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Information regarding your Pension Rights, Benefits and Allowances for all British ex-pats living or planning to live in spain,
click on the following websites.
www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/pensions-benefits/uk-benefits
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/ipc/The Pension Advice Service
www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance
Important passport delivery changes (10/10/2008)
From the 3rd November new charges will apply for delivery of passports in Spain and Portugal. All passport applications received on or after the 3rd November will be subject to these charges, although it will still be possible to pick up your passport in person from the Consulate-General in Madrid without delivery costs. The new passport courier service will mean a greatly improved service for customers. It will be provided by DHL Express, a reputable multinational company with a strong track record of secure, on time delivery. DHL Express will:
- provide 2 employees permanently based at the British Consulate-General Madrid to ensure an efficient, dedicated and tailor-made service for our customer;
- call every customer in advance in English to ensure that they'll be at home at the time of delivery;
- ensure an integrated end-to-end delivery process straight from our passport printers to your door. DHL Express has comprehensive coverage of the Iberian peninsula through its network of 7000 staff, 99 offices, 5000 vehicles and 25 planes;
- run an online tracking system so you can see the progress of your passport delivery in real time;
- provide uniformed, identifiable staff and provide a secure service.
British Consular Services Iberia has negotiated a very competitive and comprehensive deal for passport customers with DHL Express. This compares very favourably to prices charged by other companies for secure delivery of important documents, particularly as it includes a number of additional features such as advance customer contact in English.
The costs for the new service are as follows:
Mainland Spain, Balearics, Ceuta, Melilla and Portugal: 16 Euros*
Canary Islands, Portuguese Islands and Andorra: 21 Euros*
(*These prices are exclusive to customers of British Consular Services Iberia)
Further information on this service, including delivery times, prices and tracking, will be published on the British Embassy website from 3rd November. You may also consult DHL's website for further information on their services.
Drivers Information - Cars
Importation and Registration
UK nationals who are not residents may bring their car into Spain, but neither they nor anyone else can use it in Spain for more than six months in anyone year. Anyone who spends more than a total of six months a year in Spain is considered resident, and must therefore import and register the vehicle.
The procedures relating to importation are complex. The motoring associations in Britain and the Real Automovil Club de Espana (CI Eloy Gonzalo 32, 28010 Madrid Tel: (+34) 91 59472 33/91 59472 43) can provide guidance, but the authoritative source of information is the Directorate-General of Customs in Madrid (Dirección General de Aduanas, CI Guzman el Bueno 137, 28003 Madrid. Tel: (+34) 91 5826805.
Motor Insurance Regulations
Spanish insurance regulations differ from those in the UK. It is important to check carefully what cover your policy provides. ASEGURACE may provide guidance (Tel: 902 120441).
Driving Licences
Driving licences issued from 1990, and the photocard licence issued from 1997 are accepted in Spain. However, the minimum age required to drive is 18 years.
Licences issued before 1990 are only accepted if accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (available from the Spanish Embassy in London and the Real Automovil Club de Espana if the licence holder is already in Spain). Holders of these may prefer to use an International Licence issued anywhere outside Spain.
The licence holder may retain their British licence (if issued after 1990) or exchange it for a Spanish one, subject to the same medical examinations as Spanish nationals.
It is advisable to exchange UK licences for Spanish ones, which are also valid for visits to the UK. The DVLA will not put a non-British address on a replacement licence, or send one out of the country. Therefore, if a British licence is only registered with Spanish authorities and is lost or stolen, a replacement cannot be obtained from the UK, and Spanish authorities will not be able to replace one they did not issue.
For more information, please contact the Jefatura Provincial de Trafico in your area:
http://www.munimadrid.es/
Licence Renewals
Licences are valid for ten years if the licence holder is under 45, 5 years from 45 to 70 years and two years thereafter. To renew a licence the applicant needs a medical certificate issued by an officially recognised centre.
Registering on Spanish plates
The procedures relating to registration are complex. The motoring associations in Britain and the Real Autom6vil Club de Espana can provide guidance, but the authoritative source of information is the Directorate-General of Customs in Madrid (Direccion General de Aduanas, CI Guzman el Bueno 137, 28003 Madrid Tel: (+34) 91 55302 001 Fax: (+34) 91 5535242
Sorry to say that if you look at your UK licence it is plain that you have a valid driving period. You may look different after ten years, so your photo is not a twenty year old but a 30 year old or what ever.
To get your validation from the Centro Medico in Torrevieja will cost 70 euros. You may wish to keep your UK license if you have a lot of groups, it is expensive! The minimum is 45 euros for Spanish car only. Next you have to go to Trafico in Alacante to register your UK licence.
If your test day is Monday and Wednesday between 16:30 to 19:00 and Wednesday and Friday between 11:00 to 13:00. You will require 4 passport type photos, n.i.e number (residence card) and up to date driving licence and plenty of euros and of course a good measure of patience.
The Centro Medico is to the rear of the building behind the fountain in Torrevieja. Up the stairs to the first level and in you go, best off luck!
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