hi i'm Sue!

My husband and i were considering retiring to Spain and then I got sick and was diagnosed with a serios hear condition.My question is - Has anyone else here experience of living with a long term condition (Im expecting to have a ICD fitted in the near future). Should we just resign ourselves to visiting Spain or is pursuing our dream viable?? Any advice welcome!

You have not given enough information in order for others to give an opinion.

Holidays would be a lot less stressful than dealing with health problems as a resident  in Spain.

Although the healthcare you receive would be excellent, other factors have to be taken into consideration, residency requirements, taxes, language etc.

You don't say how old you are, whether retired, other health problems etc

Hi Sue.

One of my friends is very deaf, been this way from sixteen ish, lived in Spain now for the past 10 / 12 years, Spain has sorted out her hearing aids (Not to much use though) has sub-titles on her TV, also she has a good few other issues with her health which as I write are being sorted out in Spain this month.

When you say ICD fitted do you mean the hearing aid they fit to the skull to improve hearing? If so she has been offered that by the Spanish hospital, don't know if she has taken this offer up yet.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if Sue wouldn't be able to have hearing aids  on the Spanish NHS?

I think she would have to go private which would be very expensive

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if Sue wouldn't be able to have hearing aids  on the Spanish NHS?

I think she would have to go private which would be very expensive

My friend had her first hearing aids when she lived in England, I know for a fact that Spain sorted out her other / next one's while she was in Spain, I don't know if this was done privately or she had to say pay something towards them,  *** I would say 100% not done private knowing her ***.

Her other health issues which I have spoken of, and Spain is sorting out, have surprised me as to how much care she has had and is getting now. Although her health issues are not major life threatening she certainly seems to have had her fair share out of Spains Health Care System.

I took her to the clinic one day and was totally gobsmacked as to how efficient / clean / on time / everything was done for her...Of course comparing to the UK.

Definitely something Sue should find out about before she jumps in both feet first though, as I can only speak as I have seen it.

Thanks everyone. i am female 58 year old retired headteacher. My husband and I are selling up a B and B business and downsizing.. The question is where we downsize to. We will be self sufficient financially. The ICD  I refer to is an internal defibrilator for my heart. I suppose we could fly home for my check ups. I just wondered if anyone else out there was living with such a heart condition and whether they felt 'safe'. I just struggle with health insurance and can only get  'one trip policies for up to 30 days - doesnt help when you had hoped to go travelling! So the alternative seems to be a permanent move. Just looking for opinions/advice. Cheers

I think that Sue meant to say "serious heart condition" as a ICD stands for Implantable cardioverter defibrillator. I would think that it's possible to move to and live in Spain with such a condition although I don't have any personal knowledge. I would think that one of the main problems would be the language. How is your Spanish, Sue? Would you feel comfortable dealing with medical matters in Spanish or through an interpreter?

Does your condition class you as "disabled"? In other words, do you get disability payments in UK because of it?

If not, you would not get cover in Spain as you are under pensionable age. If you are disabled because of it then you can transfer your healthcare to Spain. If not then you would not get the healthcare cover. If you move over permanently, that is spending over half the year in Spain, you will also be removed from the NHS in UK as it is residency based so flying back for treatment would not work. The only alternative, at least for the first year, would be health insurance which probably would not cover you for any pre-existing condition. Your travel insurance that gives you up to 90 days is not the same as health insurance.

Good Spanish - studied it for 9 years.

oh and yes - I am registered disabled

In which case you can transfer your healthcare to Spain using the S1 forms. This will give you immediate access to the Spanish NHS once you become resident. The only thing you pay for is 10% of the cost of prescriptions up to a maximum amount per month depending on your income (€8 per month if you earn less than 100,000 euro a year). If your husband is under pensionable age he will be classed as your beneficiary and will receive free NHS care as well but will pay more for prescriptions (normally 40% of the cost).

You will find the Spanish NHS system excellent. Make sure you get a copy of your medical records before you leave UK. The front page can be translated. I'm sure than any treatment you are receiving in UK will be reciprocated here.

Re the B&B. Do your homework first. Thoroughly. New regulations regarding H&S certificates, registration and so on have only recently been introduced so you would need to study these beforehand. Also location, location, location. British  holidaymakers normally prefer the "all inclusive" resorts or renting out a self catering villa. There are many, of different nationalities, who prefer the touring holidays so that might be a good customer base.

Whatever you decide, all the best and hope it all works out for you.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought the OP has completely retired and was not looking to do B and B in Spain?

Sorry, ignore the last paragraph. I thought the other post said "setting" up a B&B, not "selling" up.

Well, I do get my old age pension in 10 days time.