To be or not to be resident

Hello Martha, the first thing is when will Brexit happen, or will it happen? There are delays here in getting residency so if you are counting it as March 29th you are going to have to do something quickly and this can be done in London or Edinburgh if you are not due to come over soon. Due to Brexit, many people who have previously been living here without residency are scrabbling about to get it as well as a lot of people in your situation in UK.
There are many things to consider, such as where you will be tax resident. This is determined by law, not by choice and is well covered on this forum and there is a lot of confusion over what happens to the extra day (which country do you spend 182 days in and which you spend 183). The EHIC is only valid for temporary stays up to 90 days. To get residency here, you need to prove you have health cover such as a SIP card or private medical insurance and you also need to provide proof you have adequate finances not to become a burden to Spain. 

Another poster is getting a temporary resident´s card which could be something to research.

After Brexit, nobody knows what will happen. Spain seems to be trying to make agreements about existing ex-pat residents and their rights, but after Brexit, I can´t see Spain making it more difficult for UK citizens to become resident here than it currently is for non-EU immigrants so you need to see if you would qualify under the existing rules for them.

If it was me, and I could qualify under existing rules for non-EU migrants, I would wait until after everything is decided so you will know exactly where you stand.

Thank you. As far as I can tell i qualify financially with my income and since I am retired i will qualify for health care.  I can organize the amount of days to suit since I will be about 50/50 but it looks like by choice i would spend more time in spain. My main concern is will i still be entitled to care in Scotland. I had told myself I would wait one year before making decisions but after a year i am still not sure so maybe your advice of waiting is sound. Thank you

Thank you Kim. Martha

Thank you that is very helpful. I was not aware of the 90 day rule. The reason I would want health care in UK is because I will be about 50/50 and need regular health care including prescriptions, free in Scotland. Also I think it if I was seriously ill i would head to Scotland to be near family. Thanks Martha

This is proving to be a very useful thread for me as I find myself currently in much the same position as Martha, having purchased a small property in Torrevieja a year ago and now weighing up the various possibilities. My intention is to spend around seven months in the UK and the rest in Spain so would not become a fiscal resident.  As regards healthcare, my choice would be to retain my UK entitlement and take out private medical insurance for Spain  which seems to be less expensive than I expected.  I assume that taking out residency in Spain as required by law does not mean that I am obliged to transfer healthcare  to Spain and lose access in the UK but would be grateful for confirmation of that. It seems to me to make sense to me to retain UK healthcare provision given that I shall be spending more time there and, of course, it is possible that the reciprocal agreements may end or be significantly modified depending on how the accursed Brexit  evolves.

I have also noticed that there is  another possibility,  named the 'retirees visa'  which I had not come across until recently which looks worth investigating although I don't know  how similar it is to the residency permit or exactly what categories of person it is designed to assist. If anyone can advise on this,  I should be most grateful.  

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Interesting, thank you , I will look for info on the 'Retirees Visa' although with me spending half maybe more time in Spain i think the private health care might be my best option. Does anyone have advice on private health care policies? 

I have investigated availability with Sanitas and Salus, both of which seem to be quite affordable for older applicants.  Sanitas has an office in the centre of Torrevieja which might be useful.  I shall be coming over to Spain in the next few weeks so could meet up for coffee and to share information on these matters, if you are agreeable.  Graham.

When we arranged our private health insurance which we needed to apply for Residencia we used Gran Alacant Insurance and dealt with Alfonso, very professional and friendly, English speaking, we were delighted with the entire service and process,the Private Health Insurance we now have is with Salus, tel 966390830 or email [email protected], tell him John and Gillian from La Zenia recommended him. 

Thank you graham, that would be good, as stated i am in LA Marina and I will be back in Spain from 4th of Feb. Martha