Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

Maybe so, but it's surprising how many Spanish who came to the UK looking for work only, have taken a shine to it and quite enjoy the lifestyle.
I imagine they appreciate positive aspects of the UK that we don't notice or else normally take for granted.

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

We were out for dinner in Clerkenwell last night. Had a lovely Spanish waitress and long chat with her. She loved London describing it as mad, but in a great way.
I don't think she was going back any time soon.

I don't know why these threads always turn into UK/Spain contest. I am off to Spain next week and shall enjoy myself just as much there as I do here.

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

Likewise, I equally enjoy the positive aspects of both countries.

I know a Spanish lady living close to my Valencian home who lived and worked for more than a year in a Bournemouth hotel.
She enjoyed everything about the UK lifestyle and people, often talks about going back, but unfortunately is unable to do so at present due to family commitments.

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

Why pay taxes to the UK?
Would it not be of more benefit to pay tax in Spain. This is a problem that we are not quite sure of the best thing to do, pay tax in UK or Spain. :confused:

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

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Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

It's not a case of the best thing to do. If you live in Spain then you pay Spanish taxes. Believe me there is no benefit to paying taxes in Spain, you will pay more. Unless you have Civil service pensions which seem to be untaxed:confused:

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

Same here, we were in Spain a few weeks ago and we'll be doing the same again in a few weeks time. We will be staying in a property owned by Spanish friends, the same as we always do when we visit that area. Here, I know of only about four or five Spanish people, all married or living with Brits. They all have good jobs, two teachers, architect, trainee midwife and one that has her own delicatessen/restaurant business. None show any signs of wanting to return to Spain, as one said, "why would I want to go back to no job, I earn great money here." For the first time since I've known her, she's not gone back to Spain for her August holidays, she's opted for Portugal.

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

Civil Service pensions are taxed at source.

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

Yes that's right, Civil Service and Local Government pensions are always taxable in the UK.
I have a local Govenment pension which is below my allowence in the UK, my state pension is taxable here in Spain and as it's a little over my allowence here I do pay tax on it....but not much. :thumbup:

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

In my earlier response I did indeed forget the tax situation. Whilst we return to the UK and that for a number of reasons our tax situation was examined here in Spain and against the French regime. We are going to get hit in the UK but it is a fact (only for us) that if we had decided to stay in France we would be substantially better off. But other reasons are behind our move 'home'

So perhaps the OP should also take into account fiscal matters before moving to Spain?

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

As to taxes Gizmo has of course overlooked one issue. Those of our fellow UK citizens who benefit from 'public' pensions such as Police civil servants and the like have no choice. Tax is deducted at source in the UK. That Gizmo is the answer to your question.

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

Just been reading of an eighty year old Spanish bloke that killed his wife then himself. Machismo? No, just at the end of his tether, both ill, he couldn't look after her, he couldn't cope any more. The article goes on to explain how the frail, the elderly are left very much on their own, it's a "private matter" "almost embarrasing" nothing to do with the state. This is one case, but it says this is happening with "disturbing regularity". I'm sure there'll be those that will dismiss this and tell us how all the ancianos all live a great life where they are.
http://blogs.20minutos.es/tu-blog/20...de-impotencia/

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

Looking after your parents or grandparents, as suggested by the blog, is seen as a private matter in Spain. The state keep well out of it

Obviously the vast majority of elderly people are looked after well by their families, but some will have fallen out with them many years ago, or maybe have no family at all

It is amazing that taxes are pretty high in Spain yet there is no state elderly care, no housing benefits, limited unemployment benefits etc.

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

Hmm... wonder why that is? Where on earth do those high taxes end up?

Re: Would you go back to the UK ?
 

Spain has to reduce the amount of government borrowing on the international markets.
Raising the tax revenue helps to reduce the amount borrowed and the rate of interest Spain pays
Along with cuts in public services it goes to pay the interest on Spains debts.
This applies to Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and even the UK.