Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Nov 7th 2006, 2:57 pm
#16
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Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by Solarwhizz
I read mine every two months and send off a standard correction letter to the supplier with the reading and my bill is amended every month as is my DD.
Their website is at http://tinyurl.com/z2muh
Nov 7th 2006, 4:00 pm
#17
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Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by GCM
I would say the grass is greener here in Spain - for me at least - but I am noticing many younger families moving back - and older people too - so the novelty does wear off.
Spain can be quite a basic country with poor services, facilities, things to do etc but the weather and laid back lifestyle in my opinion cannot be beaten.
Try come out here for an extended holiday - rent somewhere - as you say you can still work on your computer - and yes for many the summers are too hot.
Mark
Spain can be quite a basic country with poor services, facilities, things to do etc but the weather and laid back lifestyle in my opinion cannot be beaten.
Try come out here for an extended holiday - rent somewhere - as you say you can still work on your computer - and yes for many the summers are too hot.
Mark
I wouldn't bother coming to Spain unless you have lots of money or a good job lined up.Also don't bother if you can't speak the language!
Nov 7th 2006, 4:18 pm
#18
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Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by RENE21
It's not a case of the 'novelty' wearing off for many young families but a dose of reality.Especially when you realise you can no longer afford to live in a place where there is no free health care or benefits to fall back on,when times are hard.
I wouldn't bother coming to Spain unless you have lots of money or a good job lined up.Also don't bother if you can't speak the language!
I wouldn't bother coming to Spain unless you have lots of money or a good job lined up.Also don't bother if you can't speak the language!
The quality of health care is one thing that you should be able to have more confidence on here in Spain than back in the UK.
Nov 7th 2006, 4:46 pm
#19
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Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by keithwalters
Why do you say no free health care? I'm not aware of the ins and outs of everyones particular situation, but I thought the health care was free for all residents? And even if you arent a resident, don't you just claim the cost back from the NHS or something?
The quality of health care is one thing that you should be able to have more confidence on here in Spain than back in the UK.
The quality of health care is one thing that you should be able to have more confidence on here in Spain than back in the UK.
Healthcare is not free to all residents ,most have to pay a percentage for treatment/medication and thats if they can get into the system in the first place.I gave birth to my son in a spanish hospital & it was only free because it was an emergency.They cannot refuse to treat you cause its an EU country.
My son can't even have a doctor even though he was born here.We have to pay privately.
Nov 7th 2006, 4:50 pm
#20
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Location: Aspen, CO
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Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by RENE21
It's not a case of the 'novelty' wearing off for many young families but a dose of reality.Especially when you realise you can no longer afford to live in a place where there is no free health care or benefits to fall back on,when times are hard.
I wouldn't bother coming to Spain unless you have lots of money or a good job lined up.Also don't bother if you can't speak the language!
I wouldn't bother coming to Spain unless you have lots of money or a good job lined up.Also don't bother if you can't speak the language!
Health care is free
There are benefits available if you have worked previously, not for people that don't want to work and want to just live on benefits (maybe you fall into this caterogy?)
Being able to speak the language certainly helps but I know people that manage very well without learning it, they limit themselves to having to stay in areas where most of the population is British though.
I really don't think that it's very nice of you to put people off.. perhaps you would like to tell us a bit more about yourself? I just wonder why you sound so bitter..
Nov 7th 2006, 4:53 pm
#21
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Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by RENE21
Healthcare is not free to all residents ,most have to pay a percentage for treatment/medication and thats if they can get into the system in the first place.I gave birth to my son in a spanish hospital & it was only free because it was an emergency.They cannot refuse to treat you cause its an EU country.
My son can't even have a doctor even though he was born here.We have to pay privately.
My son can't even have a doctor even though he was born here.We have to pay privately.
Keith
Nov 7th 2006, 4:55 pm
#22
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 36
Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by anabella
Health care is free
There are benefits available if you have worked previously, not for people that don't want to work and want to just live on benefits (maybe you fall into this caterogy?)
Being able to speak the language certainly helps but I know people that manage very well without learning it, they limit themselves to having to stay in areas where most of the population is British though.
I really don't think that it's very nice of you to put people off.. perhaps you would like to tell us a bit more about yourself? I just wonder why you sound so bitter..
There are benefits available if you have worked previously, not for people that don't want to work and want to just live on benefits (maybe you fall into this caterogy?)
Being able to speak the language certainly helps but I know people that manage very well without learning it, they limit themselves to having to stay in areas where most of the population is British though.
I really don't think that it's very nice of you to put people off.. perhaps you would like to tell us a bit more about yourself? I just wonder why you sound so bitter..
Nov 7th 2006, 5:07 pm
#23
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Aspen, CO
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Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by RENE21
I thought the man wanted peoples opinions?!
Are you being held hostage in Spain?
If you think that it's so bad, why are you staying?
Nov 7th 2006, 5:13 pm
#24
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Posts: 36
Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by anabella
Are you being held hostage in Spain?
If you think that it's so bad, why are you staying?
If you think that it's so bad, why are you staying?
I didn't say i was staying......
Nov 7th 2006, 5:15 pm
#25
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Aspen, CO
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Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by RENE21
I didn't say i was staying......
Nov 7th 2006, 6:08 pm
#26
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Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by keithwalters
Do you know why you can't get free health care? I have used the system twice now - once as an emergency and once routinely. When I went in as an emergency they didn't even ask for my name, let alone ask me to pay. For the routine appointment, they took down all my details but didnt ask for any money. Do you have a tarjeta de residencia and/or a social security card? If you havent got the latter perhaps that has something to do with it?? (only guessing though)
Keith
Keith
Nov 7th 2006, 6:35 pm
#27
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Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
The situation about health care is certainly one I would be interested in should we make the decision to emigrate. It's one of those important factors that one probably doesn't think too much about.
I have my own business, set up as a private limited company, so my wife and I receive directors salaries, but we take most of the income as dividends. Were we to move to Spain, it might be better to rearrange things so that we paid Spanish tax and health contributions, if it would mean that we qualified for free health care. However I'd prefer to keep the business UK registered, just for business reasons.
My wife is originally from Ukraine, now a British citizen, but apart from working in our business has not worked in the UK. Therefore I'm guessing from what had been said that she might not meet the rquirements for free health care in Spain.
I hadn't intended to get into quite this level of detail on such specific issues when I asked my question, but as that is the way this thread is going I might as well state the position, in case there is useful info to be had. I'm afraid that things like this are what in the end makes a dream turn out to be impractical, since we certainly don't have enough money to afford private health premiums into our old age (not unless they are a lot cheaper in Spain than they are here, anyway.)
I have my own business, set up as a private limited company, so my wife and I receive directors salaries, but we take most of the income as dividends. Were we to move to Spain, it might be better to rearrange things so that we paid Spanish tax and health contributions, if it would mean that we qualified for free health care. However I'd prefer to keep the business UK registered, just for business reasons.
My wife is originally from Ukraine, now a British citizen, but apart from working in our business has not worked in the UK. Therefore I'm guessing from what had been said that she might not meet the rquirements for free health care in Spain.
I hadn't intended to get into quite this level of detail on such specific issues when I asked my question, but as that is the way this thread is going I might as well state the position, in case there is useful info to be had. I'm afraid that things like this are what in the end makes a dream turn out to be impractical, since we certainly don't have enough money to afford private health premiums into our old age (not unless they are a lot cheaper in Spain than they are here, anyway.)
Nov 7th 2006, 6:50 pm
#28
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 36
Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by glynis
Keith, this is going back to the old health care blog. It is only free if you live in the Valencia area or are a pensioner or have a current E106, which is only for up to two years depending on your N.I. contributions in the UK. After that you have to pay. We belong to our local medical centre which costs us 22 euros for both of us every other month which I consider good value for money.
Thanks for that Glynis,we too are with the local medical centre.But good value as long as you don't need blood tests etc.When i was pregnant my blood tests came to 175€ on top of what we pay every two months!
Nov 7th 2006, 7:22 pm
#29
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Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by glynis
Keith, this is going back to the old health care blog. It is only free if you live in the Valencia area or are a pensioner or have a current E106, which is only for up to two years depending on your N.I. contributions in the UK. After that you have to pay. We belong to our local medical centre which costs us 22 euros for both of us every other month which I consider good value for money.
I think I am correct in saying that emergency treatment is free regardless of your circumstances (?) but it is the routine stuff that is confusing me. Why does everyone else seem to be paying except for us?
Nov 7th 2006, 7:40 pm
#30
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Re: Is the grass still greener once you're there?
Originally Posted by keithwalters
I´m getting really confused now. Why don't we have to pay then? We are in Jerez (not Valencia). We aren't pensioners and don't have an E106 (or any other documentation from the UK apart from our passports).
I think I am correct in saying that emergency treatment is free regardless of your circumstances (?) but it is the routine stuff that is confusing me. Why does everyone else seem to be paying except for us?
I think I am correct in saying that emergency treatment is free regardless of your circumstances (?) but it is the routine stuff that is confusing me. Why does everyone else seem to be paying except for us?
