brightonchris

Hi, I wonder if anyone has any advice on my situation...I have taken early retirement and am now of "independent means". As I am below state pensionable age I will obviously not qualify for free health cover after my form E106 runs out. Due to a long term health problem, I can not get private medical insurance. I want to "retire" to Spain (northern Costa del Sol). A solicitor that I spoke to in Spain suggested that I register as "autonimo/self employed " in Spain and pay the minimum social security payment ( which I would be happy to do).However, I have read postings on this forum that suggest that this is not possible if you are not actually earning a living in Spain.
Has anyone any advice/suggestions?
many thanks

Chiclanagir

Move to Valencia area where I understand they will cover you under the Spanish Health Care system if you are under retirement age.

pwwm

I am covered here under the Spanish health care system for free, (I am under retirement age) I went and got a social security card and registered with the local surgery, exactly the same as in the UK also it is better equipped.

pwwm

YMF

I have been trying to find out the same thing, have a look at this Spanish Social Security I cant find any reference to voluntary payments and it does appear to say that you must be running a business to qualify for self employed.
You seem to be able to in other EU countries so it must be possible here???

Yvonne

pwwm

I do not pay a bean and make no voluntary payment of any kind, maybe I struck lucky, yet we are in the local health care system.
pwwm

Lynn R

I have always understood that NI contributions paid in the UK entitle you to up to two years' cover in the Spanish state health system, but no more than that if you are under retirement age. Is there any variation between different areas of Spain in this respect, does anyone know?

brightonchris

the spanish solicitor that i spoke to indicated that the government do not check that you are actually working in spain if you pay autonimo social security payments but this advice seems to differ from other advice that I have received. as you say most other EU countries allow you to make voluntary social security payments...??

YMF

I thought this Sailing Forum forum made interesting reading regarding rights to UK NHS treatment. Also this UK citizens advice website gives info on entitlement to NHS treatment.

I will let you know if we manage to find out more about voluntary contributions here. We are also looking into buying private medical cover and then self funding for my husbands existing medical condition. Medical costs are much lower in Spain so that may be an option until pension age in 5 years.
Yvonne

pwwm

Once a spouse is 60 years old then the partner does not pay for prescriptions if needed.
pwwm

brightonchris

thanks for the advice.looks like I will have to set up some sort of business so that I can qualify as an "autonimo"

Hillybilly

Would it not be cheaper maybe to "pay-as-you-go" on the Spanish health care system?

Solarwhizz

We registered on our E106's when we first came here, they run out about 14 months ago, we were given a card each and since nobody at the surgery seems to have noticed we have just carried on blythely,, So why not just do that and see what happens. and if you have to pay after two years, you have to pay, either way its a win, just the first win could be cheaper.

Gadget

Hi, Last week during a visit to the UK, I rang the Newcastle number previously given (thanks to whoever gave that) and they told me that both me and my partner will be covered for free health Care in Spain, through the E106 form, until Jan 2008. We took (Very) early retirement in March of this year. However I believe that, as we live in the Valencian region, we will continue to get free health cover here in Spain.

If anyone knows any different, please let me know.

Cheers

Gadget

brightonchris

thanks to all for the info.

LittleWeed

Hi, I believe te entitlement to free health care for "early retirees" only applies to the Valencia province. There's a lot of useful info this website on how to obtain a SIP card http://www.ukgovabusesexpats.co.uk.