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435 local experts on the Costa del Sol where someone speaks English. Ratings come from Google; the rest comes from each business's own website.

435 local experts on the Costa del Sol speak English

Ratings and reviews: Google Maps

By trade

Local experts on the Costa del Sol who speak your language

Where's my expert? lists 683 local businesses on the Costa del Sol: builders and renovation companies, lawyers and gestorías, cleaning companies, air conditioning and solar panel installers, and gardeners. Every fact comes from the business's own website and from Google. Businesses can't pay to change what their profile says.

Right now 435 of them work in English, 54 in French, 41 in German, 32 in Russian, 17 in Dutch and 14 in Swedish. For English, it is enough that the business has its website in English. For other languages, we only say a business speaks it when a named person there speaks it, or the business says so itself. In 99 of them, a named person speaks a language other than Spanish.

Lawyers and gestorías: who does what?

A lawyer (abogado) must be a member of a bar association, in Málaga the Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Málaga, and can advise you and represent you, for example when you buy a home, deal with an inheritance or sign a contract. You can ask for their membership number.

A gestoría handles paperwork: NIE and residency, tax returns, car registration and dealings with the town hall. Many are run by a gestor administrativo, a qualified professional who belongs to their own professional association. For anything that may end in a dispute, use a lawyer.

Builders, air conditioning and solar panels: ask for the paperwork

Most building work in Andalusia needs either a declaración responsable or a building licence from the town hall before it starts. Ask the builder who takes care of it, and get a written quote that says what is included.

Air conditioning must be installed, serviced and repaired by an authorised company (empresa habilitada) whose staff are certified to handle refrigerant gases. Ask for the installation certificate. Without it you risk a fine. Solar panel installations also have to be registered, and many towns offer a discount on property tax (IBI) or building tax (ICIO) for them. Ask the installer whether they handle both.

Cleaners and gardeners: company or private person?

If you employ a person directly to clean your home or look after your garden, you become their employer and must register them with Spanish social security from the first hour they work. With a company, the company is the employer and you pay an invoice. Check what the price includes and whether they are insured.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a lawyer in Spain is properly qualified?

Every practising lawyer in Spain must belong to a bar association (Colegio de Abogados). Ask for their membership number. You can also check it in the bar association's public register.

Does air conditioning in Spain have to be installed by a professional?

Yes. Fixed air conditioning must be installed by an authorised company whose staff are certified to handle refrigerant gases, and you should get an installation certificate. Only portable units are exempt.

Do I have to register a cleaner with social security?

If you employ the person directly, yes, from the first hour of work, however few hours a week. If you use a cleaning company, the company employs the staff.

Is Where's my expert? free?

Yes. You don't need to sign up, and you contact the business directly. Businesses can't pay to change their facts. If something about a business is wrong, use the link on its profile.