HEALTHCARE IN SPAIN

Hi everyone,

Can any EXpats give me a definitive answer as to the Healthcare system in Spain, when you live in Spain do Children automatically receive free healthcare?? 

I know we will have to pay as we are young and will not be working initially.

Thanks in advance.

Danni

 Everything changed last April ...to be a Resident you will need approximately €4,000 for each person including children ...deposited in a Spanish bank account for 3 months before you apply to be a Resident...Google ( do I need proof of income to live in Spain) you must prove that you will not be a burden to Spain...if you are only taking the children on holiday you can still use the EHIC health card....If you are not residents you cannot gain access to schools or the Spanish NHS ...so basically if you are ducking and diving /working cash in hand you will have some explaining to do.

When you become resident, you have to show that you have private medical care for a year (you can't do the monthly payment). Once you are resident and have private health care for you and you partner, you will get free healthcare for children under 18. However, you may find a family package for private care is the same as for the two of you so think about that as well.

Spanish NHS care is free to those under 18 (under 26 if in full time education), EU citizens over retirement age in their own country with an S1 form, those registered disabled, pregnant women and those who work and pay social security payments.

You can use the EHIC for treatment in the first 3 months of your stay whilst applying for residency. Once you are a resident, you can no longer use the EHIC.

Only one of you needs to be working and paying social security for the whole household to be covered. You can also go self-employed (autonomo) but you have to pay into the social security system and this can work out more expensive than the cost of private health insurance (depending on circumstances).

Marie wrote: Once you are a resident, you can no longer use the EHIC.

That is correct in Spain. however if you travel outside the country the EHIC card is still valid for emergency medical treatment in other EU states, including UK.

Let us hope Brexit does not change that.

All the rules and regulations should be obeyed and are for your own wellbeing.

But in reality ‘’must sometimes becomes supposed’’. If you get an internet quote in English for private health insurance the Spanish authorities don’t know the difference between a quote and an actual policy. Many expats retain and use their EHIC.

It’s the same with proof of income. You can Micky Mouse all sorts of documents including bank statements.

The Spanish authorities have neither the time or resources to verify anything.

Clearly it’s only fools that do this, but it goes on.

Kavanagh I think you are referring to the Ducking and Diving  Brigade from the UK...that tend to plague certain areas of the Costa's ...they are very easy to spot they are the ones with the the arse  hanging out of their trousers.

Correct, many never even bother to register as residents. So what, who’s ever been deported or even fined they would ask.

A rough estimate from my own experience is probably only about 25% of the retired Brits living in Spain register as residents. They seem to prosper in that state without the need to change their illegal status.

Many of them I know personally voted for the UK to leave the EU in the referendum. Principally it's taxation and bureaucracy and the belief that they can get away with it that’s the culprit. They keep properties in the UK ready to bolt back if necessary.

Maybe their time will be up after Brexit. The local expat radio stations in Spain constantly advertise companies offering advice on how to regularise their affairs. I doubt anything fundamental will change.

There are many ''arse  hanging out of their trousers'' on Campasol, Murcia who never register. They are only interested in bingo and the Sunday whippet racing.

But I suppose the only useful purpose to register is for healthcare if you are an OAP, why else bother?.

Kavanagh.I take that you have never been to CAMPOSOL ...because the whippet racing is held on a Tuesday....and the Bingo is on every night at the €15 million 18 hole golf club ...you can also buy a pair of Brace's to hold your trousers up in the chino shop for a couple of euro's ...next time you call in Camposol for a pie and a pint.

Thanks for all your advice and replies, very insightful.

Danni

"Thanks for all your advice and replies, very insightful." Yes, especially the tip about Tuesday night whippet racing and the braces for a couple of euros - good to know! 

Mickyfinn: "Many (British expats) I know personally voted for the UK to leave the EU in the referendum." - Interesting; why on earth would they have done that, I wonder? I find that very strange.

Me too Roberto! It has been the source of endless arguments. What it actually indicates is a lack of personal and emotional commitment to Spain. Many retired Brit residents are simply on a long perpetual holiday. I suppose that works for them.

You're probably right. Much as the rose-tinted spectacle brigade might like to claim, I don't really know of any expats who genuinely have any "personal or emotional commitment to Spain". What it also indicates to me is a total lack of understanding of what Brexit actually means in reality - which I guess probably applies to roughly 101% of the voting populace - politicains included (especially so)

If you want to turn this thread into a Brexit Remoaners ...hear we go the Majority of the UK population voted Democratically to leave the EU ..basically because it is just not fair ..and not run on a equal basis every member state should have the same rule's ...I now believe that the Remoaners that voted to stay in the EU because they thought Nandos and Kentucky fry chicken was going to close..would now vote out .

Fact check for Roberto:  to quote windtalker “the majority of the UK population Democratcally voted to leave the EU” is incorrect.

 Around 25% of the UK population and 37% of eligible voters voted to leave the EU.  It however true to say that a majority of those who did vote, voted to leave.  

Whatever the percentages, my point was simply that nobody really knew what Brexit would mean - regardless of which way they voted

Indeed, I agree. It is only now that reality is kicking in and, in my opinion, neither side will be happy with the final outcome.

Roberto wrote - my point was simply that nobody really knew what Brexit would mean - regardless of which way they voted.

Absolutely and that is why a second referendum is essential when the final deal is clear.

If the UK stay in the EU...the whole UK social security system including the pensions for the OAP would collapse.