Five myths about life in Spain

Spain is a bustling, thriving destination for families, holidaymakers and home buyers

Mankind needs myths. As a storytelling tactic, myths are second only to the heroic lead character in a raconteur’s affections.

Myths abound throughout our daily existence: from a snatched glance across the still waters of Loch Ness to the heaving weight of the ‘Self Help’ section in your local book store, the truth regularly bends in order to fit the whims, wants and fantasies of the world.

But sometimes myths are damaging…

They can create fear, resentment, even hatred. They can paint an inaccurate picture of reality and distort people’s perceptions in ways that are often hard to shake. Hence, the phrase ‘myth buster’ has been around for almost as long as the myths themselves.

So, taking up the (self-appointed, it must be said) mantle of ‘myth buster in chief for Spain’, here are five myths about life in Spain that really get my goat…

Myth One – the country is mired in economic misery

It is an inescapable fact that millions of Spaniards are suffering financially. With youth unemployment at nearly 50 per cent, the country’s young are struggling for jobs, and those that do find work are having to accept wages that are some way south of pre-crisis levels.

But despite what you may have read in the news, much of Spain is functioning just fine. The Costa del Sol in particular is enjoying a mini-renaissance of sorts; property sales are starting to increase and tourism figures remain not just robust, but impressive.

So if you are looking to buy a property on the Costa del Sol, don’t let Madrid’s marches or Barcelona’s bluster worry you – they are matters that bear little impact on your decision to buy in Spain.

Myth Two – Spaniards are inherently lazy

Spaniards work some of the longest, most unsociable hours in Europe. And when they are at work, they work. They do not procrastinate. They do not slack off. They do not cut corners or coast – in my experience at least, a Spaniard at work is a committed, driven and dedicated individual.

The myth arises from the way Spaniards do not allow work to become all consuming. Their natural lifestyle rhythms are uninterrupted by work. Hence, they may lunch later and for longer (the image of a Spaniard chowing down a pre-packed sandwich at their desk is a rare one), but they work later and for longer, too. It’s all relative, and is actually an often enjoyable alternative to how things are done in northern Europe.

So if you are looking to find work in Spain, be ready to adapt your own inner body clock to fall in line with this new way of working – you’ll love it.

Myth Three – Spain is a drain on the EU

For years, Spain was the poster child of EU engagement and inclusiveness. As EU-funded toll roads and high-speed rail projects transformed the countryside from semi-impassable to ultra-swift, the ‘Funded by the EU’ sign became a common sight around the country.

Following EU accession and adoption of the euro, Spain flourished impressively. It was, for many, the perfect symbol of European integration. After all, who in Europe hadn’t enjoyed a brilliantly sunny and memorable Spanish beach holiday and so was happy to see the country benefit from being such an accommodating host for the Continent’s paler, northern cousins?

But as the crisis stays wedged in the U-bend, those same observers are starting to berate Spain as somehow being a drain on EU funds. Granted, Spain’s large economy requires more propping up than smaller countries like Cyprus or Ireland, but as the country proved before the turmoil – given the chance, Spain deserves its place at the top table of first-world countries.

Myth Four – Foreign homeowners will have their property expropriated

Less of a myth, more of a diminished risk. It has happened in the past of course, and there are still cases going through the courts where the situation doesn’t look good for the beleaguered, and usually innocent, homeowner.

But in truth, most properties – particularly those built on the Costa del Sol – are safe from the risk of expropriation. The unscrupulous developers have been chased off, transparency has returned, corruption has been stamped out and confidence has flooded in.

So long as you conduct thorough research and due diligence, you shouldn’t have any problems with land titles and the legality of the build. But if you do have any concerns, VIVA’s customer service team is always on hand to answer any questions you might have.

Myth Five – The British expats don’t integrate

No smoke without fire and all that (because there are plenty of expats who live in Spain simply to enjoy the country’s weather rather than its culture and – yep, I’ll say it – there’s nothing wrong with that provided they’re not doing anything illegal), but generally, most British expats will enjoy, seek and cherish interaction with the locals.

Sure, grasping the language can take time, and there are some Spanish customs that are just a little bit too alien for some British tastes, but your average British expat on the Costa del Sol will have at least a smattering of the lingo, will be valued customers at their local bodega, and will enjoy the pace of life that so characterises Spain.

The Costa del Sol is not Little Britain in the sun. Far from it. It straddles the best of both worlds rather skillfully, so whatever you want from your life in the sun, Spain can provide it, and much more besides…