Free public transport

[Pegojack]

What is the situation with the state pension. We are considering becoming residents in the future but somebody said that we would no longer get the uk state pension?

Total nonsense. My UK state pension is paid into my Spanish bank account every four weeks, in Euros at an excellent exchange rate, and with no bank fee. I get the same increases as everyone else too.

 

[Pegojack]

Apparently the rules have changed since Brexit came in, you're only allowed to stay in a European Country for 90 days a year now, a customer was telling me as they had planned to go to live in Italy.

That is correct. If you want to retire to an EU country now, you have to apply for what is called a non lucrative visa, in other words a visa where you are not allowed to work.
There are various terms and conditions, but the main one concerns income, because obviously they want to know you can support yourself and not be a burden on the state.
To come to Spain for example, you have to prove you have an annual income of around 29,000€ for an individual, or 34,000€ for a couple.

PS actually its 90 days in 180 as a tourist, not in a year.

 

[Niigata Jack]

That is correct. If you want to retire to an EU country now, you have to apply for what is called a non lucrative visa, in other words a visa where you are not allowed to work.
There are various terms and conditions, but the main one concerns income, because obviously they want to know you can support yourself and not be a burden on the state.
To come to Spain for example, you have to prove you have an annual income of around 29,000€ for an individual, or 34,000€ for a couple.

PS actually its 90 days in 180 as a tourist, not in a year.

Oh right, 3 months there 3 months here, can see that working, although not if that just applies to a tourist as you couldn't own you own place there then or could you??

 

[Pegojack]

Oh right, 3 months there 3 months here, can see that working, although not if that just applies to a tourist as you couldn't own you own place there then or could you??

You are getting two different things mixed up, mate.
If you want to live as a permanent resident, you need the visa. If you are visiting as a UK tourist, you can now only visit for a maximum 90 days in 180.

 

[Niigata Jack]

You are getting two different things mixed up, mate.
If you want to live as a permanent resident, you need the visa. If you are visiting as a UK tourist, you can now only visit for a maximum 90 days in 180.

Got you, Cheers Pego

 

[westside]

Buses are free in the Swansea area for everyone during holiday periods thanks to Swansea Council

 

[jack123]

I'm in the UK at the moment and, having flown in, am using public transport to get around.
We were in Hereford for the first few days and decided to try bus rather than train yesterday to get down to Swansea.
I was gobsmacked to find that the fare for the first leg from Hereford to Brecon was only £2 each. Nice ride too, up the Golden Valley through Hay on Wye.
I was even more gobsmacked to get on the Swansea connection at Brecon to be told " no fare, mate, the company is doing this route free for two weeks to encourage new customers".
So there you go, if you have time on your hands and fancy a free or cheap trip out, get on the bus.

No thank you, they can shove the buses. I would imagine it's only appealing to you, because you are trying to soak in the surroundings after being away for a while..

It would never be a preference for me to catch a bus, car all day long of the week, a token gesture of free, doesn't improve their service.

 

[MajorR]

Good to see public transport costs are affordable or free and people are making use of it. Last time I caught a bus it cost a small fortune to get to town, I had a real shock at the price. I try to walk it these days.

 

[jack_lord]

Total nonsense. My UK state pension is paid into my Spanish bank account every four weeks, in Euros at an excellent exchange rate, and with no bank fee. I get the same increases as everyone else too.

That's good to know as I was told by my mate who is a very senior civil servant in the Home Office in that there London about the pension.
Quite interested in the entry requirements. Does the 29000 euros include the state pension figure

 

[Pegojack]

That's good to know as I was told by my mate who is a very senior civil servant in the Home Office in that there London about the pension.
Quite interested in the entry requirements. Does the 29000 euros include the state pension figure

Don't know what your mate is referring to, British ex pats in all EU countries get their state pension (and the increases) just as if they were still living in the UK. I believe there are different rules for other places, like not getting the increases if you live in some countries.
The minimum income requirement is just that, it doesn't matter how it's made up, for example pensions, savings interest, share dividends, etc. There's a bit of a grey area when it comes to capital as opposed to income. Some regions treat it differently from others. Say for example you only had an annual income of 25000€ but you could show them you had, say, £800k in your bank account, they might waive the minimum income requirement because you clearly have enough funds not to be a burden on the state.

 

[WxmJax]

Apparently the rules have changed since Brexit came in, you're only allowed to stay in a European Country for 90 days a year now, a customer was telling me as they had planned to go to live in Italy.

Should have asked them how they voted.

 

[MajorR]

That's good to know as I was told by my mate who is a very senior civil servant in the Home Office in that there London about the pension.
Quite interested in the entry requirements. Does the 29000 euros include the state pension figure

If you settle in the EU you’ll get your pension and any uplifts, when we were in the EU there was an arrangement in place across the entire block to ensure pensions updates were passed in in full and it was also in the negotiated in to the Withdrawal agreement so it will continue to happen, it’s a different kettle of fish if you move to Australia, Canada and many other places as the pension is frozen and you don’t get a rise. Portugal is amongst the cheapest places to move to and get a visa, it requires an income of around €1100 per month and health insurance.