Expats turn out for British Consulate Open Day

By Sally King

MP Jeremy Browne has encouraged British residents to get the most out of living in Spain by taking a number of simple steps.

In particular, the Consular Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office – in Spain for just one day as part of the British Consulate’s Open Day Roadshow – urged expats to put their names on the Padrón.

“Registering on the Padrón gives you access to some benefits and social care, and can mean significant savings on certain community charges and inheritance tax,” he said.

Royal British Legion country welfare officer Donna Wilson and Age Concern country manager Sarah Rogers also encouraged people to volunteer and to become involved in the community.

The day, held in Alhaurin el Grande on June 15, was designed to inform people from the UK who are living in Spain what services they are entitled to through the British Consular network.

Up to a million British citizens live in Spain for part or all of the year and Spain has one of the busiest British Consulates in the world.

In fact Malaga Consulate provides consular support to an estimated 450,000 British residents and some three million British visitors each year.

For more information people are encouraged to visit http://www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/ .