Kseniya Balashova, head of sales departments in Spainway, tells readers of ee24.com about the cost of housing on different coasts of Spain, about the fearless Russians, as well as on how to get a residence permit in Spain when buying any real estate.
– Please, tell about your company.
– First off all, we are real estate agency that offers absolutely all kind of real estate throughout the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Whether it is newly built houses or existing houses, any residential or commercial real estate, land for development and individual architectural projects. We have all that. We have an office in Playa de Aro at the Costa Brava, our managers are located in Barcelona , El Vendrell, Torrevieja, Calpe and in Miraflores, and we are waiting for opening a new office in Benidorm. So, on every coast with clients work Russian-speaking managers, giving explanations, making presentations and dealing with all legal and banking issues.

One of the most important points of our work is the Spain residence permit formalities. We work with Spanish lawyers who prepare a complete package of documents for submission to the consulate, give advice and guidance on all legal issues that customers have. All customers applying residence permit are personally escorted to the consulate for submission by our employees.
We are also dealing with school education, and ready to help in the process of transferring Russian children to Spanish schools. On each coast there are international schools, providing an opportunity to learn both Spanish and British program that opens unlimited possibilities for graduates to enter European universities and organize future career.

Different Spain coast - different benefits
– For what approximate budget one should be ready when purchasing real estate at Spain coasts?
– The largest range of prices is in the middle of the Spanish Mediterranean coast at Costa Blanca. Here in the secondary market you may find apartments from €30,000 and in the primary market - from €80,000. At Costa Brava and Costa del Sol real estate may be searched from €150,000. It’s hard to find inexpensive objects here. Some banking options exist, but they are sold very quickly, and should be "hooked" promptly.
Every region has something interesting. For example, Costa del Sol - is plainer in comparison with Catalonia, many golf courses are located here. Maybe that's why villas are widespread here. However in this region is very popular construction of residential homes with apartments and townhouses with well-designed infrastructure inside. Everything here looks really chic. This is a good located and developed region. Trip from Malaga to Madrid by train takes 2.5 hours. And for fans of windsurfing and kitesurfing is pretty valuable the fact that Tarifa called "capital of all the winds" is located only 150 km away.
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"Closer to the fall real estate prices in Spain start to increase"
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Catalonia does not lose its popularity, and demand here is not inferior to Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca. You may come here for winter skiing in Andorra, or summer swim in the sea, and Gaudi houses look beautiful at any time of year. It’s impossible to name all Spain places and cities for holidays and living – here everyone will find its own soul place. This is a very cozy and friendly country.
- Did the prices already reach its bottom?
- Housing prices in Spain have not changed yet, but closer to the fall, they begin to increase due to the growing interest of Russians and other foreigners as well.

Crimea, ruble and Russian interest towards Spain
– Do you think that the recent events in Russia and Ukraine will affect the willingness of people to buy property in Spain?
– The reaction is now possible to assess. It seems like there is nothing that may scare Russians. Interest towards Spain is growing, because nothing changes here, in a good sense, and you may stay here in problem periods. I see that the interest in real estate in Spain is only growing. And many people seriously think about moving there for permanent residence.
I would say that today we have more questions about residence permit than ever before. Someone want to open regional office in Spain, others wish to study and teach their children there or invest their finances in shares and government bonds. This interest became more conscious now. Spain is not an exotic country any more. People coming to us know a lot, they have something to tell us. They have a serious intentions to live in Spain, to understand everything, legally be here in reality, pay taxes, act officially and properly, be able to live both there, and in Russia.

- Does it happen that the Russians refuse to settle near the Russians?
- People differ. I would divide them into age categories. Those who are older and do not know the language, as well as those who come for seasonal residence, for example, the grandmother with grandchildren, prefer to settle near Russian-speaking. Middle-aged people, 30 years old and older, often ask for foreigners and local neighbors to live near. In this case, it is not about personal communication. This is due to the fact that Spanish live permanently and in winter periodneighboring houses and apartments will not be empty. Nobody completely refuses to settle near Russians.
- How popular is business immigration and related residence permit?
- I cannot say that business immigration is in demand. In Spain unemployment rate is currently high. Although foreign employees are invited in Spain but companies have to "justify" every expatriate in the face of authorities. Spanish residence permit received when purchasing real estate is an easier way, but it does not give working license. You may invest in national shares €2 million or more and get a residence permit on simplified conditions. Or you may purchase commercial real estate, start a business and recruit Spaniards - this type of activity is very welcome in Spain. Such requests are not uncommon for us. Spain is open for large investments and for small businesses as well, whom it does its best to create the most comfortable conditions.

Residence permit in Spain - with any real estate purchase!
- Why do you appeal for attorney support when getting a residence permit?
- Well, it's like to call the doctor when you are sick. You may try to treat yourself that is called, “hit or miss”. Spain like any other European country is fond of accuracy and is very strict to required documents. In Spain not only the document content is important for residence registration but also the appearance.
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"When you receive a residence permit at the consulate there is a risk to say too much or show too much information about yourself"
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There are people who believe that they do not need a lawyer. They are able to apply themselves and there is no need to pay extra money for a lawyer as everything is ready. But in this case there is a risk to miss something or provide documents in the wrong form or to say too much about themselves. Properly compiled cover letter also matters. It depends on the "history" of each client. Residence permit failure will ruin your future history in the consulate. No one will reveal the reasons and there is no escape from it - you will be paid extra attention at the following attempts or even will get an automatic denial.
- What is the difference between getting a residence permit with any real estate purchase, and when buying a property from €500,000?
- According to the law passed in May 2013 and came into force on September 27, 2013, purchase of real estate from €500,000 is compulsory for getting a "golden visa ". That sum has to be paid without the involvement of mortgage lending.
What's the difference? The main difference is the absence of a minimum country stay. Residence obtained according to the standard conditions, requires the owner to stay in Spain for at least 180 days per year, and under the new law, you have the opportunity to stay in Spain as long as you want. "Golden visa" also has no labor permit. But the important point here is that Spain has no right to refuse you a residence permit when you request it under this law.

Commercial real estate in Spain: Tourists always have to eat and sleep somewhere
- What commercial real estate at the Spain coast may bring good returns?
- The most popular commercial real estate at the coast are, of course, bars and restaurants as well as hotels. Those who have enough money, invest in large hotels with more than 100 rooms or in apart-hotels. This may be joint, or 100 percent owned participation. Such investments always will be profitable: all tourists have to eat and sleep somewhere. Many people buy bars and hotels in Spain, close to Barcelona, where is a year-round demand from tourists looking for intellectual opportunities. Another example is the south coast located close to Granada, with the nearest coast ski resort that could be reached in just 1.5 hours. Someone is satisfied with seasonal earnings and acquire residential property for further rent.
Spain is opened to any business ideas and country investments. This country has the most competent and flexible approach to the question of crisis recovery. If you want to invest in big business in Spain that will provide local people with the job offers – Spanish acknowledgement will have no limits - all sorts of benefits both legal and tax will be provided to you.
Text: Pavel Kuznetsov, Alexander Fetyukov, ee24.com