REPORT ON THE WORKSHOPS AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN MADRID ON 19 SEPT 2019
Super helpful member
For the benefit of U.K. citizens living here as residents, here is an update:
REPORT ON THE WORKSHOPS AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN MADRID ON 19 SEPT 2019
HEALTHCARE
At the beginning it was stated that there are now over 346,000 British residents in Spain including approx 77,000 pensioners who are receiving UK State Pension via the S1/S2 scheme paid for by the UK to Spain at just over €4,000 pa per pensioner on the scheme.
Apparently, next week S1 holders will be receiving a letter from the UK updating their situation after Brexit. When asked if the S1 would continue the answer was ‘it is the UK’s intention’ and we pressed for an answer to our question ‘is the S1 guaranteed after Brexit?’ We were told that the best answer they could give was that ‘it is the UK’s intention.’
With regard to the EHIC issued by the UK to S1 residents, it was confirmed that it will be valid until December 2020. Beyond that nobody knows.
The Spanish law Real Decreto - (ley 16/2012 de 20 de abril) may mean entitlement to healthcare in Spain if residency is ‘permanente’ and the team will offer help and guidance on this.
RESIDENCY
The Embassy repeated the need for them to be kept aware of any problems the British here encounter in trying to apply for residency so that they can address those problems with the relevant Spanish authorities.
It was suggested that when applying for an appointment online (sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es) clicking on the new button for UK nationals exclusively can sometimes mean seeing the message that ‘no appointments are available’. However, it was suggested that appointments can be found if going online late on Sunday night or early most mornings and to try the EU nationals button, not the UK exclusively one.
Anne said she had known of cases refused by not booking the appointment using the UK exclusively option when they arrive for their appointment and presented their British passport. The Embassy are taking this up with the Spanish central government.
Richard asked for confirmation about the changeover to TIE. The Embassy staff confirmed that if you have a residency certificate stating ‘característica permanente’ it will be a straightforward exchange. However if you have been here over five years but your certificate doesn’t state característica permanente you may be asked for further documentation to prove your continued historic residence in Spain.
If you have been here less than five years you will be asked to reprove your financial and health care status and you will then receive a TIE card for the balance of your temporary residencia which will need to be renewed either after 1 or 2 years, again with proof depending how long you have held your existing temporary residency. **The financial requirement will however be at your existing residency level**
Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) - While the attendees were aware of this, the stark reality struck home in this session.
In the event of a no deal outcome on 31October, those who move here from 1st November 2019 onwards will have to apply for a TIE card under ‘third country’ nationality rules. Although the Embassy experts could not confirm it, the likelihood is that those applicants will need to meet the existing TIE very high financial requirements, €25,000 - to €36,000 per annum income.
All were unsure of the exact amount as it seems to vary in provinces and even locally within those provinces!
It is therefore suggested that if one intends to move to Spain in the immediate future it is in their interests to do so immediately!
**At the very least before 31 October obtain an NIE, Padrón and an appointment for residencia.**
Our understanding is that the key is having an appointment booked before the UK Brexit date and not the actual date of the appointment. Richard pushed the Embassy experts for a defined categoric statement about this situation but the answer given was that Spain has not clearly stated the future position yet.
For those without their green residency going back to the UK for a holiday and returning to Spain, Anne also reminded of the importance for them to take as much evidence of their life here as possible - Padrón, utility bills, rental contract, property deeds etc and, obviously, for those with their green residency to ENSURE they take that with them.
-------------------------------------
The Embassy Healthcare Team will continue to offer help even after Brexit and want to hear from any who have been refused residency, National Police appointments for residency or as a result of not being able to secure healthcare.
The meeting closed with the Embassy stating that it wished to continue working closely with BREXPATS IN SPAIN at public meetings when there was information to impart. The attendees thanked the Embassy staff for the meeting but expressed their disappointment that with 40 days to go the lack of definite and confirmed information was not satisfactory.
Anne Hernández (President), Richard T HIll (VIce-President)
BREXPATS IN SPAIN
(Also on Facebook)
21 September 2019