Last week, we asked a simple question: Did your gestor reach out in early January to walk you through what's coming? Several of you replied. Some had gestores who sent detailed emails before the holidays. Others hadn't heard from theirs since October.

That split tells you something. Not about tax knowledge, but about the relationship itself.

You have a gestor. Or you're about to get one. Either way, someone is going to file your Spanish taxes, handle your modelo submissions, and make dozens of small decisions about your financial life that you'll never see.

This isn't like hiring an accountant back home. The gestor relationship is different. More embedded. Less transactional. And almost never discussed until something goes wrong.

A gestor administrativo — administrative manager — is a licensed professional who handles bureaucratic procedures on your behalf. Think of them as your interface with the Spanish administration.

The basics: quarterly tax filings (Modelo 303, 130), annual summaries (390, 100), social security payments if you're autónomo — self-employed — and the paperwork around any life event that requires government attention.

But here's what they don't advertise: they also make judgment calls. How to categorize that expense. Whether to claim that deduction. How aggressive to be with Hacienda — the Spanish tax authority. These decisions compound across years, and most clients never know they were made.

Gestor fees on the Costa del Sol range from €60 to € 150/month for basic autónomo management. Confirmed January 2026.

The cheap end often means you're one of 400 clients, and your gestor files by algorithm. The expensive end should mean actual attention. Should.

Communication goes dark. You email a question. A week passes. You follow up. Another week. If your gestor only surfaces when something's due, that's not a relationship. That's a transaction with someone who's oversubscribed.

They can't explain your situation. Ask: "What did we pay in VAT last quarter, and why?" If the answer is vague or defensive, they're filing without understanding. You're a number, not a client.

Surprises at year-end. A good gestor warns you in October if January is going to hurt. A reactive one calls you on January 28th, asking for €3,000 you didn't know you owed.

They discourage questions. "Just trust me" is not a professional answer. Your gestor should be able to explain, in plain terms, what they're doing and why. If they can't, they're either too busy or too defensive.

Here's the uncomfortable part: you probably can't evaluate whether your gestor is good. You don't speak enough Spanish to read the filings. You don't know enough Spanish tax law to spot the gaps. You're trusting a professional you can't fully audit.

This is fine, as long as you're trusting the right person.

The test: after a year with your gestor, can you answer these questions?

If you don't know, your gestor hasn't been teaching you. That's a yellow flag.

The expat Facebook recommendation is where everyone starts. It's also where bad gestores survive for years, because nobody shares their tax problems publicly.

Better signals:

They specialize in expats. Not just "speak English," but understand the UK/US/EU cross-border complications. Ask: "What happens if I have income from outside Spain?"

They explain before they act. A good gestor sends a message before filing: "I'm about to submit X. Here's what it says. Any questions?" Not after.

They have capacity. Ask: "How many clients do you handle?" More than 150-200 per gestor, and you're probably getting assembly-line service.

They've been referred by someone whose situation you understand. A recommendation from another remote worker autónomo is worth more than one from a retiree or property investor.

Can you change gestores mid-year? Yes. Should you? Depends.

Switching in January (now) is clean. Your new gestor takes over with a fresh tax year. Switching mid-year means someone has to reconstruct what the previous gestor filed.

The cost of a bad gestor isn't just fees. It's errors that compound, deductions you didn't claim, and the vague unease of not knowing if your paperwork is actually sorted.

If you're unhappy, start looking now. Even if you don't switch until next year, knowing your options clarifies whether the problem is your gestor or your expectations.

If you have a gestor and it's working: Send them a message this week. Ask: "What should I be thinking about for 2026?" A good gestor will have thoughts. A busy one will appreciate the prompt.

If you're not sure it's working: Request a 30-minute call. Ask them to walk you through your 2025 filings. What did you pay? What did you deduct? What's coming in 2026? If they can't or won't, you have your answer.

If you're looking for one: Ask in specific communities (remote worker groups, not general expat forums, or reach out to us). Look for the gestor who asks about your situation before quoting a price. Meet them before you commit.

When interviewing a potential gestor:

"¿Cuántos clientes autónomos extranjeros tiene?" — How many foreign self-employed clients do you have?

The answer tells you whether they understand your world.

Your gestor writes your Spanish financial story. They make decisions you never see, file forms you can't read, and represent you to an administration that doesn't know you exist. The relationship works when you trust them enough to delegate but understand enough to verify. If you're not sure what story they're telling, January is the right time to ask. Before April is too late.

If you're looking for a gestor, or wondering whether it's time to switch, hit reply and tell us your situation. We do know people we trust, but this is a personal relationship. We'd rather understand your needs first than just hand you a name.

Not bad for a Monday — A. and the Waypoint Sur team all playing padel with their gestores