Attendance Allowance  ·  May 2025

Can I Claim Attendance Allowance Living in Spain?

If you're a British national living in Spain and you moved there before 31 December 2020, the answer is almost certainly yes — and thousands of expats are missing out on this benefit every year simply because nobody told them they could still claim it.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance (AA) is a UK government benefit paid to people aged 65 or over who need help with personal care due to physical or mental illness or disability. Crucially, it is not means-tested — your savings, pension income or property are completely irrelevant. It is paid based solely on your care needs.

Can I claim it from Spain?

Yes — but only if you established your Spanish residency before the Brexit transition ended on 31 December 2020. Under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, British nationals who were living in EU countries before that date retain the right to claim certain UK benefits, including Attendance Allowance.

Who qualifies?

To qualify for Attendance Allowance while living in Spain, you generally need to:

• Be aged 65 or over
• Have a physical or mental disability or illness that means you need help with personal care or supervision
• Have needed that help for at least 6 months
• Have lived and worked in the UK and paid National Insurance contributions at some point
• Have established Spanish residency before 31 December 2020

What counts as needing help?

Many people underestimate what qualifies. You don't need to have someone physically helping you every day. You qualify if you need help with any of the following:

• Washing, bathing or showering
• Getting dressed or undressed
• Managing medication
• Preparing food or drink
• Moving around safely
• Communicating with others
• Supervision to prevent danger to yourself

How much could I receive?

Both rates are tax-free and paid on top of any State Pension you receive. Many successful claimants also receive backdated payments from their application date.

How do I apply?

The application involves a lengthy form covering your daily care needs, medical evidence, and living situation in detail — completed and submitted for you directly through the DWP's online Attendance Allowance service, no wet-ink signatures required. How the form is completed makes an enormous difference to the outcome — many people who complete it themselves receive a lower award or unnecessary rejection simply because they underplay their needs.

Reginald Barry Benefits Support handles the entire process on your behalf. We complete the form, gather evidence, submit the application and chase the DWP — on a No Win, No Fee basis. Nothing to pay upfront, and nothing at all if your claim is unsuccessful.