06 Mar 2012 2:54 PM:
Having started this thread to shed light on heathcare access in Spain, I'm no clearer.
There sems to be many conflicts of fact amongst the contributers (no offence intended).
As a young couple below retirement age looking to settle in Valencia but survive on funds from UK investments whilst qwe continue make UK NI contributions have we any hope of free healthcare out there?
One website seems to suggest it is a simple matter of a few forms -
In any case, the procedure for getting a doctor within the public health care system is as follows (also see health care and insurance in Spain):
Once you get your empadronamiento, you take your form to the local clinic (they’ll tell you where your clinic is at the registration centre for your empadronamiento). You present the form along with your work permit and work contract (if you have those, better that you do, although you won’t be refused) to the desk after waiting the obligatory hour or more 
where they’ll present you with a shiny new card good for free public health care at your local doctor’s office.
This doctor will usually be provided or assigned to you, although I believe you can try to specify any that you might know in the area. The next time you need to go to the doctor you’ll call the number for your doctor (which you’ll get along with the card) and thus you set up an appointment with them.
In case of emergencies, you can take your card with you to the hospital and should receive free medical attention. I say “should” because I personally haven’t yet had an emergency to verify this. I hope to keep it that way. Let me know what your experience has been in the ExpatTalkback comments below.
Any further thoughts anyone?
Cheers
Dan
Thread:
Medical cover for the hard of understanding?
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