| What will the winter weather be like on the Costa | | | | suitable for British residents in Spain. Alternatively, |
| del Sol ? | | | | there are numerous Insurance Brokers in Spain |
| Much warmer than Northern Europe. Many | | | | offering a range of healthcare insurance policies. |
| resident's don't even have central heating in their | | | | CHEMISTS |
| home. The Costa del Sol enjoys more than 300 | | | | 'Farmacias' as they are called in Spain - abound |
| days of sunshine per annum, and winter | | | | and can be identified by a prominent (and usually |
| temperatures rarely go below 16ºc in the | | | | flashing) green cross sign. Most of the medications |
| day. | | | | available in the UK can be purchased in Spain - |
| Is it possible to live in Spain without speaking | | | | with many available without prescription. Prices are |
| Spanish? | | | | low and most items cost considerably less than |
| If you are not planning to work with Spaniards, | | | | the prescription charges levied in the UK (is there |
| speaking the language is not necessary. However | | | | a lesson to be learned here?). Chemists in Spain |
| you will find learning the words essential to | | | | are trained to diagnose and treat many common |
| enjoying Andalucian life, quite easy. Mastering the | | | | illnesses and ailments - thus leaving doctors free |
| language will enable you to enjoy the lifestyle on | | | | to treat more urgent cases (another lesson!). |
| offer to its peak. Most establishments on the | | | | Most staff speak English to some degree and |
| Costa del Sol do speak English. | | | | there is always one Chemist open 24 hours in |
| Will the coast become overcrowded from excess | | | | every large town. |
| construction? | | | | What happens about my U.K. Pension? |
| Strict controls on building and careful town planning | | | | British State Pensions can be paid direct to your |
| are now prohibiting over-construction and high-rise | | | | bank account in Spain - usually monthly. The |
| developments. Trees and parks abound, and | | | | Benefits Agency can provide the necessary |
| beaches are kept clean and free from | | | | forms and further advice. If you have a private |
| over-commercialisation. Ringed to the north by | | | | pension you will need to speak to the pension |
| scenic mountains, Marbella forms an undulating | | | | provider as regulations vary. |
| horseshoe of picturesque, village-style | | | | Do British Banks have branches in Spain? |
| developments, luxurious villas, pine forests and | | | | Some of the UK high street banks do have |
| championship golf courses, all served by a modern | | | | branches in the main towns and cities, especially |
| road system and infrastructure. On the beachside, | | | | Barclays and HSBC. Smaller towns have only |
| sleek, marble-fronted, low-rise apartment | | | | Spanish domestic banks. Most UK banks have tie |
| complexes are in: high rise blocks are out. | | | | ups with these and should be able to point you in |
| Will I have problems finding things to do ? | | | | the right direction. |
| No. Tennis clubs, health spas and every sporting | | | | Are all the main religions practised in Spain? |
| facility imaginable are all there for your | | | | Most of the major religions and churches can be |
| enjoyment, whether it be water skiing, | | | | found in Spain with a little effort, although the |
| windsurfing or trekking through the mountains on | | | | vast majority of Spaniards are Roman Catholic. |
| horseback. Incredibly, the Sierra Nevada ski resort | | | | How does Spains transport compare to the UK? |
| is just two hours drive from Marbella, perched | | | | Very well indeed. The Spanish government have |
| 12,000 feet (4,000 metres) in the mountains | | | | invested vast sums of money in both the road |
| above the historic and romantic Granada. | | | | network and public transport infrastructure. Buses |
| Can I bring my pets to Spain ? | | | | and trains generally run on time and are an |
| The Pet Travel Scheme(PETS), allows cats and | | | | economic and convenient method of getting |
| dogs resident in the UK to visit other countries | | | | about. |
| and return to the UK without quarantine, provided | | | | Do we need medical vaccinations to live in Spain? |
| that certain conditions are met. To use this | | | | No. |
| system you need to comply with the law, to the | | | | Are the public holidays the same as the UK? |
| last detail. This is to prevent the tranmission of | | | | Some holidays occur at similar times - Easter and |
| disease from country to country. | | | | Christmas, along with other public national, local |
| Will I be able to obtain most British products ? | | | | and regional holidays. |
| You will find most English products are available | | | | What are the shop opening hours? |
| along the coast, although some will be far easier | | | | Shops are generally open between 10am and 2pm |
| to find than others. Newspapers are now printed | | | | and again between 5pm and 8pm - Monday to |
| in Spain, and are therefore very easy to obtain. | | | | Friday. Supermarkets tend to keep longer hours. |
| Larger shops and supermarkets stock many | | | | On Saturdays most of the smaller shops are |
| British products to accommadate the increase in | | | | closed in the afternoon. Larger shops and |
| tourists, although slight price increases should be | | | | department stores are open from 9am though till |
| expected. | | | | 9pm or 10pm Monday to Saturday. Sunday will |
| What about medical care? | | | | probably see most shops closed, although some |
| The Spanish National Health Service is available | | | | supermarkets may choose to offer a limited |
| free to Senior Citizens from Britain (Ladies over | | | | opening. |
| 60 and men over 65). The service is excellent. | | | | Can I still vote in an UK election whilst living in |
| However, as in the UK, non-emergencies may be | | | | Spain? |
| placed on a waiting list. Purchasers of businesses in | | | | Yes. Even if you become a Spanish resident you |
| Spain are obliged to join the Spanish N.H.S. | | | | are still classed as a UK national and therefore are |
| Payments for this service are included in their | | | | eligible to vote by post. |
| monthly Spanish National Insurance contribution. If | | | | Should I make a Spanish will? |
| you are under retirement age and do not intend | | | | This is advisable. If you, or a relative, should die |
| to work in Spain, then it is a condition of | | | | whilst resident in Spain, Spanish law is responsible |
| Residence in Spain that you take out private | | | | for your estate. A solicitor will be able to take you |
| medical health cover. Some of the larger private | | | | through the process without difficulty and we can |
| medical health providers in the UK offer schemes | | | | recommend a reputable one for you. |