Spain Revealed

I’m sure many of you have seen the news about the train crash in southern Spain.

At least 41 people have died after two trains collided near Córdoba on Sunday, and the government declared three days of national mourning.

Families are still searching. Some are going from hospital to hospital, others are posting photos online, hoping someone’s seen their loved ones.

I read the news in a bathroom in Hong Kong airport.

We’ve just landed in New Zealand, where we’re spending a few weeks with my family.

It is strange to be so far from home when a national tragedy strikes.

But at the same time, to be heading “home” to be with family.

Where is home when you set up a new life overseas?

Where is home after 6 months? What about 6 years? Or longer?

What is your emotional connection to each place?

Where does your heart belong?

I can't lie and say that as I've spent more time in Spain, events back in New Zealand (tragedies and otherwise) haven't felt more and more remote.

And yet when I get off the plane and smell New Zealand (even bustling Auckland smells like a farm covered in cut grass compared to Madrid), I'm transported back to being a kid again.

Those smells, sounds, and sensations of home never leave you.

So where is home?

As I read about the tragedy in Spain, my adopted country grieving while I'm so far away, I'm also sitting here surrounded by the familiar rhythms and sounds and smells and family of New Zealand.

I realize once again that home is in both places.

But our relationship with each home simply shifts over time.

And there's a richness to that.

Yes, it comes with the pain of leaving people behind. And a sense of divided loyalties. Perhaps even confusion. But it also adds a beautiful complexity to our lives.

As so as someone who is half Spanish in all but name, I read about the people of my country and their grieving and my heart breaks.

But I also feel pride when I read about their courage and resilience.

About the man from the nearby town of Adamuz who spent hours on his quad bike ferrying workers to the crash site and victims away from the tragedy.

I don't have a neat way to wrap this up.

So I'll end with a reader comment from an article about the tragedy in the New York Times:

“Dear people of Spain, we mourn with you and send you strength & love as you process this tragedy.”

James

4 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 474

Spain Revealed

Is Spain actually pet-friendly?

It’s a question I’ve been hearing a lot lately... especially after I posted a recent YouTube video all about how to move here with pets.

And I get it. For many people, this isn’t just a small detail. It’s the thing that’s been holding them back.

One person commented on the video:
“This is the one issue I come back to as the main impediment to my moving.”

Because it’s not just “How do I get my dog or cat to Spain?”

It’s “Will they be safe? Will they be happy? Is this even going to work for them?”

So here’s a bit of reassurance…

Spain has changed a lot over the last 10 years.

These days, it’s common to see bowls of water outside cafés, and fenced dog areas in parks.

There’s much better access to public transport (rules vary, but dogs are now allowed on many buses, metros, and even trains).

And in 2023, Spain passed a new animal welfare law that both protects pets and encourages more responsible ownership.

In short: yes, it’s absolutely possible to move to Spain with pets.

People do it all the time. In fact, nearly half the people in my Move to Spain programmes bring a pet with them.

Of course, it’s still important to have the right information, so you’re not caught off guard by rules or red tape.

To help with that, I’ve put together a free guide that walks you through the process, from paperwork, to timelines, and rules.

👉 Check it out here:
www.spainrevealed.com/pets

See pic for a throwback to me and my dog Mingo from the 80s (yes, I’m *that* old). He couldn’t come when my family moved to LA, and I’ve never forgotten how hard that was. It’s a big part of why I want people to feel confident doing this move with their pets, not without them.

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 92

Spain Revealed

Just shot in the kitchen a video coming soon -- Spain's 17 Regions Explained!

(A couple more videos to come out before then though.

And I'm quite pleased with my new shirt video. But please know, I am secretly wearing sweatpants 🤫.

1 week ago | [YT] | 270

Spain Revealed

We met some friends in a playground over the weekend. The idea was to catch up while the kids play.

But then we realised it was 1:30pm. And we were HUNGRY (a bit early for Spain, but hey).

So I checked Google Maps. Found a bar around the corner.

We wandered over, ordered up some drinks and a few plates to share. Spanish classics.

- Huevos rotos
- Tuna belly with roast red peppers
- Cazón (sand shark in a cumin-vinegar marinated, and fried)
- Calamari (forgot to take a photo)

Now this place wasn't anything amazing food-wise. A 7 out of 10. I'm not going to give you the name, because I don't think you should go out of your way to go there.

But I loved it.

Because I just love how this country does food. And not just the food itself, but HOW we eat here.

You know you can meet a few friends, with no specific plan. And within a block or two, there is going to be a decent Spanish bar, serving up classic dishes. Where you can all stand around a shared table, chat, while the kids play. No individual plates ... just everyone forking from the same shared dishes.

Very informal and very easy.

Just another reason I love living in this country.

👉 If you're curious about moving to Spain, I share advice, the latest news, and occassional tapas pics in my free newsletter. Sign up here: www.spainrevealed.com/subscribe

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1 week ago | [YT] | 365

Spain Revealed

🚨 Free webinar next week: Spain’s 2026 Tax Year Explained

Spain’s tax system doesn’t come with an instruction manual (sadly).

Between changing rules, multiple deadlines, and regional nuances, it’s easy to feel unsure about what applies to you, and when.

Missing something important can mean unnecessary stress or costly mistakes.

In my upcoming free webinar, "Spain’s 2026 Tax Year Explained: Key Dates and Deadlines", I’ll be joined by highly respected Spanish tax attorney, Federico González.

Federico specializes in helping international residents understand and manage their tax obligations before and after moving to Spain.

In this session, Federico will:

- Walk you through Spain’s 2026 tax calendar

- Highlight the key deadlines you need to be aware of

- Explain essential tax concepts for current and future residents

- Answer your questions live during Q&A

Whether you’re planning your move, newly settled, or simply want to stay informed, this webinar will help you feel clearer and more confident about Spain’s tax system.

Webinar details
📅 Wednesday, 14 January at 6pm CET
💻 Live on Zoom (free)

Can’t attend live? No problem. As long as you’re registered, I’ll email you the replay the following day (available for five days).

👉 Save your spot here: www.spainrevealed.com/webinar

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 0

Spain Revealed

** Hello all! Happy new year! Just reposting this, as there are only a few days left before I start reviewing applications (APPLICATIONS CLOSE 9 JANUARY). Thanks! **

👋 We are hiring: Fractional Operations and Project Lead

Spain Revealed has grown a lot over the last few years, and with that growth comes more moving parts, more projects, more coordination, and more need for clear systems behind the scenes.

So, I am hiring a Fractional Operations and Project Lead, part-time to start.

It is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys systems, structure, and keeping projects moving. You would work closely with me and the team on launches, planning, and making sure the right things happen at the right time.

You do not need to live in Spain, but you do need to be in a time zone near Europe.

If this sounds like your kind of work, or you know someone who would be great, you can read the full role here:

👉 www.notion.so/Fractional-Operations-Project-Lead-2…

Thanks for your support and for helping spread the word.

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 214

Spain Revealed

A few pics from our Christmas eve dinner (although the roscón and chocolate was for breakfast on Christmas day -- early for roscón I know, but my brother-in-law couldn't resist! 😅).

And yes, that is a huge bag of jamón ibérico-flavored potato chips.

Feliz Navidad y felices fiestas everyone! 🥂

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4 weeks ago | [YT] | 307

Spain Revealed

As you’re reading this, I’ll be at my parents-in-law’s, the King’s speech humming away in the background, strategically avoiding white asparagus, and waiting for the gambas al ajillo to arrive.

It’s Christmas Eve – which, in Spain, is the main event.

After 14 years here, Spanish Christmas still surprises me. Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

▪️Christmas isn’t just a day.
It kicks off on 22 December with the Christmas lottery and runs through to 6 January (Three Kings Day). It’s a two-week, food-heavy marathon. By the end, I’m very ready for salads again.

▪️Gifting requires project management.
Traditionally, kids receive gifts on 6 January from the Three Kings. Now many families do both Kings and Santa. In our house, there are very specific rules about who gives what, and when. Yoly has the full matrix written down. (I’d be lost without it!)

▪️Plastic trees are the norm.
Real trees exist, but artificial ones are standard. Apparently, you need to use one for at least seven years before its environmental footprint makes sense. I’m angling for a real one after that.

▪️Christmas Eve dinner is the highlight.
My favourite meal of the year. Tapas: jamón, cheese, mushrooms, and, of course, gambas al ajillo.

▪️The King’s speech is non-negotiable.
It’s always on. Whether anyone listens is another matter.

▪️Roscón is saved for 6 January.
We save the traditional Three Kings cake for Jan 6th, eaten for breakfast with hot chocolate. I was initially disappointed, until I realized it’s about the ritual more than the cake.

▪️White asparagus…
I try to avoid it. It keeps finding me.

▪️Gifts go by the shoes.
That’s how the Three Kings know who gets what. I grew up with presents under the tree, so in our house it’s a mix: shoes (or slippers) under the tree, presents beside them.

▪️The lottery remains a mystery.
Spain’s Christmas lottery, El Gordo, is the largest in the world. I understand the basics. The rest still escapes me.

Somewhere along the way, you stop doing things exactly like home, and stop trying to do things exactly like the locals.


You end up somewhere in between, with your own third culture.

Wherever you’re spending the holidays – still dreaming about Spain, mid-move, or already here figuring out your own version of the gift matrix – I hope it’s a good one. 🥂

*This is an excerpt from my weekly newsletter about life in Spain and moving to Spain. If you'd like to get on the list, you can subscribe at www.spainrevealed.com/subscribe

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 937

Spain Revealed

Just got back from 3 days in Zaragoza. Now Spain's 4th largest city! But still really under the radar.

I made a video all about our experience, and what it might be like to live there. Out in about a month (more videos in the meantime).

Also met up with Ashley and Ulonda, two woman who have recently move there, to learn about their experience first-hand.

I'm excited for you to see it!

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1 month ago | [YT] | 319

Spain Revealed

Moving to Spain isn’t just a logistical challenge... it’s an emotional one too.

These are three of the biggest emotional hurdles people often face:

• Not understanding the adaptation curve
• The slow, sometimes lonely process of building community
• And the unexpected weight of guilt (especially if loved ones back home aren’t fully on board)

These kinds of challenges don’t mean you’ve made a mistake or that you’re not cut out for life here.

But knowing to expect them, and understanding that they’re a normal part of the process, can make a big difference when they show up.

Are any of these something you’ve already experienced… or that you’re anticipating?

Let me know in the comments!

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 0