sean14592

Hello,

Firstly thank you for taking the time to read my post. I'm 21 and have always lived in the UK but go over to Spain most years for holiday. My girlfriend and I have been over twice now in the past 2 years and have decided we would like to move over to the country upon me finishing University in 2 years time.

My girlfriend unfortunately has Rheumatoid Arthritis and has always been recommended by the specialist that she moves to warmer climates to relieve her of pain, although she manages in the UK, we have always found her pain literally disappears when in Spain and she has far far more energy.

I'm currently studying a degree in Computing and run my own online business which could be ran from over in Spain. I have strong skills in web design and development.

My girlfriend is a teacher specialising in children with special needs, she also plans on completing her PGCE before moving over so that she can teach in Spain.

To be honest, I don't have a direct question to ask, more do you think it's a good idea and what should we do other than learning Spanish to prepare ourselves?

We have only ever visited the south coast of the country (costa del sol), although we would like to live within driving distance of the south coast, we wouldn't really like to live in the tourist area, we do like our "english" way of life, but are both open minded and wouldn't be scared off by Spanish culture nor would it put us off living in a particular area, with that said does anyone have any areas in mine?

Thanks again for taking the time to read this, as you can probably tell, this (although we're both passionate about it) a new idea.
Sean

Rosemary

As Concierge for the Spanish section of BE I would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

sean14592

Thank you very much Rosemary.

tommy.irene

Hi Sean..I think the Best place for your girlfriend would be Gran Canaria with all year sunshine.. Spain has cold winters.. I moved to Playa del Ingles, because of the heat and havent suffered from bad back pain since moving here. If i had have stayed in Ireland i would be in a wheelchair now. The Doctor said it was the best thing i did moving here..Goodluck to you, come on a holiday and look around. One bedroom apartments for the month are €450 to €500 with electric and water..

Lynn R

If you can run your own business online then you will be in a slightly better position than most people of working age who enquire here about moving to Spain. However, you will need to investigate carefully the position regarding social security contributions for self-employed people (called autonomo here). We have a number of members who are self-employed who will be able to give you details of the current situation regarding this, I am sure. You will also need to make sure that fast, reliable internet connection is available in the area you choose to move to - properties in the countryside and even small towns and villages don't tend to have this and if it's available by wimax or satellite it will be much more expensive than you will be used to in the UK.

With regard to your partner's teaching qualification, I think realistically you might be better off looking to move to an area which has a high expat population and therefore international schools where she might be able to get a job, although they might not be your first choice of areas to live the work prospects will be better. She certainly will not get a job in a Spanish state school.

What should you do whilst thinking about the move? Yes, certainly continue learning Spanish, save as much money as you possibly can and research the tax and social security position carefully.

sean14592

Thank you very much for all your replies...

In regards to Spanish State schools....Would they not accept English teachers (teaching English) the same way we accept foreign teachers for our language lessons?

She actually has a masters degree in Law, but unfortunately because of the legal systems being different this is no use either.

Thanks again,
Sean

Retired in Euskadi

You might get replies warning you of the high unemployment rate in Spain, etc, but on balance why not move?
Certainly, learn as much Spanish as you can. Have a look at the various books available on "living in Spain".
My situation is different from many on this forum because I'm married to a Basque "girl" & we live in the Basque country; we're retired & here to stay till cremated so do not have worries of buying property.

Have a look round & decide where would suit you both. Right by some of the Costas can be very touristy, obviously, but they have the advantage of your being in a familiar "English" environment now & then such as "full English breakfasts" & certain supermarkets!
Our eldest son is 36 with Down's syndrome. Amongst other things he works in "Lantegi" every day, a Basque organisation that 'employs' handicapped people to do various tasks; he also is a member of a social club that has weekly events; the monitors speak some limited English, but I daresay your girlfriend might be able to contact local organisations depending on where you finish up.
Best of luck.

Lynn R

As well as having to get her UK qualifications homologised to be recognised in Spain, the system of obtaining employment for teachers (or any other jobs in public services) is quite different here. You can't just apply directly for a vacancy advertised in a particular school, everybody needs to sit (and study for beforehand) exams called oposiciones which are in addition to their degrees, etc. See here for some discussion of the subject:-

http://community.tes.co.uk/tes_teach.../t/558421.aspx

and also


http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums...ad.php?t=10149

Dick Dasterdly

Better still S. Tenerife .

The Southerly Resorts of Tenerife originated around the Swedish Health and Recuperation centre, Vintersol still operating today and created for the very purposes mentioned.

Having searched all the N.Hemisphere within reasonable range of N.Europe the Swedes decided that was the perfect location, even though there was no S. Airport back then and access depended on a full days drive from the North over mostly mountain roads little better than cart tracks at the time.

The main street in Los Cris was eventually named Avenida Suecia in recognition and Las Americas did not even exist at the time.

As mentioned the Costa del Sol can get some cold and wet spells through the Winter and much worse if you venture even a short distance inland.

EnglishPatriot

If you're sure you can run your business entirely online and make enough money to sustain yourself and your girlfriend then really I don't see many issues.

However, don't expect to be able to find much in the way of work. Unemployment is 25% to start with, and you and your girlfriend have the added disadvantage of not being fluent in Spanish.

Spanish companies usually want foreign employees to be absolutely fluent in Spanish before they would even consider employing them. Being "proficient" or "fairly good" doesn't account for much. It's total fluency or nothing as far as work is concerned.

Unlike the UK you rarely see foreigners in Spain employed in anything other than the most menial labour, due mostly to the expectation of fluency in Spanish and also in part a bit of xenophobia as well.

lynnxa

who knows what the state schools will accept in a couple of years - & I'm not joking

atm, in many areas, they are trying to promote bilingualism - Spanish/English - so some subjects are being taught in 'English'

sometimes this means that a Spanish teacher who does know the subject & speaks some English, is teaching, but sometimes it means a native English speaker who doesn't know the subject is doing so...

there was a bit of a hooha in Madrid last year when teachers from the UK were brought into some state schools - they couldn't speak Spanish & hadn't had to sit oposiciones, which are the exams all teachers in state schools have to sit - after they have qualified as teachers! These exams are obviously in Spanish.

your girlfriend could get in touch with the British Council - there's a scheme where they place language assistants into state schools - very often they are qualified teachers from the UK

Porth

Hi I can only comment on Rheumatoid Arthritis as my wife has suffered from it for over 40 years and is on Special Medication and has been for over ten years.

Yes the yellow thing in the sky helps but that in part is 'well-being' When we came here from France for the summer we brought from France sufficient medication under controlled transport arrangements sufficient of the drug to keep my wife going.

As an aside we thought we would question the availability of the drug here in Spain. It is available but hugely expensive and further dialogue with Valencia Health authority essentially reveal 'you must be joking have you seen the cost three months max' The Health guys at our Consulate in Alicante have been unable to help.

Spain is suffering so costs are being cut. There is one thing being on tablets for RA another thing entirely to be dependent upon an injection twice a month.

We are 'well' into the system in France and no problems so hence the move back.

I broached this question well-before leaving France and it was uncertain then it is now more certain.

Here I should have done more research we did not we were seduced by the son and the opportunity of seeing family that we had not seen for over 17 years. So on the medical front please be careful.

Lynn R

Sorry to hear that your wife won't be able to get the treatment that suits her best in Spain. Is it correct that everyone covered under the French state health system also has to pay a top-up via a mutuelle, and how much typically does that cost per month? I wonder, if Spain were to adopt such a system, it might be possible to make the more costly drugs available - but it probably wouldn't be popular.

Porth

Hi the system in France is covered by a Carte Vitale which is a plastic card with a chip and you use it wholesale apart from those medics who prefer cash. It is used extensively in Pharmacies so they can see your prescription background but not medical.

From memory there are those illnesses in France and which amount to say twelve which are recognised by the state as being of longue duree (yes long duration) and everything connected with the illness comes with 100% cover. Such as Consultants medication blood tests Xrays and indeed Spa treatment.
Heart and cancer top the list but RA is reckoned as being third or 4th. In addition you are taxed in France in parts so husband and wife two parts but where someone suffers from an illness LD then you get .5 of a part to help for day to day needs. I suppose a sort of DLA in the UK. That makes a major impact of one's taxation.

Outside there is the conventional system and where the state pays 70% cover and you obtain top up for the balance. The cost provided by Groupama AXA the Banks and the like varies with age!

Doctors charge 23 euros per consultation and the state pays 22 euros.

Very seriously the GP says you need to see a specialist urgently I would say max of three to four days. Blood tests in the morning back to specialist and GP by this pm via the internet.

They are big on preventative medicine in France and whilst of short duration my experience particularly of the salud in Javea is not good and it is miles apart from France hence one of the reasons of moving back. So I do not compare with the UK I compare with France.

That said lots to commend Spain but on health and tax I have grave doubts and moving here without a cast iron guarantee of the availability of the drug would be absolute madness. Again have nothing to hide but someone I know and know well has been subjected by the tax guys to huge pressure simply because his pensions being of Govt UK origin teaching and police are taxed at source and covered by double taxation treaties. He tells me that your guys really take a dislike to such things and are making life somewhat tough.

So taken in the whole France it has to be (I am afraid)

Porth

Sorry forgot one of the best hospitals in the world for Rheumatoid Arthritis is the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic diseases in Bath and started with people going for the waters to cure arthritis in Georgian Times. Its nickname is the Min after mineral waters.

Second best Montpellier in France. Will check and see where Spain falls.