greenspring

I am single, 50, healthy and on no medication but I understand it is compulsory and of course a very good idea to have private medical insurance if I moved to Spain.

I do not have an income or a pension but own a property here in the UK which I am thinking of selling in the future and renting a flat somewhere in the Costa Blanca.

Can you please tell me how much a private medical insurance would cost me each month?

tebo53

Yes you are required to have medical insurance and proof of income (possibly €600 per month) to gain residency in Spain so not to be a burden on the state.

After 90 days you will need to apply for residency.

Steve

Loafing Along

We have excellent policy with Adeslas, ( owned by Caixa Bank ), slightly older than you but in good health comes out just over Euro 70.- a month, per person. Pay a small fee ( Copage ) for doctor visits, consultants etc between Euro 3,- and Euro 6,- which helps keep premium down.
There is a Spanish comparison site : Rastreator.com™ - Comparador de Seguros de Salud

Fred James

Prices vary a lot. In Malaga there is one company that charges €32/pm for their basic policy and €48/pm for the full policy.

Probably not much use to you as their specialists, etc. are all in Malaga province, but it does show how cheap it can be if you shop around..

greenspring

Thank-you for the replies,

tebo, you mentioned proof of income is needed. I will not have an income.
Would I be able to arrange something with the funds from the sale of my property?

Loafing, thanks for the link, I do speak 2 other languages besides English, unfortunately Spanish is not one of them but I intend taking lessons.
There did not seem to be an English language version of that website.

The prices you and Fred mentioned are better than I thought.

How do the metered water and electricity costs compare to the UK?

tebo53

I do believe that if you have sufficient funds available in your Spanish bank account along with a current credit card it may be enough to swing it your way but I'm not sure of the amount required.

My electricity bills are about 2/3 of the old uk bills I used to get, my water is paid in my rent.

Steve

Loafing Along

Water costs depend a lot on the region. Definitely quite cheap in Andalusia, about Euro 20.- a month but sure that helps. Electricity, no idea of Uk prices but we think expensive, 2 bed apartment with A/C and usual appliances year round average about Euro 130,- a month.

Loafing Along

Proof of income , some of house sale proceeds in a Spanish bank account and a credit card should do it.

bobd22

A friend of mine got residency on proof from his Spanish bank of the account holding 6000 Euro. He didn't require to show ongoing income. I think it is down to the requirement in your area.

brie

Which is this company?

Fred James

If you are referring to my post, this is the company I use, but, as I said, it effectively only covers Malaga province.

Póliza médica. Póliza médica Málaga y Córdoba. Previsión Médica

greenspring

Thanks for that info Steve. I did notice that some rentals include the water bill.

I will have to find out what is needed regarding income or having a lump sum before taking the plunge.
I suppose I could leave half the funds from the sale of the property in a UK bank and set up a monthly transfer to a Spanish bank account to cover the required monthly income.

Loafing, thanks for those figures, it gives me a rough idea.
I live alone and my monthly water bill is about 14 Euros, that covers daily showers, car washing once a month and watering the plants in the warmer months.
No Gas here, Electric is 25 Euros in warmer months, when heating is needed it can cost 80 Euros a month, last year total was 505 Euros being very, very careful with the E7 heating.
130 is high, I guess the AC uses a lot, do you use AC 12 months of the year?

bobd22, what area was/is your friend in?

I had been looking in the Costa Blanca region as I had heard it was possible to live there on a budget and 2 airports being close by, Valencia and Alicante.
After Fred mentioned Malaga I took a look at rental prices in Andalusia and they are close if not a little less than those I had seen on the Costa Blanca.
Quite a few in and around Frigiliana, Nerja between 200 and 300 Euros.
Airport in Malaga.
I assume the heat may be a couple of degrees more uncomfortable in that area than around Alicante.

bobd22

That was in Torre Del Mar area. You will however read various accounts from various areas.

tebo53

Wow. ...€130 a month! That A/C must be hammering it. I also live in a two bed apartment with all the usual appliances (inc electric water heater) except A/C and my elec bills are around €35 each month.

frigilianafreddy

Elec bills for our 2 bedroom apt easily €100pm in winter. Also expensive in peak A/C months - for us July and August.

Keeping a 2 bed apt warm AND cosy in winter is nearly impossible unless you put down layers of carpets (or have underflooor heating.)

Elec per KwH is twice the price as in the UK. Plus a useless 4Kwh standard allowance. Kettle, water heater and hairdryer on in the morning - Kerpow, fuse trips.