Diabetics in Spain - Medication cost and Medical care

Hi

We are planning to move to Murcia in the summer and I wonder if anyone can tell me what the situation is for me as a type 1 insulin dependent diabetic.

I have free medication in the UK - ie the insulin and any other prescription plus eye tests but I understand that I will probably have to pay for this in Spain.

Could anyone give me an idea of how much this will cost?  Also, does anyone have any experience as to the level of care you can get in Spain.  In the UK I have the annual checks - flu jab,etc.

I imagine that if I were to get medical insurance anything diabetes related (which is virtually everything!!!) will not be covered but does anyone know of any supplier that may not be too expensive.

I have also started another chain about orthodontic costs for 2 kids as we have to factor that into the equation too!  Going to be an expensive (but hopefully worthwhile) move.

Thanks

Julie

You need the following items:

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).   You need one per family member and this will cover you for emergency treatment in Spain.  You can only use this card on a temporary basis until you take up residency or a maximum of 3 months.

E106.  You can get this from the social security department in UK.  It will transfer the money you have paid into the NHS and will only cover you for a maximum of 2 years.  This will entitle you to free medical treatment at a GP in Spain and reduced cost prescriptions.  Murcia, unlike the Valencia region, does not provide free medical treatment for people under retirement age (as you mentioned you were taking kids with you, I assume you are not yet 65) who are not working.  You will get reduced costs prescriptions for ongoing problems (like diabetes) but will have to pay for the medical treatment. 

If you intend to work in Spain, you will go onto the Spanish NHS system and receive free or reduced cost medical treatment. 

At the council elections in January, the parties promised to provide free medical care for all those living in Murcia province, just as they do in Valencia and Catolonia.

You need to check out medical insurance before you go.

Dental costs in Spain are not provided on the state health service except for children up to 15 which only covers checkup, fillings and minor dental work.  Everyone else pays but the cost are about half those in UK.

To sum up, you need to look at your situation.  Obviously, under retirement age.  Get a 106 and EHIC to cover you at the outset.

Under 65 and intend to work?  You will get on the state health system once you start paying the equivalent of National Insurance.  (I understand you can declare as self-employed and pay the National insurance contributions of around 240 euros a month.  Have a look at previous threads)

Under 65 and not working? You will have to pay so look at health insurance

Hope the politicians fulfil their promises and provide universal free health care (don't hold your breath on this one,  The French have just withdrawn free cover for under 65s not working because it worked out too expensive).

Best of luck.  Look in the threads under Healthcare (titled UK and Spain) as a lot of procedures are explained there.

Hi Bobaol

Thank you for all this information.

You are right - we are in our 40s with kids aged 12,13 and 16 and intend to be working in Spain. 

People do say that the cost of living is lower in Spain but it does add up when you consider this sort of thing.  I dont suppose you know anything about the cost of orthodontics too do you?  I understand that we will pay but have no idea how much - and 2 of our kids have only just started treatment! 

Thanks for your help!

Julie

Depends on what you are getting done, but if its braces, then there is a charge to put them on and start the treatment, around 800 euros if memory serves me correctly, then monthly they go for checking and tighteneing etc which is 60 euros and this carries on unitl the end of the treatment.

Consider which dentist you go to as the scandi ones seem to be more advanced although I am using a spanish young chap who really knows his stuff. My kids (the yonger they start the treatment the faster it finishes) had about 18 months in total and now totally straight teeth.

Check ups around 30-50 euros for adults including a clean.

Hi Rixxy

Thanks for this.  Can I just ask you what scandi means?

Julie

Oral antidiabetic medication used to control high blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes at spain. Generic for Actos drug works by regulating the insulin function in your body, thereby lowering the blood sugar levels. Yes I have use  Actos. I did not have any problem with it. I got it online at International Drug Mart.

Oral antidiabetic medication used to control high blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes at spain. Generic for Actos drug works by regulating the insulin function in your body, thereby lowering the blood sugar levels. Yes I have use  Actos. I did not have any problem with it. I got it online at International Drug Mart.