Owning a Donativo

[RossIreland]

Hello, I walked the Camino a few years not long after my 61st birthday, in the winter.

Hoping to fully retire soon I have often thought about buying a house on the Way in Rioja and opening it as a Donativo. Does anyone know if there are any rules or regulations or if this is in any way a problem for a foreigner (British) ?

Any information or advice is very welcome

Thanks Ross

 

[Albertinho]

There are TV programs about starting a B&B and so in Spain.
so I do not think it will be a real problem.you have to buy a property and need local permits, VAT number etc etc.
send a letter or e- mail to the council, a lawyer or Chamber of Commerce in the area that you want to settle and just ask what you need to start up.

When I see these programs I always wonder how prepared people are.
most do not speak the language of the country, can not oversee the cost of renovating a house. Think they can do everything themselves but at the end when a lot goes wrong, they need professional help and have no money left.
Etc etc.
the language is very important to learn in advance Not everybody in Spain is speaking a foreign language . Even not in big cities like Madrid or Barcelona where I used to work for some years.
But research and think before you take such an important decision in your life .

 

[JustinB]

Follow your dreams or dream of following your dreams, both are worth dreaming about.

 

[Catharine Sowerby]

Assuming you are British, unless you have an EU passport you will need to go through the appropriate regulations to stay in Spain/EU for more than 180days in a year (one of the impacts of Brexit). I’ve no idea though how this works if you are investing in the country by opening a “business”.

 

[wayfarer]

@Rebekah Scott should be able to advise you I'm sure.
Best of luck with your dreams.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I don't know if a golden passport is the best way to go about things but you could look into it. It is not for folks in the EU or EEA but I think that this allows UK citizens to apply now.

Search golden passport Spain but be aware that the first hits will be to firms that would like to make money helping you apply and that might be easy enough to do on your own.

 

[Elsiecamino]

Hello, I walked the Camino a few years not long after my 61st birthday, in the winter.

Hoping to fully retire soon I have often thought about buying a house on the Way in Rioja and opening it as a Donativo. Does anyone know if there are any rules or regulations or if this is in any way a problem for a foreigner (British) ?

Any information or advice is very welcome

Thanks Ross

Hi, we stayed in a lovely Albergue ran by a family from South America. I think I remember He said it was a donativo when he bought it but as he wasn’t a Spanish citizen he couldn’t run it as a donativo but could operate it as a business. He really enjoyed his role so I hope you get the chance to go for it.

 

[FrankW]

There are TV programs about starting a B&B and so in Spain.
so I do not think it will be a real problem.you have to buy a property and need local permits, VAT number etc etc.
send a letter or e- mail to the council, a lawyer or Chamber of Commerce in the area that you want to settle and just ask what you need to start up.

When I see these programs I always wonder how prepared people are.
most do not speak the language of the country, can not oversee the cost of renovating a house. Think they can do everything themselves but at the end when a lot goes wrong, they need professional help and have no money left.
Etc etc.
the language is very important to learn in advance Not everybody in Spain is speaking a foreign language . Even not in big cities like Madrid or Barcelona where I used to work for some years.
But research and think before you take such an important decision in your life .

I spoke with an Australian who had opened an albergue on the FC. She reported that although there are no "technical" barriers she experienced some resentment that a foreigner was buying property and beginning a "business". That could have been a local government attitude not reflected elsewhere. Can I suggest finding someone in your position who has already purchased an albergue and is a not Spanish.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Talk to Rebekah.

 

[Thomas1962]

First of all: go for your dream. I did too. We have an albergue now and althought the amount of work is at times much too big, I never regret it. What is important is that you have an idea of how big you want your albergue to be, what is within your fysical and mental working limits.
Having said that; check in Rioja if it is possible to open a donativo albergue, or what exactly are the requirments. In Galicia it is (nearly?) not possible any more.
If you want any further info, feel free to PM.

 

[J Willhaus]

Hi Ross,
If you havn't already, you might want to volunteer at a few albergues before diving in unless you have experience with this kind of venture. If you plan to move forward, I would look for places where another albergue is needed rather than just picking a certain town or place you like.
Janet

 

[RossIreland]

Hi Ross,
If you havn't already, you might want to volunteer at a few albergues before diving in unless you have experience with this kind of venture. If you plan to move forward, I would look for places where another albergue is needed rather than just picking a certain town or place you like.
Janet

Thanks Janet and everyone else who has replied.

I think the advice to volunteer is very sensible so that is what I'll do!

Not till later this year but that's definitely the way forward.

Best wishes Ross