BobFord

I expect many have asked this question.
What is the real deal with regards to medical treatment.
I retired early due to depression I have type 2 diabetes & take a mountain of pills for age related problems. I have very limited private health insurance. What is the real situation regarding costs, does the UK NHS contribute. I plan to live in Almeria province permanently but not working obviously I'm 62yrs of age. Any help to get at the actual true state of things will be greatly received. Kind Regards Bob

Tadd1966

Bob
You will not be entitled to Spanish NHS treatment and will have to pay full price for prescriptions (I am not sure if diabetes is an exemption).


There is a system in Spain where can pay circa 60€ month which will give you full access to Spain's NHS


The UK NHS will not contribute until you are of UK pension age but worth a call to the DWP in Newcastle

lyric030250

If I'm not mistaken there is a one year period before you can get this, however when you qualify existing conditions are included, unlike most private schemes.

snikpoh

Correct and that's one year of being here legally (padron, NIE, residency certificate etc.).

Fred James

The state subscription scheme is called the Convenio Especial. It's, as stated, €60 a month per person, but that soars to €157 if over 65. Prescriptions are not free, you pay the full 100% charges.

Tadd1966

Another way
Set up as autonomo (self employed) pay the minimum monthly fee circa 250€
Declare an income of less than the Spanish tax allowance (circa 6000€ year I think) so no tax to pay


You will have to pay for registration and possibly for help submitting tax returns which will also take into account any income you may have from UK


A bit of a fiddle but it might work


What income will you be living on?

snikpoh

... and you would have to have a valid 'trade' showing at least some invoices. What about IVA as well?

davidinspain

If you are in receipt of contributions based ESA you can transfer it to Spain.You'll get an S1 and depending where you settle you may only pay 10% for your medicines.

KieronF

But at 65 the UK S1 thingy kicks in and we receive free treatment do we not.

snikpoh

Is it still 65 or has it moved on to 66 or even 67 now?

[Not FREE of course, just UK funded.]

lyric030250

It is when you or your partner become a a paid pensioner. You can be 17 and married to a 65 year old pensioner and would be eligible as their dependent (extreme case)

bobd22

I would imagine whenever you are in receipt of state pension surely?

snikpoh

Of course ...... I just wondered what the age was now.

bobd22

It depends on your date of birth. Annoyingly i loose out on 6 months state pension by being born just one day before their cut off😬 . This link shows individual state retirement ages

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age