Thursday, February 18, 2016

What will happen?

If Britain does vote to leave the European Union, there could potentially be serious consequences for the large ex-pat communities that live in places like Spain. From our taxation to health care, there are many questions that we need to ask.

One of our friends has been advised by his accountant that Spain is looking into taxing those of us who have government pensions. As things stand, teachers and other who receive a government pension, are taxed in the UK even though they are tax residents here in Spain.

The dual tax agreement means that we should not be taxed in both countries but what if that agreement ends? It makes sense to be taxed in the country where you reside after all that is where you gain benefits. Will it mean that we cease to pay tax in Britain if the country decides to leave the EU? I simply do not know the answer to that question.

The other concern is health care. Again, under the present agreement, UK pensioners receive free health car in Spain which is paid for by the NHS. Having paid our contributions in Britain for the whole of our working lives, we feel that this is a fair entitlement but would that all change if the country votes to leave the EU? Again, I do not have an answer to that question.

I don't suppose any of this is of concern to the millions of Brits who will be voting in the referendum but it is to those of us who chose to live in a sunnier climate.

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