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NEWS FROM BRITISH CONSULATE

1. Residency information:

- We know that there are still many rumours around that green residency certificates must be exchanged for the TIE by 31 December. Please be assured that this is not the case. While the Spanish Government has highlighted that there may be some advantages to having the TIE – it is more durable, contains biometric data and may speed up administrative processes and border crossing – they make it clear that the green certificate remains valid evidence of your residency status and rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, even after the end of the Transition Period. See their Q&A document for more detail.
- You may be aware that some UK Nationals have been issued with TIEs with incorrect wording. We continue to work with the Spanish authorities on this issue. The Spanish have emphasised that these cards remain valid documents, however, we appreciate the desire of UK nationals to obtain a card with the correct wording and are awaiting further information from the Spanish authorities on the process for doing this.
- We know that it is still difficult to get residency appointments in many areas. Please encourage anyone who is struggling to obtain an appointment to make sure they have all the documentation necessary for their application and to prove that they are legally living in Spain by the end of this year.
- We have published a series of videos on residency on our Brits in Spain Facebook channel: an FAQ video, a video specifically for first time applicants and a third on exchanging the green certificate for a TIE. In addition, we have updated our page on gov.uk on registering as a resident in Spain.
- If people are particularly struggling with the residency process as first-time applications, please do signpost them to the organisations that have received funding from the UK Nationals Support Fund to assist them. The level of support may vary depending on where in Spain you are, but their helplines are open to people from across the country. You can find their details here.

2. Driving licences

- As you know one of the key actions for UK Nationals living in Spain is to exchange their UK driving licence for a Spanish one. However, recently it has been extremely difficult to get an appointment. We have a key update from the DGT:
- The DGT is aware that UK and other licence holders are facing problems in obtaining an appointment. They will soon introduce a new process to streamline the current exchange process until the end of the year. UK licence holders will be asked to complete a form with the details the DGT needs in order to verify the driving licence with the UK authorities. This form must be submitted to the DGT by 25 December at the very latest. Once a person has presented their form, they will need to obtain an appointment with DGT to finalise the exchange process. However, as long as the form was submitted by the date above, and the licence verified by the DGT before the end of the year, the appointment to complete the process can be after 1 January 2021. We will share information on the new process as soon as we have it.
- So, whilst further details are needed about the system and when it will come into effect, this should be welcome news to people who may be struggling to get through the exchange process. In addition, the UK continues to negotiate the rules on the recognition and exchange of UK driving licences from 1 January 2021 onwards with member states, so do encourage people to sign up to email alerts on gov.uk/livinginspain, so that they are kept informed of the latest information.

3. UK bank accounts

- We are aware that some UK nationals who hold UK-based bank accounts, but are resident in the EU, have received letters from their UK bank, informing them that these accounts are to be closed.
- Most people living in Europe shouldn’t see any change to their banking at the end of the transition period (31 December 2020). Whether UK banks can service EEA-based customers is a matter of local law and regulation. Also banks are set up differently and may have taken different actions to continue to serve their customers. Your bank or finance provider should contact you if they need to make any changes to your product or the way they provide it. If you have any concerns about whether you might be affected, contact your provider or seek independent financial advice.
- Meanwhile, please be assured that your UK state pension can be paid into your Spanish bank account. This link from gov.uk may be useful.

4. Passports

From 1 January, passport validity rules are changing for travel to European countries. You’ll need to have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).If you renewed your passport early last time, any extra months added to the normal 10-year validity will not count towards meeting this requirement, so we encourage everyone to doublecheck their passport validity online now at: gov.uk/checkpassport

 

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Data Protection

The personal details you have provided in this website are confidential and they will be integrated in the automated Information System of HELP VEGA BAJA. This information is secured in line with the procedures contained in the GDPR Data Protection Act 05/2018. You have the right to update, amend and cancel your personal data. To do so, please contact us by postal mail:

ASSOCIATION HELP VEGA BAJA

POST OFFICE BOX 395

SAN MIGUEL DE SALINAS

ALICANTE 03193

Support Groups

Befriending Service

Please note the Befriending service has been put on hold due to Covid-19

We all often make resolutions of what we are going to do in the year ahead and HELP Vega Baja have wasted no time in putting their resolutions into action!  The charity is well known for the support it provides to people with over 41,000 euros being donated locally throughout 2018.  With the evidence showing that there are high numbers of lonely and isolated people living in the Vega Baja area, the HELP Vega Baja committee has been concentrating on introducing new ways to support people. 

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Hospital Visiting Team

Please note that this service has been put on hold due to Covid-19

 

Our hospital visiting teams visit the Vega Baja Hospital, near Orihuela  and the Torrevieja hospital in Los Balcones upon request.

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Welfare Officer

Our Welfare Officer is available to provide advice on mobility needs and how to ensure someone is safe and well in their home environment.

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Friendship Centres

Please note the this service has been put on hold due to Covid-19

 

The HELP Friendship Centre is held at La Parroquia Cristo in La Regia, Orihuela Costa (2pm to 5 pm every Monday) has been in existence for almost 12 years and has been extremely successful.

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Latest News

  • NEWS FROM BRITISH CONSULATE
  • URGENT MESSAGE CORONAVIRUS
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  • New Initiative to Support People in the Community

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Useful Links

British Consulate Alicante

British Benevolent Fund

British Legion

UK Government

Age Concern Spain

Age in Spain

Sponsors

  • Membership

    For 40 years HELP Vega Baja has worked hard to support those people who have chosen to live or visit Spain.

    In recognition of those who continue to support the association in this work, the committee has developed a number of benefits specifically for its members and becoming a member or renewing an existing membership could not be simpler! The cost of an annual membership is just €10.

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  • Donating to Help Vega Baja

    HELP Vega Baja continues to support those in need through donations received, charity sales and holding events and activities. If you wish to hold an event in support of HELP, please contact the San Miguel Centre.

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  • Why not become a Volunteer

    The main areas where Volunteers are used are as follows;

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  • URGENT MESSAGE CORONAVIRUS

    IMPORTANT  NOTICE  CORONA VIRUS 

    FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

     

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