Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 8:12am
Hi Amanda
I moved here over 18 months ago.
I was hoping to get some work as I was only 58 yrs old when I came here.
Unfortunately as I am unable to speak spanish (And that is my problem not the spanish.)
I have been unable to get work.
I have tried to learn some of the language but seem to have brain freeze when trying to speak it.
Spain has very high unemployment rate, but that doesn't mean your husband wouldn't get work.People always need electricians.
I have a joint account and roughly have the same amount of NHS pension coming in as you for both of us.
When I applied for residency we had about 12,000 euros savings in the joint account and 700 euros between us a month from pensions.
We were accepted with no problems for residency.
I too have some health problems which includes fybromyalgia and stomach ulcers, neither of these are accepted on the private Health policy but I manage with over the counter medications
(Which is another cost you need to factor into the equasion)
The other serious consideration is things like taxes , all the extra costs incurred when buying your house etc.
Jims guides are really helpful and informative and he seems a very knowledgeable and well informed for expats. So do read his guides.
However the one thing in my opinion that I will say, is no one knows what brexit going to bring, however living in the UK is going to be no picnic!!
There are I believe, over one million Brits living in spain and 18 million tourists a year.
I genuinely don't believe the Spanish would risk losing any of those people or make it more difficult to come here by setting amounts that people need in their bank accounts as this would stop people living here.
Brits would leave here in their droves, and this would have devastating effect on the Spanish economy.People in the hospitality industry, Waiters ,Shop assistants, entertainers etc etc would no longer be needed particularly in the summer season etc.
People would be going back to the UK and claiming all the benefits they are entitled to, and as many may not be able to sell their property because of the numbers available ,they would need to be given houses by the UK
Also the numbers using the NHS would rocket even more.
This would put so much strain on the NHS that the country would not cope?
Private health care is an extra cost but if you become residents after one year you can apply for a SIP card which when I looked into it three weeks ago works out at about 90 euros each per month. And as people have already said if your husband got work legally and pays into the system he would get health care and you, I think would be able to get healthcare on the back of that.
(But I'm not sure about that.)
Life is short and if you really want to come to Spain despite all the hurdles, and there are many then do.
Rent for a year.If you sold your house in the UK, (which we had to do , )then rent for a year or so to see if it is what you want that would still leave you money to buy a property when you were ready.
I would take a risk and come here
just for the climate and the more relaxed way of life which will help your physical and mental well being.
So Take the plunge ,just research everything thoroughly as people have said.
But I would not change anything. (Maybe the tax laws lol)
I love it here .
Good luck x