Brits who are interested in investing in Spanish property have been urged to rent before they buy, to give them an idea of what life is like in the country.

According to Paul Bradley, from the Spanish Property Owners Guild, many older Brits who head to Spain for their retirement may be failing to take into account the fact that they are growing older – and could make the mistake of investing in a Spanish property unsuitable for their needs when they are elderly.

"A fit 60-year-old may be happy to climb lots of steps or live in an isolated farm at the end of a country track. On the other hand an unhealthy 70-year-old simply cannot cope with these locations," he said.

Mr Bradley said that by renting a property in Spain before they buy, Brits can find the perfect location for them at any time of life and will be able to pick up more local knowledge before they make the permanent move.

A recent survey from uSwitch.com found that Spain is one of the best places to live in Europe for quality of life.

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