spainrico

An elderly friend of mine is a UK state pensioner living in Spain as a resident. Does he need an EHIC card and how does he apply from Spain?

Do you have to show EHIC to get NHS service in the UK if you visit?

snikpoh

For a UK state pensioner to get 'free' NHS care in UK, they might need to show their S1. In all probability, they might not need to show anything.

A UK state pensioner can get an EHIC from DWP (overseas team). This will then cover them for holiday treatment in any EU country other than UK and Spain.

spainrico

OK thanks. Can it be applied for online from Spain (with a Spanish address) ?

Rosemary

Yes, I think that when I first applied for it I sent them an e-mail asking about it and had to fill in a form online.

Rosemary

Ruby2

You can just phone the international pension centre to ask for it. Their number is 0044 (0)191 218 1999.

MikeJ

Is your friend still registered with a UK GP? Or is he within the Spanish socail services/health system as a resident?
If it's the latter then strictly speaking he would have no more recourse to the NHS (except for emergencies). He might get by as the NHS seems to be very lax at checking the status of visitors, especially if you are obviously a Brit. I believe that he should apply for a Spanish EHIC and use that to access the NHS when visiting the UK.

spainrico

No, resident here for many years. Yes he is thinking of visiting UK for family reasons. Yes I think he needs to get a new EHIC, his expired years ago.

snikpoh

This is not correct.

As a UK state pensioner, he is entitled to 'free' NHS care. All he would need to do (although not always) is to show his S1.

As a UK state pensioner, he is not allowed a Spanish EHIC (TSE), it must come from the UK.

spainrico

Yes surely it is the authority that actually pays for healthcare that issues the card.

mikelincs

UK pensioners are able to access free NHS treatment, no EHIC card needed . A UK pensioner living abroad in the EU will need to get his/her EHIC card from the DWP in the UK but it will NOT be usable in the country he is living, under UK state pension age then you need to get your EHIC card from the country yo are resident of.

lurchio

If you are under UK state pension age in Spain, you will not get a EHIC card here unless you are covered by the pre April 2012 rule. After that, even if you are on the Convenio Especial, this does not include a Spanish EHIC. Obviously the UK will not issue an EHIC,because you opted out of the UK NHS when you went on the Convenio.Thats why it has to be travel insurance for a UK ex pat under retirement age on the Convenio to visit the UK. Or your private health Insurance covers it if you are NOT on the Convenio.Bummer!

spainrico

OK if you are a UK pensioner living in Spain you are entitled to an EHIC but you cannot apply online:

'If you live in Europe
If you live in another EEA country or Switzerland, you will be entitled to a UK-issued EHIC if one of the following applies to you:

you receive a UK State Pension or exportable UK benefit and have a UK-issued S1 form (certificate of entitlement) registered in your country of residence
you are a worker posted to work in another EEA country or Switzerland by your UK employer, or a frontier worker living in the EEA and working in the UK
you are a family member of a posted worker or of someone working in the UK and you are not covered in your own right by the EEA country you reside in
you are a student going to another EEA country or Switzerland to study
You cannot apply online for a UK-issued EHIC. Instead, you’ll need to request an EHIC-E application form with the Overseas Healthcare Team. Simply call 0191 218 1999 from the UK or 0044 (0)191 218 1999 from abroad, (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm).

For more detailed information, see the Moving abroad section or phone the EHIC enquiry line on 0300 330 1350.

If you are not eligible for a UK-issued EHIC, you should see if you are eligible for an EHIC in the country you are currently living in.

Residents of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not eligible for an EHIC.'

(https://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Health...-the-ehic.aspx)

Moses2013

Just to add:
As an EU citizen, if you unexpectedly fall ill during a temporary stay abroad - whether on holiday, a business trip or studying abroad - you are entitled to any medical treatment that can't wait until you get home. You have the same rights to health care as people insured in the country you are in.
You should always take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you on all trips abroad. This card is the proof that you are insured in an EU country.
If you don't have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or you can't use it (for instance, for private health care), you can't be refused treatment, but you might have to pay for your treatment upfront and claim reimbursement once you get home.