BREXIT

Hi Jeff,

Our legendary member, Jim Taylor, has written a number of guides about moving to and living in Spain.  Whilst none of us can say for sure whether or how things will change post-Brexit, Jim has produced some useful analysis of the possibilities - follow the link below and scroll down to the section, "How Brexit will affect living in Spain":

Jim's guides - your complete guide to Spain

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the biggest issue for British immigrants, who will then have only "Third Country" status, are the higher levels of income and healthcare provision that you will need to prove in order to gain residency here.

Kind regards,

Kim

I did ask a question at the Spanish consulate in London regarding the financial resources an early retiring couple from the UK might have to demonstrate in order to apply for residency. If for example we were treated in the same way as a couple migrating from USA to Spain.

The person was aware that I hadn't bought a house nor was likely to apply for residency before our current scheduled leave date. They didn't aswer my question as I'd framed it. Instead saying the arrangements for UK folks; hadn't been established, might be unlike other 3rd countries, might take a great deal of time to define.

Clearly no hard and fast advice given at the consulate as expected but, that said, with Jim's residency guide (for current non EU 3rd country applicants) the current deposited EUR monies, as far as I can determine, to support; a residency application with an annual periodic review, for a husband and wife, early retired. Would be EUR 32,270.15‬ (4 x IPREM for main applicant, 1 x IPREM for the additional family member). I am reading this as a current "worst case scenario" and would need to demonstrate these available deposited funds at the point of the original residency application and at the point of the annual periodic review.

My own budget for estimated annual spend for two people assuming the main residence in Spain has been purchased outright is a whisker under EUR 25k, for perspective, this having been sanity checked against actual expenditure from helpful current residents. This includes private medical insurance for year one and convenio especial (sp?) after that time.

So my advice is plan for the worst but hope for the best.

Hello Ray how are to today.

It’s good to hear your advice that Healthcare will be the same and the S1 system for pensioners will be continued, as long as there is a reciprocal arrangement again. I do believe this subject is the biggest concern of many residents including me, who’s attendance at the hospital is so regular they now invite me to the Christmas party.

We seem to refer to this subject as free healthcare, but as you know the UK pays Spain about €4,500 per year per person.

Have a good day and thanks for the advice.