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One thing you can rely on in life is that as you approach retirment the same old bus pass
jokes are always wheeled out. Anyone retiring to Spain thinking they can escape such
jokes are in for a shock because the “bus pass” is available there too. Luckily, whereas
the UK version conjures up images of double decker buses on cold winter mornings full
of woolly-hatted grans and old codgers with peak caps off to get their pension, the
Spanish version has a touch of Mediterranean style about it. Benefits for seniors start
from 55 and, in Andalucia at least, things get much better at 60 and 65 with further offers.
This article explains what benefits are available, how to get them and ends with some
links to other useful resources for seniors.
Under the brand name “Grand Experiences” the regional government of Andalucia and
the travel and tourism industry have combined to promote the region with special offers
for anyone over 55. Excursions, activities and holidays are available throughout the
region, mainly during low season, at discounted rates. On the English language version
of the website you can download a catalogue or browse offers (many for groups) online.
Some examples:
Wine-tasting in Cadiz with tour, lunch and drinks included for 19,50€
The world of honey and bees in Jerez including food and tasting from €4
Guided Tour of “Hidden Seville” from 25€
2 night “Spa and Caves” trip to Nerja from 82,50€
First travel discounts availabel are trains not buses. The main national rail company
Renfe offers a Tarjeta Dorada any resident of Spain over 60. These cost 5€ a year and
are available at all manned Renfe stations and in travel agents on production of a passport
and residencia or NIE; just pay the 5€ and they will print you one off then and there.
This entitles you to:
40% discount off all fares for journeys from Monday to Thursday
25% discount off weekend fares as long as you book your ticket in advance.
Not bad considering the price of rail travel in Spain is already reasonable. This could
bring a weeks return from Granada to Barcelona down to under 50€. Plus you could
enjoy some of the fantastic scenery around spains rural areas without sitting behind the
wheel of a car.
The “Tarjeta sesentaycinco” from Junta de Andalucia (regional government)
This is the Card to have in your wallet if you are over 65 and living in spain. Available by
internet or post (see link to website in English at the end of this article) this card should
arrive at you doorstep a month after you have ordered it. Its very similar to the medical
card you should have, green of course for andalucia with you photo a magnetic strip at
the back and a chip.
But the real question is what benefits does the card give you?
• Up to 100% off the state’s Telecare service, a handsfree 24 hour support callout
service
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The same old bus pass jokes always raise there ugly head when someone retires and quite
often casts an image of smelly double decker buses on cold winter mornings full of
woolly hated granny's and men with peak caps and walking sticks off to get there
pension. But for ex pats who have retired to spain thinking that you can escape such jokes
your wrong because if you are over 60 then you are entitled to start getting discount and
if you are over 65 and in Andalucia it just gets better.
This is the Card to have in your wallet if you are over 65 and living in spain. Available by
internet or post this card should arrive at you doorstep a month after you have ordered it.
Its very similar to the medical card you should have, green of course for andalucia with
you photo a magnetic strip at the back and a chip.
But the real question is what benefits does the card give you?
This is inaffect a multi-discount card, the first benefit is that you can get discount on the
bus, but then we can move into health where discount is available on glasses and hearing
aids. Once you have your cheap bus ticket and new glasses then with the money you save
you can go along to many hotels, cinemas, monuments, theme park etc etc and get
discount there as well. The Junta de andalucia publish in pdf format a regional guide to
where you can get discount every Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter on the internet
which at the moment is about 40 pages worth of discount information. For example in
granada you can get up to 37% discount on the Baños Arabe if you feel like a treat or in
Malaga if you fancy a day out in Estepona then your entitled to a half price entrance to
Selwo Adventura.
Looking deeper there is also the possibility of applying for subventions' if you are elderly
and your house is in need of inprovements for you well being i,e hand rails, ramps etc.
Considering its free its worth having.
Every expat retired in spain loves to see the family come and visit but with the decreasing
value of the pound gor those who rely on a british pension they just keep getting smaller
and these visits more expensive, hopefully using the support system in spain with these
two cards it will help people not only to enjoy for themsleves but they wont feel the pinch
so much when having to entertain family as well.
Useful links:
http://www.advoco.es/
http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/fundaciondeserviciossociales/en/programas_en/taj65_en/
tarj65_en/wfprogramitem_view_pub
http://www.infoelder.com/
http://www.acespana.org/
http://www.grandesexperiencias.com/en/index.html