By Ron Howells • Published: 03 Apr 2021 • 11:50
Spain Urged To Quickly Change Rules For UK Pensioners Or Risk Economic Ruin.
SPAIN must urgently change its rules on how much British pensioners need to earn to live there or its economy will suffer badly, a leading ex-pat said to The Express.
Speaking from the Expat Centre in Costa Blanca South, Moira Carmenate said she was “surprised” that Spain hadn’t dropped its requirement for pensioners to prove an annual earning of more than £21,000 (€24,697).
With the UK’s state pension being just over £6,500 (€7,644) a year, many British pensioners could be forced to return home if the rules are not relaxed, she said.
At the moment, there is no indication from the Spanish government that it will lower the threshold, despite the invaluable contribution the approximately 108,000 UK pensioners add to its economy and local businesses.
Under Spain’s current rules, ex-pats need proof of work or if they have retired be able to show they earn more than £21,000 (€24,697) a year.
UK tourists also are estimated to make around a staggering £12 billion (€14.11bn) annual contribution to the country’s now battered economy. Thousands of ex-pat business owners along the Costa del Sol and Benidorm in Alicante have suffered badly during the pandemic. The pensioners contribute greatly towards their survival as they are in the local community all year round and provide a steady stream of income.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, she said: “We kind of expected them to have changed the rules by now, but then who knows what they’re thinking?
“I’d be surprised if they don’t change it but you can’t second guess what they’re thinking. Maybe they want to attract younger people. But that’s the requirement at the moment and it’s not something that a lot of pensioners will be able to achieve. If it stays it will undoubtedly change the landscape of who will apply.
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Ron actually started his working career as an Ophthalmic Technician- things changed when, during a band rehearsal, his amplifier blew up and he couldn’t get it fixed so he took a course at Birmingham University and ended up doing a degree course. He built up a chain of electronics stores and sold them as a franchise over 35 years ago. After five years touring the world Ron decided to move to Spain with his wife and son, a place they had visited over the years, and only bought the villa they live in because it has a guitar-shaped swimming pool!. Playing the guitar since the age of 7, he can often be seen, (and heard!) at beach bars and clubs along the length of the coast. He has always been interested in the news and constantly thrives to present his articles in an interesting and engaging way.
This article is a clickbait windup right?
When are they going to let house owners back to Spain we are not holiday makers we have got all of how Money goes up in Spain car house ever have been in UK since December something need to be done we are leaving out of a suitcase like thousands of others
We are in same position came back Uk December due to Brexit as too complicated to stay, nothing said about all of us paying mortgages council tax utilities etc our itv was due April on car, which we left in garage. Crazy for all of us who have invested in our homes in Spain and now cannot use.
UK pensioners are a burden to the Spanish taxpayer and the Spanish healthcare system. Should be banned ASAP
Not a very helpful comment
Why is it too complicated to remain in Spain.? Not if you have your residencia or if you are a non resident you have just got to stick to the new European rules. What is the problem? Before Brexit the Non Residents should only have remained in Spain for 90 days each year. If Non residents are that upset become a Resident.
If these’immigrants’ had done the right thing there wouldn’t be a problem.They should have sorted out their residencia by the end of December 2020.Stop pandering to these people.🙂🇪🇸🇪🇺
People had plenty of time to register for residency before the end of 2020, if they only had their pensions. We moved from France specifically to beat the deadline. It is not Spain that sets these requirements but the EU
Why are they a burden? Their health care is covered by the Spanish health if they were employed in Spain or by the S1 form which the UK government pays.
You wanted Brexit. You got Brexit. Live with it.
Don’t understand why an article written over a year ago has been published again. Expats with residencia do not have a problem. Pensioners on £6500 would find it very difficult to live in Spain and are better off in the UK where they can claim extra benefits. No need for out of date scaremongering articles.
This article was published in April 2021
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