Expats in Spain 'more likely to stay in touch with family'

Those looking to leave the UK behind without losing touch with friends and family may consider the relatively short move to Spain, a report suggests.

With many Brits currently seeking sunnier climes and a more relaxed way of life abroad, buying property in Spain could be the ideal option for those who have been put off the idea because they would miss the familiar faces of home.

According to a poll by Alliance and Leicester, over half of Spanish-based expats enjoy regular visits from their immediate family.

Indeed, those who have relocated to the country receive an average of eight visitors a year from home - far more than those in more distant locations.

"The research shows that British friends and family appear to favour shorter travelling times when visiting expat relatives, as opposed to experiencing more far-flung destinations," said Simon Ripton, joint managing director of Alliance and Leicester International.

This was due to its greater affordability and ease of access, he added.

Paul Allen, a British expat who made the move to Spain in 2003, recently told the Sun that the country "offers everything England could not".