I am hearing from a reliable source that a deal on residency will not include healthcare...folks it looks like we be on our own

I wonder just how reliable the source is.

The current health care options consist of the UK paid S1 route which is a reciprocal agreement and is not directly connected to the right of residency and can be renegotiated separately from residency and only affects pensioners. The second option, the Convenio Especial where you pay a monthly charge is available for anyone in Spain, whether or not they are in the EU.

It is my understanding that given the fact that the UK pay a fixed sum per head to the Spanish health authorities per registered individual, rather than pay for actual treatments received by those individuals, the Spanish actually make a profit on the deal, receiving more from the UK than treatment costs. I question why the Spanish would not wish to continue that arrangement. Again, ad nauseam, nobody knows, no 'source' knows anything whatsoever about the brexit terms and the effects on healthcare/pensions - it is all speculation.

I have news for you: in most places in the world, you have to pay for health insurance. EU member countries aren't really any different than anywhere else. And that's not likely to change because of Brexit.

Thuler what exactly is the point of throwing that line out then? There are many people who are seriously concerned that IF that is the case, they will not afford to live here anymore. (Fortunately, not me, but we all know of someone.) They see their life in the Sun and dreams realised being ruined, so again, whats the point?


FACTS? Source ? Corroboration? Anything in writing? Are you related to Mrs. May and had tea with her today?


Stop it, please, it doesn't help anyone. I and others are fortunate to have a survival plan whichever way it goes (as above, there will be alternatives), some don't............ and they read this Forum.

Nobody knows what the final Brexit agreement will look like.
But when ever issue of EU residency is discussed, the line taken by politicians is that Europeans already in Britain can remain in Britain and British can remain in European countries.
The question of health care for these people is never discussed to my knowledge.
The NHS is under severe financial pressure and wants to save money where ever possible. I cannot imagine billions of pounds being transferred to European countries to cover the healthcare of the expats after Brexit.
Britain currently provides aid to British citizen overseas in the form of counselor services, not healthcare.
One simple solution after Brexit could be that British in European countries would use the healthcare of the host country and abide by its rules, and Europeans in Britain would be entitled to use the NHS.

I agree with your comment this will seriously affect some but of course for some to pay for health care will not be an issue. There is absolutely no point in trying to speculate what the final outcome will be from the negotiations. Fact is people will have to deal with that as best they can but little point of scaring people into sleepless nights for now.

The entire issue of healthcare in Europe is up for discussion and not just for expats, this subject concerns the on-going arrangements for tourists who currently enjoy the benefits of the EHIC card - that too will go out the window when we leave the EU. It is a key point for the Govt to resolve but it just seems to be in everyone's interests to try and maintain the status quo.

If the NHS pays out more than it receives from Europe then its difficult for the current arrangement surviving.

Kieron again spot on. Many will not be able to afford to remain in Spain should healthcare provison be removed given costs rise rapidly with age and pre existing conditions etc. Also no doubt the private health care cover prices will go up as companies providing it will know British expats have no choice but to buy it or go without. Shouldo EHIC go that will scupper plans for many who do 1/2 and 1/2 as again travel insurance costs rise dramatically with age. The scenario in my view is not good at all.

But the EHIC programme is not an EU one. Several non EU even non EEA countries have reciprocal arrangements with the UK.

Well let's hope it remains 😃

The EHIC is an EEA system plus special arrangements for Switzerland.

Other countries do have special reciprocal social security arrangements with the EEA, but the EHIC is essentially an EU (EEA) system. If the UK leaves the EU and does not remain in the EEA, then special arrangements will have to be made.

I wish it was that simple, but there is a fundamental difference in that access to healthcare in the UK is residence based, but in Spain it is contribution based.

In my opinion that is adhering to the host country's health care system rules. For expats there are going to varying degrees of difficulties in obtaining healthcare, depending on the country they reside in.

I dont think when the UK population voted for Brexit, they really cared about the brits living in Europe and how their lives would be effected. They were more concerned about what was happening on their doorstep.