carlalilley78

Hi, just have a couple of questions, families that have moved to Spain what do you do about doctors? Am I right in thinking my husband will be ok registering at a doctors because he will be working and will have a NIE but what happens about me and my 2 daughters?
Also I have a monthly prescription here in UK how would I go about still getting that?
Thanks

snikpoh

If your husband is working in Spain and making his Social Security (SS) payments, then he and his entire family can apply to get Spanish health care.

You won't just need an NIE though, you should also be registered on the list of foreigners (aka "residencia").

If he is working in another country and living in Spain, then it's more complicated and you may need private health cover.

carlalilley78

Hi snikpoh

Yes unfortunately he will be working in Gib!! It's all very confusing!!

mikelincs

The Spanish system health centre we were registered with printed out several, I believe 3 months, supply of prescriptions, post dated and all we had to do was to go to the pharmacy and present them. We did have to see the doctor every three months to get new prescriptions, but that's not a bad idea.

Rosemary

Most surgeries now provide you with a sheet of paper with dates on it for when you can collect your medications from the chemist. The doctor decides on the time lapses for checking that the medication is still relevant or needs changing and this will dictate how often you have this paper renewed. For example, my medication has been ongoing for years so my paper covers me for a year and the doctor reviews it annually.

Rosemary

snikpoh

IMHO it's not confusing at all.


If you're making SS payments then you're covered.
or
If you are in receipt of a UK state pension, then you're covered.


If not, you need private healthcare for at least 12 months.


There are other situations regarding disabilities but, in essence, that's it!

AlanR555

There IS a further complication for those in receipt of a UK state pension. They need
to have completed form S1 to transfer liability from UK to Spain.

What is the position of those who have NOT completed an S1 form?

Will their EHIC cover them? If so, for what?

My friend needs certain enzymes in order to eat as her body no longer
produces them naturally. She will be bringing a supply with her but if
they run out (or say luggage is mislaid in transit!) will she be able to
obtain further supplies? How would she register with a doctor, or
would she need to visit a local hospital?

snikpoh

As per my previous post;

If you are in receipt of a state pension, then you and your spouse are entitled to an S1 which will then entitle you to health care in Spain. These pensioners then have to pay a percentage of their prescription costs.

The EHIC is only for emergency cover whilst on holiday. (mas o menos).

If you haven't got an S1, then it has to be private health cover

MikeJ

Usual travel advice is to never pack essential medicines (or other essentials like your passport - and it does happen!) in hold luggage, carry them with you in cabin baggage.

AlanR555

Medical insurance is expensive - and would double the overall cost of my living in
Spain. Thus I would prefer to "self-insure" by paying as needed.

Can I still register with a health practitioner?
How would I go about getting a prescription for medicines that are not
"over-the-counter" at the farmacia?
Naturally I would expect to pay for these services.
The former is really only a way of avoiding having to undertake introductions
under emergency conditions. The latter is about having knowledge as to
what is needed to be done - before the situation actually arises.

I have no intention of going down the S1 route as I would then be deregistered
from NHS in UK.

Point taken re packing of medications. Certainly enough medication for a couple
of weeks would be in cabin baggage but for several months that would be very
bulky (possibly near 10Kg limit???).

Rosemary

This would very much depend on whether the medication is available for the doctor to prescribe. Some things that are available in the UK are not available in Spain.

Also there are some medications that are only available from the hospital and not from a doctor due to the costs involved.

Two examples:
1) One of my friends has a liver condition that requires expensive medication which is only available from the city hospital not the local hospital but this is organised by her specialist. She has to travel to the city hospital to collect it from their pharmacy every 3 months.
2) When my husband was ill he had to have a certain liquid food prescribed by the specialist at the hospital but this had to be agreed to by an inspector so it was not straightforward at all to gain this. However, once it had been approved it was available from our local chemist.

So basically it may be that your friend can gain the medication easily via a doctor but it may be that there are many, many hoops to jump through before they can receive it. Totally depends on what the medication is and how it is available.

Rosemary

mikelincs

Pensioners are NOT deregistered and can get NHS ttreatment free even if they are full time living in Spain, please note that it is ONLY pensioners. So getting an S1 will cause NO problems, in fact it may well save a huge lot of problems for you.

bobd22

I think you will find that by having an s1 you will be de registered by your UK doctor. However as you say you can register with a UK doctor as temporary patient as a pensioner for treatment or attend a+e. I would certainly speak with your own doctor before doing anything as you are not intending to leave UK full time but just for a long break. I do know some people who spend long time stays in Spain but non resident. They have signed on as temp patients at local health centre with their EHIC as a precaution and to obtain prescriptions which of course they have to pay for. As they say if you ask the worst that can happen is they say no. But if you don't ask you won't know. Failing that you should be able to pay for a private appointment take your medication and ask them to prescribe it or an equivalent?