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📈 The Best Online Stock Brokers in Spain in 2022

Last updated: January 19, 202266 Comments

Following my move to Spain, I started searching for a local broker to start investing in stocks.

I’m not a huge fan of Spanish financial institutions, and given the choice, I’d much rather use an international stockbroker. That also makes it easier for me if I eventually move my residence to another country.

There are two main advantages of working with a Spanish broker, on the other hand:

  • No need to fill in any foreign asset reporting documents at the end of the year (Spanish Modelo 720 in this case).
  • Advantageous commissions (or lack thereof) for the local stock market.

The Modelo 720 form is an absolute drag to compile, but once you get the hang of it or outsource it, this factor becomes less of a deal-breaker. Although when the March deadline for that form comes around, it’s a good reminder of how backward the Spanish taxation system is. I invest internationally and not in the Spanish market, so the second advantage is not so important to me.

With that said, here are the best options I’ve found.

[Read more…]

Filed under: Expat life, Money, Stock market

🛍️ Where to Buy Used Items in Spain

Last updated: May 27, 202010 Comments

Looking to save some money and buy second-hand items in Spain? These are the top sites to check out:

  • Wallapop.com
  • Wallyboo.com – rent or buy second-hand kids’ items in Spain
  • Mitrastero.org
  • Vibbo.com
  • Casinuevo.net
  • Tablondeanuncios.net
  • Ebay.es
  • Anuncios.es
  • Re-read.com
  • Todocoleccion.net
  • Coches.net

If you want to save money but buy new instead, check out my favorite online shops in Spain.

Have I missed out on your favourite second-hand items site? Let me know in the comments section.

Filed under: Expat life

Living in Barcelona – An Honest Review

Last updated: April 14, 20225 Comments

After spending several years traveling as a digital nomad in search of an ideal place to settle in, our choice fell on Barcelona.

I think it’s one of the best destinations in Europe for online entrepreneurs, lifestyle designers and freelancers. The closest alternative I’ve found is Lisbon, and I’ve compared the two in my Lisbon vs Barcelona article. In a nutshell, Barcelona is the better place lifestyle-wise, but Lisbon wins on the taxation front due to its NHR programme and lack of tax on crypto. It would also probably be fair to say that if you’ve already made your money and want to be around investors and well-off families, Cascais (seaside town close to Lisbon) is the better option for you.

This is a subjective post as every person/family has their own needs and requirements from a place; Barcelona just happens to fit mine very well. Here’s why. I will list both positives and negatives. People tend to criticize me for looking negatively at countries or cultures, but I only try to be realistic.

I choose to live in a city/country not because everything there is perfect, but because the good things outweigh the bad ones by a very significant margin. This ratio can change over time so I do evaluate my thoughts every few years, keeping into consideration the alternatives available.

Although I do my best to integrate wherever I am, that doesn’t mean that I’ll adopt the negative aspects of that culture, nor do I stop wishing that those aspects would change over time.

With that in mind, I’ll be going through all the best and worst things about Barcelona.

The Good

Sport is in Barcelona’s DNA

Barcelona is a city where sport is held in very high regard. You can easily practice any kind of group sports, and there are great locations for individual sports too. Do you love running? You have the hills and mountains all to yourself, not to mention the seaside promenade. Beach volley, check. Football, check. Cycling, awesome. Padel, of course! Swimming? At many gyms all year round or in the sea. The list never ends. The only problem I have is deciding what sport to practice!

A big chunk of Barcelona owes its origins to the Barcelona Olympic games in 1992, and today one can still feel that ambiance pervade the city. There are many gyms to choose from at all price ranges, with many of them having an indoor pool. The topology of the city also presents natural invitations to practice sport. There are some awesome hills and mountains to climb if you’re into cycling, or you can head to the beaches for a swim or try your hand at SUP.

When I arrived in Barcelona I also fell in love with padel, and this city, along with Madrid, is the top place to be for any padel amateur or pro player.

One can also find several apps designed to help people access many gyms and sports facilities for one monthly price, which is very convenient.

I don’t need to mention that Barcelona is home to one of the most famous football clubs in the world, Barcelona FC.

[Read more…]

Filed under: Expat life

Malta, a Top Digital Nomad Destination

Last updated: July 01, 202138 Comments

malta

Update 2021: This article was originally written in 2012, and some things have changed since then. I’m leaving this post online as a record of my thoughts back then, but please do further research if you’re interested in Malta as a digital nomad destination. One positive development has been the launch of the digital nomad visa. Whether this is successful long-term is anyone’s guess, but you should definitely have a look if you’re a non-EU citizen.

When embarking on the journey to become a digital nomad, one of the first things we search for is a great place to relocate to. Deciding to become a digital nomad is, often, a direct consequence of a wish to travel and discover the world, and get a break from your familiar surroundings.

As working as a digital nomad becomes more fashionable, we can see a certain list of countries establishing themselves as ideal locations, due to various factors.

Here are some of the cities/countries most cited by bloggers and digital nomads:

  • Chiang Mai – Thailand
  • Berlin – Germany
  • Buenos Aires – Argentina
  • Medellin – Colombia
  • Davao City – Philippines
  • Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam
  • Barcelona – Spain

The clear trend is that of moving to places which give you better value for money and an immersion into a new culture. You will seldom find cities in the US or Europe mentioned as ideal choices for a location independent lifestyle, largely because they are too expensive, or they are not deemed to be exotic enough.

Today I am going to bring you one more destination, a place which has been largely overlooked by digital nomads and location independent workers. I strongly believe that Malta is an almost perfect location and has been a well-guarded secret for far too long.

[Read more…]

Filed under: Expat life

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Jean Galea

Investor | Dad | Global Citizen | Athlete.

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