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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23 hours ago | [YT] | 242

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

5 days 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.

1 week 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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2 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

2 weeks 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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3 weeks ago | [YT] | 316

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!

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

Spain Revealed

Worried about being lonely in Spain? Read this 👇

I remember talking to someone a few years ago who was planning their move to Spain.

Visa sorted, apartment lined up, Spanish lessons booked... the whole shebang.

And when we got to the topic of making friends, they said, very confidently:

“Oh, I will make friends with my neighbors. And at the local tapas bar.”

It sounds right. Spain is full of plazas, bars, and chatty neighbours, right?

And sure, you’ll absolutely have friendly chats. You’ll nod to the same people in the plaza and get a smile from the bartender who knows your order.

These interactions matter.

But the deeper friendships most people actually want rarely start over a quick caña.

The challenge is, most of us haven’t had to make new friends on purpose since school or uni.

And now you’re doing it in a different language, culture, and social rhythm.

So yes, it feels hard.

It’s why I recently updated the community-building lesson in the Move to Spain Masterclass — because this part of the move is just as important as visas or housing.

And like learning Spanish, it won’t happen by accident.

What does work? Starting with a few intentional steps. Here are 4 that matter:

1. Join the digital village — Facebook groups, Meetup, WhatsApp chats. Say yes to one thing a week.

2. Become a regular — in a café, plaza, or bar. Familiarity builds belonging.

3. Try one slightly deeper route — hiking group, padel club, food bank. Connection happens through shared effort.

4. Create what’s missing — If you cannot find what you are looking for, start small: a WhatsApp group, a Sunday walk, a film night. Start small and let it grow.

Some people will drift and some plans will fizzle. That’s part of the process, especially in the early months.

But others stick. And over time, those small coffees, walks, or shared activities begin to feel less tentative and more like real life.

That’s how community usually forms here: gradually, imperfectly, and with a bit of intention.

If you’ve already started building community here — what’s helped you the most?👇🏽

*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

4 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 280