Please carefully note the two different pieces of information that follow.

One comes from the Embassy in Madrid and the other from the Consul General in Barcelona

THE BRITISH CONSULATE, THE PENSION, BENEFIT
AND HEALTHCARE TEAM AND AGE CONCERN ESPA�A
TO VISIT EL PERELL� AND ROSES

The British Consulate will be holding two open events in Catalunya to offer British residents advice and information on key issues, such as:

- Applying for EHICs
- Working in Spain and how this affects your pension
- Registering with the Consulate

The Casework Manager for Age Concern Espa�a will also explain how you can make a difference by becoming a volunteer caseworker or 'befriender'.

The Pension, Benefit and Healthcare Team will provide information on entitlements in Spain and the services that their team can offer. As well as an open question and answer session, you will be able to book a one-to-one appointment with a member of staff.

Event details:

To reserve your place, please go to: http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/opendays
If you experience problems booking or do not have internet access, call: 917 14 64 43

Back to work...

Though many of you are enjoying a well-deserved and relaxing retirement in Spain, I can't be the only one still at the grindstone. Now, there are some obvious differences between working in the UK and here in Spain, like the views from our office windows and the absence of M&S sandwiches for lunch, but something else to bear in mind is the difference in social security systems. Paying social security (what we call National Insurance in the UK) contributions when you are working in Spain is important as it builds up your entitlement to a pension and certain benefits. Also, as Spain operates a contributions-based healthcare system, paying social security means that you, and any dependants, are covered for medical treatment.

The Tesorer�a General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS) is the organisation which registers employers and workers and collects social security contributions. Our equivalent in the UK would be HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). If you're working here, you should be registered with the TGSS. They'll register you on the system, give you a social security number, collect your contributions and be able to provide a personal social security record (called a vida laboral in Spanish).

When you start a job, your employer should arrange all of this through the TGSS. It's always worth having a chat with your boss to see how contributions are being paid, and whether they can give you any confirmation. If you're working as your own boss, you'll need to register directly with the TGSS as self-employed (aut�nomo in Spanish) and pay contributions to them. As a self-employed person, it's really important to deregister with the TGSS as soon as you finish work, because they won't be automatically informed and will continue to bill you for contributions. If you don't want to build up a pile of debt - make sure you let them know you're no longer working.

As I mentioned, paying into the Spanish system as a worker may give you the right to some Spanish benefits, e.g. sickness or family benefits. When applying through the Spanish system (they should always be your first point of contact), do so in writing and mention on your application any work you have done in other EEA countries, including the UK. If you haven't worked long enough here, work elsewhere might be taken into account so that you meet the minimum requirements. Also, don't forget to mention any dependants you have, such as children or a spouse, as this may increase how much you're allowed. At the moment, unemployment benefits aren't available to self-employed workers, but signing on at the INEM office (the Spanish equivalent to the Job Centre) may give you the right to some support after a year.

In terms of pensions, you could have the right to a Spanish state pension as long as you have worked for a total 15 years in Spain and another EEA country. Again, applications should be given in to the Spanish authorities.

Here are some useful websites if you�

- want an outline to pension, benefit and healthcare entitlements for workers in Spain:

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-spain/pensions-benefits/working-in-spain/

- want more information on Spanish social security procedures:

www.seg-social.es (available in English)

- are looking for work:

www.sepe.es
http://ec.europea.eu/eures/home.jsp

Good luck,

Andrew Gwatkin

British Consul General