Cost of Living - Denia, Javea . . .

Hi. Your best way of getting an idea of rental prices is to search Kyero online - the Spanish equivalent of Rightmove,with the usual kinds of filters to narrow down your requirements.

Healthcare costs depend upon whether you are in receipt of UK state pension or not. If you are, then in principle, form S1 from Newcastle should be presented to the Social Services dept here, who should thenregister you for entitlement to use the Spanish Healthcare system. Currently the UK reimburses Spain a lump sum pa for each eligible ex-pat. If you do not qualify, then you will require fully comprehensive private healthcare insurance - there are many perfectly reputable Spanish companies.

Veterinary care is slightly cheaper than UK,but in my experience, the cost of drugs is similar. Animal insurance is now becoming available.

The equivalent of Council Tax seems to be a little cheaper, but does of course depend upon where you live and the local Ajuntamiento. Utilities - gas/electricity/water - are only slightly cheaper than UK I find.

We don’t find food prices are that much cheaper - the only thing that really is now is beer and wine!!!! Of course there are certain items which appear to be less expensive, but others that seem dearer. I haven’t noticed much difference in what it actually costs us in the way of food etc, although I know that there are plenty on this forum who do find it much cheaper - and if anyone can find a tomato that tastes of anything, I would love to know, my mother who has been here 55 years says the same!!

The supermarkets, whilst perhaps selling a little local produce, are relying on huge industrial farming mainly down in poly tunnels in Murcia!!!! There are some good food markets to be found, but I find hopelessly inadequate for daily needs - it’s no longer like rural France with wonderful daily food markets. This of course excludes the wonders that are the main market in Barcelona and the fabulous one in Valencia or Alicante - but difficult for weekly shopping!!!!!

However, my friends from Canada do find the cost infinitely less, as do my American contacts- especially health insurance!! The ‘Canadians’ are very impressed with quality and variety of fruit and vegetables.

The problem is as you say,going to be the disaster that is Brexit.Heaven knows what is going to happen ,. Currently you would have to register as resident after, I think, 6 months here which means that you would be liable to pay tax here; but at the moment obtaining residencia is proving almost impossible as the police have almost no more appointments. At the moment the financial requirements, as members of the EU, are fairly benign. After Brexit, the requirements will be much more stringent and will be those currently applying to third party countries; however, I think your income would be considered adequate, but cannot of course definitely say this. Those of us already resident with less than 5 years are going to have to reapply when/if Brexit becomes a reality.

The days of Spain being much cheaper, as in my parents’ time, are long gone - but then you’ve got the sun!!!!

This is not meant to be negative, but is the result of my own observations and experience - others may well think differently.

Are you under or over 65?

Is your income from pensions/salaries/dividends/capital/savings interest?

If you can clarify this, then I can work out a rough figure for tax.

If you want more details about tax or other matters, look at:

Jim's guides - your complete guide to Spain

Hi Jim - I am 66 at the moment and income is pension income, both state and private, from USA and U.K.

Many thanks!

With an income of €30000 and age 65-74, the personal allowance is €6700.

For having income related to earnings there's an extra allowance of €2000.

There is another allowance that varies depending on the level of income, but your income is too high to qualify for that.

Tax due would be €5250.