Living in Spainⁱ

1. Information for UK State Pensioners

2. Information for people of working age

3. Returning to the UK

4. Spanish Social Services

5. Useful contacts

1. Information for UK State Pensioners

1.1 10 things UK State Pensioners living in Spain should know:

• As a resident in Spain, it is the Spanish authorities who are primarily responsible for providing you with assistance
• Provided you are registered on the Padron, you may be able to access a wide range of services and assistance through social services or your local Town Hall, including disability benefits and/or certificates
• Your UK State Pensions can be paid to you anywhere in the world, including into a Spanish bank account
• You may be entitled to a Spanish pension if you have worked for just one year in Spain providing you have worked a total of at least 15 years in the EEA
• You cannot receive UK Pension Credit if you are no longer resident in the UK
• However, Spain offers a form of non-contributory pension for those on a very low income
• UK State Pensioners and their dependants can access free state healthcare in Spain using an E121 form issued by the International Pension Centre
• From 1 May 2010 the UK is responsible for issuing E121 holders and their dependants with the European Health Insurance Card which covers you when you travel outside of Spain
• You must inform the International Pension Centre of any change in circumstance, including change of address, within 28 days
• If you receive a life certificate through the post, you should complete and return it as soon as possible to avoid disruption to your pension payments

1.2 Pension

• Life certificate – the DWP may send you a life certificate form which you must complete and return. You must either have your signature witnessed by one of the officials named on the form, or provide a “Fe de Vida” from your local Registro Civil (Civil Registry). To ensure the process runs smoothly, let the IPC (International Pensions Centre) know immediately if you change address
• Spanish Pension – even if already in receipt of a UK State Pension, if you have worked in Spain at least one year and are aged 65 or over, you may also have entitlement to a Spanish Pension. Apply through the INSS (Spanish Social Security)
• Bereavement – if you or your spouse, or civil partner dies and you are both in receipt of a UK State Pension, you should inform the IPC as soon as possible. You may be entitled to an increase I your own pension payments

1.3 Benefits

• Winter Fuel Allowance is only payable to you in Spain if you have been eligible for it at least once whilst living in the UK. It is not linked to your pension payments
• Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance. The care component of UK Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance is only exportable if you have recently moved to Spain or are applying as a terminally ill patient under special rules. However, if you are resident and registered on the padron you may be entitled to help from Spain, both practical and economic, under Ley de Dependencia

1.4 Healthcare

• S1 –this from provides UK State Pensioners and their dependants living in Spain with full, free access to the Spanish state healthcare system, including prescriptions although some contribution towards each prescription item was introduced in 2012. Level of charge is dependent upon income. S1 forms should be registered with INSS
• EHIC – from 1 May 2010 the UK Department of Health is responsible for issuing this card to S1 holders and their dependants. This will not affect health cover in Spain but will provide cover for necessary treatment when travelling out of Spain on holiday, including to the UK

2. Information for people of working age

2.1 Ten things British people of working age living in Spain should know

• As a resident in Spain, it is the Spanish authorities who are primarily responsible for providing you with assistance
• If you are resident in Spain and have ever worked here, you should apply for your pension and any benefits through the INSS – Spanish Social Security
• You may be entitled to a Spanish Pension if you have worked just one year in Spain providing you have worked a total of at least 15 years in the EEA
• You can receive certain UK benefits such as Employment Support Allowance and Bereavement Benefit in Spain, but remember you may have eligibility for a similar benefit from Spain – Spanish benefits are not just for Spanish nationals
• Provided you are registered on the Padron, you may be able to access a wide range of services and assistance through Social Services at your local town hall, including disability benefits
• You could be entitled to Spanish unemployment benefit, even if you have only worked here for a short period of time
• If you reach State Pension Age on or after 6 April 2010 you will be affected by the UK Pension Reform Act
• If you are working and paying contributions in Spain, you and your dependants will be entitled to free healthcare from Spain
• If you are not working in Spain and have moved here recently, you may be able to access healthcare for a limited period on an E106 form
• You must inform the International Pension Centre of any change in circumstance, including change of address within 28 days

2.2 State Pension

• Pension Reform – if you reach State Pension Age on or after 6 April 2010, you will only need 30 years of contributions to be entitled to a full basic State Pension. In addition, paid and credited contributions will be treated equally. State Pension age for women will also gradually increase from 60 to 65

2.3 Benefits

• Unemployment Benefit – If you have worked in Spain but are made unemployed you could be entitled to Spanish Unemployment Benefit through the Servicio Publico de Empleo Estatal. Contact them as soon as possible and remember to put full details of work done in the UK on the application form
• Incapacity and Disability Benefits – If you are unable to work due to accident or illness and last worked in Spain, you should apply for benefit through the INSS, stating previous periods of work in the UK. If you are dependent on others for your care, you may be entitled to help under Ley de Dependencia in Spain, even if you have never worked here – contact Social Services for more information
• Bereavement Benefit – if you or your spouse or civil partner worked in the UK and you, or they, were under state pension age when they died, you may be entitled to UK Bereavement Benefit. You must apply for this Benefit as soon as possible after the death.

2.4 Healthcare

• Workers – if you are living in Spain and working and paying contributions here, you and your dependants should be covered by the Spanish health system
• S1 – this form provides early retirees and their dependants with free health cover in Spain for a maximum of two and a half years. The period starts from when you last paid Class I or II contributions to the UK. You need to register the S1 with the INSS
• EHIC – if you are on holiday in Spain, but habitually resident in the UK, you can use your EHIC to access necessary treatment while abroad

3. Returning to the UK

If you intend to permanently return to the UK, your move should be as well planned as when you came to Spain. You should:

• De-register with the relevant Spanish authorities (National Police, Town Hall, Health Centre, INSS) and inform the UK authorities of your change in details
• Be aware that the Habitual Residency Test may apply when applying for UK means tested benefits such as pension credit
• Contact the relevant local authority regarding these benefits or any social care needs you may have upon your return
• Register with your local GP as soon as you are back in the UK and have a UK address – there is no need to wait to do so

4. Spanish Social Services

• Pension no Contributiva Jubilacion (retirement)

-Aged 65 plus

-Have a low income

-Have been resident in the EEA for 10 years

• Pension no Contributiva de Invalidez (disability)

-Working age benefit

-Have a low income

-Have been resident in the EEA for 5 years

• Ley de dependencia (Law of Dependence)

-Padron for 5 years

-Meet the assessment for one of three levels of dependency

-Services include telephone assistance, home help, residential centres and economic help for carers

• Certificade de minusvalia (disability certificate)

-Apply at Town Hall with medical report from your local doctor

-May entitle you to a range of help such as Ayuda Domicilio (Home Help), Teleasistencia (telephone alarm), home adjustments, meals on wheels, discounted transport/disability parking badge

• Pension confirmation certificate

-Apply at your local consulate

-Entitles you to help with applying for a residential home place, help in applying to local Social Services for benefits, free prescriptions as a UK pensioner visiting Spain

5. Useful contacts

• Department of Work and Pensions – www.dwp.gov.uk International Pension Centre – 0044 191 218 7777 – for UK pension and benefit enquires
• Department of Health – www.dh.gov.uk Overseas healthcare team – 0044 191 218 1999 – S1, UK-issued EHIC
• HIM Revenue and Customs – www.hmrc.gov.uk 0044 191 203 7010 – Pension Forecast, Voluntary Contributions; 0044 151 210 2222 – Tax, residence enquiries
• Public Services in all one place – www.direct.gov.uk
• Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social – www.seg-social.es 900 166 565 – Spanish pension and benefit entitlement, Spanish-issued EHIC
• Tesoreria General de la Seguridad Social – www.seg.social.es 901 502 050 – Spanish national insurance contributions and self employment administration

• < Prev