3 year plan to A place in the Sun

Not wanting to hijack the thread per say but what is the deal with pre-existing medical conditions... I'm not 100% planning a move but I guess Switzerland is a potential future location I'd consider (Amsterdam and to a lesser extent Frankfurt are possibilities too).

I gather Switzerland for example has an insurance based model but being all European etc.. presumably pre-existing conditions don't bankrupt you as they could in the USA say... I take some medication that can be a bit pricey, it does feel a bit odd to be in a position where you're looking to take out a policy where you know you're going to be claiming and costing the insurance company way more than you'll be paying in premiums, almost like ripping them off tbh... but I guess that is potentially going to be the case in some of these countries?
 
In Ireland you're not covered by insurance for pre existing conditions for x number of years I believe. I assume it would be a similar set up elsewhere?
 
i am currently waiting to hear back from my work about going back to the job i was doing before which will mean that i am offshore for 3 weeks and 3 weeks at home, then i have to speak to them about the possibility if they would be ok about me travelling back and forth. should get started back on a rotation in september so that would be a big boost, i would just have to find out about taxes etc about how it would work. i take it i would be paying Spanish taxes? reading through the posts i get the picture about the unemployment levels and i take it on board, i wasnt meaning that i thought it would be ok in 2 years like someone above mentioned, i was meaning it should be ok in 15-16 years when it comes to my little boy looking for work and if not im sure we would be in a position to do something about it, i know its still worth thinking about but it is a very long way away. i hope my work comes through as it would be exactly what i need.
 
Ant84 said:
Not much to add that hasn't been said already but great choice of location.

I'm planning on doing something very similar in the same timeframe and we've decided on La Cala which is right by where you're looking at.

Beautiful place.
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just had a quick look up of la cala it looks really nice, very close to where were looking at, what situation are you in? have you got work sorted out or can you continue with what your doing? kids? and whats your thoughts on brexit?(depends where you live now really) are you applying for a visa straight away (is that right?) then after 90 days go for residency? are you renting for a bit before buying? are you going over for a look first? sorry for all the questions your the first person thats in pretty much the same situation as me ie (spain)
 
Lopéz said:
Interesting, thanks. I've been stationed abroad in various countries for the past two years (including China and Hong Kong) and I'm finding myself increasingly reluctant to move to a domestic UK office based role when this project ends.

The Mrs lives in Austria which is one option, but HK is somewhere which really appeals to me. Not sure she would cope with the hectic nature although she is a real city girl.
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There are options to escape the crazy pace of life. I know a few people that live on Lantau or Lamma Island, beach lifestyle just a ferry ride from Central. Sai Kung as well is beautiful although it's quite a commute to the main island. I worked up in Sha Tin in the New Territories for the first couple of years and really liked it up there, much less bustle, just lots of mountain views and water.
 
David Flett said:
and whats your thoughts on brexit?(depends where you live now really) are you applying for a visa straight away (is that right?) then after 90 days go for residency?
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Where have you got 90 days from? The EU-mandated permanent residency right is granted after 5 years.

You really need to think very carefully about the real implications of Brexit, it's not just some abstract thing in the news if you plan on living abroad. Even more so with Spain as you could get caught up in the crossfire of a diplomatic spat regarding Gibraltar. You need to plan for the fact that you do not know if you will have the right to reside in Spain in two years time. All the Brexit negotiations are dealing with is the transition period...after that it is down to Spain deciding if it wants British sun-seekers pitching up and taking jobs when over 1/3 of young people in Spain are unemployed.

That said, until the transition period is over in theory you can turn up and work just as any other EU citizen. In reality, you will already be at the back of the queue for jobs because no employers are going to want to pick you over someone who will still be an EU citizen in two years.
 
dowie said:
for example has an insurance based model but being all European etc.. presumably pre-existing conditions don't bankrupt you as they could in the USA say... I take some medication that can be a bit pricey, it does feel a bit odd to be in a position where you're looking to take out a policy where you know you're going to be claiming and costing the insurance company way more than you'll be paying in premiums, almost like ripping them off tbh... but I guess that is potentially going to be the case in some of these countries?
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It'll be similar to the US and cost you a fair amount of the policy, if they take you. Then you can't claim on most of them for 10-12 months, too. That or you just pay for it out your pocket, but it's bloody expensive.

David Flett said:
just had a quick look up of la cala it looks really nice, very close to where were looking at, what situation are you in? have you got work sorted out or can you continue with what your doing? kids? and whats your thoughts on brexit?(depends where you live now really) are you applying for a visa straight away (is that right?) then after 90 days go for residency? are you renting for a bit before buying? are you going over for a look first? sorry for all the questions your the first person thats in pretty much the same situation as me ie (spain)
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I can't get my head around why you'd pick Spain to be fair; the chance of you getting a job as a foreigner with no language skills is very low, which would be my no.1 priority for you and the family. Don't get me wrong, I like Spain, but I like Greece and wouldn't move their as I'd never be able to get a job!
 
dowie said:
Not wanting to hijack the thread per say but what is the deal with pre-existing medical conditions... I'm not 100% planning a move but I guess Switzerland is a potential future location I'd consider (Amsterdam and to a lesser extent Frankfurt are possibilities too).

I gather Switzerland for example has an insurance based model but being all European etc.. presumably pre-existing conditions don't bankrupt you as they could in the USA say... I take some medication that can be a bit pricey, it does feel a bit odd to be in a position where you're looking to take out a policy where you know you're going to be claiming and costing the insurance company way more than you'll be paying in premiums, almost like ripping them off tbh... but I guess that is potentially going to be the case in some of these countries?
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In Switzerland, it is illegal to refuse health insurance to anyone, illegal to ask about pre-existing conditions, and illegal to charge more if they find out.

Risk groups are based on age and gender, but the government sets the maximum costs. In fact I think the only thing is children are set really cheap and all adults pay much more. There are choices of deductibles to change costs, as well as access models (e.g. some you have to call a hotline first, others you need to see a GP first, the premium opens you can go straight to a specialist without referral).
Our family of 4 pays about 850CHF for near-premium access, and the best health care in the world. Given salaries and taxes this is very cheap IMO.


What is different to other countries is health insurance is a strictly private affair, employers don't offer it.
 
randomshenans said:
It'll be similar to the US and cost you a fair amount of the policy, if they take you. Then you can't claim on most of them for 10-12 months, too. That or you just pay for it out your pocket, but it's bloody expensive.
!
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As mentioned above, certainly not the case in Switzerland.
The onyl time you have to mention health conditions is for life insurance.
 
D.P. said:
As mentioned above, certainly not the case in Switzerland.
The onyl time you have to mention health conditions is for life insurance.
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OK, well when it comes to using it though, I've had friends challenged on whether it was a pre-existing condition and had a huge battle to get his care paid for. My wife has a pre-existing condition and we had issues getting companies for insurance, so interested who you're with?
 
David Flett said:
We’re looking into moving abroad.
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Have you considered Gibraltar?

My brother works in HR for betting companies and his Mrs is an accountant for the same industry.

Their IT requirements are very high so as long as you're good at what you do, you're unlikely to have a problem finding work.

I also wouldn't worry about Brexit. After the initial panic in Gib when we voted out, I don't think the impact will be as high as first feared.

The only problem with Gib is housing is expensive. My bro spent a few years on the mainland and commuted into Gib. Made for a fairly high stakes school run :)
 
randomshenans said:
OK, well when it comes to using it though, I've had friends challenged on whether it was a pre-existing condition and had a huge battle to get his care paid for. My wife has a pre-existing condition and we had issues getting companies for insurance, so interested who you're with?
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We have Helvetia.

But it makes no difference. The law is the law, and it is extremely explicit that ever health insurance provider has to provide health insurance to anyone, including those with pre-existing conditions.

2 minutes in Google will show you the same.


Your location says France. I Was only talking about switzerland (but know it's true for Germany as well)? 3/4 of us have pre-existing health conditions and it was never issue in the slightest.

That is the whole point for social security. Everyone pays in so those with high costs are subsidized by those with low costs. It is only on the US where the system is dwsidesi tomline shareholders pockets does this differ.
 
I live in France, but pay social security in Switzerland due to my job being there, or was there. Same as my wife. Means we have to get "cross border" insurance though, which I'm not sure if it's different, but if not I'll defo look more into Helvetia, as we've had a nightmare with my wife trying to get some care in general. Thanks
 
randomshenans said:
I live in France, but pay social security in Switzerland due to my job being there, or was there. Same as my wife. Means we have to get "cross border" insurance though, which I'm not sure if it's different, but if not I'll defo look more into Helvetia, as we've had a nightmare with my wife trying to get some care in general. Thanks
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We went with Helvetia purely ebcbeca we got a discount with my wife's work. As I said, legally they all have to give insurance, can't charge more, and can't ask about pre-existing conditions. It is.no where on the forms to fill in.

I think there are some premium upgrades where they could deny you, but the basic health care covers everything to the highest standards.in standras healthcare you share a small.ward with maybe 5 other people.like the NHS, you can pay for premium coverage to get your own private room. These kinds of additions don't fall under the federal guidelines. But anything under the basic health care and there shouldn't be any mention of it, or they are breaking the law. If you ask any of the health providers they legal have to supply a quote, and the prices have fixed maximums. The prices are set so overall the industry makes a loss and requires federal and cantonal subsidies. The companies do some how get to make some minikum profit or some such.
 
Kreeeee said:
This was my first thought too.

If you want to move to another country choose one with a good economy and job prospects. I moved to Switzerland which was really easy to do but I didn't have kids at the time.

Also definitely aim to be fluent in the local language. I despise seeing all these expats who have lived here for ages and never bothered to learn the language.
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For the language it can be surprisingly difficult. You will end up getting back job where englEng is the working language,so you spend most of the day using English, and obviously the same evenings with your family. So you have to force language lessons, but you are doing that on top of trying to learn the ropes at a new job and get the family settled. And even when you set aside the time, when you are mentally exhausted it is just so much less effective.

Ideally you would have enough savings to spend 3-4 months just living and learning before working.
 
mid_gen said:
Where have you got 90 days from? The EU-mandated permanent residency right is granted after 5 years.
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Sorry I got that part wrong I wasn’t concentrating when I wrote it down obviously, I was meaning registering with the government etc (for staying longer than 9 months) and ten applying for residensy after 5 years. Thank for Spotting that.
 
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