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When
on holiday residents from the
UK & Ireland can receive free medical care under a reciprocal
agreement between EEC Governments. UK citizens, should
obtain a form E121 from the DSS prior to your departure or
a if you are simply visiting for a holiday go to your local post
office to apply
for the new European Union Health Insurance Card
[old
E111]. You should always carry a
photocopy of your Form E111 and your passport when visiting the
doctor or the Chemist.
Download application
here.
IMPORTANT
Private hospitals will not accept this
form as a means of payment.
If you retire to Spain you are
covered completely. [over 65 for men, over 60 for women]
If
you are a citizen of the EU and you are not a pensioner, self-employed or in
paid employment you are entitled to full health care under the Spanish State
Social security system.
To apply for a ‘Targeta Sanitaria’ go to your
local main health centre and refer to ‘la extension de asistencia sanitaria a
demanda segun la Circular 1/2002’
You will need:
- Your
passport
- A recently issued Empadronamiento certificate.
- And you will have to
complete an application form.
The cost of private health insurance is less expensive
than in the UK. There are a few large
companies such as Sanitas [owned
by BUPA], Previaso, Asisa and Adeslas that provide coverage for
Ex-pats.
Prices vary depending upon your medical
history and age. As a guideline, if you are under 60 you can
expect to pay approximately 75€ per month as an individual.
Family cover, including dental care, can be obtained for
approximately €190 per month for a family of five.
Check
out the download area for useful benefit
applications and guides.
If you use the
Spanish National Health Service, you can still carry a
comprehensive medical emergencies policy from one of the private emergency medical
companies who will respond to call-out 24 hrs a day & 365 days a year.
The cost is around
€95 per
person or €210 for a family of five.
Medications
prescribed by the Spanish State Health system are free
for pensioners. If you are working and paying Spanish taxes
and insurance contributions,
you will still pay for your
prescriptions but at a reduced
cost than over the counter.
Many medications are freely
available without prescription,
however it is always advisable
that you consult your doctor
before taking any medication.
If you are self employed, you should have
you Assesore obtain your residence
card from the Guardia Civil and the 'Alta Fiscal' from Hacienda
[tax office]. These documents must
be presented to the office of the
Tesoreria de Seguridad Social and an application made for the 'Alta de Autonomo' and
'Inscription en la Seguridad Social'. Your
medical card entitles you to full medical cover. Please do not lose your
medical card as you must present it each time you visit a hospital
or the clinic.
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