Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Europe > Spain
Reload this Page >

Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Old May 15th 2023, 1:36 pm
  #121  
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Location: Cantabria or Somerset
Posts: 345
rbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by Red Eric
That thought had occurred to me - or at least that no one who had done had crossed the Spanish external Schengen border. But there's that geezer Barrie knows who's done so and got the stamps to prove it, allegedly.

I think we're mixing 2 distinct scenarios here in any case, by talking both about people who've allegedly been living in Spain for years and potential shorter term visitors who breach the 90/180 but apparently don't get pulled for it. The latter does surprise me, I must admit. Maybe they treat breaches by visa waiver countries' citizens differently to those who need a visa and overstay?

One of the things which does strike me about the long-termers is that EU member states operated 2 different systems when it came to Brexit-related residence documents. Some (like Spain and Portugal) operated a declaratory system, which didn't require UK nationals to apply for a new status, the rest a constitutive system where status would be lost unless applied for by a set deadline. In the declaratory system countries, not having residence documents is far less of a problem than in constitutive, because as long as you could prove that you'd been resident prior to the end of the transition period, you could still acquire the necessary document as you wouldn't necessarily have committed any offence which warranted deportation. Failures, possibly, on various administrative matters, which we all obviously take very seriously, but maybe something the more benevolent regimes wouldn't sling people out for. Plus, anybody staying in country and never crossing the external Schengen border is highly unlikely to be detected as an overstayer provided they don't fall foul of the suthorities on some other matter.
Very informative Red Eric and a valid distinction between the two types of overstayer. I wonder if the other distinction you make, between countries, would explain in part at least why the Netherlands and Sweden suddenly shot to the top of the table for expelling Brits? Ray
rbs_gb is offline  
Old May 15th 2023, 1:46 pm
  #122  
Polished expat
 
Red Eric's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Location: Arcos de Valdevez "Onde Portugal se fez"
Posts: 16,803
Red Eric has a reputation beyond reputeRed Eric has a reputation beyond reputeRed Eric has a reputation beyond reputeRed Eric has a reputation beyond reputeRed Eric has a reputation beyond reputeRed Eric has a reputation beyond reputeRed Eric has a reputation beyond reputeRed Eric has a reputation beyond reputeRed Eric has a reputation beyond reputeRed Eric has a reputation beyond reputeRed Eric has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by rbs_gb
Very informative Red Eric and a valid distinction between the two types of overstayer. I wonder if the other distinction you make, between countries, would explain in part at least why the Netherlands and Sweden suddenly shot to the top of the table for expelling Brits? Ray
It could be - they were both among the countries operating a constitutive system, whereby failing to apply for the new status meant a loss of all rights.

Red Eric is offline  
Old May 15th 2023, 2:04 pm
  #123  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,148
Moses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by Ronnyone
Of course there is always another interpretation of there not being any recorded figures.. No one has overstayed!!!!
True and it's like saying nobody ever got caught speeding down our road. The rules are clear and they can install a speed camera at any time.
Moses2013 is offline  
Old May 15th 2023, 2:20 pm
  #124  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Location: Valencia
Posts: 502
SanNico has a reputation beyond reputeSanNico has a reputation beyond reputeSanNico has a reputation beyond reputeSanNico has a reputation beyond reputeSanNico has a reputation beyond reputeSanNico has a reputation beyond reputeSanNico has a reputation beyond reputeSanNico has a reputation beyond reputeSanNico has a reputation beyond reputeSanNico has a reputation beyond reputeSanNico has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by DLC
I would have thought people being refused entry from Gibraltar would have shown up, maybe it's easier to bark at visitors than fill in the paperwork.

There might also be something that wouldn't show up, which would be overstaying detected on the way out and a warning along the lines of "you've overstayed three months, don't come back within the next year because you won't get in".

But in any case, none of us have overstayed (or at least overstayed and caught) so none of us knows what happens when you are caught, and none of us has better info than Eurostat.

The only conclusion we can draw is it's better to choose Spain than Sweden for a holiday.
Wasn't that just another non-issue that disappeared in no time. I remember thinking when that article came out last year that if they were only stopping foot passengers then the chances are they were looking for someone or something in particular. It could also have been a nice lighthearted story to detract from the usual Gib news.

As already mentioned, most overstayers are of the 'good' variety and will not get caught unless they do something naughty or try to do something that flags them up, like work, study etc.
SanNico is offline  
Old May 15th 2023, 4:20 pm
  #125  
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Location: Cantabria or Somerset
Posts: 345
rbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by Moses2013
True and it's like saying nobody ever got caught speeding down our road. The rules are clear and they can install a speed camera at any time.
The sad thing is here it is the law abusers who have got away without being fined while the law abiders have paid to comply with the rules. To get residence does not come cheap as we all know. Just ignoring the rules has, so it appears, been free in Spain. That leads to a feeling that justice has not been done.
rbs_gb is offline  
Old May 15th 2023, 4:44 pm
  #126  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,148
Moses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by rbs_gb
The sad thing is here it is the law abusers who have got away without being fined while the law abiders have paid to comply with the rules. To get residence does not come cheap as we all know. Just ignoring the rules has, so it appears, been free in Spain. That leads to a feeling that justice has not been done.
I don't know about that and still early days. At the end of the day you can only get away with it until something happens and suddenly these people might have to go to hospital and realise they have no health cover etc. It was the same with illegal builds in Spain and while some got away with it, that changed too. It's still better to know you've done it legally and can sleep at night.

Last edited by Moses2013; May 15th 2023 at 4:47 pm.
Moses2013 is offline  
Old May 16th 2023, 11:08 am
  #127  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 698
Stingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by Moses2013
I don't know about that and still early days. At the end of the day you can only get away with it until something happens and suddenly these people might have to go to hospital and realise they have no health cover etc. It was the same with illegal builds in Spain and while some got away with it, that changed too. It's still better to know you've done it legally and can sleep at night.
none residents do get free health cover. My GFS dad fell off his motorcycle and badly burnt his leg on the exhaust. He went to the health centre with his health card and received free treatment. Non resident Brits get free health care in Spain.
Stingychips is offline  
Old May 16th 2023, 11:11 am
  #128  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 698
Stingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond reputeStingychips has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by rbs_gb
The sad thing is here it is the law abusers who have got away without being fined while the law abiders have paid to comply with the rules. To get residence does not come cheap as we all know. Just ignoring the rules has, so it appears, been free in Spain. That leads to a feeling that justice has not been done.
your on about Spain mate. A place where everyone bends the rules to suite themselves. I read an article about a mayor down south that got caught with a full house of cannabis plants.
Stingychips is offline  
Old May 16th 2023, 11:44 am
  #129  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,588
bobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by Stingychips
none residents do get free health cover. My GFS dad fell off his motorcycle and badly burnt his leg on the exhaust. He went to the health centre with his health card and received free treatment. Non resident Brits get free health care in Spain.
I'm a bit confused, which health card? Ehic/ghic or a Spanish health card? If its EHIC/GHIC surely that's what it's for necesarry immediate treatment. Would he have got say long term treatment or would he have got necesarry treatment to return to UK for ongoing treatment?
bobd22 is offline  
Old May 16th 2023, 11:53 am
  #130  
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Location: Cantabria or Somerset
Posts: 345
rbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by bobd22
I'm a bit confused, which health card? Ehic/ghic or a Spanish health card? If its EHIC/GHIC surely that's what it's for necesarry immediate treatment. Would he have got say long term treatment or would he have got necesarry treatment to return to UK for ongoing treatment?
Yes, you're right. This part of the thread came about because I posted about a frequent visitor system that is little known and little used. Basically, if you are a frequent visitor or staying longer than 6 weeks, it is possible to register with a public health GP as a non resident. It is fundamentally the EHIC/GHIC system, except that instead of going to A&E or a medical centre, you can go to a GP. It's not liked at many medical centres, and they often will claim it can't be done. If a non resident tries to get a prescription from a medical centre, they will often send you to a private GP and won't even attend to you. If you are registered with the GP, you just get an appointment. Emergency cover as described in the incident above, is what EHIC/GHIC/Insurance is for.

Last edited by rbs_gb; May 16th 2023 at 12:10 pm.
rbs_gb is offline  
Old May 16th 2023, 11:53 am
  #131  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,148
Moses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond reputeMoses2013 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by Stingychips
none residents do get free health cover. My GFS dad fell off his motorcycle and badly burnt his leg on the exhaust. He went to the health centre with his health card and received free treatment. Non resident Brits get free health care in Spain.
I know that, but if you are illegally in Spain (no Visa) you might have to cover expenses as the bill is sent to your home country. Same with car insurance and you are often only covered for 90 days abroad, so when someone stays longer than 90 days without the right cover they wont pay out. As it says You can use a UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to access healthcare for temporary stays, usually up to 90 days.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/hea...ur-healthcare/

Last edited by Moses2013; May 16th 2023 at 12:00 pm.
Moses2013 is offline  
Old May 16th 2023, 11:59 am
  #132  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Velez-Malaga
Posts: 4,871
Lynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond reputeLynn R has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by rbs_gb
Yes, you're right. This part of the thread came about because I posted about a frequent visitor system that is little known and little used. Basically, if you are a frequent visitor or staying longer than 6 weeks, it is possible to register with a public health GP as a non resident. It us fundamentally the EHIC/GHIC system, except that instead of going to A&E or a medical centre, you can go to a GP. It's not liked at many medical centres, and they often will claim it can't be done. If a non resident tries to get a prescription from a medical centre, they will often send you to a private GP and won't even attend to you. If you are registered with the GP, you just get an appointment. Emergency cover as described in the incident above, is what EHIC/GHIC/Insurance is for.
Several years ago the young daughter of friends of ours who had a holiday home here fell and broke her arm. I went with them to A&E and follow-up appointments to translate, and we were directed to the local centro de salud for them to arrange the follow-up. When I told the administrator they had a holiday home here she said she would register the child as a temporary patient for one year, with her EHIC, in case further treatment was needed. I am not sure whether that could have been extended beyond the initial one year period, though.
Lynn R is offline  
Old May 16th 2023, 12:01 pm
  #133  
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Location: Cantabria or Somerset
Posts: 345
rbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by Lynn R
Several years ago the young daughter of friends of ours who had a holiday home here fell and broke her arm. I went with them to A&E and follow-up appointments to translate, and we were directed to the local centro de salud for them to arrange the follow-up. When I told the administrator they had a holiday home here she said she would register the child as a temporary patient for one year, with her EHIC, in case further treatment was needed. I am not sure whether that could have been extended beyond the initial one year period, though.
Exactly. In Gran Canaria you get a piece of paper headed "Poblacion sin Tarjeta", which refers to the tarjeta sanitaria. There they register for 6 months and give you a named GP. If your friends are frequent visitors (I assume on Schengen rules), I'd suggest they try to register at the start of each visit so that they can get GP cover. I was told by a doctor in A&E in GC about this some years ago, when he told me off for going back to A&E for s problem he had first diagnosed weeks previously. He was one of those stern types, and left it clear he didn't want to see me in A&E again!

Last edited by rbs_gb; May 16th 2023 at 12:07 pm.
rbs_gb is offline  
Old May 16th 2023, 12:14 pm
  #134  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,588
bobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond reputebobd22 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by Lynn R
Several years ago the young daughter of friends of ours who had a holiday home here fell and broke her arm. I went with them to A&E and follow-up appointments to translate, and we were directed to the local centro de salud for them to arrange the follow-up. When I told the administrator they had a holiday home here she said she would register the child as a temporary patient for one year, with her EHIC, in case further treatment was needed. I am not sure whether that could have been extended beyond the initial one year period, though.
Yes agreed I know someone who had this extended medical care given by using an ehic, he was registered at our Centro Salud and could use it the same as if he were on an S1. I don't know how long they allowed him to do that or how he went on for prescription charges? I believe the discounted prescription we pensioners get is linked not only to our S1 but also somehow to our Spanish tax registration? I may be wrong on that one. That said the use of authorised use of EHIC/GHIC and the authorities saying you can be registered with Centro Salud is different to it being allowed for all non residents. It's possible if spanish authorities authorise it dependant on circumstances.
bobd22 is offline  
Old May 16th 2023, 12:20 pm
  #135  
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Location: Cantabria or Somerset
Posts: 345
rbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond reputerbs_gb has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Spain has not expelled any Brits!

Originally Posted by bobd22
Yes agreed I know someone who had this extended medical care given by using an ehic, he was registered at our Centro Salud and could use it the same as if he were on an S1. I don't know how long they allowed him to do that or how he went on for prescription charges? I believe the discounted prescription we pensioners get is linked not only to our S1 but also somehow to our Spanish tax registration? I may be wrong on that one. That said the use of authorised use of EHIC/GHIC and the authorities saying you can be registered with Centro Salud is different to it being allowed for all non residents. It's possible if spanish authorities authorise it dependant on circumstances.
Exactly, it exists, but is little known, little used, and often you might get told "it can't be done" especially in non tourist areas. In areas with high levels of tourism, they seem much more switched on to it, and having a patient registered means they don't have to do all the EHIC/GHIC paperwork for each visit. So far as prescription charges are concerned, I always had to go to the pharmacy and pay the discounted public health prices for medicines, the same as residents and tarjeta sanitaria holders.
rbs_gb is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.