Sat, Jul 4 2009

Return Migration

By: Age Care Association

Although increasing numbers of retirees from the UK are relocating to Spain many contemplate returning to their country of origin (see ‘Brits Abroad’ published by the Institute of Public Policy Research). The records of Age Care Association show that some elderly British expatriates need or wish to return for a variety of reasons. These can include entering a Care Home or sheltered accommodation, entitlement to a range of certain non-exportable health and other benefits, loss of a partner, failing health, family ties, an increasing cost of living and decreasing financial provision, or simply the pull of a well remembered environment and culture. Since the last edition of this booklet more people are considering whether they should return to the UK. The following check list may be useful if you are moving back to the UK.

Tax, benefits, pensions and National Insurance

Tell HM Revenue and Customs when you will be coming back, and find out about your tax liability on returning to the UK.

Check with Spain about any tax you may owe before you leave.

For National Insurance contributions, contact the HM Revenue and Customs National Insurance Contributions Office (International Services).

Get in touch with the Department for Work and Pensions regarding your pension and benefits, giving them details of your move and contact details abroad and in the UK.

Contact the providers of your occupational pension and give them details of when you are moving and your contact details.

Health

Register with a GP and a dentist in the UK.

Notify any private medical insurance and travel insurance companies with which you have policies.

Inform the GP, dentist and other health practitioners in Spain, and see if your records can be sent to your new health professionals in the UK.

Your home

Contact the local council in the area you want to move to – its council tax department and the electoral registration unit will need to know when you will be returning to the UK and your UK address.

Notify your utility companies in Spain that you are moving and give them a forwarding address, so they can send you final bills and information on any outstanding payments or refunds; you will also need to set up accounts for utility services once you have found a property in the UK.

Tell your bank, or any financial institution with whom you have a policy or agreement that you are moving.

Have your mail forwarded.

Note: For comprehensive information about returning to the UK consult the website www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensrights/LivingintheUK/DG

For people considering returning to the UK, Age Care Association can offer help and guidance. As returning is an important lifestyle step it is suggested that you discuss the positive and negative issues with one of our volunteers. Our help line telephone numbers are 691761088 are 655903182.

About Age Care Association

Age Care Association is a fully registered, non-profit making organisation staffed entirely by volunteers. Our Spanish registration number is 6282 – CIF – G92487602 (Registro de Asociaciones de Andalucia). The majority of our work is helping older British people living in the Province of Malaga, but we do not exclude other nationalities that speak English. We provide welfare information, practical support and two help lines (Telephones: 691761088, and 655903182). The Association also has a hospital and home visiting team. Other volunteers visit people in Care Homes when necessary. As part of our work we have repatriated some individuals to the UK, where there are more caring facilities and access to benefits unavailable in Spain. Some of our volunteers have had careers in nursing, education, psychology and other caring professions and are accustomed to listening in a sympathetic and kind manner. We work closely with the British Consulate, Royal British Legion, and branches of the International Lions.