Hi everybody. We have just joined because we used to live in Spain a number of years ago but moved back to the UK for health reasons. We are now in a very different position and have the prospect of full-time, permanent work in the Malága area. It would be lovely to connect with others and exchange experiences, thoughts and ideas. Our family that would move to Malága would be us, David and Samantha, children Alex (17) , Ethan (13) and Ashleigh (29) and her daughter (our first grandchild) NyahFaye (2). Unfortunately, as a family, we are a little complicated with health issues, etc. so would really appreciate any (current) advice on healthcare, benefits, education, etc.

What passport do you all hold UK or EU?
How long ago did you used to live in Spain?
Prospect of work - is this a definite employer sponsored position?

If you are EU citizens and have been offered a job then you and your children would get free healthcare but your parents would need private healthcare unless they are EU pensioners. If you are UK nats then it might be harder unless you have an employer willing to arrange visas for all of you ( but not your parents)/

Hi there. We left Spain in 2007. Other than my wife, who is British (but we are checking lineage, lol), we all have dual nationality British and Irish so yes, EU. My employment would be a permanent contract with a Spanish company (EY España). I’ve updated my post, as it was easy to mix up - my parents won’t be coming with us; I was referring to my wife and I as mum and dad, with three children and a grandchild - 6 of us. Thanks for the replies.

As Irish nationals you can work and receive healthcare. There are no benefits in Spain so no childcare or assistance with rents or income top ups.

Thanks for the reply

I have to disagree with there not being any child benefits in Spain. List here + the relatively new complemento de ayuda a la infancia . For a weighty tomb for bedtime reading you can download the Guía de ayudas sociales y servicios para las familias 2024.

There is also extra tax allowance for children. 2400 euro for first child, 2700 euro for second, 4000 euro for third and 4500 euro for forth. In addition you get 2800 euro per child under 3.

Super, thanks. That’s so helpful

That’s good to know, cheers

There are certain modest tax deductions available but the way they are applied has very little impact on your overall income. You are not receiving any child allowance or housing benefit as you do in UK - it is a deduction that is used within the tax calculation not a deduction at the start like tax allowances in UK.

Even as Irish passport holders I'm not sure your 29 year old, or 17 year old if he turns 18 before you make the move, can come as a dependents which would mean them having to apply for residence in their own rights. I don't think family reunion rules cover them either.

Re benefits, my understanding is that they are fully available to citizens but not necessarily to resident immigrants.

Just some things to research to ensure there are no unexpected road humps on your journey!

There is the IMV (like universal credit) + ayuda complementaria a la infancia (like child benefit) but I think they would be treated as two separate families, on the one hand family with two dependents and on the other grown-up daughter + grandchild.

Thank you Sam and David for “all” your family info on ages and gender (you forgot your NI number BTW) so those (of which there are many) can log that valuable info onto their data bases for use in the future.
If you can give more info on health issues it may well help the scammers to target you in the future (just saying)

Dear O Lord stay in the UK ! …………. IMO

I don't see how the concepts of being a dependent or family reunion or applying for residency relate to EU passport holders?
if they're adult EU citizens they are subject to the normal FoM condtions in any EU country.
So it is up to them to meet the conditions by finding work or whatever so as to have the unassailable right to stay in another member state after tfe first 3 months.