MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

Move to Spain and get free healthcare!
Friday, 27th July, 2012 by Anthony Strachan
The Spanish Health Minister, Ana Mató, has announced that all legal residents of Spain whose income from all sources is less than €100,000 a year will be eligible for free medical care from 1st September 2012.


This includes foreigners from the EU or elsewhere, whether or not they contribute to the Social Security system or are in work, who will be able to apply for a SIP card allowing them to register with a doctor and to be treated for all infirmities, even pre-existing conditions, by the State. EU citizens and other nationals from countries which have reciprocal agreements with Spain will be treated in accordance with the conditions of the treaties.

All spouses or partners of those who qualify for free medical services and who are registered on the padrón will also be entitled to State healthcare as will registered children or siblings under 26 years old. Those who retire early and are not yet claiming a State pension will be entitled to free medical care only if they earn less than €100,000 per annum before tax.

Illegal immigrants will not be entitled to free care, except for children, pregnant women and emergency cases. Around half a million people are likely to be affected, mostly those from Latin America, North Africa and Eastern Europe.

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

Guidance regarding Rules and Regulations in the Canaries
Has anyone seen this?
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-...ree-healthcare
Move to Spain and get free healthcare!
www.rightmove.co.uk
Rightmove - Rightmove Overseas Property | Move to Spain and get free healthcare! - The Spanish Health Minister, Ana Mató, has announced that all legal residents of Spain whose income from all sources is less than €100,000 a year will be eligible for free medical care from 1st September 2012.

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

But not free prescriptions

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

Could this be why they are clamping down on the residency entitlements?

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

I was wondering that, also strange can't find it anywhere else

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

Yeah, I have to pay 10% now with my SIP:thumbdown:

Not sure how true the other reports are about SIP cards for all residents, been googleing like mad, not much out there yet:confused:

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

been waiting months for mine, started thumping the desk, my medical registration was put thru "without card" si have had to fill in another form requesting the card

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

That's about right, a two minute job, here, takes forever:rofl:

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

It was announced in the English language press a few weeks ago. It's an EU requirement I think? It is surely one of the reasons for the clampdown on obtaining residency.

"ALL legal residents in Spain who earn less than 100,000 euros per year will have the right to free medical care on the State from September 1 this year, says health minister Ana Mató (pictured).

Even foreigners – EU citizens or otherwise – and irrespective of whether or not they pay into the Social Security system or are working – will be able to obtain a SIP card, which lets them register with a doctor and be treated for all ailments, pre-existing or otherwise, by the State.

EU citizens or nationals of other countries which have reciprocal agreements with Spain will receive healthcare in accordance with the conditions established by these treaties.

Those who fall into one of four categories – State pensioners, employees or registered self-employed workers, those registered on and claiming dole, and those whose dole money has run out but who remain recorded as jobseekers with their unemployment office – are automatically eligible without question.
Residents who do not fall into any of these categories – ‘black’ workers who have never earned enough to ‘go legal’, or early retirees not yet old enough to claim a State pension, for example – will only be entitled to free healthcare if they earn less than 100,000 euros a year before tax.

These earnings include income from working, businesses owned, capital returns or capital gains, wherever these can be offset against or are taken into account when calculating income tax.

All live-in partners of those who qualify for free medical treatment, who are registered on the padrón as such are entitled to State healthcare, as are children or siblings aged under 26 years where they live with the qualifying party."

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

The problem is that Spain is to introduce new measures to control immigrants by insisting they can support themselves, and if they don't have a job, they have to have health insurance, if I read it correctly. So it's not just a question of turning up for free healthcare. So much for the free movement between EU countries.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...=feeds-newsxml

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

Thats what I don't understand, why will new applicants have to get health insurance if there is free healthcare for all legal residents? :confused:

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

I'm interested in this but very confused, as to what actually is the truth and how will this save Spain money:confused:

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

They could be prevented from becoming legal residents, is that what you mean?

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

That's always been confusing.

The fact is you have the right of movement but you don't have the right to stop moving - ie stay for more than 90 consecutive days.

There is nothing new in that - it has always been the case. EU law allows countries to impose certain conditions if you want to stay - such as proof of income/healthcare provision.

The combination of this and the supposed right of all residents to free healthcare is contradictory to say the least.

On that basis you have to produce a copy of your health policy when you apply to stay in Spain and as soon as you get that you cancel the policy and claim free cover as a resident.

You couldn't make it up if you tried:thumbdown::thumbdown:

Re: MOVE TO SPAIN AND GET FREE HEALTHCARE
 

I am confused as to how a foreigner who is under pension age only pays 10% of their prescritions with a SIP. whereas a national of working age pays a lot more.

Could someone clear this up?