originalbrownster

Hi,
My wife and I are planning to move to Spain hopefully later this year if all goes well.
We intend to buy a cheap house possibly in Galicia or maybe inland somewhere then use the remainder of our savings to live off.
I've been reading up on various issues including medical cover in Spain, will we be able to get (free) cover under the Spanish health care system or will we have to buy private cover? We are below retirement age (late thirties)

Thanks,

Wayne.

originalbrownster

Hi,
On the Department of health website 'dh.gov.uk' I found something interesting, quoting from their text:

quote
Living in another EEA country or Switzerland

If you decide to live permanently in another EEA country or Switzerland, or to take up work there, you are not entitled to a UK-issued Form E111. Send any Form E111 you hold to The Department for Work & Pensions, The Pension Service, International Pension Centre, Medical Benefits Section, Tyneview Park, Whitley Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA. Tel: 0191 218 7547 with full details of your circumstances. They will advise you as to whether you are entitled to UK health care cover in your new country of residence and, if appropriate, issue you with a different form.
/quote

Has anyone done this and then been entitled to free health cover please?

Thanks

Wayne.

Nige

It is true to say that the E111, which was obtained at a Post Office and could be produced at a Spanish medical centre was always intended to be for short term visitors. The old paper form is being replaced by a plastic card and from next year, all British citizens requiring an E111 would need to apply using the latest form (for each person). If staying in Spain indefinitely, it is expected that you would actually apply for Residency. This means getting registered into the Spanish computer system and getting an ID card that would also have your fiscal ID number on it. Whether you are in UK or in Spain, the authorities would like to know who you are and give you a number. This number can be used for things like paying tax to registering a car licence. Health care is given by the Spanish health Service and you are identified as being part of the system by having a medical card (tarjeta sanitaria) .
The British Embassy in Madrid has some information concerning living in Spain which should be read through carefully. On Medical matters it has this information: http://www.ukinspain.com/english/Con...n#inemployment

C-Cat

Being in a similar situation, I was very interested (as well as a bit puzzled) to see this on the same British Embassy page that Nige kindly supplied the link to:

PEOPLE OF INDEPENDENT MEANS

People of independent means should be entitled to healthcare on production of their residence card. The Tesorería de Seguridad Social should issue a social security number card with which they can obtain a tarjeta sanitaria (health card) from their local ambulatorio (medical centre).

I have heard from numerous sources that anyone from the UK under retirement age taking up Residency, was only entitled to Spanish (public) healthcare for something like 2 years with a E106 form, provided NHS contributions had been paid into the UK system for a certain time prior to moving over.
This would have meant that after the 2 years, private healthcare would have to be taken in the interim until retirement age, when the Spanish system would once again kick in.

One would assume (or at least hope) that the British Embassy knew what they were talking about, so which is correct? Does it depend on whereabouts in Spain you live, as to whether you are entitled to free healthcare below retirement age if not working?

originalbrownster

Thanks to both Nige and C-Cat for your replies, this is very interesting. I thought what was on the site indicated by Nige was pretty much conclusive but then again, with what C-Cat is saying, it doesn't seem absolutely clear. Does anyone else have experience of this first hand or otherwise?

In the meantime I have also been looking at private health cover and found that 'sanitas' basic cover is remarkably cheap; a quote for my wife and I came out at 313 euros per annum. I am currently waiting for more information to find out if this cover is adequate or whether there are any clauses or exceptions that I should know about. Does anyone have experience of using them and does this sound correct?

edit: I have recieved the cover info and 'basic' doesn't cover operations! 'Classic' covers many ops but not all and comes in at 800+ euro's per annum for the two of us.

Thanks

Wayne.

meseta

We have the classic cover from Sanitas. Cost about €760 a year for male age 53 and female 41, boht non smokers. We can use any doctor or hospital listed in Sanitas's book. Not used the facilities yet , long may it continue !
If you have any specific questions, please ask, or pm

originalbrownster

Thanks for that. Are you in a similar position ie non-working / living off savings then and presumably you looked into getting free health cover and it wasn't possible?

Regards
Wayne.

meseta

Hi Wayne
When we first moved here the company employing me provided free health insurance. When I left them , three years ago, to start my own business, I did a little homework and found the Sanitas scheme. It seems to be a fairly good value plan, although of course, you never know unil you use it, something I'll be quite happy to put off for as long as possible !

Cheers

ScotinSpain

Hi Wayne,

I am also with Sanitas, retired, aged 57, smoker and pay 65€ a month for full cover. I did have dental cover (at 4.50€/month) but ditched it as poor value. However the medical cover is first class, I had a major operation 6 months after moving to Spain 2 1/2 years ago and had 2 weeks in hospital. I was diagnosed on Wed, referred to a specialist on Thurs, in hospital the following Mon and under the knife on Tues. In UK I'd still be waiting to see a specialist..... I can't fault Sanitas; wide selection of doctors, specialists, and hospitals, English speaking documents and staff etc. They are 'owned' by BUPA and BBVA (Spanish Bank), they are by no means the cheapest option in Spain, but provide the best service. They have not suffered the ever increasing costs that plague BUPA in UK ............ yet!

As a non-working retiree in Spain, I had to get private cover at the time, but they keep changing the rules as they fall into line with the EU. However all EU citizens are covered by the State system from pension age.

Jock

originalbrownster

Hi,
That's really useful to know, thanks. It looks like Sanitas is a good option then.
Hehe your signature made me smile, my Father in-law lives in Bettyhill in Scotland and we thought we might move up there, it's a lovely place, accept for the weather this time of year!!!

Regards
Wayne.