Maternity Allowance in Spain.

[Jemisa]

A friends son and his fiancee are living and working in Spain. She is pregnant with first child and will stay in Spain for the birth what she is wondering - is she entitled to maternity allowance as anyone would be here OR is it frozen because she lives in Spain for the time being?
Hope you can help. If not who would be best to contact for help.?

jem

[pretty_snowdrop]

I think you only get maternity payments if you are working in the uk at a certain point in the pregnancy. Ask her to contact her employers in spain, they should be able to help her.

[Buenchico]

Statutory Maternity Pay is only payable if she's been working for a UK employer:
http://www.direct.gov...oneyabroad/DG_4000102

Chris

[Jemisa]

Thankyou psd and Chris. yes I Googled it later, I'm not sure of her circumces but I think they went to Spain because they couldn't find work here. They are certainly feeling the pinch of medical bills already. She had her 3 mnth scan last week £100 plus £10 per photo. They have got medical Insurance, but it won't cover the birth.

We're soo lucky with our NHS aren't we? - jem

[Buenchico]

Has she obtained a 'tarjeta sanitaria', which enables her to access the province's health system on the same basis that a Spanish national can?

[bednobs]

maternity allowance is different from SMP. However - im sorry i dont know your answer

[Buenchico]

This seems to be relevant:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk...going-abroad-or-have/

Chris