UKBelgian

I am a Brit with dual citizenship (UK / Be). I am thinking of moving to Spain. I can't afford private health cover. I know that under EU legislation I am entitled to Spanish public health care. However, I require monthly medication at a cost of around 390 euros per month. I don't want to be a burden to Spanish healthcare system. so is it possible to say to a Spanish doctor, 'Look, I will buy medicine myself so long as you write out prescriptions'?
Basically, I want to live in Spain, so long as I can afford to do so, and without being a financial burden. Is there some kind of satisfactory compromise?

snikpoh

Why do you say " I know that under EU legislation I am entitled to Spanish public health care." - I don't think that is correct.

Joppa

Unless you are a state pensioner (either UK or Belgian), where you are entitled to S1 which certifies your country will pay for Spanish health care, or you are in a legitimate employment or self-employment and you contribute to Spanish social security, you aren't entitled to free Spanish national healthcare, and you need to have private medical insurance with no co-payment and exclusions to be granted residency. You do get temporary healthcare through EHIC or the new GHIC (from UK), but it's only for temporary stay and not for residents. After a year on private insurance, you can subscribe to Spanish healthcare under Covenio Especial at 60 euro/month, but medication costs are excluded and you need to pay the full cost. You will find medication costs considerably less in Spain, often half-price or less than in UK, but this depends on specific medication you are on. Private doctor can write out any prescriptions for which you pay the unsubsidised price.

Chipmonk

As a EU national you would need private healthcare for first year then there is an option to basically buy into your areas local system which would be cheaper than private healthcare. After 5 years you can have access to public healthcare. The above is for those who are not retired. Prior to Brexit retired UK nationals got free healthcare. If you have the same kind of system in your EU country then that may apply. Either way if you are not retired you will have to pay something for at least 5 years

UKBelgian

I should have added that I will work in Spain and pay into social insurance system. Maybe I am wrong but I just assumed that every EU country offers EU citizens from other countries the same level of healthcare it provides to its own citizens

Chipmonk

As a EU national you would need private healthcare for first year then there is an option to basically buy into your areas local system which would be cheaper than private healthcare. After 5 years you can have access to public healthcare. The above is for those who are not retired. Prior to Brexit retired UK nationals got free healthcare. If you have the same kind of system in your EU country then that may apply. Either way if you are not retired you will have to pay something for at least 5 years

UKBelgian

thanks, it is more complicated than I thought.

Notdunroamin

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UKBelgian

Thanks for info

Notdunroamin

And subject to being entitled to an S1 still do.

Chipmonk

If you work and have a spanish contract then you are correct: healthcare will be free along with prescriptions

Joppa

The only thing changed by Brexit is that only state pensioners get S1, and not those who receive some other exportable benefits.

Moses2013

If you are working then why do you think you are a burden? Prescriptions still cost money.

DLC

If you apply an as EU citizen and have work lined up, you'll be fine.

http://www.interior.gob.es/web/servi...a-y-residencia

Your prescriptions won't be free though. You'll pay either 40% (< €18k income) - 50% - 60% (> €100k income) of the cost or maybe just 10% you have a chronic condition on a list, like the Spanish.

bolton wanderer

AFAIK the S1 is still available to retired (collecting state pension age) UK nationals, thanks to a last minute deal before 2021. see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthca...ary-islands#s1

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-spain