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Juliet Maric was appointed British Consul in Alicante two years ago and joined the Foreign Office (FO) from the commercial sector. Juliet is one of ‘the new breed’ of consuls bringing her business experience into the FO helping to add more customer focus and value for money to the FO services. She is responsible for the eleven staff and a region covering the provinces of Alicante, Valencia, Castellon, Murcia and Albacete. This area, she told me, is accepted as having the highest density of British Expats of anywhere in the world. The consul is responsible for British tourists or residents in Spain in distress i.e. victims of crime, bereavement, involved in accidents etc. However they are unable to make payments of give money to people. Another thing they are unable to do is give direct advice on Spanish law or procedures but they can point you in the right direction.

Her commitment and enthusiasm for her job quickly became evident to me. I asked her what the best and worst bits of her position were.

“Every day is different – we do get involved with people problems, including sometimes their tragedies, but working with other support agencies like the Royal British Legion we always try to help them. It is not always bad news we also help people for example with marriage formalities and other less stressful day to day issues.”

I asked her what had surprised her about the British Expats living in Spain, she replied. 

“That so many live together, I had previously thought that they would be scattered around more. Also that many are not of full retirement age and that lots manage without speaking much Spanish. Despite this many that do have Spanish neighbours seem to get on wonderfully well with them, especially in the more country areas.”

Has the current economic crisis affected the numbers of people visiting the consul?

“Although the numbers are slightly down the type of problems we are being asked to deal with is changing. We are seeing more financially related issues as increasing numbers of people are suffering financial hardships. So it is important that Expats understand their entitlements and pensions. Now we have the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) based here with us that is easier for people to do.”

Given the current economic downturn what is the future for Brits and emigration to Spain?

She offered this advice: “People need to think through their financial position and plan accordingly. Researching what benefits and pensions they can bring with them to Spain, if any, is very important.”

Have you a message for The Expats?

“I understand that some may be suffering hardships during this financial downturn so I think it is important that people take the appropriate steps to make sure they are legal so that can obtain all the pensions, benefits and allowances to which they are legally entitled both from UK and Spain where they apply.”

Some of The Inland Magazine readers have posted questions on the TIM website forum (please note: Some of the questions were of a more DWP nature and have been addressed separately)  Why have all of the Consul-DWP road shows been held on the coast?

“We felt we had to use our resources where the biggest concentrations of Expats live and we have access to the Padron statistics so last year we started in the coastal regions. However we do realise Expats also live inland and we are currently planning this years events and we hope to announce at least one inland venue for 2009.”

Another reader enquired: What is happening about the Registration for Residents system?

Juliet explained “This has been moved entirely to an online based system which can be accessed via the www.fco.gov.uk website. The old paper based system has now expired.”

At the end of the interview I could not help but sense her true commitment and dedication to her job of which she says “When you can go home at the end of the day knowing that you have made a difference to the people that you have helped it is a very rewarding feeling.”

I hope you never have serious problems requiring the help of the Alicante Consul but if you do I am confident that you will receive professional service and attention.

Contact points: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) www.dwp.gov.uk
Interactive Forum: www.timspain.com
International Pension centre (IPC) 0044 191 218 7777
Department of Health (DH) www.dh.gov.uk Telephone 0044 191 218 1999
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) www.hmrc.gov.uk
Pension forecast & voluntary contributions 0044 191 203 7010
Tax and Residence 0044 151 210 2222
British Consul www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk Telephone 965 216 190 or 965 216 022 (08:30 – 13:30) Emergencies Only: 915 249 700