Health care as pensioners but not residents
Jun 3rd 2019, 1:17 pm
#1
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Health care as pensioners but not residents
Afternoon one and all, we are in receipt of UK and Australian pensions. We will be living in Marbella for the next few months to see if we would like to live in Spain for the longer term. We have a Spanish bank account and NIE numbers but do not want to take out residency until we make a decision to stay. We have been receiving confusing advice about healthcare entitlements. Some say we will receive it free under reciprocal agreements others tell us we will have to pay/take out private health cover unless we become residents. We will need to obtain repeat prescriptions every month. We have applied for EHIC cards. Is this sufficient or do we need private health cover as well?
Really appreciate any help.
Really appreciate any help.
Jun 3rd 2019, 2:40 pm
#2
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Re: Health care as pensioners but not residents
Afternoon one and all, we are in receipt of UK and Australian pensions. We will be living in Marbella for the next few months to see if we would like to live in Spain for the longer term. We have a Spanish bank account and NIE numbers but do not want to take out residency until we make a decision to stay. We have been receiving confusing advice about healthcare entitlements. Some say we will receive it free under reciprocal agreements others tell us we will have to pay/take out private health cover unless we become residents. We will need to obtain repeat prescriptions every month. We have applied for EHIC cards. Is this sufficient or do we need private health cover as well?
Really appreciate any help.
Really appreciate any help.
- resident in Spain and work in employment or self-employment and pay social security contributions,
- resident in Spain and receiving certain state benefits,
- resident in Spain and recently divorced or separated from a partner registered with social security,
- a child resident in Spain,
- a pregnant woman who is resident in Spain,
- under 26 and studying in Spain,
- a state pensioner, or
- staying temporarily in Spain and have an EHIC card.
Jun 3rd 2019, 3:04 pm
#3
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Re: Health care as pensioners but not residents
Thanks for that Chrisjolly. Does that mean we will get free prescriptions as well?
Jun 3rd 2019, 3:09 pm
#4
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Re: Health care as pensioners but not residents
you will be entitled to reduced prescription charges once you are in the system but you will have to go to your nearest Social Security office with all your papers and an S1 form from the UK. Once you have done that you will not be entitled to healthcare in the UK. Its a bit of an ordeal like all paperwork anywhere.
Jun 3rd 2019, 3:13 pm
#5
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Re: Health care as pensioners but not residents
Thanks again, but we are only staying for a few months and don't want to lose our healthcare in the UK.
Jun 3rd 2019, 3:46 pm
#6
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Jun 3rd 2019, 3:56 pm
#7
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Re: Health care as pensioners but not residents
Sorry, still confused. We want to know if we will still have to pay for repeat prescriptions as technically visitors staying for a short time and with the EHIC card. Or will we need insurance until we decide to stay or leave.
thanks
thanks
Jun 3rd 2019, 5:01 pm
#8
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Re: Health care as pensioners but not residents
National contact point for cross-border healthcare
Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar SocialMinistry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Welfare
Paseo del Prado, 18-20
ES-28071 Madrid
Website
E-mail: [email protected]
Jun 3rd 2019, 5:03 pm
#9
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Re: Health care as pensioners but not residents
You won’t be entitled to free prescriptions. The only way to get those which aren’t actually free is to be part of the Spanish system.
Jun 3rd 2019, 5:10 pm
#10
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Re: Health care as pensioners but not residents
Thanks all. Will check out the website lonk.
Jun 3rd 2019, 7:46 pm
#11
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Jun 3rd 2019, 8:01 pm
#12
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Re: Health care as pensioners but not residents
Don't have an S1. Do we need this if we are not becoming Spanish residents?
Jun 3rd 2019, 9:05 pm
#13
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Re: Health care as pensioners but not residents
You can only get a S1 if you are leaving the UK permanently to live in another EU country.
As a tourist you will have to use your EHIC. Private health insurance does not cover prescriptions.
As a tourist you will have to use your EHIC. Private health insurance does not cover prescriptions.
Jun 4th 2019, 6:48 am
#14
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Re: Health care as pensioners but not residents
Thanks, sounds like we might need short term insurance.
Jun 4th 2019, 7:54 am
#15
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Re: Health care as pensioners but not residents
The EHIC if you have one? Will cover short term healthcare but not other things private cover does like repatriation etc. As Fred says you will not be entitled to S1 anyway as not becoming resident. As for prscriptions can you not explain this to your doctor as they may supply increased amount for your stay? Obviously depends on medication but nothing ventured nothing gained.