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Moving questions!

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Moving questions!

Message posted by kolana on 30�June�2007 at 4:35pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

kolana

Corfu

Hi everybody out there! Posted a message a few weeks ago saying we were thinking of taking a year out on the island and asked for general help / advice and got some really useful replies so thak you for that everyone. We've now decided to definately do it! Aiming on spending a year from September so we have a taste of all the seasons and life all year round on the island. Getting very excited! But would really appreciate any help on any of the following questions...some, probably all have been asked before but many have already been archived.

* Is it best to drive over in own car or fly over and buy one out there?

* We obviously need health insurance but mother (a very game 85 year old!) wants to come too, if not for the whole year, a substantial chunk of it...how best do we sort cover out for us all in the UK or over there?

* Could anyone recommend a good English speaking doctor, dentist, chiropodist and haidresser! (Primarily needed for mother!)

* Mother does need on-going treatment eg prescriptions and INR tests every 3 or so months eye tests every 6 or so would this be a big problem to arrange over there or would she need to fly home for them (she doesn't want to do this!)

* I'm coming over in a couple of weeks to find a place to rent for the year before we come. I have some web addresses from the internet, does anyone know of any others I could look up or addresses of offices that rent properties I could visit while I'm over ? Don't seem to be able to access the help on the Greek Urner site here.

* What is the best and cheapest way of transfering money over from the UK to the island on a regular basis eg: monthly sum?

It is a problem bringing mother!!! But we desperately want to do this...kids are grown up and independent...thought it was time for us to have some quality time!!! but can't abandon mum now! Has anyone else taken an aging but game parent with them on a year out??!

Any help with any of the above will be gratefully received!

Thanks, Kolana

Message posted by Terry and Julia on 01�July�2007 at 11:05pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Terry and Julia

Corfu

Well, good for your mum and good for you for taking her!

There is a lovely hairdresser who will come to you which may be easier, she is English so no language problem. I will dig out her number and let you have it.

I always withdrew money from Nationwide via the ATMs so neer had to worry about sending money. It costs nothing this way. If you want to send over money I am sure others will advise you on how best to do it.

There are lots of estate agents who also arrange lettings. We can't post them up publically for legal reasons but I will send you some tomorrow with the hairdresser's number.

Julia

Message posted by dazzy73 on 02�July�2007 at 6:28am - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

dazzy73

Corfu

Hiya Julia, this may be going a little off subject, but how do you go on when it comes to your yearly greek tax return with drawing money from ATM, (pink slips etc) for accountant? Or is it only large amounts of money that you transfer that you need to worry about. If you where say taking 2000 euros a month out of an ATM what problems if any would you have?

Darren

Message posted by Terry and Julia on 02�July�2007 at 8:47am - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Terry and Julia

Corfu

Hi Darren,

I don't see that you would have any problem unless the money hasn't been taxed. Your UK bank statements would show the withdrawals, you can keep the receipts from the ATM too I suppose, but to be honest, I was never asked about money.

I think it is large amounts of money that raise suspicion. I used to take out the limit I was allowed to a couple of times a month and the money never appeared in a bank account in Greece anyway.

Julia

Message posted by sueandchris on 02�July�2007 at 12:29pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

sueandchris

Julia does nationwide take out money from your account in England because you are withdrawing money, I know RBS does everytime I use my cash card

Sue

Message posted by Terry and Julia on 02�July�2007 at 2:26pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Terry and Julia

Corfu

Do you mean do they charge for withdrawals abroad? The answer to that is no. Best to tell them you are going abroad and will be using your card though.

If you are transfering money for a large purchase rather than for daily living costs, then it is best to do it in a more official way as you will need to show the taxman where the money for the purchase came from.

Julia

Message posted by Terry and Julia on 02�July�2007 at 2:26pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Terry and Julia

Corfu

Kolana,

I have sent you a pm.

Julia

Message posted by BeeBee on 02�July�2007 at 4:17pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

BeeBee

Corfu

Kolana,

Just wanted to say "well done you" for planning to take your mother to live in Corfu with you. As she is a pensioner she will be entitled to the same healthcare as Greek pensioners. She should be able to have eye tests done although it may all be in Greek alphabet!! Perhaps there is an optician in Corfu town that would have it in Roman alphabet.

If you open up a Nationwide bank account she could have her pension paid into it and then (as someone has mentioned already) she or you can make withdrawals with her Nationwide credit card with no fees charged.

Get an air conditioning unit in her room in the summer months. (Could use her winter heating allowance to pay for it)

I want to wish you and your mother a long and happy stay in Corfu,

Best regards,

BeeBee

Message posted by Ray and Gisela on 02�July�2007 at 5:02pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Ray and Gisela

Corfu

Hi , Hope sumone will help .

I have sent to me from NatWest to my Bank in Germany 400 Pounds each mounth .

Thay charge me 20.00 Pounds for commission , taking it out of a ATM would cost me more ,

Is thear a better way .

Message posted by JeremyS on 02�July�2007 at 5:52pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

JeremyS

Corfu

Ray the answer is the Nationwide flex account..Will I guess need a UK address though?

Jeremy

Message posted by sueandchris on 02�July�2007 at 7:24pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

sueandchris

Hi Julia I have an account with First Business Bank in Corfu town, we transfer money over for big purchases for the house and we do our tax return every May, I was just thinking about holiday spending money or emergencies. Do you have to have your salaries put in the flex account or can you just deposit when we feel like it. We are tied into RBS with one account

Sue

Message posted by JeremyS on 02�July�2007 at 7:30pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

JeremyS

Corfu

Just deposit what you think you will need for the holiday, a few days befor so that it's cleared, put it back in your normal account when you get back (if there's any left!!)

Jeremy

Message posted by sueandchris on 02�July�2007 at 7:35pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

sueandchris

There is never any left if I am in charge, Chris says we have enough new bedding to run a small hotel, it is so exciting though I just love buying stuff for the new house. Unfortunately Chris's list of items are boring, like cement pallettes of bricks, brushes etc. We will blow the candles out as we have plenty of practice still waiting for electric!

Message posted by Ray and Gisela on 02�July�2007 at 8:49pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Ray and Gisela

Corfu

Thanks Jeramy

Will look into that but as you say address in England

Message posted by Sparklymark on 04�July�2007 at 11:23am - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Sparklymark

I spoke to my bank yesterday, the HSBC, and they told me that they have no problem with me keeping my UK account when I move to Greece. All they need is a perminent address in Greece. This is perfect for me because I'm hoping to continue running my UK business remotely from Corfu. HSBC also allow you to take money out of an ATM for free (if you have a current account plus) whilst abroad although the exchange rate won't beat the Greek banks!They will not, however, accept a PO Box number unless you can prove it's closeness to your home.

I will, however, be openning a Greek bank account for tax purposes.

Mark

Message posted by dazzy73 on 04�July�2007 at 7:15pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

dazzy73

Corfu

Nationwide will also let you keep your uk account when moving abroad, as long as you had a uk address when setting it up, then let them know your greek address and they with even send statement direct to you. I have not done this yet but this is what they told me when I ask on opening the account.

Julia, so for day to day living and paying rent/bills etc its ok to just take the money from the atm out of your uk account and just use bank statement and atm receipts for your accountant when doing your tax return then. Sorry if this seems like iam asking the same question over again, but having a little problem understanding how the tax returns work, to me either all money is taken in to account or none lol, though I suppose small amounts out of atm machines would not be notice but a total cost of living surely would. am I making any sense?

Thanks Darren

Message posted by sueandchris on 04�July�2007 at 11:03pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

sueandchris

Dazzy are you building your own house or intend working on Corfu?

Message posted by Terry and Julia on 05�July�2007 at 8:59am - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Terry and Julia

Corfu

Hi Darren,

We lived there for over a year and have been sending in tax returns for 5 or 6 years and we have never been asked to provide any slips showing withdrawals from the UK nor have I had to show my bank statements from the UK.

Whether that is the norm I don't know. However, the money was not black money and if necessary we could have proved that. If your money has been taxed in the UK then it won't be taxed in Greece but as I said, if it is a large purchase you are making, something that someone can point to and say "how did you pay for that?" make sure you have the required documentation to prove where the money came from.

If you are worried about this, I suggest you talk to your accountant as I cannot provide any legally binding advice on this matter. A lot of people who have retired to Corfu will have their pensions paid into a UK bank and will make withdrawals over there through ATMs because several UK banks allow you to move abroad and keep your account. Although, as has been said, you usually can't open one with a Greek address.

The main thing to remember is that because of the money-laundering problem and to avoid double taxation, you need to be able to show where your money comes from if asked to do so. Make sure your accountant knows what money comes into UK accounts and where it comes from. If everything is clear and above board you should ahve no problem.

Hope this helps,

Julia

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