Will Europe be TRUMPed? – Plus 5 Acres in Vilnius for under 60k!

1 Spain is debating a 100% tax for non-resident property owners

In my humble opinion, Europe remains one of the best places on the planet to live, offering visa-free access to 27 unique, wonderfully diverse cultures and histories.

Perhaps though it’s increasingly becoming a case of the haves and have-nots.

Those fortunate enough to hold European residency can enjoy the continent unencumbered, with its natural beauty and rich history all around while those who have left it too late, or are trying to gain entry through less legitimate avenues, are finding the doors are closing.

In some cases, this is happening gradually (as in Portugal), while other governments—such as the new one in Spain—are acting fast, and gaining popularity at home while they do it.

In living memory, Spain has been an exotic, affordable, and easy second home or lifestyle destination for Brits seeking to escape the gloom at home.

As a result, large parts of the country have been transformed into little more than package holiday strip-malls, often spoiled by the behavior of chubby Brits looking to get maximum value from their £299 week-long trips, leaving behind streets soaked in urine and vomit.

For years, as a result, I’ve felt terrible for Spain (and avoided it like the plague). It seems Spain has finally decided that the juice simply isn’t worth the squeeze and it’s now actively making itself less attractive to large groups of people. Frankly, I can’t blame them.

I’ve never understood the appeal of arriving at a café in Paris for breakfast and asking for a “full English,” or sitting in a “resort” in Benidorm drinking English pints with a fish and chips.. though I’ve seen it happen often.

Many European countries are currently reclaiming their culture, sovereignty, and border control within the framework of the broader European vision.

Spain appears to be the first to take a vocal stance in this direction. Several new laws have been passed, targeting public drunkenness, nudity, vandalism, and even loitering, all accompanied by hefty fines, or worse. Being on holiday simply isn’t a good enough excuse for bad behaviour anymore.

This latest move however is sure to hit many where it hurts—a new tax on homes for non-residents, which could go as high as 100%. As I’ve said before, Europe is closing. In my opinion, Spain has just slammed the door.

Things aren’t all bad. Remember, all respectful visitors are still widely welcomed with open arms. Try the local food, and for gods sake, learn to say hello (and thank you) in the local language and you’ll have an amazing time.

Takeaway:
If you’ve been thinking about European residency for a while, perhaps it’s time to act.

Our Gateway to Europe residency program remains open, and we are still (miraculously) securing European residency for clients in under four weeks.

Get in touch with us now to to book a time for a face-to-face consultation.

2 Trump cancels asylum applications – will Europe follow?

The US-Mexico border is effectively closed off to migrants seeking asylum in the United States within hours of President Donald Trump taking office, an extraordinary departure from previous protocols that has left many concerned migrants in limbo.

Venezuelan Yenyile Díaz, who has also spent months living in Ciudad Juarez with her family, said they had all lost their appointments following the shutdown of CBP One…

Full CNN Story HERE

3 Vilnius, Lithuania Celebrates 702 Year History this Week

Seven hundred and two years ago, the founding father of Vilnius, Grand Duke Gediminas, wrote letters to people in Western Europe, inviting them to Vilnius and asking skilled artisans to contribute to the new city.

This letter was addressed to several German cities, including Lübeck, Sund, Bremen, Magdeburg, Cologne, and others in the Holy Roman Empire.

Gediminas explained that despite Lithuania being a pagan country, it was highly tolerant towards Christians.

In his invitation, he urged knights, merchants, doctors, artisans, and others to come to the Grand Duchy, assuring them the freedom to practice their trade and faith without any restrictions.

Notably, Gediminas extended the invitation to German Jews and Christians alike, marking a crucial moment in the establishment of the Jewish community in Lithuania.

Peasants were promised a ten-year tax exemption, and merchants were granted immunity from tariffs and taxes.

– It seems us peasants of today, are a lot worse off than those of just 700 short years ago. Now that’s what I call a gradual decline! Where’s my 10 year tax break?! – Aaron Banks

4 ‘Once-in-a-century’ discovery reveals spectacular luxury of Pompeii

On a recent trip to Italy (yep I’m that guy now), I made sure I took some time to finally tick a big one off my bucket list.

A slow, gorgeous, walking tour through the ancient city of Pompeii… in 46 degrees (with occasional heavy rain).

Sweating like a pedophile in church, and with my Toga confiscated at the gate, every cobbled step was a revelation.. Quick takeaway though – never visit that part of Italy in August!

You see these things on documentaries, or in the media, but it was truly remarkable to venture forth in person, the crunch of volcanic rock under every step, finding whole buildings in place, mosaic masterpieces untouched.

Perhaps that’s what stands out most for visitors, I guess a vivid glimpse of our mortality, the fleeting nature of our existence, frozen in time. It was a wonderful experience, though did drive me to sample 4 bottles of Chianti (and a very fine Limoncello) at lunch with the realisation that this has all happened before..

Perhaps though, the best part personally, is that as a kiwi, I’m able to say “on a recent visit to Italy” more than once or twice a year 🙂

There’s a direct flight from Vilnius to Naples (Pompeii is around 45 minutes from Naples), leaving several times a week and taking no more than two hours.

I would highly recommend anyone coming to visit us to complete their residency, to make the next stop on their trip Naples, flying out of Vilnius.

I haven’t seen the new discovery below yet in person – but I can’t wait! (plus I need to re-stock the limoncello, the damn stuff evaporates at my house

Learn more at the BBC

5 Plant your Flag! Featured Property

This is the perfect choice for those who dream of owning a lovely homestead with beautiful nature, only 20 km or 25 minute drive from the CBD.

Good infrastructure: approx. 1 km to the nearest public transport stop (bus route 66 to Žalgirio st.), approx. 1 km to the nearest local shop. Only 380 m to the Neris river (very well maintained waterfront, outdoor fitness equipment nearby).

FEATURES:
– Convenient access to the house;
– Access to the gated community through automatic gates;
– Neighbours living permanently in the neighbourhood;
– Levelled, landscaped and fenced on 3 sides plot of 5.82 acres;
– Convenient location: only 20 km or 20-25 minutes by car to Konstitucijos Ave (the CBD).

GENERAL INFORMATION:
– Address: Sodiečių 4-oji g., Skirgiškių kaim;
– Surface area of the house: 83,53 sq. m;
– Apartment – 2 floors;
– Number of rooms: 4;
– Year of construction – 1994;
– Construction material – log;
– Heating – electricity (electric radiators) and wood-burning stove with fireplace;
– Plot size – 5,82 a;
– The plot has a regular shape, it is levelled and landscaped.

FACILITIES:
– Walls – wooden paneling;
– Flooring: wooden;
– Windows – wooden.

https://en.aruodas.lt/namai-vilniaus-rajone-skirgiskiu-k-sodieciu-4-oji-g-parduodamas-kv-m-sodo-namas-su-a-2-1650089/?center=1&search_pos=36