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lord_cheeseman
27-07-2011, 15:45
My dad is thinking of moving to tenerife and he was asking me about the pros and cons of residency in Spain as opposed to keep UK residency and just living here. He's 62, got a pension, won't need a job, can speak spanish, isn't claiming any benefits that I know of, will be living at my place and doesn't have any major health issues, apart from the usual aches and pains old farts have. Fire away!

KirstyJay
27-07-2011, 15:55
Just because he does not have health issues now, does not mean he may not develop them in the future... you need to plan for that eventuality, as if he is resident here for more than 6 months of the year, he loses entitlement to UK NHS, and without Spanish contributions from a work contract, he will not be entitled to Spanish Social healthcare, so maybe look into a private plan :)

A.P.&.S.S
27-07-2011, 16:27
Just because he does not have health issues now, does not mean he may not develop them in the future... you need to plan for that eventuality, as if he is resident here for more than 6 months of the year, he loses entitlement to UK NHS, and without Spanish contributions from a work contract, he will not be entitled to Spanish Social healthcare, so maybe look into a private plan :)

If he is of UK pension age he can get a form from Newcastle (DWP, was E11 but its changed I think) it will give him the same care as any spanish person and it is charged back to the UK. The Spanish health care is as good as the UK (I'd say better).....I applied and got an S1 form which gives me the same care as any Spanish resident but only for about 18 months then I will have to have started to pay into the social care system or have private health care as I am not pension age...YET!!!!!:lol:

Goldenmaniac
27-07-2011, 17:59
My dad is thinking of moving to tenerife and he was asking me about the pros and cons of residency in Spain as opposed to keep UK residency and just living here. He's 62, got a pension, won't need a job, can speak spanish, isn't claiming any benefits that I know of, will be living at my place and doesn't have any major health issues, apart from the usual aches and pains old farts have. Fire away!

The thing is there is no "choice" in the matter apart from voting with his feet so to speak - he is either here most of the year (over 6 months and one day) or in the UK - there are current proposals to change that criteria but they're not in place yet (see here (http://newsinthesun.com/?p=5073))

Tell him to have a look at these links:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/BritonsLivingAbroad/BeforeYouGo/DG_4000018
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/LeavingOrComingIntoTheUK/DG_078445
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/movingabroad/Pages/Introduction.aspx

If you're receiving a UK state pension or long-term incapacity benefit, you may be entitled to healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for form S1 (or an E121 if you are moving to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland), which you need to present to the health authorities in your new country of residence. You will then be treated on the same basis as a resident of that country.
Once you have registered your S1 (or E121) in your new country of residence, you will be entitled to a UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), allowing you to access state-funded necessary medical treatment when you visit other EEA countries besides the one in which you are resident, including when you return to the UK.
It is advisable to check what is covered before leaving the UK and make arrangements if necessary.
Use the country-by-country guide (http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/EEAcountries.aspx) and select a country from the list for detailed information.
For further advice, contact the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle):
International Pension Centre
Tyneview Park
Whitley Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1BA
Phone 0191 218 1999 (Monday to Friday 8am-5pm)
Customers who receive a UK state pension can obtain an S2 (or E121) by phoning 0191 218 7777 (Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm).
Customers who receive a UK long-term incapacity benefit can obtain an S2 (or E121) by telephoning the Working Age Group Incapacity Benefit team on 0191 21 87644 (Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm).
The phone number for the Employment Support Allowance team is 0191 21 87037 (open Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm).
If at any time in the future you want to come back to the UK for planned treatment, you must consult your new authorities to find out the options available to you. However, you will be charged in the UK, unless you can provide an S2 (or E112) issued by your country of residence.
http://www.diana-mcglone.com/health.htm#S1-E121
And here:http://www.diana-mcglone.com/#Pens
At 62 he won't be allowed an S1 until he gets his state pension OR he claims it under what used to be called the "job seekers in europe" (Employment Support Allowance) scheme which would perhaps cover him until 65 - he would need to enquire in the Uk.

I agree 100% with Kirsty - I have seen too many times what the result is of older persons not sorting out their health entitlement here when they are fighting fit!! - that could be state covered or private, although the cost of private insurance seems to increase exponentially after retirement age.

Plus the private cover will take care of any doctors or specialists visits but he will have no entitlement to subsidised prescriptions if he needs them

mossy
27-07-2011, 18:14
Where actually do you apply for S1 in the UK or tenerife?.We actually called on behalf of a member of the family and we were told we have to apply for it after the residencia is obtained.That definitely sounds odd.:spin:

Goldenmaniac
27-07-2011, 18:47
You apply for it from the UK when you are of state retirement age or you leave the Uk to job seek or if you have a disbility entitlement see the addresses phone numbers and links in previous post http://www.tenerifeforum.org/tenerife-forum/showthread.php?7190-Advice-on-moving-to-Tenerife-and-residency&p=68840&viewfull=1#post68840, but you can not process it here in Tenerife without having a certificado de registro (otherwise called residencia or green paper)

Have a look here for a general check list of requirements http://www.diana-mcglone.com/health.htm#entitlement

A.P.&.S.S
27-07-2011, 19:15
Where actually do you apply for S1 in the UK or tenerife?.We actually called on behalf of a member of the family and we were told we have to apply for it after the residencia is obtained.That definitely sounds odd.:spin:

Your S1 is got from the UK, apply to 0191-2181999, ask fo a Residual S1. They will ask a few questions and you must have a Tenerife address. They send a 2 part letter, take it to Granadillia once you have your Residencia (Green Paper), remember to take copies of Residentia and also copies of passport and thats it. They stamp once copy of S1 and keep it, also stamp the other and you take that to your local Doctor here in Tenerife to register. Done min 2 weeks ago and it was so easy. I went to go to Santa Cruz as I had visitors coming when they could see me at Granadillia, but it was so easy.

lord_cheeseman
27-07-2011, 21:56
It appears to me that my dad can arrange private ex pat health cover up until his state retirement age then register with a state doctor in tenerife to get the same level of care as he would in the UK. He just needs to get a piece of paper to say he resides in tenerife. Do the they view being resident and domicile to be the same thing over here.

TIS
28-07-2011, 00:35
It appears to me that my dad can arrange private ex pat health cover up until his state retirement age then register with a state doctor in tenerife to get the same level of care as he would in the UK. He just needs to get a piece of paper to say he resides in tenerife. Do the they view being resident and domicile to be the same thing over here.

Domicile is a unique classification only applicable in the UK. It is a very compliated issue and often confused with residency, but the two are not the same. You can claim residency in more than one country and still be classed as domiciled in the UK.
You need to speak to a UK tax specialist to resolve this issue.

Goldenmaniac
28-07-2011, 09:34
Your S1 is got from the UK, apply to 0191-2181999, ask fo a Residual S1. They will ask a few questions and you must have a Tenerife address. They send a 2 part letter, take it to Granadillia once you have your Residencia (Green Paper), remember to take copies of Residentia and also copies of passport and thats it. They stamp once copy of S1 and keep it, also stamp the other and you take that to your local Doctor here in Tenerife to register. Done min 2 weeks ago and it was so easy. I went to go to Santa Cruz as I had visitors coming when they could see me at Granadillia, but it was so easy.

Don't forget your Spanish Social Security number which you get from Los Cristianos if you don't already have one and that Granadilla now requires you to make an appointment, also the Centro Medicos are back to requiring an empadronamiento as well.

fonica
28-07-2011, 09:52
Don't forget your Spanish Social Security number which you get from Los Cristianos if you don't already have one and that Granadilla now requires you to make an appointment, also the Centro Medicos are back to requiring an empadronamiento as well.

You can call this number for an appointment in Granadilla SS 922790174 but you will need to speak reasonable Spanish or take someone who does!

mossy
28-07-2011, 09:58
Don't forget your Spanish Social Security number which you get from Los Cristianos if you don't already have one and that Granadilla now requires you to make an appointment, also the Centro Medicos are back to requiring an empadronamiento as well.
Thanks Goldenmaniac.How do we make an appointment to go to Granadilla?is it online?

Just seen your post Fonica thanks.

Roadkingrider
29-07-2011, 08:31
I would recommend that he moves to Cornwall or Dorset - just as nice as Tenerife, if not nicer, and without all the hassle that Tenerife brings you for the sake of a sun tan and a cheap beer! If he does move here, tell him to beware of all the rip-off merchants out here, especially estate agents.

fonica
29-07-2011, 09:03
I would recommend that he moves to Cornwall or Dorset - just as nice as Tenerife, if not nicer, and without all the hassle that Tenerife brings you for the sake of a sun tan and a cheap beer! If he does move here, tell him to beware of all the rip-off merchants out here, especially estate agents.

Went to Devon twice last year and both times froze half to death.Please to hear that there aren't any rip off merchants in Devon or Cornwall but thatīs īcos they are all over here ripping each other off! I think we've cover the estate agents in several thousand previous posts.If people come over here without doing their homework or using their common sense then they will fall prey to all sorts of problems as they would in any other country.

bonitatime
29-07-2011, 18:04
I would recommend that he moves to Cornwall or Dorset - just as nice as Tenerife, if not nicer, and without all the hassle that Tenerife brings you for the sake of a sun tan and a cheap beer! If he does move here, tell him to beware of all the rip-off merchants out here, especially estate agents.

Not sure what happened to you to make you so unhappy but I certainly would't swap the UK for here. The sunshines the people are mostly very decent and as everywhere you need to be a little careful with business transactions.

A.P.&.S.S
29-07-2011, 18:25
I would recommend that he moves to Cornwall or Dorset - just as nice as Tenerife, if not nicer, and without all the hassle that Tenerife brings you for the sake of a sun tan and a cheap beer! If he does move here, tell him to beware of all the rip-off merchants out here, especially estate agents.

I agree with some of the other posters after yours, having been coming here for 20+ years and now resident here on the island I CAN say its the best thing that I have ever done....Yes like everywhere there are pit falls, work is hard to come by, the lookie, lookie men can sometimes be a pain but hey tell me anywhere in the world that is any diferent just now?! I did all my homework before I moved here 3 months ago and I have hit no issues, infact I'd say the Spanish are most helpful, I have done all my paperwork etc here to be fully legal with VERY little spanish and NO translator and had loads of great help from the 'locals'.

I wont go into estate agents, but they are just as bad back home!! The rip off merchants only rip you off if you allow them to rip you off, maybe you need to be a bit more 'street wise' either that or your a easy target. I was sat in a bar in Los Cris the other day with my partner having a nice simple bite to eat, all the 'lookie lookie' men were walking past, we were sat there with Oakleys on and only 1 stoped....1 simple 'no I'm not interested charlie' sorted him out.

Living on Tenerife is NOT a holiday, or about getting a tan, or having a cheap beer...........its a great life style that I and many have chosen to do with their familys, I can't think of a better - safer place to bring up my son.

Roadkingrider
29-07-2011, 18:39
Depends where you come from, from the UK really doesn't it? I'm sure if you come from Wigan etc, Tenerife is a great place, but I can tell you that if anyone has made the big mistake of moving from a great part of London - the best City in the world BTW - Tenerife is a bit like being buried alive - with a David Dickinson suntan granted. Here's hearing from people from Hampstead Village - ie: none!

A.P.&.S.S
29-07-2011, 18:45
Depends where you come from, from the UK really doesn't it? I'm sure if you come from Wigan etc, Tenerife is a great place, but I can tell you that if anyone has made the big mistake of moving from a great part of London - the best City in the world BTW - Tenerife is a bit like being buried alive - with a David Dickinson suntan granted. Here's hearing from people from Hampstead Village - ie: none!

Everyone has their own opinions and your more than entitled to yours but I have worked in and around London - but have never ever found ANY good parts and would defo not say its the best city in the world either!! Don't get me wrong I did enjoy to visit the centre from time to time but loved going home more!!

mossy
29-07-2011, 20:03
Depends where you come from, from the UK really doesn't it? I'm sure if you come from Wigan etc, Tenerife is a great place, but I can tell you that if anyone has made the big mistake of moving from a great part of London - the best City in the world BTW - Tenerife is a bit like being buried alive - with a David Dickinson suntan granted. Here's hearing from people from Hampstead Village - ie: none!
It's also one of the most expensive cities in the world,i only get a day travel card for us and the kids when we really have to(Ģ8 each and it's going up every year)If you don't have a lot of money it can feel claustrophobic.

bonitatime
30-07-2011, 14:29
Ok i was born in central London and grew up with my family in a very smart part of South London.
I can just about manage 3/4 days in the big city before I want to leave. It depends on what you are looking for and probably if you prefaced your "facts" with the words 'in my opinion' people mught not have gotten so upset. Lots of us live here very happily and don't take lightly to your description if our adopted home.
I have actually been here a very long time and like it very much. Not only that but my idea of a break away would be Madrid over London any time.