For many expats living in Spain it appears that the distressed property market, high levels of unemployment in Spain, and the weak pound have combined to shatter many a dream of enjoying the sunshine, culture and traditions of Spain. A recent survey reported that almost 75% of British expats in Spain are considering moving back to the UK.

Despite the current exchange rate which has made Spain seem much more expensive for many expats living in Spain, there is some good, if not surprising, news which despite Which? saying recently that Spain may no longer be such great value, shows that many goods in Spain are cheaper than their equivalent in the UK.

On a typical monthly shop expats in Spain can save up to 100€ on a household shop, and petrol is cheaper at 1.09€ a litre in Spain compared to 1.26€ in the UK

Almost three-quarters of British expatriates living in Spain are considering returning home because of the economic crisis, according to a new survey.

Falling property prices, a weak pound, and fears over job security are forcing those living abroad to rethink the move.

Britons residing in Spain are suffering the most financially, with four in five complaining that the drop in the value of the pound against the euro has left them worse off.

The proportion of the population who are foreign-born has almost doubled in the past two decades to 11 per cent, or 6.7million people.

One of the key factors behind Britain’s population increase has been the flow of migrant workers from Poland, Lithuania and six other Eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004.

At the same time, the percentage of children being born to foreign mothers has also reached new levels, reported Jil Matheson, the national statistician.

One in eight expats remains ignorant of the local jurisdiction which applies to their bank should it hit financial difficulties.

Women expats happier at work
Despite the financial crisis, one in eight expats remains ignorant of the local jurisdiction which applies to their bank should it go into difficulties, reveal an Expatica survey.

Many elderly expats have suffered recently because of the falling value of sterling, the property crash and their failure to qualify for state benefits.

Charities, expatriate groups and diplomats in Spain now report that thousands are struggling to cope the rising cost of living, the Times reports.

They say that the ageing expatriate population, hit by the falling Spanish property market that left them with “dream homes” they cannot sell, also face insufficient healthcare resources.

While Britain is in the grip of a recession and its world-famous pubs are closing at an estimated rate of 52 per week, the traditional craft beer industry is celebrating its annual bash in a cheery mood.

Fancy getting your taste buds round Dishy Debbie, a Blond Witch or some Top Totty? They’re all being served up at the Great British Beer Festival, which opened its doors Tuesday.

HSBC survey reveals expat spending has dropped across the globe but more expats in UK and US are considering move home.

HSBC Bank International on Wednesday announced the results of the world’s largest survey of expats, Expat Explorer, revealing the significant impact that the current economic crisis has had on expats’ finances.

The first instalment of this year’s survey, Expat Economics, showed that expats have reduced spending across the board, with the UK and US identified as having the greatest number of expats considering a move home.

The sunshine lifestyle has long tempted many Britons to uproot and make a new start on the costas of Spain. But now as the Spanish economy suffers and the opportunities there dry up, many of the expats are coming home.

Bare grey concrete beams criss-cross the sky above a building site on the Costa Blanca.

They form the skeleton of an apartment block outside Torrevieja that developers once hoped to fill with sun-tanned expats. But it stands half-built, like a stopped clock.

Roofer Stephen Mallon was hurled 25ft to the ground during a brawl near his holiday home in Malaga.

Mr Mallon, of Bournemouth, Dorset, is critically ill with head injuries in a Spanish hospital.

He had gone to help his two teenage sons after they were confronted by a gang of youths at the La Estrella pub in Competa.

He was attacked with bottles and flowerpots before being thrown over the bar’s balcony.

Expats buoyed by the recent rally in world markets may be considering how best to deal with their portfolios, and thinking about whether to move some of their money out of cash.

Even though interest rates have been savagely cut in the past year, around five million UK adults still have £25,000 or more sitting in savings accounts, with around a third of us having our savings and liquid assets in cash.

“Is that it?” asks Serge the mason, with what sounds suspiciously like a groan, after inserting yet another new window in yet another dusty stone wall. “Is everything finished now?”

Retirement property is an option for expats who are returning to Britain or those who want a ‘lock up and leave’ home, and it has moved a long way from the grim Seventies, says Saundra Satterlee.

A pleasing wind of change is blowing through the ranks of our older generations.

Take octogenarians Cyril and Yvonne, Serpentine Swimming Club members who swim outdoors 365 days of the year – on Christmas Day Cyril will be competing in the club’s aptly named “Peter Pan Cup”.

House prices have fallen, the supply of mortgages has reduced substantially, and those that are available require a hefty deposit. You will also need an excellent credit rating, and an income that will enable you to borrow enough to buy the house you want.

Louise Cuming, head of mortgages at Moneysupermarket.com, said: “House prices have fallen by an average of 17.5 per cent over the last year according to Halifax’s latest figures.

Charles Stabler, 65, never woke from a coma after being hit around the head last month.

The burglar, who escaped with just two mobile phones and 30 euros (£27) in cash, fled after ransacking the apartment and setting it on fire.

He left Mr Stabler unconscious on the floor as flames took hold around him.

A neighbour called emergency services after seeing smoke coming from the flat, in the seaside resort of Benalmadena.

The primary benefit is that anyone who is planning on buying a house worth less than £175,000 between now and December 31 will not have to pay any stamp duty, after Alistair Darling extended the exemption for properties up to this value until the end of the year. After this, the threshold for one per cent Stamp Duty will return to £125,000.

Every year thousands of visitors come to enjoy the sparkling coastline and bright sunshine.

Many of the people who live here are British pensioners who have decided to retire abroad.

The streets are lined with English bars and restaurants and it is easy to pick out the expats sitting in the afternoon sun enjoying a beer.

But this is also where the benefit cheats hide.

A consortium of expat pensioner groups has won the right to continue its campaign to get Britain’s long-standing frozen pensions policy rescinded.

British pensions for many expats do not increase in line with inflation. They have been frozen at the rate that was in force when they began drawing their pensions overseas. In some cases, that was 20 years ago when the basic weekly pension was £43.60. It is now nearly twice that sum: £95.25.

Spain said Wednesday it will send one million condoms to Africa to fight the spread of AIDS, one day after Pope Benedict XVI’s controversial remarks that they aggravated efforts to battle the disease.

“The objective is to advance the prevention of this epidemic, which affects 33 million people all over the world, two-thirds of them in Africa,” the health ministry said in a statement.

Two police officers who were caught on tape sleeping in their patrol car while on duty have been suspended for two weeks without pay, Spanish media reported Sunday.

In a widely distributed video clip filmed with a mobile phone by an anonymous passerby, the two officers can be seen fast asleep in the car in the eastern city of Villanueva de la Serena in November 2008.