We have a house in Tuscany and spend

08/31/2017 - 02:46

We have a house in Tuscany and spend four months of the year here. As non residents we pay more for our utility bills. Can anyone confirm that this is the case in the UK with Italian non residents? My Surrey MP informs that there is no reason why we should be paying more.

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If you look at any UK bill/site it will say if there is a different rate for none residents. Not looked at one for a while, but I'm pretty sure there is not. Then again, if they have a house in the UK they are resident, albeit not likely for tax etc. I doubt your MP really knows and probably just thinks it should be equal in the EU. They could well be right, but I suspect it would have to be challenged in the EU courts to find out. Perhaps a look on the EU web site here to see if you can raise a query about it. From what I've looked at a while back there is not much difference in cost to make it that worthwhile.

Isn't the issue that the law has to be applicable to everyone and not discriminate against non-Italians? It isn't discriminatory because the higher rates apply to non-residents whether Italian or English. An Italian can only be resident in 1 place and pays the higher rate if he has a second home.

Yes, Maurice, that makes sense, thank you for all input. Just a sudden thought: we are both pensioners and in the UK our prescriptions are free. Anyone know if this is the case here? I have been paying for mine; What would be the case of a non resident, pensioner, getting amprescription?

Same answer I guess for a pensioner (state), if the Italians get free prescriptions in the same circumstances, then you can. However it's a complex area that most EU countries have chopped and changed in recent years (including the UK and I suspect being none resident you will not qualify. Besides which I'm not sure Italians here get free prescriptions unless on account of income!

It all comes down to whether you are resident or not.  if you are not - ie on holiday, then you wont get the tax breaks and benefits of someone who lives here/pays tax here.    Residents pay less for their electricity and more for their rubbish collection.   You will pay more IMU/Council tax, because it is not your principal residence. 

Not long ago, in the UK, you paid less council tax (or whatever it was called then) on your second home on the basis that you don't consume the services twice. I think the reduction varied from council to council. Now, I believe, you pay the same tax as for your main home; I think on the basis that if you are wealthy enough to have a second home you don't deserve a discount. Energy prices are identical for second homes.This is still irrelevant. Italians are treated the same as foreigners. If it's your first home (in the case of a non-Italian this means declaring yourself resident and being subject to Italian taxes) you don't pay IMU and you pay lower energy bills. An Italian with a second home pays the same as a non-Italian who isn't resident