Moving To Spain.

[smartowl]

Now that we are retired, my wife and I are planning to move to Spain. I've been told that as a permanent resident we eventually move from British benefits to Spanish. Can anyone clarify this for us? Thanks in advance.

[piggynose]

http://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/

[Sqad]

All your UK benefits will still be paid into any account that you name...English or Spanish banks......State pension and Private pensions.

As for your health, you need to register as soon as possible with the Spanish Health System as all health expenses are passed over to the NHS to pay.

it works quite well.

if you are worried about the paperwork, then go to a Gestoria who will sort it out for about €150...well worth it.

[bednobs]

i echo sqad's post - register for healthcare as soon as you can as you won't be entitled to come back here for healthcare

[boxtops]

Am I right in thinking that when you are an ex-pat you will stop receiving increases annually in your State pension? - or has that changed now?

[ubasses]

Only very few countries, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are three of the ones that miss out

[Buenchico]

Boxtops:
British pensioners receive the annual state pension increases if they live in the EU, other EEA countries, Switzerland or certain other countries that have bilateral agreements with the UK.

Smartowl:
This might be relevant:
https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/overview

[smartowl]

Thanks everyone, as always a big help.

[janbee]

It's a big step for you both and I wish you great happiness in your new home xx

[smartowl]

Thank you Janbee, that's a lovely thing to say. We have friends who've moved over there and we've visited them regularly so we have help with all the paperwork etc.