moblies

We have a property in the Alicante region, we both have our NIE numbers and plan to live in Spain eventually. Is there any mileage in having residency before we move out full time or is it best to wait untill we do.

We both currently work and have a home in the UK.

countryboy

Hi moblies,
I have lived here in the Alicante region now for just over two and a half years and finaly got my residence card about two months ago, having the card has its advantages ie in saving on sales tax it also helps when you use credit cards as you have to provide proof when presenting your card.

you would have to apply for your card and you can hang around for it for months and then you are called for fingerprinting and then 30 days later pick up your card from your local police station.

So you should waite until you get here to apply.

Hope this helps.

Gill Stevens

We have been told by Department of Health today that you get 30 months of free healthcare in Spain with a Form 106 and after that you have to apply to the Spanish health authorities to get the same healthcare as a spanish resident. Presumably it is better if you are a proper resident at that time. If it takes that long to get the residency through how do you apply for that healthcare after the 30 months are up if it hasn't come through by then?

countryboy

Hi Gill,
In the year 2006 all europe will have a new health card and this can be used instead of form E111, and is used for health care while you are on holiday within the EU countries, I think it came in force on July 1st 2005, you should ask at your DHSS office.

You can apply for and get a SIP card (spanish health card) from your local health centre. 1st go to your local town hall and register on the "Padron" all members of your family (that live with you in spain) need to be on the register, you will need your passport, deeds to your house, and photocopies of both passport and deeds.

once you have registered you will need a Padron for all members of your family and then go to the health centre with your passport, and padron and make an application for your health card (SIP) you will be given a tempory card which lasts one year. you will have to check your mail for your plastic SIP card which takes about three weeks to arrive,

You will be then covered on the spanish system for health care, you will have to pay a reduced amount for your medication, if you are under 65, 65 and over get free medication.

I hope this sets your mind at rest..

Nige

The new replacement for the E111 is valid from 1st Sept 2005 for UK residents who apply on the E111 form at a Post Office. A plastic card showing your individual PIN (UK) number is being issued to each person applying and qualifying. Believe that these cards are issued for approx 3 years. The card holds the essential computer number that will be your 'health' ID when travelling in countries of the European Area or Switzerland. The card is valid for treatment offered under the state healthcare schemes operating in those countries and gives access to treatment on the same terms as people living in the country visited. The advice is that it is not a substitute for travel insurance since it may not cover all eventualites and never covers repatriation costs. As this effectively replaces the E111 it's designed for bona fide travellers needing emergency teatment abroad. More info: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers

EsuriJohn

Hi all,

Residency is not a "choice" status you either qualify or you don't. The first step is to want to live permanently in a Spanish Territory. Next you need to own or have a long term rental agreement on a property (as an incidental to this step you will have acquired an NIE number and a Spanish Bank Account on the way). The bank account will probably be a visitors one so this should be translated into a residents account at the time when you sign the Escritura or rental agreement.

Now you are on your way you need to establish a permanent status. The first step should be to get your Empadronamiento (Town Registered). This is a document issued by the Ayuntamiento to get access to all local services such as schools or public health services, a vote in local elections (if you are a EU member state citizen), register your car, buy insurance and pay local taxes.

Now you have to be in Spain as a resident visitor. After 183 days your status will change without you asking or taking any action, you will become a "fiscal resident" this will entitle you to pay Province, Region and State taxes. This you must do for probably the next two years whilst you wait for your full Residency status to be prepared and considered by the appropriate authorities.

If everything so far is OK and you don't have any dark secrets you should then become a full resident of Spain. So it will have taken 2 - 2.5 years. If you then wish to become a Spanish Citizen this could take up to ten more years.

But just think as you wait for all this to happen you can enjoy the Sun, Sea and Sangria in one of the most interesting and varied places in the world. After you have reached fiscal resident status there are not many extra advantages to be gained along the way so "lie back" adopt the true manana style of living and enjoy yourself.

Regards,

John.

EsuriJohn

Hi All,

We had to apply for a new E111 for our trips to Ayamonte in April and June this year (we had, had the old one for absolutely ages and all our children were listed, the eldest is now 32!).

At the Post Office they asked if we intended to change address before the end of the year and we said no. Low and behold our new plastic European Health Insurance Card came yesterday.

The rules for this card are all explained in the booklet "Health advice for Travellers" (obtained from the post office) the back page of which is the application for an E111 or the new plastic equivalent.

As long as you do not live or work in Spain you seem to be covered by the card however long you stay if your NI contributions are paid or credited in the UK. But of course there must be a rule somewhere that states "holidays" can't be more than lets say 31 days. But then I assume it would be OK to move to Portugal on holiday for the next 31 days and so on.

Regards,

John.

EsuriJohn

Hi All (the second part),

If you intend to admit to living in Spain from the off you need a different form (who says the Spanish have the biggest bureaucracy). From the DWP in UK you get an E-106 application form, this allows you access to the Spanish health system for between one and three years. The E-106 form is only for those below pensionable age (W60/M65).

For those in receipt of a pension a different form is needed, again from the DWP, you get an E-121 and once this has been accepted the pensioner receives the benefit of the Spanish Health system for life. In both cases you are issued with the same European Health Insurance Card as before.

The difference is invisible to you but the forms at Newcastle tell them to cross charge in a different budget when Spain sends the bill.

Your entitlement to treatment is exactly the same as a Spanish Citizen and pensioners get free prescriptions too. This does not cover everything the same as in UK, so speaking to a Spanish neighbour will give you a clue to whether you need top up health insurance.

Being a bone-fide pensioner in Spain can also entitle you to discounts on public transport,museums and other public places.

The route to follow once you get to Spain is to get your Empadronamiento (see above) and take this together with your NIE, European Health Insurance Card, passport and photocopies of each to register at the local health centre.

The rules for the E.H.I. card are all explained in the booklet "Health advice for Travellers" (obtained from the post office) the back page of which is the application for an E111 or the new plastic European Health Insurance Card.

At the Post Office they asked if we intended to change address before the end of the year and we said no. Low and behold our new plastic European Health Insurance Card came the day before yesterday.

Regards,

John.

Chiclanagir

So when the E106 runs out until you get to pensionable age you basically need to take out insurance cover or hope that you don't get ill. Is this correct?

EsuriJohn

Hi glynis,

Yes thats the way I see it, but if you are not 60 and don't have private means then you will be working and paying into the Spanish system so should be covered anyway.

If you have private means then you can afford the private health insurance anyway.

Regards,

John.

Chiclanagir

No John,
Not working - wish I could but not easy to get a job in Chiclana area without having fluent Spanish, although working on it it is a slow upward climb!
We have a small rental income from UK on which we pay a small sum of tax and a little savings so difficult to afford expensive health cover in Spain.

EsuriJohn

Hi Glynis,

Not a nice position to be in, there might be one or two almost legal things you could.

Become a health tourist to UK since you own property and hence have an address (on which you pay taxes).

Don't opt for the E 106 route and keep the E 111 status as long as you can. I think it might be years before the cross charging system catches up with you.

Finally just like UK I think you can pay into the Spanish Social Fund on a voluntary basis and this may be a cheaper alternative to Private Insurance (the old class 3 stamp)

Regards,

John.

Gill Stevens

That is a great idea to pay voluntary contributions to keep you in the health system. Here it is just about £6 per week to make up the voluntary conts.

Is there anywhere we can find out whether this is possible before we move there as we are trying to budget for our costs once we are there and although we too will have some independent means from investments and a small pension, it will just be enough to ensure a normal standard of living but not to pay for private insurance the same as the people in the other post.

Chiclanagir

Thanks for all that.

I have just read in Blevins financial guide that you can opt to pay extra contributions to UK and extend your E106 for five years, which is all we would need. If it is £6 per week or roughly £50 per month for a couple it may be worth doing rather than to pay out for private insurance in Spain which to be honest we just couldn't afford.

Gill Stevens

I have just spoken to the Benefits Agency in newcastle who say this is rubbish. There is no such scheme. Once you leave the UK you cannot make additional contributions for medical treatment only to enhance your state pension. They say once the E106 runs out it depends which area of Spain you are living in - Alicante and Valencia regions she thinks you would be able to register with the Spanish health system for free care but other regions you cannot so it depends where you are going to live.