PapaEco

Hi, after 6 years living and working in UK I've acquired British citizenship. I've recently moved back to my home country, Spain, whilst still working for my UK employer. My wife, also Spanish, moved with me but she is now working as Spanish freelance , autónomo.

Based on the criteria, I am eligible for shared parental leave and pay, as my wife worked for 26 weeks within the 66 weeks for a UK employer before the due date. My main concern is that we are both living in Spain , so I am not sure if it is a requirement to be living in the UK to obtain this benefit? In the form is necessary to provide the address.

Also obtaining the pregnancy certificate, the MatB1 , will be near impossible given the restrictions on flights during the lockdown. After the lockdown, wife won't be able to travel to travel to the UK as the pregnancy will be too advanced to take flights.

I wish you can help on resolving this two queries: 1) Eligiblity for ShPP when living abroad, 2) Obtain a pregnancy certificate in Spain to apply for ShPP.

Regards

spainrico

This might help with the benefits question

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-spain#benefits