweights Germany and France trailing in its wake.
Fresh data from the Bank of Spain reveals the country's economy expanded by a robust 3% in 2024, nearly four times the Eurozone average of 0.8%.
The dramatic transformation has seen Spain's GDP growth outstrip its larger European neighbors, despite representing just 10% of the Eurozone's total economic output.
SPAIN’S state shipbuilding company
Navantia has swooped in to save the iconic British shipyard that built the Titanic in a dramatic rescue deal.
The acquisition of Harland & Wolff will secure around 1,000 jobs across the UK and ensures the survival of all four of the company's historic shipyards, including its famous Belfast base.
The naval construction giant, which has yet to disclose the purchase price, will take control of facilities in Belfast, Northern Ireland, as well as Arnish and Methil in Scotland, and Appledore in southwest England.
Northern Ireland minister Hilary
By Walter Finch
It makes a stark contrast to Spain's position during the 2012-2014 financial crisis, with the country now leading rather than lagging behind its European counterparts in economic performance.
Just 10 years on, and Spain’s GDP growth was nearly seven times the Eurozone average in 2023, and final forecasts for 2024 suggest this trend will continue.
This economic renaissance has been fueled by record-breaking service ex-
ports, a booming tourism sector, and a surge in employment, with over 460,000 new jobs created in the past year pushing the workforce to an all-time high of 21.3
SPAIN TO THE RESCUE
Benn welcomed the takeover, describing it as ‘great news for the Northern Ireland economy and, above all, for Harland and Wolff's hugely skilled shipbuilding workforce.’
The rescue comes after a turbulent period for the 163-year-old British company, which was forced to call in administrators in September after struggling with rising energy costs and mounting debt.
The UK government had previously rejected the company's request for a £200 million credit facility, leading to
Healing your finances
Peter Dougherty; the investment advisor in Spain who makes house calls
PETER Dougherty of BISSAN Wealth Management is known as ‘the financial planner for Americans in Spain’.
But some might call him ‘the Doctor of financial planning’.
Peter however, doesn’t wear a stethoscope. He’s much more likely to have a financial calculator. As both medical and financial professions start with an examination to be able to make a diagnosis. For doctors, that’s reading an x-ray or MRI; for financial planners it’s looking through financial documents.
So selecting a financial planner has similarities to choosing a doctor. We can see this if we replace ‘doctor’ with ‘financial planner’ in these three questions:
1. Does the doctor have special training or certifications? 2. Is the doctor part of a registered medical group? And 3. Has the doctor kept up to date on the newest medical practices?”
So you always need to ask: Does the financial planner have special training or certifications?
In Peter’s case, yes. Spain’s European Financial Planning Association (EFPA España) has certified him as a European Financial Advisor (EFA) and a European Financial Planner (EFP). Visit its website and you can find every officially registered financial planner and advisor in the country.
Peter is also certified as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor by The College for Financial Planning, as a Foreign Account Tax Compliance (FATCA) specialist by Global Compliance Institute, and as an Investment
Adviser Representative by the North American Securities Administrators Association.
a suspension of its shares on the London Stock Exchange in October.
The deal strengthens Navantia's position in British shipbuilding, building on an existing relationship that saw the two companies sign a manufacturing agreement last year for a £1.6 billion Royal Navy support ship project. British government officials confirmed the acquisition would ensure the completion of three vital support vessels for UK aircraft carriers, designed to transport munitions, spares and supplies.
Next, is the financial planner part of a group?
Yes. Peter is a financial planner at BISSAN Wealth Management, a trusted financial advisory company founded in 2010 and authorized and supervised by Spain’s regulator, the CNMV. TOP TIP: always make sure any financial advisory firm is registered clearly on the CNMV website www.cnmv.es
Finally, has the financial planner kept up to date on financial practices?
Last year Peter got a master’s degree in Spanish taxation from the Instituto Europeo de Asesoría Fiscal (Institute of Tax Planning).
He told the Olive Press: “With this new diploma, I now have more degrees than a thermometer. But it was worth the effort to understand and be able to explain the ins and outs of Spanish taxation in plain English.
“And while researching tax policies for the thesis, I uncovered interesting information. So, I compiled it and published it under the name ‘La Hoja de Ruta Fiscal y Financiera para los españoles en EE.UU’.”
Coincidentally, Peter’s first book, The Dougherty Code: Secrets of Financial Planning in Spain Revealed, was published in 2023.
“The goal of my books relates to the idea that as medicine aims to prevent disease and prolong life; and ideally to eliminate the need of a physician. My aim is to provide useful financial planning to as many expats in Spain as possible. And maybe reading my books will eliminate the need to even hire a financial planner.”
To schedule a free consultation with Peter visit: www.financial-planning-in-spain.com
Oxford Economics' chief European economist Angel Talavera points to Spain's unique advantages, including lower energy costs thanks to renewable energy investments and a service-oriented economy that has proved more resilient than the manufacturing-heavy German model.
Immigration
The country's ability to attract and integrate newcomers has played a crucial role, with immigration accounting for 84% of population growth since 2022. These new arrivals have filled 40% of newly created positions, particularly in key sectors like hospitality and care services.
Visa farewell
A DATE has been set for the end of Spain’s Golden Visa. Introduced in 2013 to attract foreign investment, the scheme will end on April 3 after the withdrawal of the visa was officially published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on January 3. The Golden Visa program allows non-EU citizens to get Spanish residency by investing at least €500,000 in real estate. It could also be obtained by investing €1 million in Spanish companies, or €2 million in government bonds. The decision to end the programme comes after months of debate and a vote in the Congress of Deputies, where it was approved with 179 votes in favour. Current Golden Visa holders will not be affected and can maintain and renew their permits under the original rules. And it is not too late to take advantage of the Golden Visa. Applications submitted before April 3, 2025, will still be processed under existing regulations.
SIERRA NEVADA
Est. 2002
O P LIVE RESS ANDALUCÍA
Don’t ‘Pope’ your ride
A SPANISH mayor is under investigation for ‘offending religion’ after he imitated the famous Popemobile.
Carlos Martinez, the mayor of Soria, has been summoned to testify as a defendant after he arrived in a ‘Popemobile’, leading to accusations that he intentionally mocked the Christian faith.
Happy New Year!
COMMUTERS in the Campo de Gibraltar faced a nasty New Year surprise when bus fares mysteriously tripled on the first day of 2025 after a technical error.
Top translators
According to a study by Education First (EF), Galicia and Madrid have the best English levels in Spain while Extremadura and La Rioja have the worst.
Bomb scare
GUARDIA Civil agents in Sevilla found a mortar bomb dating back to the Spanish Civil War, though it was not explosive.
MOONMAKER
Spanish engineer chosen to lead NASA’s ambitious Gateway project
AMERICAN space agency
NASA has chosen a Spanish engineer from Malaga to help lead its flagship programme to return humans to the moon.
Carlos García-Galan, 50, has been named deputy manager of the Gateway program - a crucial component of NASA’s Artemis mission that aims to establish a permanent human presence on the moon.
The appointment marks a significant milestone for Spain
By Walter Finch
in its involvement in international space exploration, with NASA Director Vanessa Wynche praising Garcia-Galan’s exceptional credentials.
“Carlos is an outstanding engineer and leader, and I’m thrilled to announce his appointment,” said Wynche.
“His experience in human spaceflight, international col-
EMBARRASSED cops are investigating after burglars raided an unmanned police station with no security system and stole a weapons cache.
Eight guns plus ammunition were taken from the Els Poblets station in Alicante, which is not manned overnight.
Thieves sawed off one of the security bars on a window and then forced it open to get inside.
The new leader of the PSOE in Castilla y Leon will face the judge on February 5 after he rode the vehicle through town, ‘blessing’ citizens using a wet toilet brush. He is charged with a crime of mockery.
laboration, and spacecraft development will be a tremendous asset to Gateway.”
The Malaga-born engineer
RED FACES
Eight Walther 9mm pistols were stolen along with 16 bullet magazines totalling 240 rounds.
Els Poblets mayor, Jose Luis Mas, said: “I’m worried what the pistols will be used for.” He said security cameras will now be installed.
brings 27 years of experience in human spaceflight to the role, including extensive work on the International Space Station as an air controller in both Houston and Russia's
Korolev space center.
Gateway represents a new approach to lunar exploration, functioning as an orbital outpost around the moon.
Unlike the Apollo missions of the 1960s, which took astronauts directly to the lunar surface, Gateway will serve as a staging post for both lunar landings and potentially deeper space missions.
NASA's Artemis program, combines several key elements including the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion capsule - the latter featuring a European-built service module.
Citizens from the Spanish Christian Lawyers Foundation voiced their outrage at the incident which occurred last August during a festival in Tardelcuende.
Martinez claims he didn’t ‘intend’ to mock Christianity and has apologised for the ‘silly mistake’ and ‘controversy’. Referring to the court case, he claimed ‘we need to respect the course of justice’. His accusers claim the mayor has committed a crime of mockery (art. 522 of the Criminal Code).
