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The British Embassy in Madrid has issued advice and a set of support links to UK nationals who are resident in Spain in the light of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world.
On their Facebook page they write:
“The current COVID-19 crisis is affecting all of us in many different ways. For many UK nationals who are resident in Spain we know that the lockdown has significantly affected your ability to work and hence your income.
“We hope that the following information is useful in pointing you in the right direction for support. Please be aware that the Embassy cannot offer financial advice and we would encourage you to seek guidance from your employer, a gestor or the Spanish authorities, as appropriate.
“The Spanish Government has put in place a special package of economic measures. Please see SEPE for further information, as well as a comprehensive FAQ section on issues, including pensions and benefits here. These measures are announced in the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) and you can find links to various announcements that might be relevant below. The BOEs are in Spanish, but they might prove useful in discussions with your professional advisers.”
If you are self-employed or have seen your business affected:
There are tax deferrals available for small businesses and the self-employed. Depending on the number of employees you have, you may be exempt from paying employers’ social security contributions.
If you are self-employed and your income has been reduced by 75% you can access the “self-employed unemployment scheme”. You may also be eligible for suspension of mortgage payments and discounts on electricity. You can find more information on measures for the self-employed here
If your work contract has been temporarily suspended (ERTE):
You will receive unemployment benefit, even if you haven’t made social security contributions, as long as you were legally employed. You should not need to submit any application; your employer should have notified you and the authorities. You can find more information here
If you have lost your job and are now unemployed:
You may be eligible for Spanish benefits and you may be able to include time previously worked in the UK or other EU member states towards your claim. Our Living in Spain guide and the European Commission pages (both in English) provide further information. To find out how to claim unemployment benefit in Spain visit SEPE
If you find yourself in severe financial hardship you should talk to social services at your local town hall in the first instance.
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
· Spanish Employment Service’s Covid-19 website: here
· Spanish Social Security’s Covid-19 website: here
· GOV.UK’s Lists of English-speaking lawyers for British nationals in Spain: here
· European Commission’s workers’ rights website: here
· European Commission’s unemployment website: here
