[QUOTE=andyrich666;10697527]Hi All,

What happens if you live there, how does the treatment work, do you guys have a 'tarjeta sanitaria' or rely on the EHIC or have you gone private, if private do you just pay a monthly fee.

Im sure this has been explained elsewhere but briefly if you could just post a few comments on this should you live there, I would be grateful to understand it better.[/QUOTE

When you move from the UK, if your record of paying NI contributions is up to date, you can obtain an S1 form from the DWP which will enable you to register with the Spanish social security system and receive state healthcare for a period of up to 2 years (depending on how long you have paid UK NI). UK state pensioners can also obtain the S1 which entitles them to be treated under the Spanish state system.

If the S1 cover runs out before you reach state pension age, you will need to take out private medical insurance. The costs and coverage vary between companies, with some you need to make a co-payment each time you consult a doctor, with others you don't. The company I am with only covers Malaga province and part of Cordoba province in Andalucia, but we currently pay €106 per month for a couple aged 63 and 56, no co-payments involved but it does not cover prescribed medication, only medication you are prescribed during a hospital stay.

Thanks for that, I just did a quick PMI Quote and it comes out at 150 Euro per month which me being only 36 is a bit ridiculous, thanks for sharing your information, its something I need to look into a bit more.

Not wanting to abuse the EHIC, Im not even sure mine is valid anymore, what are the time limits on using it ?

For instance if you was coming to Spain to test the water, how long would you be given, or the fact you are 'testing the water' would be a breach of this benefit.

Once you have been living in Spain for 90 days, you are legally obliged to sign the register of foreign residents (not that everybody does, I have to say) and after that time it would not be possible to use the EHIC (which is only for emergency treatment anyway).

If you're not yet in Spain and your EHIC has expired, it would be best to get a new one (I think they last for 5 years) to cover the initial 90 day period if nothing else. If you want to apply for an S1 form to cover you for the first 2 years of living here, though, it is best to do so immediately before you leave the UK as if there is a time lapse of a few months the period of time you would be covered for under the S1 gets shorter as your NI contributions would not be completely up to date.

If you plan to work in Spain, though (and can find a job with a contract or go self-employed and pay autonomo contributions) you would be covered for healthcare by virtue of the fact that you would be paying into the Spanish social security system.

Thanks, I really appreciate what you have said above. Maybe paying the Autonomo will benefit in not having to take out PMI and you would be all straight, something to consider anyway, thanks.