GP refused to see me.

[silver]

presumably pay taxes if working

Its common knowledge that the majority of Brits who come to live in Spain, come to retire, very few come to work as wages and working conditions and opportunities are much better in the UK.


Perhaps you and others who share you opinions, should get in touch with the BBC/ITV and make a whole whingy program. To fight for justice you must be just.

[katy]

The fuel allowance is only available for pensioners isn't it? also many people living here still run Brit co.s and as such pay UK tax. Its ok for a -rumanian or something to enter the UK and get full benefits but a pensoiner that has worked 40 years or more shouldn't be allowed a fuel allowance, is that what you are saying Kevin?

[Guest]

Forgive me if I am missing something. Not talking about foremarion in particular, but a person who leaves the UK and 'emigrates' to another country where he will presumably pay taxes if working, then expects to be able to still benefit from free health care, child allowance, winter fuel allowance etc. from the UK. These people want it both ways, they are taking the ****!

I have disagreed with you in the past Kevin, on various subjects, but on this one I'm with you all the way, the most common one seems to be "am I entitled to child benefit" why DO they expect something for nothing, anyone any thoughts on this?

[spanish hopes]

Why should anyone be entitled to child benefit? If you breed them feed them.
I by choice have not burdened the world with extra mouths but pay more tax and receive less benefits as my reward.

[Guest]

Why should anyone be entitled to child benefit? If you breed them feed them.
I by choice have not burdened the world with extra mouths but pay more tax and receive less benefits as my reward.

Never thought I'd agree with two of my adverseries in one day but I do, I also have chosen not burden this world with my progeny, I mean some of them, not especially here but in the UK, they have a busfull of brats, never do a stroke of work, then expect the rest of us to pay, the worlds gone mad!

[Guest]

Katy, you're normally quite calm and subjective, to you have gone off center, what does a doctors surgey have to do with fuel allowances, you're losing it old girl!

[katy]

More than just I have mentioned fuel and child benefits, you are just getting picky now. I can go off-topic too.

[kevin77]

A pensioner who has retired to another country should not get fuel allowance, no. The allowance was bought in during one severe winter in the UK to reflect the increased fuel costs. Not for people like Silver to spend on a new T shirt,and suncream every winter.

[Bongtrees]

I have disagreed with you in the past Kevin, on various subjects, but on this one I'm with you all the way, the most common one seems to be "am I entitled to child benefit" why DO they expect something for nothing, anyone any thoughts on this?

At the risk of being accused of bantering I too am fed up with the child benefit whingers.

Interestingly I often find UK child benefit fraudsters are up to speed on maintaining a UK bank account and address to receive this money yet gripe when they cant have free health care etc. or have to buy books when the school year starts.

I really despair at some of the stories.

Most of the people I meet are under retirement age, all are begging for work and wonder why I am reluctant to use them or recommend them to others because I wouldnt want anyone near my home or look after my dog when they cant provide basic healthcare for themselves or insure their car etc.

To date I have never met anyone with an E106. I used to try and help and give out info on the E106 but once I realised no-one was applying I naturally assume that they are not who they say they are.

What sane person would pass up 2 years free healthcare?

Mike

[Beachcomber]

My wife and myself between us having paid, on a conservative estimate, nearly a quarter of a million euros in social security, income tax and VAT since moving here I get very uptight over foreigners who come to live here, work illegally, pay no taxes and generally try to sponge off the Spanish state.

Luckily it is not so easy here as it is in the UK but how many times have you read in a forum such as this a post from someone asking if they will still get their child benefit, jobseeker's allowance and all the other scrounger's handouts if they move to Spain?

[spanish hopes]

Spain has a socialist government at present even though they only got in by default so don't be surprised if they don't start giving these scrounger handouts to all wh ask in order to buy votes in the next election, Blair did it in the UK.

[silver]

kevin77...T shirt yes... suncream and fuel allowance..never don´t need either.
I´m not for or against it..its not very significant...but think there are a lot of big fish in the sea, getting away with a lot more..and this is what you/we should worry about.. don't waist your talent fighting the tiddlers...

[spanish hopes]

Devouring a plateful of boquerone can be just as satisfying as a portion of hake.
Why should we the taxpayers subsidise the fish no matter what size they are.
Giving flats/houses to unmarried teen mothers is one example of waste. This just amounts to the provision by the local authorities of free brothels.
Just because a lot of these girls couldn't even guess at the name of the father of their children is not a reason for me to pay for their upbringing.

[katy]

Yes, would agree with that.

[Beachcomber]

Spain has a socialist government at present even though they only got in by default so don't be surprised if they don't start giving these scrounger handouts to all wh ask in order to buy votes in the next election, Blair did it in the UK.

The popularity of this government is at an all time low and some sources suggest that they will not last the whole term (hopefully they are right) so I don't think they are going to rock the boat too much.

[Mariposa]

Well, we both got E106 and they are about to run out so are going to have to get insurance. If we lived in Valencia or one or two other areas we would still be able to get free healthcare. It is a pity that we can't contribute something as early retirees to help with the costs, but the autonomo rate is not an option and is actually more expensive . I am really unhappy about paying privately as they don't really want older people and can cancel it at any time if you become ill according to the local agent -so there is no real alternative! We will try the basic one and will also see what happens when we return to the local doctor after the date of no return...and we'll see whether the computer says no when we give the card over. Generally, the story varies depending on who you talk to.

[Guest]

Devouring a plateful of boquerone can be just as satisfying as a portion of hake.
Why should we the taxpayers subsidise the fish no matter what size they are.
Giving flats/houses to unmarried teen mothers is one example of waste. This just amounts to the provision by the local authorities of free brothels.
Just because a lot of these girls couldn't even guess at the name of the father of their children is not a reason for me to pay for their upbringing.

which reminds me of a story told to me by a good friend of mine, Andy Fairweather-low, an old pal from the seventies famed for his (very) risque jokes, a journalist was interviewing the mother of twelve children, the mother ws constantly berating the kids, "jimmy, tuck your shirt in", "Jimmy go clean up that mess", "Jimmy spit that gum out" and so on and so forth, the mystified reporter asked why they were all called Jimmy, the mother replied "oh, it just makes it easier", but what if you want to speak to one particular individual asked the reporter, "oh no problem", replied the woman, "I call them by their surname"!!

[Bongtrees]

Well, we both got E106 and they are about to run out so are going to have to get insurance. If we lived in Valencia or one or two other areas we would still be able to get free healthcare. It is a pity that we can't contribute something as early retirees to help with the costs, but the autonomo rate is not an option and is actually more expensive . I am really unhappy about paying privately as they don't really want older people and can cancel it at any time if you become ill according to the local agent -so there is no real alternative! We will try the basic one and will also see what happens when we return to the local doctor after the date of no return...and we'll see whether the computer says no when we give the card over. Generally, the story varies depending on who you talk to.

Mariposa - life isnt always greener in the Communidad de Valencia because they have now realised that they are being swamped with immigrants of all nationalities demanding free healthcare and are not handing out the SIPPS card to all and sundry anymore. As a conservative area it gets nothing from Madrid so is a big worry about building new hospitals etc.

Indeed my Spanish friends tell me that local Spanish phone- in radio stations are swamped with Spanish callers who are now having to go on a waiting list where before it was virtually walk in.

Also the UK phenomenon to dump a granny outside a hospital with a note saying look after this old person who doesnt know who she is and has no identification has just hit the TV screens here and Spanish people dont have that happy smiley face they used to have when they knew the English were buying here.

Not sure how old you are but if you are approaching 60 you should be eligible for E121 at 60 and have your husband as a dependent.

Alternately have just looked at www.ASISA.es and premiums for age up to 59 are only 63 euros a month each or if you are super young one can pay autonomos of about 225 Euros per month and the other is a dependent and if you have 11 or more years before retirement you will also get a full but crappy Spanish pension. (I know law still says 14 but it is against EU law and will surely change within an 11 year time frame to 11 years).

Apologies if any errors but I have never been able to reconcile what I pay in taxes, nor advice given by our gestor(s) with anything available at any government office.

Oops just to make you feel a little nervous yes I too know of people who have been refused treatment because their cards have been canceled as they no longer are covered by their home country nor pay into the system.

I know of a cancer patient who was sent home because he forgot to take his E106 paperwork with him on the day he was going to have his brain tumor zapped.

I think you are doing the right thing by taking out the basic cover whilst you investigate all options open to you. Its a pity more do not follow your example.

Mike

[katy]

Mike for some people having private insurance isn't an option. If they have a long term illness or previous history the small print virtually makes it useless. My friend had to pay a bill for 12000 euros after the company refused to pay on a technicality.

Andalucia is now struggling to cope with the influx of foreigners, latest figures show average waiting time to see a consultant is 72 days and then like the UK system they have another waiting list for scans etc. Five years ago my husband saw a consultant the week after being referred.

[frank]

Mike for some people having private insurance isn't an option. If they have a long term illness or previous history the small print virtually makes it useless.

Agree with Katy. Private insurance is great if you are healthy, no good at all if you have existing conditions. I have been with the same company for about 25 years, and they now class my condition as "chronic", which basically means if one operation does not cure the problem, they refuse to pay for any consultations or operations connected with this problem. As with most insurance companies, things are fine whilst they are taking money off you, not so good if you are unlucky enough the have to claim. So the one thing I would need cover for, they refuse to cover.