I'm a UK citizen, aged 64 and pretty much now retired on a small teachers' pension. I'm married to an Argentine woman aged 49. We have been researching moving to Murcia but nobody seems able to give the same answer regarding what happens after the initial 3 month stay.
We would like to know what level of income is needed to be able to go through the residency process on the basis of income. we are told that it varies from region to region, so any info on Murcia please.
We also keep getting conflicting advice on the need for private heath insurance. We have EHIC cards which presumably cover the basics for the first 3 months?
I will be 65 in September, so my income will double to just over the princely sum of £16,000. My wife is fluent in English and Spanish and is actually an English teacher in Argentina. If work was available, she could teach either subject. For me, my subject was economics before embarking on a 17 year career with Citizens Advice. I know there is a CA in Spain but given my struggles with the Spanish language, I think that avenue would be blocked. I also do some private English tuition on a one to one basis so perhaps there might be a bit of work there. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Try this link

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/residenc...ments-in-spain

It doesn't vary by region, the same rules apply across Spain. The interpretation of the requirents vary from one individual funcionario to another. One reason for this is that the law does not lay down any specific requirement and specifically says that it will vary from one application to another.

This, of course, gives each useless funcionario in the foreigners office or the Policía Nacional carte blanche to make it up as they go along.

It seems generally accepted that owning a property and producing the escritura will suffice. Alternatively proof of regular payments into you bank account for some months will help and even having a credit card with available credit over about €6000 should be accepted.

As for proof of health cover, an EHIC should not be accepted as when you live in Spain it is no longer valid. They may accept it but that is unlikely. I have heard of cases where a €100/yr discount card at a private clinic has been accepted (because they are not bright enough to realise that is meaningless as insurance!)

That said, they can make it difficult for you. Your only ID required is your passport but I have heard of cases where officially translated copies of your marriage licence have been asked for.

My local Policia Nacional office is generally extremely helpful, but when I recently moved to a new address, they asked for photos which are not officially required. They seem to be living in the past where you had to provide photos and fingerprints. It was not a problem as I learned years ago that you never go to any government office without at least two copies of every document you have, including your mother in law's dog licence!

Just be prepared for every unlikely request!

Thanks Fred. Things are much more clear now.

Be aware that the "Citizens advice bureau in Spain" is NOTHING to do with the CAB in England. They are a charity here in Spain set up to try and help expats but have no official standing at all.

Thanks Snikpoh. Yes, I know it isn't linked to the CAB network in the UK. I understood that at some point they might try to establish formal links but seems not. Thanks for the reply.

An additional question if I may? Two years ago we went to Barcelona for a week ( not married then). At the airport I went through the EU line without problem but my now wife wa stopped and asked how much money she had for the 7 day stay. Apparently this also happened to 4 of her friends the following week. If we go to Murcia in February as a married couple, me with an EU passport, she will have an Argentine passport, which line do we go in and can we expect to be asked about money? We will probably have a return booked for 3 months time and accom receipts for them to see. But, what if we only want to stay say a month and then go elsewhere in Europe? what sort of questions are we likely to be asked?

When we first came to Spain my wife had a Brazilian passport. Travelling from Spain to UK we went through the same hassle at Gatwick and Stansted, me to EU queue, my wife to "Others", then they insisted she went through the same exit as I did. We always had a return ticket. Travelling through Paris no problem, in Madrid also no problem , always going together to same window and always with return tickets in hand. Yes we had hotel bookings and credit cards but were never asked to show them.