Spanish NHS

Hi, does spain have a national health service? like the uk?

Yes. And no.

Yes it has a national health service.

No, it's not like the UK - they don't just offer it to anybody who turns up on their doorstep.

There are lots of discussions on this message board about eligibility for foreigners, so search around - or ask a more specific question.

ok roberto. il do that. and thanx for answering all my questions. you'v been great tyvm. :)

You're welcome. When searching the forum, look out for posts by Bobaol, he's probably the most informed member on health topics.

I gather from one of your other posts that you are already pretty much on your way to live in Spain? Of all the topics which you are interested in, healthcare may be the most important, so do take the time to get clued up. At the very least make sure you and your family have valid EHICs before leaving so that you will be able to get emergency treatment as tourists.

You may find these  posts  interesting reading:

http://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/costaluz/1083/legal-tip-26--overview-of-the-health-system-in-spain.aspx

http://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/costaluz/1031/legal-tip-20-right-to-health-care-of-foreigners-in-spain.aspx

http://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/costaluz/1282/legal-tip-49-benefits-for-residents-in-spain.aspx

Hola Maria - que tal?

On your info page regarding healthcare you say "

• Foreigners registered in the local census of the town they usually reside , have right to health care under same conditions than Spanish nationals."  Do we assume that by this you mean the PADRON - which we are registered on.
  
• Meaning that as long as we're on the Padron then we can get free healthcare?
• So what do we take to the doctor/hospital in the event of needing medical attention?
• gracias, Alteapair

Hola Alteapair:

As an answer to your question:  You need to approach the Health Center closest to your home to apply for the Health card with your  PADRON document.You will receive a health card by mail after a few weeks.

If you are in an emergency, just go to the urgent services of any Public Health center and you will get inmediate, full medical attention.

Good luck and good fruits for your time in my country.

Maria

Hi,

It is my understanding that if you are entitled to the full range of Spanish health care services if you fall in to either of the following categories:

-Over 65 years of age

-You pay social security in Spain

If you don´t fall in to either of the above categories, all you are entitled to is emergency treatment, provided you have the European Health Insurance Card (the replacement for the E-111 form)

David

As we make a permanent move in the Summer with our 10 year old we do not know if we will be covered for Health care under the Spanish system until we are on the padron and then part of local medical practice.

As this could take some weeks is it safer to take out private insurance until it gets sorted out or would normal travel insurance cover us with EHIS? (We have used this for July and August for the last 2 years).

Does anyone have experience of this?

Hi Daveil - you will not get cover under the Spanish system just by signing on the Padron.  As others have said, you need to be either retired or paying social security here.  The third way is to apply for an E106 before you leave the UK and this will give you some time-limited cover, depending on your National Insurance contributions. 

If you are covered by any of these then you do not need to take out private cover as your EHIC card will get you emergency treatment.  If you are on any regular meds it is better to bring a few months supply with you, although you can buy lots of things over the counter here which are only available on prescription in the UK. 

Another word of advice, ask your GP to give you your medical records for your new Spanish doctor.  It took me about 6 months to get my records sent out from Glasgow!

All the best with the move.

Once you are on the Padron, you will get emergency treatment in any public hospital in Spain as it takes over from the EHIC which is really designed for tourists.  If you take out residency, you will need to be either employed or self-employed and pay social security contributions to get free healthcare.  This is the only way to get a Spanish national insurance number which puts you on to the system.  If you have a job, get an insurance number and then become unemployed, you will still get medical treatment as you will still have the insurance number.

If you intend to move from UK on a permanent basis and are under retirement age (still 60 and 65 for women and men) you must apply for an E106 which will give you up to 2 years free cover in Spain depending on NI contributions you made in UK.  If you were unemployed in UK you will also get the 2 years free cover.  Getting the E106 does not take you off the NHS in UK and you can still access UK facilities. Once the 2 years is up, you will need to take out private insurance to get non-emergency treatment.

If you have a UK state pension (disability, incapacity, retirement) you need an E121.  This will give you immediate access to the Spanish NHS when you register with a doctors.  The E121 removes you from the UK NHS system and you will not (officially) be allowed access to UK facilities.

To apply for the E106 or E121, look at previous threads as I think the phone numbers and contacts are still valid.

The EHIC is valid for visits of up to 90 days and will cover you for emergency treatment but not ongoing medical conditions.

You can receive a computer printout of your medical records from your GP in UK for a cost of £10.  If you want a complete record going back a long time and have lots of letters etc, the GP can charge up to a maximum of £50 depending on the amount of records, however, the computer printout should suffice as these will go back at least 13 years and will include details of all your medical problems, hospital procedures and medication.

 Thank you claire T. and bobaol for all the information. There is such a lot to do and think about when relocating, we just want to get everything right.