What does Brexit now mean for us ?

[wilson]

Hi Nick
The answer on international driving licences has all ready been given above being you do not require one. As far as insurance goes if it is a Spanish Reg car insured in Spain you obviously do not need a green card unless you drive it outside the country it is insured in.

I think so many are really making hard work of this and looking hard for problems. Just carry on with life and you will be fine.

Derek

I do agree Derek in the last 20 years ive lived, worked and bought several properties and a business in Spain and would say that there have been so many obstacles and hurdles to get anything done. Some are necessary some are just bureaucracy gone mad, other times ive walked out thinking how easy was that. Many things require a lawyer or a notary, everything in triplicate but eventually you do get there. Some people seem to have this utopian view of Spain which is going to end next week to be replaced by chaos and mayhem. And lets think of it practically any country within the EU holiday destinations that make life or entry problematic will end up on the front page and people will quickly vote with there feet and go elsewhere. At Alicante airport nearly 70% of car rentals go to UK visitors are the authorities really going to make life difficult for UK drivers. As with every decision made this year it always comes back to money and many countries wont be bouncing back that easily.

[BeachLife]

Hi Ian.

You made need to get some advice. Whilst I have never had one, the temporary SIP was granted I believe to only people from other EU countries (or foreign nationals with Residencia) and now we are out of the EU the same rules will not - probably - apply.

Details will filter out no doubt after the first few weeks of Jan. Might pay to seek clarification with FAB later next month ?

[BeachLife]

On the animal "passport" thing. Just pulled this off the web (via the GOV.UK site so should be correct)

As of 23:00 on 31st December 2020, the UK will become a Part 2 listed country in regards to the EU and pet travel. Travellers to Europe with their pets (dogs, cats or ferrets) will no-longer be able to use a UK issued EU Pet Passport.

Instead pets will need to be issued with an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from their vet. The AHC is:

Valid for one single trip only. New AHC must be issued for subsequent trips into the EU.
Must be used within 10 day of being issued.
Once entered EU, valid for 4 months OR when pet’s rabies vaccine expires (whichever comes first). Can be used for onward travel through EU only.
Valid for return to the UK within 4 months of issue.
Only for the movement/travel of non-commercial dogs, cats or ferrets.
Maximum of 5 pets allowed to travel with owners unless for competitions/training/shows/sporting event (please contact vet for these scenarios).

In order to qualify for an AHC, pets must:

Be microchipped (or tattoo that was placed before 03/07/2011).
Vaccinated for rabies a minimum of 21 days prior to travel.
NO rabies blood test is needed if pet is remaining in the EU for duration of stay and NOT travelling to OR through any unlisted countries.
When returning to the UK:

Dogs must receive tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before return, and have the treatment administered by a vet.
These changes impact travellers arriving in the EU from 23:00 GMT on 31st December 2020.

Vets will be able to issue the new AHCs from 22nd December 2020 onwards. Your vet will need to have Official Veterinarian (OV) status from the Animal Plant Health Agency, please check with your local vet before booking your appointment for an AHC.

Hope thats useful to the pet lovers who bring them over to Spain ....


Link: https://www.vets4pets.com/services/pet-passports/

[Spurs]

Interesting comments on duty free allowances but beer wine spirits an cigarettes etc bought in the resort or shops or vineyards are not duty free but duty paid . No where that I have seen does it mention duty paid in EU and surely in a free trade agreement area then they don’t count as duty free. I’ve tried to google it but it only mentions duty free

[wilson]

Interesting comments on duty free allowances but beer wine spirits an cigarettes etc bought in the resort or shops or vineyards are not duty free but duty paid . No where that I have seen does it mention duty paid in EU and surely in a free trade agreement area then they don’t count as duty free. I’ve tried to google it but it only mentions duty free

That would suggest that at worse everything stays the same price or when making purchases within the airport that as a non eu country that the lower no tax or duty price would apply. Seems like more good news.

[Blue and white stripes]

Going back to the mid 90s I remember that the allowances were 200 duty free or 400 duty paid cigarettes before it went up to as many as you could carry (for personal use).

[ian-steele]

Hi Beach life, when I bought in G.A 15 years ago I took my n.I.e ,passport, & copy of deeds to Santa pola health centre, & they issued me a temp s.I.p card, which I renewed every 6 months @ g.a medical centre, this enabled me have doctor appointment, hospital treatment & 80% reduced perceptions as o.a.p, I just hope when I go back it will be honoured.

[Derek]

Hi
I can't understand why Brits who pay their taxes to the UK Government should expect free health care in Spain. Surely it is the same as not belonging to the AA and then expecting them to fix your car for free.

Derek

[DaveG]

Hi Derek, hopefully most people don't expect free health care (or anything else free for that matter) anywhere, but where that care is provided on a reciprocal basis with a bi-lateral agreement between countries then surely it is there to be used as it is intended to be used.

The web page below should put the EHIC to bed regarding Spain; basically if you have one it's valid until it expires, if you haven't got one it's to late, except for a very few circumstances you have to wait for the UK GHIC to be issued
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-for-uk-nationals-visiting-spain

Going off piste a little the issue of the border at Gibraltar is coming to a head but the Spanish government seem to be keen to sort something akin to what is there already; as Wilson said earlier it's usually about the money, a little pragmatism and realpolitic. I think it's the bilateral deals that we need to look out for from the countries that rely on tourism; in our case Spain.
A classic quote from Gibraltar's Chief Minister - We can each win only if we all win. And we will definitely all lose if one of us loses. "So this is a moment where we have the choice to make for our people, of whether we ensure that none of us loses at this table even if none of us wins, or we ensure that all of us wins to ensure that none of us loses. A bit of the Donald Rumsfeld there.

https://news.sky.com/story/brexit-clock-still-ticking-ahead-of-deadline-for-gibraltar-deal-after-spain-warns-of-border-chaos-12174221

[ian-steele]

thanks Dave for explaining the ehic new rules, i am aware that a spanish resident paying taxes in spain is entitled to free health care visiting U.K as is the case with U.K visiting spain.

[DaveG]

Thanks Ian, and at the risk of preaching to the converted on the Forum I think it's as well to stress the limitations of the EHIC / GHIC in as much as it is not intended as a substitute for travel insurance.

The following link is a gov.uk issue today setting out all you need to know regarding travel insurance and how to choose one for your specific needs - it's a really comprehensive overview.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance?utm_source=52abe477-ba33-4577-a721-0b43ecfd23a7&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=daily

[wilson]

Personally I’ve always viewed the EHIC card as a safety net, I recall several years ago whilst in Poland going into AE the staff just shrugged and requested insurance, as is always the case your not in a position to argue as you need treatment now. Also in Tenerife a pool accident needing ambulance and hospital, advice from knowledgeable associate who lived on island, don’t travel to SantaCruz and wait possibly hours in state hospital but use state of the art private around the corner. Saying all that a friend who stayed with us in GA broke his arm and received excellent treatment at Elche hospital all using his card.

[kevinb]

When my late father and his partner were using my house in GA hid lady friend had a waterworks problem, they went to the health centre up the top of the estate and saw a doctor, the doctor wasn't interested in anything except for details off the EHIC card , a prescription was issued, a good service

[DaveG]

Hi Wilson, like you I consider it a safety net - I once read somewhere that it gets the ambulance that gets you to the hospital, into A&E, treated and out the other side; after that you're on your own and that's where your travel insurance should start, unless as you say you choose to go private. A general word of warning with private - if possible let your insurance know before you commence any treatment. Read all the policy wording always.

[chris and jackie]

The health service in Spain is very good but like any state medical services it has its limitations especially for specialist treatments.
Friends who live there have private medical insurance which is cheaper than uk and provides excellent treatment when needed although they use normal doctors etc for minor ailments