Newsletter September 2024
I am sure most of you are now looking forward to cooler weather after what has been one of the hottest summers on record. It is traditionally one of the times when we in AREME
and other organisation do very little due to the heat so this letter to you is to fill in gaps you may have missed in the press that could be relevant now and in the future.
The first info is a little warning to the active beach goers and your visiting families. It now appears that more Weever / Spider fish have settled in the sands of our beaches. So far, 700 people have been poisoned entering or leaving the sea
and treading on the fish. The fish have venom filled spines on their backs and a sting from them can cause serious side-
effects. If this happens to you or anyone with you, please seek medical help as soon as possible.
We would like to bring your attention to the pain killing drug
NOLOTIL. If you are Northern European and your Doctor or
any medical person offers it in treatment, please reject taking it. This drug is banned in the UK, USA and many other
countries. It can cause serious side effect and even DEATH.
Spanish people are given it a lot, but Southern Europeans
seem to have a tolerance to it. However, Spain is looking into
the situation and may ban it here in future.
The following are important emergency numbers if you have
not already got them: –
• Universal emergency No is 112. This can connect you to
ALL services 24/7. This number will work even if your
phone does not have an active SIM card.
• If you’re ill and need urgent medical care or an
Ambulance. Call 061.
• For urgent response to Fire either 060 or 085 depending
on your region.
• General tourist info in Spain (+34) 902 102 112. This is a
help line in English, French, German and Italian. NB: Please note this is a premium Spanish number and you may be charged.
Alternatively, you can download the Govt backed AlertCops
app onto your Android or Apple phone.
If you’re a regular traveler between the UK and any EU
country, you’ll be aware that several changes are in the
pipeline to help combat identity fraud and illegal over stayers.
The first to be implemented is the EES (Entry/Exit System).
The EES modernises border management by increasing
efficiency and quality of processes at the border and
replacing passport stamping. This is scheduled to be
implemented in November 2024.
Around May 2025 the new European Travel Information and
Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be implemented. ETIAS
travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt
nationals travelling to over 30 European countries. It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel
authorisation. UK citizens will have to pay €7.00 for the 3-
year Visa.
More information is available from the following Websites:-
EU Entry/Exit System – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Welcome page – European Union (europa.eu)
Coinciding with this is also a very hard push from the Spanish Government for residents to exchange the small (card) and large green (A4) residency certificates for a biometric T.I.E. (Tarjeta de identidad de extranjero). With changes in the world, we are now having to carry and present our T.I.E. card (which includes our photo and fingerprints on it) at borders, including travelling in and out of Spain. If you still have your old green card or A4 certificate and don’t know how to change them, Age Concern in Marbella are offering a help line on 689355198 between 10AM and 6PM.
Are you over 80? If so, you should have received a letter from the UK Government Pensions Department asking for proof that you are who you are. The letter was sent in January of this year and the reason for another request to comply is apparently because not enough replies were received! This is a serious problem as people with pensions who have not replied are likely to find their pension stopped.
Please ACT NOW and contact Pension Department via the
following website:-International Pension Centre – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
At the September committee meeting we discussed several
things that AREME have been sorting out over the last 2/3
years. As you are aware the Blue Bridge renovations at
Benamara have now been stalled for over 2 years since the
engineer’s report was submitted and new plans agreed to
add ramps to the existing structure. €16,000 was raised by
the communities and AREME in order to get the initial report
completed. MOPO, who are the Governments bridge and
road builders, now have the final say. AREME have again
written to them and have also asked the town hall to put
more pressure on them. Since the report was submitted part
of the structure has fallen into some decay but Estepona
Town Hall will not make any repairs whilst waiting for MOPO to reply.
Local bus service. There is now a new local bus (E1, E2 and
E3) which are now working in conjunction with the existing
L79. The price used to be €1.40 and is now €1.65. However,
the L79, being a through bus, is €2.05 for the short hops
between local stops. AREME have currently been in touch
with the bus company and are asking them to investigate this pricing problem and also new bus stops to make life better for all who use them.
Low emission zone. Estepona town hall is not currently
enforcing the L.E.Z. but it is enforced in some of the larger
cities in Spain so please check if you are planning to drive
through them and make sure to get your sticker for the car.
AREME DATES. An AREME friends get together lunch is being
organised for late October. More details to follow.
British Day. A day to celebrate the Brits who live in Spain is
being organised by the Townhall, with assistance from
AREME, on Saturday the 16 November. The Townhall has
kindly allowed the use of the Palacio de Congresos for the
day. If any of our members wish to be involved, please
contact us by email at info.areme2022@gmail.com.
The Committee hope that you enjoy the rest of the month as
we all look forward to cooler weather.
Best Regards
The committee.