Moving to Spain

Hi,

I just can't imagine who you have been talking to about these subjects! Obviously someone who is trying to put you off living in Spain. 

Spain is one of the healthiest places to live with its climate and culture. The area around Murcia and Valencia region are well know to be a very healthy area especially  around the salt lakes. 

I have lived in Benidorm for 6 years and because we live with the patio doors and nearly all the windows open all day and until we go to bed the dust settles a little more than it would in the UK with doors and windows tightly shut. I know what I prefer!!

Healthcare in Spain is absolutely superb and my personal opinion is that it's far better than the NHS in the UK. I most certainly owe my life to the professionalism of the Spanish healthcare system who worked tirelessly to keep me alive whereas I believe the NHS wouldn't have done.

There are hardly any waiting times for appointments which are normally next day and if you need an x-ray that is done within days along with the results.

I hope you get a few more replies confirming what I've said. You will not regret a permanent life here in Spain. 

Steve 

If you intend to do holiday lets, I assume the apartment you bought has a tourist license. If not, even if a license is allowed, you will be be waiting a long time to get a license.

There are two reasons why it seems dustier in Spain, the main one being that there isn't the rain to damp it down and wash it away. The other reason is airborne Sahara sand.

If you can meet the financial requirements for becoming resident here, and are entitled to use the public health service, I agree with Steve that healtchare in Spain is much better than in the UK.

Hi Steve

It was a forum I was on that pretty much gave bad reviews and pretty much shattered our dreams.

Do you need private healthcare if your below pension age? It’s really encouraging what your telling me about the Spanish healthcare system.

Hi Jim

Yeah we’ve been told we could be waiting 6 months on a tourist license but we have a lawyer who has a spare registration no that we can use meantime. In saying that we’re not expecting to rent it out this year because of the Covid restrictions.

Good to hear about the health service. Do you pay for prescriptions in Spain? We get them free in Scotland and I’m on a bit of medication.

If you use a license number other than the one specifically allocated to a property, then you could get into serious trouble.

If one or both of you is in receipt of the state retirement pension then, at present, you can transfer to the Spanish healthcare system. It remains to be clarified if this will still apply after the end of this year. Otherwise you must have PHI.

Prescription charges depend on age and income. Most people under retirement age pay 40%, and those over retirement age pay 10%. Retirees with a taxable income of less than €18K p.a. will, at some point after submitting a tax return, get their prescriptions free.

As you're a relatively new member, I suggest you look at my guides, as they cover many of the questions you might have. Just click the link on the menu bar at the top of the page.

Hi,

Yes, if you are below UK state pension age and not entitled to the S1 healthcare forms you will need to organise private healthcare cover for you and any dependants.

Steve 

Hi

I had a quick look Jim it looks great and as you say answers some of my questions. Can you tell me can you get your food shopping delivered in Spain?

Cheers

Lix

Davebev1's guides: Renting out your property as a holiday let in Spain 

This is a brilliant guide for Tourist lets and although quite an old guide it contains the information you need. Prior to Covid some areas were taking more than a year to get the Compatibility Certificate from the local Ayuntamiento, if they were able to get it at all. 
Your solicitor's offer of a spare licence seems totally dodgy to me.
As for dust, yes, there's quite a bit. Apart from the the reasons already given the earth is not covered by a carpet of grass and the breezes whip it up but you have a choice, you either become a Spanish housewife and wipe all your grills, window cills, doorstep etc down every day or be like me.....mañana!
In my experience the health service here is much better than the UK and the climate is much healthier. After the first year with PMI you can join the Convenio Especial, all details in Jim's Guides, I expect.
Don't let a bit of dust spoil your dreams.

"Can you tell me can you get your food shopping delivered in Spain?"

There are supermarkets here that do deliver your shopping straight to your door. More so now with the Covid problem. You will need to ask about local to where you live.

Steve