Healthcare information for UK residents visiting, living in or moving to Spain. - Brexit and the EU: living, holidaying and moving to Roquetas de Mar - Roquetas de Mar forum - Costa de Almería forum in the Almeria province of Spain
Mini Digger Almera
ASSSA Insurance
Grupo Platinum Estates
Have Tools Will Travel
UK DIRECT REMOVALS

Join the Roquetas de Mar forum

Join the Roquetas de Mar forumMy name's Alex and this is my website all about Roquetas de Mar in Spain. Register now for free to talk about Brexit and the EU: living, holidaying and moving to Roquetas de Mar and much more!

Healthcare information for UK residents visiting, living in or moving to Spain.

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2019 10:10pm
0 replies175 views1 member subscribed
chrisso50

chrisso50

Super helpful member

Posts: 1106

1334 helpful points

Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 23 Jul 2018

Healthcare information for UK residents visiting, living in or moving to Spain.

UK Government information issued today 25/10/19

Healthcare in Spain after Brexit

The UK and Spain have each taken steps to ensure that people living in each country can continue to access healthcare as they do now until at least 31 December 2020. This means that if you are currently living in Spain and the UK currently pays for your healthcare, for example you are an S1 form holder, your healthcare access will remain the same after 31 October 2019 until at least 31 December 2020.

S1 certificate holders

If you’re an S1 form holder, you are currently entitled to a UK-issued EHIC for use when you’re travelling outside of Spain. This may not be accepted in all EU countries if there’s a no-deal Brexit. Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance.

European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC)

UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) holders in Spain, such as tourists, students and some workers, will also be able to continue to access healthcare in the same way until at least 31 December 2020.

The government advises UK citizens to take out comprehensive travel insurance when going overseas. Your EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both when you travel abroad. Medical care is given to anyone needing urgent attention. You can expect to be charged in full for any care you are given without an EHIC. You should always buy enough travel insurance and make sure you have access to funding to cover any medical treatment abroad.

Make sure you’re treated by a healthcare provider in the state system. Your EHIC will not cover you for private healthcare. Some hospitals and health centres (centro de salud) offer both private (privado) and state-provided healthcare (asistencia sanitaria pública). You must tell them which service you need. If you’re asked to pay for health services upfront, it’s likely that you’re not being treated under the state health system.

Non-workers who are not entitled to an S1

You may be able to apply for permanent residency if you have been registered as a resident in Spain for more than 5 years continuously. This will allow you access to state-funded healthcare under the same conditions as a Spanish citizen. If you have lived in Spain for less than 5 years you may be able to apply for the Convenio Especial.

This is a pay-in health insurance scheme offered by the Spanish government. It allows people who are not employed to buy into the Spanish healthcare system. You can apply for this scheme if you’ve been registered as living in Spain for a year or more. The scheme gives you access to the state healthcare system for a monthly payment of:

  • €60 per person under the age of 65
  • €157 for people aged 65 and over

It covers all pre-existing medical conditions but it does not cover prescriptions. Speak to your regional healthcare authority in Spain for more information about the scheme. If you have been registered in Spain for less than 1 year, and you’re not working or claiming a pension, you may need to purchase private health insurance to access healthcare.

S1 certificate

You may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK if you live in Spain and you receive:

  • an exportable UK State Pension
  • a contribution-based Employment Support Allowance
  • another exportable benefit

You’ll need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate. The S1 certificate entitles you and your dependants access to healthcare in Spain. If you have an S1 certificate, it will be valid after the UK leaves the EU.

You may be eligible for an S1 certificate if you:

  • receive certain UK benefits, such as a UK State Pension
  • are employed by a UK body or firm (you’re a posted or frontier worker)
  • are a dependant of someone who has an S1 certificate

You can apply for an S1 certificate through the NHS Business Services Authority.

If you receive a UK State Pension, you can apply for your certificate via the Overseas Healthcare Service on +44 (0) 191 218 1999 (option 5).



Sign up for free or login to reply to this topic

Want to reply to this topic? Login or register for free to post your message:

Find more Brexit and the EU topics from a particular area:


Register for free!

Login to your account

Mini Digger Almera
ASSSA Insurance
Grupo Platinum Estates
Have Tools Will Travel
UK DIRECT REMOVALS
Advertise your business here
Advertise your property
Help with my computer