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Your Spanish Experience
Retiring to Tenerife: the numbers of British buyers looking to retire in
Tenerife are increasing, and prime concerns include finding a suitable
property near good healthcare facilities and making the most of your
investments and money. Lifestyle Tenerife can guide you on all these
matters.
Why Tenerife?
To retire in the sun is the reason many people buy homes in Tenerife and
ever-increasing numbers of British people are choosing semi-permanent
retirement on the most diverse of the Canary Islands. It's not just the climate that makes life seem a lot easier than enduring
the drizzle and cold back home, but the cheaper cost of living and the
more relaxed way of life. For those who suffer from arthritis, rheumatism
and asthma, the warm, dry weather can be the most effective medicine. And
given large expat communities in Tenerife and the abundance of social
clubs, there is no need to worry about being isolated. Often the only
regret is not having made the move sooner. But as with everything, it's a good idea to prepare for your retirement
in Tenerife and seek advice so that you make the most of the experience.
Age Concern
www.ageconcern.co.uk produces a booklet 'Retiring Abroad'.
Apply in writing to Age Concern England, Astral House, 1268 London Road,
London SW16 4ER.
We along with our recommended agents can give you all the help and
advice you need to find a property in the right area, where the mixture
of permanent residents v holidaymakers and the age and lifestyle of the
surrounding community suits your requirements. You need to consider that
a popular tourist location may have an ever-changing population of
nightclubbing holidaymakers.
It may also be important to you to buy a property that will be a healthy
investment to pass on to your children and grandchildren. The laws
governing inheritance tax in Spain can be complicated so you will need to
seek advice on this matter. Our recommended agents can refer you to a
good lawyer
Learning Spanish
Although many people manage in Spain without knowledge of the language,
you will have a far happier and more satisfying experience if you are
able to interact and integrate with the local Spanish population. Whether
you are a total beginner or looking to refresh some Spanish learnt years
ago, there are numerous options for Spanish classes, courses or social
language exchange sessions.
Although you will find many Spaniards in Tenerife have an impressive
command of English, and you will be hard-pressed to find a restaurant
that doesn't offer its menu in six different languages, learning some
Spanish will transform your experience of moving to Spain.
It will make you feel confident about interacting with the locals and
becoming part of the community, make friends, find work and enjoy social
events with people beyond the expat community.
What's more, if you decide to venture inland, away from the
English-speaking crowds on the coast, you may find yourself lost without
knowing the essentials in Spanish.
Language exchanges
If you already have a basic grasp of Spanish, doing an 'intercambio' - a
free language exchange with a Spanish person who also wants to brush up
their English - is a valuable way to improve. You will find adverts in
expat magazines or newspapers and on notice boards in supermarkets and
expat bars. Make sure your 'intercambio' partner is of a similar level in
English as you are in Spanish so that neither of you finds the experience
too frustrating.
If you would rather learn more formally, there is a wide choice of
Spanish courses on offer at language schools, from intensive courses with
a few hours' tuition every day to weekly conversation classes, from
individual tuition to groups, beginners to advanced and from general
English to specific business courses.
You may wish to enrol on a course, which leads to a qualification such as
the 'Diploma de Español Como Lengua Extranjera'. For more information
about centres that offer such courses, contact the Departamento de
Español Para Extranjeros
www.eoidiomas.com. Bear in mind that there are also many local language schools in all the
major tourist resorts and towns that offer individual classes; group
courses with different levels and intensity. How much?
There is such competition among language schools that if you shop around
you will find very reasonable rates. Expect to pay around 200-250 euros a
week for an intensive course of 15-30 hours weekly tuition. The longer
the course, the lower the price pro rata. Courses are usually more
expensive in summer or if they are business-focused.
To find out about local courses, look in the local press and on the
Internet for adverts. Private lessons
If the idea of being in a classroom again doesn't appeal, there are
plenty of qualified Spanish teachers who offer individuals lessons - at
your home, in many cases - for about 15-25 euros an hour.
Understanding the healthcare system: as an EU resident, you are
entitled to benefit from Spain's public healthcare system. However, the
rules are different for retired Brits who draw a UK pension. Follow our
guide to Spain's public and private health provision.
Knowing that you are near to good-quality healthcare providers is one
of the biggest considerations when retiring abroad. It is also important
to know what you are entitled to. The Spanish public healthcare system is
excellent.
Proximity to a hospital, doctor, pharmacy and other health services is
something to bear in mind when you are looking at properties in buy.
Reciprocal healthcare
Spanish hospitals and doctors are of a very high standard and as an EU
national you are covered for treatment with the Spanish public health
care system. Make sure you have an E111 form (or E121 if you are going to
live in Spain for more than three months), available from post offices in
Britain or from your Social Security office. Make sure you apply at least
three weeks before you come to Spain.
Your E111 form is valid as long as you continue to pay social security
contributions in the UK and covers all emergency treatment but not
X-rays, physiotherapy or dental treatment. Contact the Department of
Social Security (www.dwp.gov.uk, tel. 0191 218 7777) for further
information. Spanish residents
If you move to Spain permanently, you will need to apply for an official
Medical Card at your local Social Security Office in Spain. Take your
E111/E121 form, passport and proof of residence.
For details of your local social security office, contact the Instituto
Nacional de la Seguridad Social, www.seg-social.es, tel. 900 616 200
(free information line). Private health insurance
As in the UK, most Spaniards are covered for health treatment by the
public health system, but about 6 million choose to take out a private
health policy to avoid waiting lists and have access to more hospitals.
In general, British report that schemes back home offer better cover than
Spanish policies. Always check whether your policy covers you for
treatment - and what kind of treatment - abroad.
Seek the advice of an independent broker about which plan suits you and
whether you require extra cover for your family, maternity care,
dentistry etc. Providers who specialise in expat private health insurance include
William Russell Group, InterGlobal Insurance Services, Good Health, ALC
(A La Carte healthcare) and ExpaCare. BUPA International (who own Spain's
biggest private health insurer Sanitas) and PPP Healthcare have three
plans, depending on how much cover you require.
Finding a doctor (for private insurance only)
You can choose to join any practice, not necessarily the one nearest your
home, and if you are not satisfied with that doctor, you are entitled to
change to another practice. You will find lists of practices in the local
Yellow Pages (Páginas Amarillas), but it is always advisable to go with a
friend's recommendation where possible. You do not usually need to make
an appointment. Patients are seen on a first come, first served basis.
If you are too ill to get to your doctor's surgery, a doctor will visit
you at home at any time of day or night. Health centres
Local health centres (centros de salud) also have a number of doctors
available, for whom you will need to make an appointment. See your local
Yellow Pages for addresses. If you need to consult a doctor, take your
E111 (and a photocopy) or your medical card if you have one. You do not
need to pay for a consultation.
Your details will be entered into a computer and the receptionist will
determine whether you need to pay for prescriptions or not. Pensioners do
not need to. Dentists
You have to pay for dental treatment, unless you have private health
insurance that covers dental work. You simply need to make an appointment
and take a form of ID with you. Generally Dentist are 15 - 20 % cheaper
than the UK. Pharmacies
Most medicines are far cheaper in Spain than in England and available
over the counter. However, pensioners are entitled to free prescription
medicine from pharmacies with a prescription from their doctor.
Pharmacies usually open from 9.30am-2pm and from 5-9.30pm Mondays to
Fridays and from 9.30am-2pm on Saturdays. In every town and village there
is a 24-hour pharmacy or contact number.
Social security
EU citizens retiring in Spain are also entitled to benefit from the
Spanish social security system.
Make sure you get an E121 form from your local social security office in
the UK before you leave and that it is stamped and signed.
Once in Tenerife, take this to your local social security office in,
along with your passport and your application for residency, and
photocopies of all forms.
Once the E121 has been accepted, you will receive your social security
card within four weeks. Then you should visit your local hospital and
register with a local doctor
You may be dealing with Euros, as in most other European countries,
but Spanish banks are simple to use and will accept British credit cards
in their ATMs. You can also find branches of Barclays and other familiar
names in Tenerife.
Bank Accounts
We will gladly accompany you to an international English-speaking bank.
You will be able to open an account immediately, ready to transfer funds
for the purchase of your dream home in the sun.
Banks & Money
Although you will sometimes still hear Spaniards talking about house
prices and other transactions in pesetas, Spain is now a Euro-zone, as
are most EU countries.
Notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500 - though few
places are keen or able to find change for higher-value notes.
There is a handful of national banks that you will find in every town and
city (e.g. BBVA, Grupo Banco Popular, Santander Central Hispano and -
best for English-speaking staff - Solbank). In Tenerife you will also
find Barclays branches, which for some people is a reassurance. Spain
also has very large savings banks. They are very similar to the UK
building societies. The savings banks are called cajas and the biggest
are Caja de Madrid and La Caixa (in Barcelona).
There are also regional banks such as Banco de Santander, Banca March.
Internet-only accounts such as ING Direct (www.patagon.es, 901 020
901), Patagon (www.patagon.es, 902 157 213) and Uno-e (www.uno-e.es, 901
111 113) that offer higher interest current accounts and immediate access
to your money. Many of the banks, such as BBVA, have very good Internet
banking facilities.
Opening hours are usually 8am/9am-2pm on Monday-Friday and 9am-1pm on
Saturday. You may find designated hours and days for paying bills
(usually first thing in the morning).
Most banks have English-speaking staff and all banks can cope with
international transactions - though you will be charged commission.
Changing money
You can also change money at the many bureau de change shops found in all
resorts and cities, although their exchange rates may be worse than
banks. Credit And Debit cards
Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Spain and issued by most banks
for a fee of between 10-25 euros a year or up to 60 euros for a gold
card.
If you lose your Visa or MasterCard in Spain, call 902 114 400 (Telebanco
4B) or 902 192 100 (Servi Red) to cancel them.
Spanish debit cards operate as in the UK and are free.
Of course your UK cards will work in Spain in just the same way as they
do in the UK. But you will pay UK bank charges when you use them. It is a
good idea to check how your UK card charges you overseas.
Most Spanish retailers require photo ID when you use a card, so a
passport or residence permit is important when you are shopping.
 Your main debate will be whether to send your child to a Spanish
school (whether state or private), which guarantees they will leave
fluent in Spanish but may pose problems with integration at first - or
whether to opt for a fee-paying international school, where they can
follow the British curriculum but will miss out on being immersed in a
fully Spanish environment. Tenerife has 4 schools
- Wingate School
- Martin Luther King
- Humboldt College
- Echeyde School
Each of have a reputation for a high standard of education.
Wingate School
This located in the small village of Cabo Blanco approximately 5
km's above the town of Los Cristianos. The school has grown over the
years and now offer's a comprehensive and complete secondary education
for children.
The school is small by U.K. standards and classroom capacity is kept to
a minimum. This allows children attending the school, to receive
quality education from the teaching staff. Children make many long-term
friendships within the school and often continue their contacts outside
the school environment.
The school offers many activities including dance and computer clubs,
summer school activities and has a very good drama department, which has
produced some memorable plays. Whilst the school still believes in the
older values of respect for oneself and others, discipline and attention
to work, it also offers a caring and nurturing environment for children.
Wingate School comprises of three distinct parts; the Infant
Department, the Junior Department and the senior school, each with its
own head. All staff are British trained, fully qualified and
experienced, except for the Spanish teachers, who are all three
graduates of Spanish Universities, with the appropriate teaching
qualifications. Many of the members of staff have been teaching at the
school for ten years or more.
The school follows the British National Curriculum and children sit
their SATs at ages 7, 11 and 14 years. For children aged 11 and 14
years these tests are returned to the UK for marking. Parents are
informed how their child is progressing and of how the school as a
whole is doing compared to UK norms. In addition to the National
Curriculum, Spanish is taught from Year 2. The work is carefully
differentiated to cope with different levels of ability. Children in
Years 10 and 11 follow the University of Cambridge International
General Certificate of Secondary Education (I.G.C.S.E.) syllabuses.
A school bus service is available and covers areas such as Golf del Sur
and Los Gigantes, as well as Los Cristianos and Playa de lasAméricas.
Cabo Blanco, Arona, Tenerife, Canary Islands
Tel: (+34) 922720102; Fax (+34) 922720102
Email:
thesecretary@wingateschool.com
Website:
http://www.wingateschool.com
Spanish v international schools
This is the first choice you need to make about where to educate your
child. Each system has its pros and cons, so you need to look at where
your child will be happiest and settle with least upheaval.
About 80% of expats send their children to state schools in Spain, where
the education is free and your child has the chance to integrate fully in
Spanish life and to become fluent in the language. The younger the child,
the easier it will be for them to integrate in this way.
The alternative is to send your child to what are known as 'foreign'
schools, of which there are various types, including international
schools. British schools teach the British curriculum and prepare pupils
for GCSEs, A levels and entrance to British universities. As with private
schools in the UK, classes are smaller and the range of subjects and
extracurricular options is greater.
The possible disadvantage of foreign schools is that pupils learn Spanish
as a second language, so they will be no more advanced in the language
than if they had studied it back in England (although of course living in
Spain should count for something in terms of the other influences they
will receive).
International schools
International schools accept a mixture of foreign and Spanish pupils and
follow bilingual curriculum in Spanish and English, which prepares
teenagers for the internationally recognised 'bachillerato'
qualification. Pupils are then equipped to attend Spanish or English
universities.
Private schools
There are also fee-paying Spanish private schools, which teach entirely
in Spanish and follow the same curriculum as Spanish state schools.
Most private schools in Spain are co-educational, Catholic day schools,
although some schools - including some American and British schools -
take weekly or term boarders.
Fees
Fees for private schools in Spain vary widely, though they are generally
lower than equivalent schools in the UK. Spanish private schools and some
international schools that fulfil quotas of foreign and Spanish pupils
receive state subsidies. For these schools, fees are around 700 euros a
year. Fees at independent foreign schools start at around 3,000 euros a
year, rising to 10,000 euros in the most prestigious institutions.
On top of this (for state and private schools), parents need to buy
books, meals and pay for extra-curricular activities such as art and
sport and for school trips. These extras amount to around 800 euros a
term. You will also need to buy the uniform for private schools. Spanish
state schools do not usually have a uniform. Applying for a school
As you would expect, there is high competition for places in private
schools so you need to make applications as far in advance as possible.
Most international schools have waiting lists. You will need to provide
school reports, exam results and other records.
Check whether the school belongs to an accredited organization - most
British schools belong to NABSS (National Association of British Schools
in Spain,
www.nabss.org) and standards are kept in check by British inspectors.
For further information about British schools in Spain, contact the
British Council (www.britishcouncil.es,
tel. (00 34) 91 337 3500) or ECIS (www.ecis.org,
(00 44) 1730 268244). To apply for a Spanish school, you need to:
- Apply for an 'empadronamiento' document - for which you have to
register at your local town hall. Ask here too about when to apply for
specific schools, as it varies. It's usually around May for that
September's intake.
- Take originals and photocopies of your passport (possible with an
official Spanish translation) proof of address and details of your
Spanish bank account. You may also need an official Spanish translation
of your passport.
- Take your child's birth certificate or passport, immunisation
records, proof of residence and two passport photographs.
- Obtain proof of 'convalidation' - the official record of your
child's education. It is best to do this before you move to Spain,
having obtained the appropriate forms from the Department of Education
(Tel: (00 34) 91 701 8000). Your child cannot be accepted at any school
until you have the stamped forms from the Dept. of Education and this
can take up to six months.
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