Healthcare in Spain
Healthcare in Spain is among the best in the world. When looking at properties in Spain, access to doctors and hospitals may be a perquisite for choosing a new home. Non-emergency treatment for foreigners is not forthcoming so you should firstly check what your entitlements are and obtain private insurance if necessary.
Away from home. Spain’s healthcare for UK nationals
If you are a UK national living in Spain you are not entitled to health care at UK expense. Neither are you entitled to non-emergency treatment in the UK if you are not ordinarily resident there.
Anyone who works in Spain for up to a year is entitled to form E128 if they continue to make national insurance contributions in the UK. This entitles them, and any dependants, to treatment for any condition.
Self-employed and setting up home in Spain
You must firstly obtain an NIE (foreigner identification number) from the police. This is not just used for healthcare in Spain any foreigners making Spain their home should get one. Also visit the tax office (hacienda) for an Alta Fiscal form.
Take these two documents to the nearest social security office where you will receive a social security number card entitling you to full medical cover.
Am I automatically entitled to healthcare in Spain if I am working?
When you make social security contribution you become entitled to benefits relating to healthcare in Spain. Your employer will deduct social security contributions from your salary.
A social security number card can be obtained from the local social security office. This should then be presented at the local medical centre (ambulatorio). With this you have access to standard health treatment and drugs to treat work-related accidents or illnesses are free. Otherwise you must pay 40%.
Students with a temporary home in Spain
If your studies are a compulsory component of a UK course then you are entitled to the full healthcare in Spain under form E128 for two years. The E128 will only be valid for up to one year if the studies are not compulsory and after that there will be no entitlement to non-emergency healthcare in Spain.
Pensioners setting up home in Spain
UK pensioners who have made Spain their home have the same healthcare rights as Spanish state pensioners. The UK pays Spain an annual lump sum per pensioner to cover their health costs.
To establish entitlement you must obtain form E121 in the UK and take it to the social security office along with their application for a residence card and passport. Pensioners and their dependents receive free medicine.
If you have taken early retirement you should consult your local social security office about medical cover before moving to Spain.
If you are retired then the proximity of properties to hospitals or clinics may be a concern when moving to Spain. The development of properties in areas of Spain such as the Costa del Sol has to some extent taken this into consideration.
You should think carefully about your current and future medical needs before deciding on a move to Spain. Properties for sale are to be found all over Spain and medical facilities should be as big a concern as price and property type.
Please also be aware that the healthcare in Spain does not cover the wide range of assistance pensioners may be used to in the UK. This, along with the distance from properties to hospitals and clinics, should be taken into consideration for pensioners hoping to set up home in Spain.
