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If you're moving to or living in Spain then you need to really understand the Spanish health system.  If you can afford it you may even want to consider taking out private health care.

Post your questions or comments on this thread or start a new thread fpr a new disucssion.

By the way, you want to read our recent article on healthcare in Spain too.

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the link to the article does not work, could u pls repost the correct link? thx

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Oops!  It's sorted now, thanks for letting us know.

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Hi there I am moving out to Spain this Wednesday and am wonderinghow to go about finding and signing up with an English speaking doctor.  Iwill need prescriptions so would like to do this as soon as possible.  Am I able to just walk into a medical centre and ask to join, or is there anything I have to do first.  Also my daughter will be coming out to visit me when she can and she is 12 weeks pregnant.  Can you forsee any problems there if she needs to see a doctor as an emergency.  If someone can answer my questions before Wednesday morning I would be very gratefull as after that I will only have access to computer through an internet cafe till I get into my new hope next year.
Cheers
Tricia

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sancay, you will need the new card that replaced the old E111 form for reciprocal healthcare in Spain.  When you find a local surgery you can register there but take the card.  You may need to be empadronado to join but I'm not 100% sure about that. 

Some friends of ours are registered with the local surgery and they struggle a bit as they don't speak any Spanish and the people in the surgery don't speak any English.  This has to be one of the worst scenarios with regards to healthcare abroad...the language barrier.

It depends where you are going but you can either ask some friends in the area or at the the town hall with regards to your nearest surgery.

I can't see your daughter having any problems.  Many small towns have an "ambulatorio" where you can go to see someone in an emergency and they are usually open 24 hours.  Probably best to find out where they are beforehand.  There is also usually a duty chemist open 24 hours should you just need some off the shelf medicines.

If you are moving to the Costa del Sol I would recommend you join the Helicopteros Sanitarios which is an excellent and cheap service.  They are a mobile GP service that you can call out any time of day and use them as many times as you want. 

Hope that helps...a bit!

Justin

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Regarding Spanish Health Care it all depends on your age if your retired you can get all the services free (over 60 I think) including medication, but if planning to live there all year you cannot use the card (the new e111) in many areas as you will need a residents card for many health services, there are many people living there and useing this card but you cannot get any free medication with it ,the helicopter service is very good for the Malaga to Gib area they will treat you if possible on the spot or take you to hospital ( private or health service) beware of Private Clinics/ hospitals the service can be good BUT if you dont have private insurance you could pay 700 euroes + a day , the form you will proberly need ( if over 60) is the 121 to get Spanish health services free,  there are many types of forms it depends on your age ,if working, or early retired ,its best to phone Newcastle and and they will put you right ,as you will need one of these forms to get the best service, the new card(e111) is really for emergencys only and you could find that some Doctors dont like the paperwork involved with them, as regards under 60 and in good health if you would like to join the spanish health system the monthly payments are pretty high I expect SMILEY can help you more with that, well I hope thats helped out a bit as many people think you only need the new health card the all the health services in Spain. rosi n

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Minimum social security here is 245€ a month but that covers most social aspects - healthcare, state pension etc. At least I think thats what they sting me for - you can tell I always check my bank statement. Got clobbered twice last year for the same car insurance premium and it took me 4 months to find out - after the insurer contacted me to notify the error. I have to say though that the NHS equivalent here based on personal experience is good. Couldnt tell you about requirements for the over 60's - I am still in denial about starting my 50th year.

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