A viral social media post circulating on X (formerly Twitter) has misled many by suggesting that pensioners living in Spain are receiving the UK's Winter Fuel Payment (WFP). The post, shared nearly 8,000 times, inaccurately links British expats to the scheme. However, this claim is incorrect, as Spain, including the Canary Islands, is not among the countries where residents can access the payment.
While Brits living abroad in certain countries can claim the WFP, Spain has been excluded from this benefit since 2015, along with other warmer European nations such as Cyprus, France, Greece, Malta, Portugal, and Gibraltar. These countries were removed from the list due to their average winter temperatures being higher than the warmest region of the UK.
The confusion stems from recent discussions about the WFP, as UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to means-test the benefit, sparking widespread frustration. This change, affecting around nine million pensioners in the UK, limits the payment — worth up to £300 — to those most in need.
Currently, there are nearly 35,000 pensioners living abroad who do receive the WFP, but the majority reside in colder countries like Ireland and Germany. Under the eligibility rules, people living in European Economic Area (EEA) countries with a "genuine and sufficient link" to the UK can claim the payment, provided they meet additional criteria. However, Spain, due to its mild winter climate, is not on the list of eligible countries, and this has not changed in the latest updates to the scheme.
