Spain has been told it should look again at regulations that can threaten expatriate homeowners.

Currently, there are a number of cases in which Spanish developers have bought land upon which expatriates have built property.

Lennox Napier, a local newspaper editor, told the BBC it is clear the MEPs are trying to help expatriates.

A visit by British MEPs encouraged residents to think that "there is a voice for us in Brussels", he said.

The European Parliament’s petitions committee report concluded more should be done to help the position of the expatriates and called on Spain to protect the rights of its EU citizens.

According to the report’s author, Danish Green Party MEP Magrete Auken, more pressure from the media could help highlight people’s cases, the BBC reported her as saying.

Spanish property prices have fallen recently, making it an even more appealing expat destination.

That said, expatriates need to look carefully at their new country’s laws and provisions and take out the relevant expatriate insurance.

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