Meet Ricardo Bocanegra
A career devoted to defending foreigners in Spain
Ricardo Bocanegra Sánchez holds a degree in Law, specialising in Public Law, from the University of Seville and is a chartered administrative agent (no. 155 of the Official Association of Administrative Agents of Málaga).
In April 1982 he founded Gestoría Bocanegra. From the outset he specialised in immigration matters and, in record time, it became the first administrative agency in Andalusia dedicated to serving foreigners.
Ricardo Bocanegra has always been at the forefront of defending the interests of foreigners, aware of how vital residential tourism is to the economy of the province of Málaga.
For more than 44 years he has advised countless foreigners at his firm, smoothing the way for investors and their families to obtain their residence permits and, in many cases, their self-employed work permits as entrepreneurs who create wealth and jobs.
To support foreign residents, in 1993 he founded the Federation of Foreigners’ Associations of the Costa del Sol. As president of FAECOSOL he achieved numerous gains for foreigners.
Ricardo Bocanegra is closely involved in a wide range of associations and institutions:
- President of the Club Internacional de Marbella, one of Spain’s most prestigious forums for debate
- President of the Casa de Europa de Marbella
- President of FAECOSOL (Federation of Foreigners’ Associations of the Costa del Sol)
- President of the Spanish-Russian International Forum
- Vice-President of the Marbella Association of Business Owners and Professionals
- Secretary of the Academia Gastronómica de Marbella
- Speaks English and Russian, and has been the official herald (pregonero) of Marbella’s Holy Week and of the town’s patron saint festivities
His awards
Over these 44 years he has received a number of distinctions
Marbella Business Person of the Year 2012
Chosen by Marbella’s Centre for Tourism Initiatives (CIT Marbella) for his work on behalf of foreigners’ rights
Recognition from the British Government
For defending the interests of British residents in Spain
Decoration from the Moscow City Duma
For his help to Russian citizens in Spain
First National Prize 1984 from the General Council of Associations of Administrative Agents of Spain
For his work on tourist number plates and the rules on foreign nationals’ use of vehicles in Spain
Lawyers
Since 1982
Distinction from Marbella Town Council
For his contribution to peace and prosperity, on the occasion of Europe Day 2014
Numerous diplomas from foreigners’ associations and town councils across the Costa del Sol
For his work on behalf of foreign residents and the countless professional talks he has given to people of many nationalities
Named ‘Honorary Foreigner’
By the International Institute of Foreign Property Owners of Calpe (Alicante), for his work defending the interests of foreign residents in Spain
Decoration from the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation
For his contribution to promoting Russian culture and art outside the Russian Federation and, in particular, his key role in bringing the Russian Museum to Málaga