healthcare in spain
#1
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 16
healthcare in spain
I was born and raised in California. Now at 25, I am moving to Spain with my Spanish partner. I applied (just months ago) for my UK passport and I will be entering Spain with that instead of my US passport.
I am recently experiencing some health concerns and my doctor in California is concerned about my healthcare options in Spain. I am wondering about the nsh and if it applies to me living in Spain? Also, because I have actually never lived in the UK for an extended period of time, how to I activate my nhs (i.e. I need a card? an ID number? a UK doctor?)? Can I receive health car and medical care in Spain?
Thanks,
Phoebe
I am recently experiencing some health concerns and my doctor in California is concerned about my healthcare options in Spain. I am wondering about the nsh and if it applies to me living in Spain? Also, because I have actually never lived in the UK for an extended period of time, how to I activate my nhs (i.e. I need a card? an ID number? a UK doctor?)? Can I receive health car and medical care in Spain?
Thanks,
Phoebe
#2
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Re: healthcare in spain
just for clarification, my father is British and currently my folks are moving back to Kent from California, hence my UK citizenship.
#3
Re: healthcare in spain
If your Spanish partner or you are working with a contract job then you will be covered, if not you will need private cover.
#4
Re: healthcare in spain
Interesting.
Well, you probably wont be able to.
When a Brit moves here he can get up to two years cover under the Spanish system, but only based on his UK contributions, of which you have made none.
So unless I am mistaken you will need to either take out private health care (which is relatively cheap here) or be contributing to the Spanish system by working.
Well, you probably wont be able to.
When a Brit moves here he can get up to two years cover under the Spanish system, but only based on his UK contributions, of which you have made none.
So unless I am mistaken you will need to either take out private health care (which is relatively cheap here) or be contributing to the Spanish system by working.
#5
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Re: healthcare in spain
great. thank you.
#6
Re: healthcare in spain
Interesting.
Well, you probably wont be able to.
When a Brit moves here he can get up to two years cover under the Spanish system, but only based on his UK contributions, of which you have made none.
So unless I am mistaken you will need to either take out private health care (which is relatively cheap here) or be contributing to the Spanish system by working.
Well, you probably wont be able to.
When a Brit moves here he can get up to two years cover under the Spanish system, but only based on his UK contributions, of which you have made none.
So unless I am mistaken you will need to either take out private health care (which is relatively cheap here) or be contributing to the Spanish system by working.
Does it matter what age you are when you move from the U.K.? I was under the impression (misguided, I hope) that unless you were 65 or over youwere not entitled to cover.
When you say cover is relatively cheap, how much roughly?
Cheers
#7
Re: healthcare in spain
Mitzy knows the cheap private cover for later.
#8
Re: healthcare in spain
This applies even though the retirement age for women in Spain is 65.
Private insurance varies but we pay about €1300 a year for both of us.
#9
Re: healthcare in spain
I use Sanitas, and when we came here the premium was about €1100 - €1200. Make sure you go to the Spanish site though not the English (BUPA associated) one
#10
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Re: healthcare in spain
I think I need to register for my first NHS card/number. After that I can apply for the European health insurance card. I will be working... but I am a dancer/performer and so I am traveling a lot (and health and medical care are important if I get injured). Does anyone know how I register for a nhs ID... do I need to be in the UK?
#11
Re: healthcare in spain
I think I need to register for my first NHS card/number. After that I can apply for the European health insurance card. I will be working... but I am a dancer/performer and so I am traveling a lot (and health and medical care are important if I get injured). Does anyone know how I register for a nhs ID... do I need to be in the UK?
#12
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,359
Re: healthcare in spain
Hubby and I pay 2,400 euro per annum for the 2 of us, that covers us for nearly everything, except having babies but that is the last thing I will be doing We could of got it for a lot cheaper but there was a lot of things missed of the cover list such as treatment for oncology and restrictions on what doctors we could see and what hospital we could go to.
#13
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 16
Re: healthcare in spain
I own a house in Kent. Does that count as being a resident? Plus, I am over there a lot. I think for sure, being a UK citizen and owning a home in England should be enough for me to receive health care, no?
#14
Re: healthcare in spain
While you are in the UK but not in Spain unless you have paid into the system for the last two years or so then you can get cover in Spain fro up to two years with the form from DWP.
#15
Re: healthcare in spain
I lived in the UK for 52 years and paid into the system for about 35 years.
Then I moved to Spain. I got 18 months cover in the Spanish system and thats it. I of course have an EHIC card but its no use to me as I am a resident in Spain now. The NHS wont treat me when I go back if I am there on holiday. I had to pay to see a doctor.
So yes, you may have a house in the UK and you may (I dont know) manage to get an NHS card. But it wont be any use to you when you get to Spain. You havent paid into the system in the UK, so you wont get any free cover here. Unless you work you will have to get private care.
I hope that explains it more concisely for you. If health care is so important to you then you need to (a) work or (b) get private cover