Transferring health care/medication from UK to Spain
I am a pensioner with health issues that need on going medical checks and medication, how easy is it to transfer the care I require to the Spainish health care system?
I am a pensioner with health issues that need on going medical checks and medication, how easy is it to transfer the care I require to the Spainish health care system?
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 11:10pm
Legendary helpful member
I stand to correction and perhaps Dr Bob or Chevyrecycler can either confirm or correct, but I am not certain that you can transfer health cover.
As far as I am aware, you have three options - 1) EHIC card, which is only really useful for a hospital visit and only valid if you are holidaying here; 2) Private health insurance; or 3) get on to the Spanish Health Care system.
The last option may be the one that offers the level of cover you need, but to get my Tarjeta Sanitaria I had to be registered with Social Security and paying Autónomo....
Chevyrecycler? Dr Bob?
Saludos, Darío
Babs wrote on Wed Mar 14, 2018 4:08pm:
I am a pensioner with health issues that need on going medical checks and medication, how easy is it to transfer the care I require to the Spainish health care system?
Hi Dario,
Hi Babs,
First question- are you moving here permanently /'is Spain.pimento be your Country of Residence. If yes then you will.need NiE and Residencia and once you have Residencia and your S1 from DWP you can.join the Spanish system.
To facilitate this.it.is best to use an agency like CAT SERVICES in La Alfoquia & because rules and regs change.it might well be worth finding them on Google Search and contacting them.directly.
As a retired Trauma Surgeon I professionally do not eulogise about the Spanish Healthcare system. Others do.
Also the need for.self funded interpreters ( confidentiality) &'the beaurocracy.
I speak as I find from.personal experience.
Dr. Bob
FRCS, MRCOG
Mojacar Playa and Puerto Lumbreras
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 5:32pm
Thank you Dr Bob.
I plan to live in Spain permanently so NiE, residencia and S1 seems to be the way to go. Is it possible to arrange all this do you think before the UK leaves the EU when this arrangement could possibly change?
Advertisement - posts continue below
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 5:37pm
Legendary helpful member
Weighing in again - having just gone through Residencia - YES - definitely. Get yourself an Asesoria to guide you when you arrive, and the whole process should only take around two to three months at most
Darío
Absolutely. CAT Services or some such 'fixer' agency is the way to go to expedite the process and minimise your frustration & anxiety. Obviously there is a fee but less than employing a Solicitor.
There is another such agency in Turre but 40ish km from Huercal Overa.
I'm sure if.you e.mail CAT Services they will.give you a quote &'timeframe & documentation required.
Every best wish & try not to be overwhelmed by the process.
In the interim you use your EHIC and many medications, unlike UK, can be purchased OTC at any Pharmacy.
Bob and Sandra
Mojacar Playa and Puerto Lumbreras
Posted: Thu Jun 7, 2018 9:24am
Helpful member
Hi Babs, we're both pensionistas and have type 2 diabetes.
First thing you need to do is complete either your purchase which has you in a particular area, when you'll get your NIE number then find a doctor/surgery local to you, we live in a lovely little village called Urcal near Huercal Oveea and use the doctor here.
You'll need to get checked out which we did via blood and urine at a clinic in Santa Maria de nieva, after that you'll need to ideally get an interpreter to sit down and talk to the doctor and nurse and tell them about your condition, what meds your taking and they'll tell you what the spanish equivalent is here, then its a visit to the local medical centre, padron, social services to sort out your medical card, residencia doesnt have to be sorted with everything else related to your medical stuff, you'll still have to get it but whoever does your villa purchase will help with that, we used mandy and chris from camconcepts in huercal overa.
When your medical card comes thru you can use it to get your meds, we have meds on stock here in the village and the receptionist also speaks reasonably good english, win win here lol, you do have to pay for meds here but some/most are ridiculously cheap.
Think Ive covered most things but deffo not all, any problems ask your solicitor about.
We used cat services more for car registration than anything but they are and always will be a terrific help if you get stuck.
Posted: Fri Jul 6, 2018 8:31am
Helpful member
Additionally, there arent many fully english speaking medical staff at La Immaculada hospital, there are some, we had the good fortune to get translation help both here in Huercal Overa and latterly Torrecardenas hospital down in Almeria, long story !!.
Charges from what we've heard vary from the usual €10 per hour up to €20 per hour !! We paid a lady called "Adele" the lower figure, I used a guy who helped out at the hospital here, also €10 per hour.
We contacted CAT Services for translators but tho they have some on staff from what I've heard, theyre at a premium and you might be lucky to get one.
Ours lives on the way to Albox, others in the papers and free magazines come from further afield.
Find more Healthcare and medical advice topics from a particular area:
Or view all Healthcare and medical advice topics in all of Costa de Almería.