Retiring to Spain
Spain has become the geriatric home of Northern Europe in recent years. Its gentle climate, proximity to Northern Europe, cheap and plentiful flights home, short flight times, its relaxed way of life, and membership of the EEC has made it one of the most sought after retirement countries in Europe. Many people worry that they will lose contact with their families before coming here; once they arrive, they bemoan the fact that they never have any time for themselves.
The thing that worries many pensioners when they retire to Spain is the health care. Every pensioner from the EEC is entitled to free visits to the doctor and free medicine once they have reached the age of sixty-five. This applies to both sexes as this is the retirement age for Spanish pensioners. They are also entitled to receive free drugs and whilst they do not always receive the same named drugs, they can get the equivalent drugs whatever their needs. All pensioners have to pat the full cost of dental care, as the system is private within Spain. The Spanish culture in general is not ageist; Spanish people have the largest number of octogenarians in Europe and the medical service is wonderfully tolerant towards its senior citizens.
Lifestyle is a large factor that makes the decision and the Spanish word for pensioner celebrates it all. They are called “jubilados” and they do have something to be jubilant about - the kindest weather in Europe, a reasonable standard of living and free health care. Many people report a fabulous social life here one, which they could not possibly enjoy in Britain. In general the attitude is good towards the elderly here of course some muggings do occur and the elderly may be targeted, but they do not have the problem of the pensioner beaten up in their home for the price of a pint.
The cheap and plentiful air flights to Europe mean that the pensioners can escape the full heat of the summer and go to climates that are more temperate. Many of the Mediterranean cruise ships dock in Malaga, so even a cruise is easy. Spain has benefited from a massive injection of cash from the EEC and the infrastructure here is now as good as anywhere in Europe.
Many pensioners plan to start here over the winter but the lure of the coast often means that the winters get longer and the summers home get shorter. However before you plan your retirement in Spain you really should think through all the possibilities and consider the following. You can drift along or organise barbecues and beach trips, have a tapas and a coffee out everyday; because the cost of eating out is so cheap, play golf for 300 days a year and get the second best health care in Europe!
The only real downside is that the price of property has increased exponentially since the advent of the Euro and this has made rental properties more expensive in sought after areas. Also before committing yourself to a permanent move, it would be advantageous to spend several winters here. Many thousand of pensioners retire to Spain quite happily, but for others the story does not always have the fairy tale ending. It is a fact that more women than men are severely homesick, and it is a fact that many men fail to make allowances for this. Added to that as people age they die and many widows/widowers find it difficult away from home. It is fair to say that the majority do adopt but not everyone does, it is a major step and the planning should take a few years.
Many pensioners particularly those that suffer from severe chest infections find the better climate gives them a new lease of life as do those suffering from arthritis. Whilst many physical conditions and ailments are improved not all are, have a word with your health care provider at home before making any long term plans.
If you are not sure about the viability of full time retirement, it is possible to keep your house at home, rent it out short term and come here short term and then assess how you feel about longer stays. That way if it does go pear shaped you are not substantially out of pocket when you return home.
By Bill Hanning
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