Thanks c_man for this helpful link.
My understanding in that case is that warranty is
still supported if I were to return the phone to the original carrier in the country of sale? i.e. Movistar in Spain in this case? I understand that the warranty does not enable one to return it to just ANY carrier in another country.
At least this will provide additional peace-of-mind, despite the numerous reports of happy clients who have purchased the phone off ebay/Expansys.