Freeview is a digital tv package that is available to people living in the UK but which is also available to the British expats living in Spain. 

For many years now, British expats have been flocking to the warmer shores of southern Spain in the Mediterranean in order to get away from the damp and dreary weather of the UK. Many go to Spain in order to live there permanently, with many others spending weeks or even months at a time there for their holidays.

Adapting to both the language and cultural differences can be difficult enough, but one thing that expats can find even more frustrating, Is the fact that they are not able to watch the television programmes that they enjoyed most frequently when living in the UK such as BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5. There are also dozens of other channels that are available to view for free including everything from movies and sport, to home shopping and news.

Many fear that their only option is to watch local Spanish television channels, which means that unless they are fluent in Spanish, which is not going to be the most pleasurable of experiences. After all, it’s not much fun watching a film, if you are unable to comprehend what is being said.

What a lot of British expats fail to realise, is that they can watch their favourite UK TV channels for free via free to view television in Spain. This also means that they do not have to subscribe and pay monthly for a satellite package such as Sky.

There are a number of satellite installation companies that are run by expats on the Costa del Sol and other parts of Spain, who can install free to view television in Spain in around an hour.

The installation of a satellite dish and a digital set top box is also required in order to be able to view the freeview service. A small amount of space is normally required to mount the dish and make sure that it is aligned precisely to the correct satellite.

The digital box or digibox as it is often referred is a small box that connects to the cable from the dish to your existing video and television equipment. These are easy to install and in most cases will be provided by your satellite installation and freeview provider.

Once the freeview service is installed, there are no further payments to pay, as no monthly subscription is required in order to view freeview and its associated channels.

So if you do move to Spain, remember that those programmes that you loved so much when living in the UK are still available to you and can make that transition from the UK to Spain that much more comfortable.

By Rob Griggs Published: 8/22/2008

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The health care service in Spain is excellent for both Spanish nationals and ex-pats alike. Find out how you can be sure you can receive treatment if necessary whilst visiting Spain.

Health care in Spain is of a very high standard with good local health centres or Centros de Salud and here on the Costa del Sol we have an excellent central hospital, the "Costa del Sol", at Marbella. In addition to which there are of course many other hospitals both private and public but most ex-pats tend to gravitate towards the "Costa del Sol" and you hear very good reports of the treatment people have received there.

Certainly my own experiences through attending the A & E, or "Urgencias" when the children were little were very positive. On one occasion my son broke his foot and we were in and out within and hour having had the offending foot, x-rayed and plastered.

The staff there are kind and caring and there are translators on hand if your Spanish is limited. They have a very positive attitude to relatives and in fact are quite happy for one to be present at the hospital 24 hours a day.

When my other son of 15 was in with a broken leg he shared a room with a younger boy and they pushed the beds together so that the boys father could sleep there. A bit unorthodox by some standards perhaps but the Spanish are extremely family oriented and they made every effort to include my son in their visits.

Your E111, or European Health Card as it is now called, will suffice for many of your needs in relation to your health care in Spain and in fact both the incidents sited above were taken care of by my E111 even though the latter involved quite a complex operation with my son’s leg being pinned. Follow up treatment needs to be paid for however so private health insurance is advisable if you are living in Spain or travel insurance if you are just visiting. You can apply for this new card online here.

If you are living and working in Spain and therefore paying social security then you will be entitled to the same health care in Spain as Spanish nationals. If you are in receipt of a U.K. pension and intend to live in Spain then you need to get a form E121 and this should be taken to your nearest Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social (INSS) office for registration. You will then be issued with a medical card which you must produce if you require treatment anywhere and you will then receive this free of charge.

Spanish chemists, or Farmacias, are a great part of health care in Spain and are a good port of call if your symptoms are not serious enough to worry your doctor or take you to the A&E department of the hospital. You will always receive good advice there and probably be recommended something for whatever ails you. If you are receiving prescription drugs at home then bring the packet with you and you will probably find that you will be able to buy your medicines over the counter without the need of a further prescription. I must say however that I think their rather free practice of dishing out antibiotics to anyone who asks is not really to be condoned.

In conclusion the level of health care in Spain for both residents and non-residents is of the highest standard and waiting lists are probably shorter than in the U.K. Accident and emergency treatment is provided free for anyone with a European Health card and the full medical services are available for pensioners who have registered with the appropriate authority and for anyone paying into the social security system.

Article submitted by Ruth Polak the owner of www.costadelsol-vacationrentals.com A web site specializing in holiday villas and apartments on the Costa del Sol and in Rural Andalucia. You will also find lots of information about Spain and Andalucia, in particular.

By Ruth Polak Published: 11/29/2006   Classics of British Comedy In our country Spain, we always emphasize on having a good diet and better health care system is also good. I would lik… – Spain guy on Healthcare battle: Canada vs USA. Read more… 4th Annual Healthcare Expansion Congress Middle East As announced in early 2009, expatriates new to the country must provide evidence of a health insurance registration before applying for a work or visit visa. Read more…

 Mail this post]]> http://expatinfos.com/health-care-for-the-spanish-expats-community/feed 0 http://expatinfos.com/expats-health-issues-in-spain http://expatinfos.com/expats-health-issues-in-spain#comments Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:35:00 +0000 whatever http://expatinfos.com/expats-health-issues-in-spain Retiring In Spain

More people are retiring to Spain from all over northern Europe than ever before, it has become the number one destination for pensioners looking to spend their retirement years abroad. Find out how to avoid the pitfalls and make it a worthwhile and positive experience.

Every year many people from all over Northern Europe, but predominately Britain, consider retiring to Spain. The reasons for this are varied as are the experiences of those who take the plunge and decide to spend their retirement years in Spain. Here we take an objective look at the pros and cons in the hope to make your move and life here as smooth and as satisfying as possible.

The first reason for retiring to Spain probably has a lot to do with the weather. After suffering a cold winter in northern Europe many people look toward warmer climes. Not only is it a lot more pleasant but as we grow older our bodies certainly benefit from the higher temperatures as do our pockets with the lower fuel bills. Many people report that their arthritis and other aches and pains are much improved by their life in the sun.

The cost of living is another important consideration as, although prices in Spain have undoubtedly risen in the last few years, so they have in the U.K and generally speaking ones pension does go further in Spain. Although the winters can be cold and wet they are never as cold as northern Europe so less is spent on fuel. If you are already in receipt of your winter fuel allowance before you leave the U.K. then this can still be claimed from Spain although you will probably find yourself keeping it to help pay the cost of your air conditioning in the summer! Additionally the cost of running a car in Spain is a lot less than in the U.K. so that is another added bonus.

Whilst property prices have rocketed on the Costa del Sol it is still possible to sell your U.K. home, buy somewhere very acceptable in Spain and pocket a sizeable chunk to help cushion your retirement years which is an obvious incentive to anyone contemplating retiring to Spain. Areas of inland Spain are still very reasonably priced and the Costa de Luz is emerging as a good alternative to the Costa del Sol. Property prices there are still affordable but planned development looks as though they may well be set to rise thus making it a good area to invest in at the moment The other reason many people have for retiring to Spain is something less easy to define but none the less important, it is the "quality of life." This may mean different things to different people but even so those who have moved to Spain generally agree that there is an all important something here which has made life better for them. Perhaps it is the more relaxed attitude to life, along with plenty of sunshine and longer daylight hours. Certainly the pace of life is slower here and on the whole less stressful than "back home."

So having decided you are retiring to Spain, what is the next step?

The most important is decide which part of Spain you wish to move to. It is a large and varied country with something to offer everyone. Do you want to live in a typical Spanish community, a small pueblo somewhere or perhaps buy a Finca with plenty of space and peace and quiet, or like the majority of ex-pats would you prefer to gravitate towards the more popular Costas with the peace of mind that you will be surrounded by like minded people?

The Internet gives you the unprecedented opportunity to research areas of interest without having to leave home but once you have decided on the area for you then the foot slogging begins. Try to visit your area of choice at different times of the year and any properties you wish to view at different times of the day, to see where the sun falls etc. In the winter it can get quite cold even on the coast and you don’t want to buy somewhere that sees no sun at that time of the year or alternatively that has no shade in the summer.

Also take into account the surrounding area and neighbors. The Spanish, as lovely as they are, are a noisy, gregarious nation with little understanding of the northern European’s need for privacy and peace. You will not change this attitude, nor do we have a right to try, so if you don’t like it then don’t buy an apartment in a basically Spanish enclave but look for somewhere where you will be surrounded by like minded people. If you are visiting out of season then try to find out what the area is like in July and August as you may not wish to cope with an explosion of tourists.

Take into account the number a visitors you are likely to have and be sure to buy somewhere with sufficient space, it is surprising how many friends you suddenly have when you retire to Spain! You will also of course want your family to visit, in fact the tug of those you have left behind you can be very strong and something you need to think seriously about before taking the final step.

The financial implications of retiring to Spain are also something that need serious consideration. First and foremost you will be able to have your pension paid into a Spanish bank account and by law no commissions are chargeable on such income. The Department for Overseas Pensions in Newcastle will be able to advise you on the procedure. Be aware that the inheritance tax, capital gains and other tax differences are very, very, different from the UK so it is advisable to get good legal and financial advice on these matters and to make out a will. Inheritance tax in particular can be a very thorny issue as in Spain it has to be paid on the death of the first partner and the jointly owned property can not be sold until this has been paid!

In addition be sure to get proper legal advice when purchasing your property. A good legal advisor is worth his weight in gold and may save you a lot of money in the long run. The best way to find a reliable person is by recommendation as unfortunately there are a lot of unscrupulous people only to happy to part a "fool and his money."

The health care system in Spain is generally very good and of course as a U.K. pensioner you have full entitlement to all it offers. You will need to get a form E 121 before leaving the U.K. which you then take to your nearest Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social (INSS) office for registration. You will then be issued with a medical card which you must produce if you require treatment anywhere and this you will then receive free of charge.

Also bear in mind that after quite a short absence from the UK, National Health services will not be available to a returning or holidaying expat and the European Health card (E111 as was) must be obtained for visits to the UK.

On reflection then retiring to Spain can be a very positive move. Coming as it does at a period in your life when it would be all too easy to sit back and vegetate the pleasure and excitement from all the new experiences can have a very positive effect if well planned and executed.

Try your best to learn some Spanish not only is the mental stimulation good for the old grey matter but it will make your life in Spain more enjoyable and rewarding. The Spanish are basically very tolerant of all the foreigners that regularly and often permanently invade their shores but they do appreciate you making some effort to speak their lingo, it is only polite really.

Remember you are retiring to Spain, it is not Bournemouth with the sunshine! The Spanish culture and attitude to life is different to ours so accept that and don’t make your life miserable by trying to change it. So often you hear the lament, "it wouldn’t be allowed in England" well just accept the fact that you are not in England and people do things differently in different countries. After all it is your decision to retire to Spain so relax and enjoy it.

About the author:
Ruth Polak is the owner of www.costadelsol-vacationrentals.com, a web site specializing in holiday villas and apartments on the Costa del Sol and in Rural Andalucia. You will also find lots of information about Spain and Andalucia, in particular.

By Ruth Polak Published: 1/10/2007   Expat Living – The Credit Crunch In Spain | AlmerimarLife A blog about living and working in Almerimar Spain. All about expats, learning spanish, travel, jobs, vacations, food, lifestyle, property and finance.   Read more…

 Mail this post]]> http://expatinfos.com/expats-health-issues-in-spain/feed 0 http://expatinfos.com/top-expats-relocation-guide http://expatinfos.com/top-expats-relocation-guide#comments Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:40:00 +0000 whatever http://expatinfos.com/top-expats-relocation-guide The Secret To Moving Internationally

The biggest secret I have found to moving is to stay calm, my stomach always used to churn every time we would say: ‘Let’s look at moving to London, Perth, Colorado….’ I would have this rush in the pit of my stomach and wonder how we were going to cope with the challenge.

Now, I take it one step at a time. What do we do first, what do we need to know before we make the decision, how does the family feel about a new culture, different schools, a new home and most importantly new friends.

So, where do we start? Usually with the most important questions, why are we moving and do we really want to change from our comfort zone, once you have been able to answer these questions and you have more positives about leaving than staying (and the answer to this could be as simple as being offered a job in a new country), then you need to start researching the place you are moving to.

Questions start surfacing such as will we fit in and be happy in a new country, what is the education like, medical facilities, culture, politics, housing, work conditions, transport and entertainment? How many expats like ourselves will be living there, will our life be normal or will we have to adjust too extremely, and are we happy to do this?

This is where I start searching the internet. Wikipedia is a great site to get an overall overview on any country in the world and it will cover all the basic factual information for you, including geographical location, population, historical background, religion, culture, education, economic situation and political info.

On getting a basic understanding of a country, I would then start looking at government sites and gathering information about the ease of moving to this country. What is required from a governmental legal perspective, including visa’s, whether a spouse can work on entry, how long a spouse needs to wait before starting to work, what legal rights do you have in the country, can you take your pets with and how does this work, what furniture can you take with (some countries do not allow wooden furniture into a country if it has not been treated) these government sites will cover any and all questions of this nature for you.

Finally and probably more importantly are the forums and blogs you can find, where expats can inform you of what to expect and you can ask any question and expect an honest answer. These sites can come across with mixed emotions from people who are enjoying the move and loving the country to those who hate every minute of their stay. The relevant question to ask here is why….why are they enjoying or hating it and then make your own decision?

The above would be the questions that the spouse that stays at home and cares for the children, however the bread winner wants a different question answered. They want to know what they should be earning in the new country and this is where an international cost of living salary calculator like xpatulator can be relevant to you.
Xpatulator gives you the answers you are looking for dependant on the questions you answer in the Cost of Living Calculator. It will determine what your salary in the new country should be to maintain your standard of living.

Why, you may ask? Because $100 000 may sound like a fabulous salary, however if your cost of living in the country you are moving to is extremely high, it may not cover your costs on a monthly basis. With the calculator, you can determine whether or not you will be able to afford to live in the new country. The calculator will work out the salary you should be earning if you have to cover all costs, or if your company will cover some of those costs for you. They also cover the Negative Cost of Living and Negative Hardship. What are these you ask with horror? Negative Cost of Living refers to a location that has a lower cost of living than the country you are living in and selecting to use this will result in a proportional decrease in the salary required e.g. if you had to move from London to Zimbabwe you will find the cost of living will be lower (negative difference). Negative Hardship refers to less hardship in the new location e.g. if you had to move from Zimbabwe to London you will find that your quality of living will be easier (negative difference).

So before you disregard the importance of what you need to earn when moving to a new country, take all aspects into account. At the end of the day what you will earn, will determine the school, home, medical facilities and entertainment you will be able to afford. So the secret to moving from one country to another, may be your emotional stability and happiness in the new location, however this is often determined by how much money is sitting in your bank account.

By: Steven Coleman

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Steven Coleman runs the most comprehensive international relocation calculator available, an internet service that is used primarily to calculate expatriate salary levels for international assignments, which can be found at www.xpatulator.com

Real Estate Blog – Top 5 Tips for International Relocation

Moving Back to the United States After a Few Years Abroad or Relocating to a Foreign Country? There are plenty of guides that focus on less complicated local moves. Here are a couple good ones:…   Read more…