anagerbera

Hi everyone,
I am moving to Spain soon, and I would like to know whether you can access the "Government Gateway" while living in Spain. This is mainly to check on the State Pension and some Tax matters. Does anyone have experience of dealing with it in Spain? Does HMRC allow you to use if from Spain? Also, as most of you will know, HMRC sends you a code number via "sms" for you to enter... would HMRC accept a "Spanish mobile" number for that? Many thanks for any information. I took ages to open the Government Gateway account, and would not like to lose it completelly. Kind regards.

bobd22

Yes it works fine here in Spain no different to being in the UK. I'm afraid I can't answer the question re spanish phone number as I retain a UK sim and use a dual sim phone UK and Spanish.

tebo53

I've had no problem accessing the Government gateway but I also have a UK sim.

Steve

Mark604

I'm currently travelling and thought I'd test this, so what I can say is that it worked using a Spanish SIM and from Bosnia.
Also discovered it works here on a German SIM as well.

spainrico

Yes it works OK with Spanish SIM, no problem.

Barriej

Yep. Works for me as well. Only have a Spanish mobile number
I've used the system to claim back tax and to check other bits.

Lynn R

Yes, I too have used the Government Gateway (as recently as this year) to check pension forecasts, UK tax codes, etc. I only have a Spanish SIM.

Jon-Bxl

Im the unlucky one! I cant get in and have a long email from HMRC confirming this.... Nothing sinister its because it stops me going to the end because I need 2 of these Items, below.

I could get on before, but it stopped a few years ago. I just tried it and they've added authenticator app so I got excited ..... But Im still stuffed - so have to call and wait, and wait and wait......

Jon

I only have the UK passport.... I gave my NI number, date of birth etc on previous screens:
Copied from the site

Choose 2 items we can ask you about

Photocard Driving Licence
You need a driving licence issued by the DVA or the DVLA

UK passport
You need a valid UK passport

Credit reference questions
For example, the year you took out a credit card or phone contract

purch

HMRC has an app available on iPhone or Android that generates a log-in code if you don't want/can't receive one via SMS

I've used it for years, as I no longer have access to the mobile number they send the code to, and can't be bothered to jump through their hoops to change the number

spainrico

Thanks purch didn't know that

Jon-Bxl

Thanks Purch. I didn't know about that.

I loaded the app .. a bit shaky... But in the end I had to choose from the same 3 options I mentioned above. So I cant get in.

So its calling them and waiting, waiting etc. The last time I called them they promised to fix a problem at their end (that they apologised for) and also promised to send me a statement proving it had been done. They told me that would take 20 weeks to arrive. Nothing came, so its another call.

I will say that once I get through, they are helpful and even friendly. Its the back office stuff and follow up that takes forever.... And frankly the UK government cant do IT well..... Take e.g track + trace, NHS systems etc etc etc.

Another drag to add to the list!

Jon

bobd22

Jon I came across this forum. It would seem many have been exactly the same issue as yourself and the issue has not been resolved. To date I have had no issues but that may well be because I initially set the account up when still in the UK so it now accepts that I am non UK resident having informed them of that. Fingers crossed mine continues OK.
https://community.hmrc.gov.uk/custom....gov.uk&page=3

Jon-Bxl

Hi Bob, thanks for this.. I shouldn't laugh but this did make me.. Regarding inability to sign in.... quote:

Hi,

You can find guidance on how to complain about HMRC here:

Complain about HMRC

Thank you.

Posted 24 days ago by TMK01

Good afternoon, We are unable to raise complaints on this issue as that also requires a sign in.....

.
Again the UK government cant do IT!!

It all worked a few years back, and I was delighted to get my pension information... Then it just stopped, as another mentioned on the thread.

They have my official address abroad that they write to (eventually), my DOB, my UK passport information and my NI number all of which I have to fill in. They send the Govt Gateway number to my official email address too. So almost every box is ticked. Of the only 3 options they give me I only can give the passport. I should have been in debt previously... Or kept my old P60 which is so many years old.

Its a shame that it worked fine before but some system upgrade messed it up.

Just thought: I wonder if I need to sign in to get an old P60.... Hmmm Ill check
Jon

UKMS

Did you try the credit file questions ? They are pretty easy to answer and multi choice and dont neccesarily relate to debt. my wife recently reset her gateway and used this.

I supose if they made it too easy we would all be complaining that someone had compromised our gateway profile !

Jon-Bxl

Thanks I'll give it a go... But based on the discussion on the HMRC forum/blog, I won't hold my breath... especially as I am an expat.

I don't think anyone is asking to make this confidential information 'too easy' but at the same time, many expats are experiencing problems... Especially annoying when a host of info is given that they can check... And when it worked fine previously.

Jon
PS gave it a go and as suspected the credit agency was a UK one, and I had to use a UK postcode. So as this thread applies to expats, I must fall into 'the unlucky guy' category, that others on the HMRC blog are also in. I tried my old UK post code before leaving.... No luck. Now that option is removed from the list they offer me!