Has anyone ever lived in Spain and returned to UK?

[eyeshade]

If so was there something in wrong with Spain or was it personal reasons that you left. Is there any bits of advice you would give to someone thinking of moving out there permanently apart from all the obvious land snatching that has been going on for some time and problems with some land leases.

[R1Geezer]

My sister lived in Spain, she said what ended it was when, pregnant, her waters broke and they were more interested in whether her medical insurance was valid than actually getting her to hospital etc. Like most of the world they are not civilised in this area. It's a lovely good whether place etc etc till you need medical, home you come to good old blighty, the place you hated before you went suddenly seems very attractive. PS this was 20 years ago, maybe they have improved since.

[craft1948]

Some frineds of mine went to live in Spain in 1993 and are still there, he is a golf fanatic. What RI says is true in that you do need health insurance, but according to my mate the health care you do receive is second to none. Also he reckons his cost of living is about two-thirds for similar over here, and without the crap weather.

[eyeshade]

R1, that's a shame cos I hear the medical cover out there is very good, better than here but they would obviously need to know you can cover costs etc. I understood you got your first two years free under the euro medical cover but then you have to get into the Spanish system or pay your way, which I think is right. Glad to hear craft your friends are still enjoying it. We'ver certainly had enough of it all here.

[NoMercy]

I moved to Spain in 2006 and before I'd even sorted Residencía or NIE or medical insurance, I had to go to hospital with a knee injury. They saw me immediately and treated me very well indeed. I was then discharged with no bill. I didn't question it.

[R1Geezer]

The point is that in Britain, they fix you up first and ask questions later, that's civilised.

[eyeshade]

Are you still there NM?

[R1Geezer]

In Spain/USA/......etc etc just about anywhere. You can get squashed in the road by a car and they are more interested in whether you have the paper work than getting you fixed up. I'm delighted to say that in UK we don't have that system, and yes I'm delighted to acknowledge that it's no thanks to the Tories.

[eyeshade]

The trouble is with treating first and not asking is that all and sundry come over, hog the beds and do a runner before the bill comes.

[Sqad]

R1 Geezer, the health care in Spain is superb, better in my opinion to the UK. The cancer survival rates Spain are far superior to the UK which lies 6th in the eurozone for cancer survival.

eyshade, I do not know how old you are, but unlike the soft touch UK, the Spanish take badly to paying taxes etc to the UK government and then coming and sponging on the Spanish health system. So through quite a simple system, the UK will agree to pay for your health care if you are over 65. If you are not then, they expect you to provide private insurance.

Like most places, there are pluses and minuses to living in Spain.

In my experience the menfolk love it......the women miss the grandchildren and are unsettled.

Mix with the locals and keep away from the British expats and you will be fine.

[R1Geezer]

I agree eyeshade people do take the pi55 and I gather the NHS does pursue costs etc but I still prefer our system to that of the US for example.

[McMouse]

You're better off in Spain than Jersey (Channel Isles) since the present Government pulled the plug on reciprocal treatment. Tight bu66ers!

[Sqad]

R1Geezer...you are talking crap.

[Graham-W]

A mate of mine moved to Spain three years ago when we were getting 1.5 euros to the pound. Sold his house here, bought in Spain and figured he could live the high life. Then comes the "credit crunch". His pension income fell by 30% due to the exchange rate and the value of his house fell by at least as much as in the UK. His investment income fell as did the value of his shares.
He is now looking for work in Spain with no success. Wishes he'd never seen the bl00dy place.
This is only one case but think long and hard before making a decision.

[Buenchico]

Spain already has one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe, and it's forecast to continue rising for quite some time. So, unless you're retired, you'll need to think carefully about how you'll make your living out there.

You might find this useful:
http://ukonline.direc...ivingAbroad/index.htm

Chris

[R1Geezer]

so sqad, they treat you first and ask questions later in Spain do they? It ain't me talking crap sunshine.

[Sqad]

R1Geever........yes they would................."sunshine"

[KARL]

From the cases I know of together with media coverage, the one country where treatment has somewhat routinely been refused because payment details were not confirmed (i.e. they did not succeed in getting confirmation from a bona fide financial check) is the USA, although even there emergency cases will often be treated as a priority without financial certainty in advance (but then heaven help patients who are uninsured). Elsewhere it is likely that, along with identification of the individual and general data collection for the patient's file (both medical and personal, including contacts, etc.) answers to insurance questions will be collected from the patient (if conscious and fit to be interviewed) or else from anyone accompanying them. The data collection will take place in parallel with admission and treatment unless an emergency is identified in which case treatment will proceed as a matter of urgency. I was recently following a case of two Brits lost in a blizzard abroad - 300 people with lots of equipment were involved in finding them about 8 hours after they were separated from their group. One of them was treated in hospital for three days (no lasting ill effects). Because I know the place in question, I can categorically state that none of the effort was preceded by even a casual murmur wondering who would pay. And, no, there was no sunshine.

[smurfchops]

Everything very expensive in Spain. Very quiet as far as tourism at the moment and plenty of rain. If you buy out there you wont be able to sell or afford to come back and the grass isnt always greener ! Just go for a holiday and be grateful you live in England.

[janbee]

Maybe consider renting a place for a year and see how you like it. There are advantages to living in Spain but also many disadvantages. You should learn the language and avoid ex-pats at all cost. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. It's a big decision.

[Sqad]

janbee.......LOL

////avoid ex-pats at all cost////

Bloody right.....particularly Brit ex pats who are the worst.