Key facts
- British expats in Spain are facing difficulties in caring for elderly relatives post-Brexit.
- Visa restrictions prevent many UK citizens from providing full-time care for their parents in Spain.
- The Spanish social care system offers limited hours of home care for those with severe autonomy loss.
- Returning to the UK is often not a viable option for retirees who have established lives in Spain.
- The situation highlights the challenges faced by a growing elderly British population in Spain.
Daniel Northover has moved to Turre, Spain, to care for his 80-year-old mother, Carole, who requires assistance with daily living after suffering multiple strokes. The move comes as the UK marks the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum. Northover, previously a project manager, found it unsustainable to travel back and forth due to visa limitations for non-EU residents, who are allowed only 90 days in any 180 without a visa. His sister's application for a family reunification visa was rejected, and a visa for caring for a dependent family member is only available if the UK citizen requires care, not the other way around.
To provide full-time care, Northover and his partner sold their home to fund a 'non-lucrative' visa, which prohibits them from working. Northover expressed frustration with the Brexit withdrawal agreement, stating it forced them to give up their lives and careers. Carole, his mother, also voiced her distress over the situation.
Northover's predicament is shared by many families of British retirees in Spain who are struggling to find care solutions for their aging parents. Spain's British population is aging rapidly, with the number of over-75s increasing significantly since 2016. Sally Myburgh, who advises expats in Malaga, noted that many families in similar situations are told to return to England, but for these retirees, Spain is their home.
The Spanish social care system provides home care, but it is capped at 94 hours per month for individuals with a 'total loss of autonomy.' For many, returning to the UK is a daunting prospect due to the lack of community and property there. Neal Anderson, a welfare officer, highlighted that uprooting elderly individuals could be detrimental to their health, and navigating the UK's social care system would also be a lengthy process. Carole stated her love for Spain and her desire to remain there, as it is her home.