Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

droopsnout

It's a dream, Ed. Maybe we were lucky with the weather, but I've done three crossings, and it's been a real pleasure every time.

I seem to remember seeing even cheaper deals than that for the foot passenger returns, btw, so keep your eyes peeled.

Enjoy your trip, when you do it.

EdInvestor

monstrum wrote: »

Sorry, more info, Donny-gal, if you pay tax in one European country you need not pay in another, no matter where you live

Not so, you are liable for tax in the country where you are resident (despite the fact that many UK expats ignore this rule completely) and/or where you generate earnings or profits .

I pay UK tax because I work for an American/Norwegian company with an office in the UK

Because you are at sea for much of the year and not actually resident anywhere technically, you probably fall into the category where you can effectively choose which regime you are taxed under.But applies to very few people. Round the world yachtsmen are another such group.

I am a British subject therefore liable for UK tax,

Being a British subject ( this is actually not a real status) has nothing to do with tax liability which is based on a) residency and b) having onshore earnings (as you do from your UK office). .

I am a ships officer and do not reside in any one country for more than 182 days in any one year (I work month on/off and vacations sort any problems with the odd day out)

So you get to have a choice.But it's very unusual.Many people generate earnings or income in one country and are resident in another and thus are liable to tax in both. Usually tax treaties will prevent them paying twice..

monstrum

And I appreciated your good humour Droopsnout, must admit that the scenario with the rowing boat made me chuckle.

Edinvestor, I defer to your superior knowledge in these matters, I am but a simple sailor with an unusual life.

Regards

donny-gal

EdInvestor wrote: »

Curiously, there is a travel agent near me who offers a return "mini-cruise" Portsmouth-Bilbao for 79 quid per person in a shared cabin.

I'd quite like to go to Bilbao to check out the new Guggenheim museum, but I wondered about the crossing.The Bay of Biscay used to have a reputation for being rough and uncomfortable - but that might have been partly to do with the standard of vessels years ago..

How did you find it?

I have travelled over here on that route at the end of May, and it was fine, I they had the stabilisers like the cruise ships have, but you do not get long in Bilbao on those offers - maybe 4-5 hours. The port is quite a way from the centre, P&O do offer bus trips to shopping centres, centre, countryside and/or beach. Don't know if they would get you near the museum. You would probably only get 2 hours in there at the most, as you land around 7.30am and depart again at 1 pm and if it does not open until 10am (am most things do in Spain) and you would have to be back on board at 12.30 pm latest it could be tight. You may need to check how much for a broken journey.
DG

butterkiss

hi, do you know if you are still entittled to disability benifit , if you move there.?

butterkiss

if you move to another e. u country, are you entittled to the same benefits as you have in the uk? do you have to pay privately for health care, and do you still get disability benefits or does that stop.
I am not able to work anymore, but not old enough to claim my pension yet.
but would like to live some where more peaceful and cheaper.

donny-gal

Just by coincidence, I spoke with someone last night, who's son (who has Down's Syndrome) is on incapacity benefit and gets free medical care here.

You would need to dig deeper, but it looks like it is possible.
DG

EdInvestor

donny-gal wrote: »

You would probably only get 2 hours in there at the most, as you land around 7.30am and depart again at 1 pm and if it does not open until 10am (am most things do in Spain) and you would have to be back on board at 12.30 pm latest it could be tight.

Thanks DG. It does open at 10, but half the point is to see the building itself (from the outside), so that might not matter. It's very near the central shopping area on the river so sounds quite do-able.I will investigate further now I know the 'cruise' aspect is pleasant.May be worth checking if they allow a broken journey, the town sounds as though it would be a worth a couple of days stay. .

LesD

EdInvestor wrote: »

. It's very near the central shopping area on the river so sounds quite do-able.

I think it's actually 15-20 km downtown from the ferry terminal.

missile

butterkiss wrote: »

if you move to another e. u country, are you entittled to the same benefits as you have in the uk? do you have to pay privately for health care, and do you still get disability benefits or does that stop.
I am not able to work anymore, but not old enough to claim my pension yet.
but would like to live some where more peaceful and cheaper.

You might think it would be simple, but no see http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/DG_10012424>

Going abroad to live or visitIf you are going to live abroad permanently you cannot usually get Disability Living Allowance. But, if you started getting Disability Living Allowance before 1 June 1992, you may be able to continue getting it if you move to another country in the European Economic Area.
If your visit abroad is temporary, you may continue to get Disability Living Allowance if:

• your absence from Great Britain does not last more than 26 weeks (this includes going on holiday), or
• your absence is only to get medical treatment for a condition which began before leaving Great Britain

You can however claim job seekers allowance - go figure