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This thread is full of useful info.

It won't be deleted at all will it? Is it wiser to print off all the stuff just in case?  I'll need it later in the year.

 

Thanks all.

 

Laury

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tinasolera

On another site a couple of people work on off shore oil rigs.  One of them commutes to Spain when he's off site, his children live here with their mother and he pays UK income tax.  They are also entitled to child benefit because he contributes in the UK and I believe it's paid to the mother.

I don't know if I'm allowed to mention the other site, it's not as good as this one but for your research it could prove useful.

 Lauryc  I've been searching forums for years now, any information I find which could be useful I log onto an index card.  My box file is quite full now but you never know when it will come in useful.

Zena

 

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Hi MikeT

We live in Murcia and have managed to get our E106 signed in Cartegena with myself as dependant (marraige certificate as proof of marriage was needed) UK would not automatically put my name on the E106 as they say it was up to the resident country to decide on selectability.

Do you know if the next step is to register with the local medical centre / doctor, or do we take the approved E106 certificate when we need consultation.

Does anyone know if you need to take a professional English / Spanish translator when consulting a doctor and what costs are likely to be.

Roy

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Hello Roy,

When you register with the local town hall when you move over to Spain you will complete and receive an Empadronimiento certificate that shows you are a permanent resident. This certificate is required for purchasing goods such as a Car etc. If you take your E106 with you I'm pretty sure they will direct you through the registration process with the local health authority. Once registration has been completed the Spanish NHS can then claim funds back from the UK Health Authorities. In reality though Spanish Healthcare is of very high quality and in most cases they wouldn't turn you away from treatment for the sake of having the correct forms!

Not up to speed with what the procedures are in Murcia has we shall be moving to the CDS soon but I understand that they are quite helpful out there and moves are afoot to offer free healthcare to all local residents in that region?



Contributing to Spain's social security scheme will entitle you to free or subsidised medical treatment in the same way as Spaniards. The Spanish public health scheme ('INSALUD' - the Instituto Nacional de la Salud) provides cover for more than 95% of the population, including retired EU residents on a state pension (who hold a residence card).

Two years' worth of social security payments made in another EU country before moving to Spain will also entitle you to some public health cover - collect Form E106 from your home social security offices and present to those in Spain. EU pensioners and anyone receiving invalidity benefits should obtain Form E121 to present.

Social security payments cover about 75% of medical treatment costs in Spain, the other 25% is payable by you or your insurance scheme.

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Take the E106 to the local oficina de empadronamiento , usually located at the town hall, and they will sign you on.  Once you have the forms back you can go to any GP and sign on, it doesn't matter which area but you will obviously pick one close to you.

Warning.  The E106 covers you for UP TO 2 years, not FOR 2 years.  It will cover you up to the end of the year you move over plus the next year (so I'm informed by friends in the CB).  Once you have applied for, and got, residency, you will be on the Spanish Health system. 

I haven't heard of doctors asking for interpreters BUT hospitals in Alicante have got so fed up with non Spanish speaking Brits that they provide an interpreter automatically at a cost of €40 a time.  This fee has been made compulsory unless you speak really good Spanish.  (See Costa Blanca News website archives). The public hospital in Torrevieja advises you to bring someone who speaks Spanish but I haven't heard of anyone being charged for these services.

Advice, really look into private health insurance especially if you are under 60/65 and not living in an area which provides free health care for all.  I don't know what the results of the elections in Murcia were but the statement that free health care for foreign residents was an election promise and I don't know if it has been fulfilled.  You really need to check this out before you move over.  You will not be turned away for emergency treatment at any hospital or doctors in Spain. 

For anyone over 55, I would strongly suggest looking at the acespana.org website which is Age Concern España and gives some good pointers on health matters and other things.  A mine of information.

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Just a big thanks to all who are posting replies we are reading and taking on board all comments.

many thanks nev linda and the cats

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Just a quick reminder to all that many things in Spain, public health care included, can vary from one "autonomous" region to another, so be sure to check that any info you get from these message boards does in fact apply in your area. For example, Bobaol said once you are registered at the town hall you can choose a GP near to you. Where I live, you don't get to choose. There are two surgeries, and according to your address (alphabetically, rather than which one you are closest to!) you are told which one you are to attend. You do, however, get to choose which GP at that surgery you would like to be listed with, but unless you have a recommendation from someone else, I don't know how you're supposed to choose!

Apart from that minor point, Bobaol's info and advice as usual is excellent

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Hi Roberto,

I know I'm not up yours and Bobaol's standard yet but I am trying to help too!

Regards Mike T

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And well appreciated, MikeT.  You posted a couple of things I was unaware of and found it very helpful.  And, as Roberto says, rules vary on everything depending on the region.  It really is worthwhile checking out the local rules before you go over. 

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Don't know what you mean by "not up yours", MikeT !!!! (looks good out of context, eh?)

Doing a pretty good job of helping if you ask me. For a non-resident, you sure know a helluva lot! Including, I gather, where best to go for that all-over tan!? And Bob, I know you've been a huge help to many on health issues. Keep it up!

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Nice one Robert, I'll have to watch what I commit to print!!

Shall be over in Spain this week with  family staying in Marbella. Will probably meet up with Smiley, and Rixxy sometime if youre around too?

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Hi All

I have been round and round the houses on the subject ...Healthcare if under retirement age but not working. So imagine my delight on seeeing this topic covered so well and indepth

So as I undestand things...(I am 42 and have three children and a wife who thinks we are insane :-))

1. I have paid into NI in UK and Ireland for 22 years, so when I move to spain, I need to get my E106 and E121 sorted out to enable me to get <2yrs free health care under the Spanish NI system

2. After 2 years I have to make a decision as to what I want to do

2.1 Private health care;or
2.2 Setup a "limited fucnction self emp business" and pay €200+ into the system to continue to receive health care

Questions

A: Has anyone done 2.2 and how did it go...regardless if difficulty was it worth it?
B: If you do 2.2 do you by paying NI in spain do you also contribute to a pension, and thus benefit from that?
C: Are there any difficulties in getting treatment under public option 2.2
D: Are there any links that provide indepth info on what you get with 2.2

Many thanks in advance

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Bobaol & miket have reserached this more thoroughly than me, so they will probably answer your questions better than I can, but very quickly:

A: Anyone who has a small business (bar/cafe owners for example) has done this, usually using the services of a Gestor, but I'm not sure about setting up an economic entity without actually trading, purely for the purpose of paying SS. It may prove complicated, as you will have to do tax returns for the "business" etc.

B: If you contribute to the Spanish SS in the form of "autonomo" (self-employed) payments or as an employee, as far as I know you are also contributing towards a Spanish pension. However, I also understand that to receive the minimum pension, you have to contribute for a minimum of 15 years.

C: If you are on the system, you are entitled to the same treatment as anybody else.

D: Don't know. May be best to seek the advice of a Gestor before making your decision, although they are likely to advise you that private healtcare will cost you less than €240 per month (and then try to sell you a policy on whch they get commission!)

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I suppose the real topic is

1. For €240 / month can you obtain like4like services from the public and private health sector in Spain (ignoring haveing a private room with a TV)

2. If you choose public, what would be the cost in creating a self empl status, submitting tax returns...hidden costs in going down this route

3. As I am 42, what would be the dervied benefit from contributing for 23 years in pension returns, as opposed to investing the delta between 1 & 2 in funds etc

Do you know anyone who has taken a decision one way or another.

Many thanks

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I'm moving over to the Marbella area in August. I've chosen to use the Spanish state system initially that covers you free for 2 years if you have paid a full stamp in the UK through PAYE or Self Employment during the previous 3 financial years.(take a look at an earlier post for transfer instructions) I understand that the state system provides a similar service to the UK but there can be additional costs for some services such as dental care which is almost totally private in Spain other than in an emergency situation?

Private Healthcare providors in Spain offer different packages and you would need to research them individually to compare like for like! It seems logical to use the state system for free initially and then give yourself plenty of time to research this market?

This message was last edited by miket on 6/19/2007.

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Having only used the public health system, I can't really offer any comparisons, but I should imagine it's not unlike NHS v Bupa? Prescription medication is often heavily discounted on the public system - if you're private, you'll pay full whack. Having said that, as I said before, you may well find you can get private cover for less than €240 per month, let alone whatever additional costs you may incur by setting up an economic "activity". (Sorry, can't help with that bit). So it may balance out, depending on how much medication you need (How long's a bit of string?)

Sorry, don't know anything about pensions

I've never heard of any public dental service, even for emergency. I suppose the A&E dept. could fix you up if you get your teeth knocked out on a Saturday night?

Miket said: It seems logical to use the state system for free initially and then give yourself plenty of time to research this market?

Makes sense?

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I have used both the private and public health systems.  I believe that the public health system is more advanced and up to date.   The Spanish government pour a great deal of money into the system.  The private system is dependent on how many clients they have and in some of the private clinics they seem to do things the old fashioned way, like taking blood with a syringe and not with the vacuum systems. The only difference with the private system is that it is quick.  The Social Seguridad is by far quicker than anything in the UK but does take time if you are not considered an emergancy.  The treatment of patients with cancer through the social seguridad in Spain is fabulous and they treat the illness with the up most urgency. 

I am on long term medication and privately a box would cost me nearly 100€ per month where as on the NHS it is heavily subsidised and only costs me 5€ a box, so there is a vast difference.

But, as previously stated, you can only use the Spanish NHS for two years if you are under 65 years of age or do not have an E121 form (permantly disabled or pensioners are entitled to these), alternatively you start paying Spanish taxes either through contracted work or through a gestoria based on your income.  You can understand the way it is set up really.  If you are not supporting the system then you are not entitled to use it.  If the UK was the same you might find there would be less people using forums such as these and choosing to remain in the UK.

 

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Thats for the advice....some additional questions

If your only income is investment income....thro Shares...interest etc etc...but you don't have a job as a consultant then can you still still do the self employed thing using a gestoria?

Is there a minimum amount...I believe its around €240ish...to pay monthly

If you decided to go down the private route...and you have children that you want to put into the local Spanish school, can you...how do they reconcile this against tax, especially if you are only earning small amounts through hares...interest etc etc...

Many thanks

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For pknott

A lot of what you ask will depend on where you are going to live in Spain.  Each region, being autonomous, sets its own rules for Health Care.  Regions right next to each other will have different rules.  Valencia province, covering Alicante, Torrevieja etc provides free health care for all people who register on the padron and apply for residency.  The next province, Murcia, has promised to do so but, as yet, have not done so.  Catalunya also provides free health care but, as I understand it, the Costa del Sol provinces do not.  If you get an E121 from Newcastle, your contributions will be passed on to your Health Authority in Spain for up to 2 years (the financial year in which you move and the one after that).  It's when this period ends that the problems start.  Valencia citizens are issued a SIP card (health services card) which can be renewed either 6 monthly or annually provided you remain on the padron. 

Speaking to some permanent residents in Spain, the consensus is that http://www.adeslas.es/ provides a really good and reasonably priced service if you want to take out private insurance.  I was quoted less than the €240 per month that the state takes in contributions for myself and my wife (both mid to late 50s) but I don't know about family insurance.

The health system in the Valencia province is excellent as testified by many satisfied expats.  The new Torrevieja hospital is really well equipped and compares very favourably with the private hospital at San Jaime (run by the Spanish equivalent of BUPA) although, obviously, a lot busier.  As I'm moving to the CB, I will register with the state system and see how it goes.

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Again for pknott.  I notice on another post you are talking of moving to the Jalon valley area.  Am I correct in saying this is on the Northern Costa Blanca and in the Valencia province?  If so, you will be covered for free healthcare providing you get on the padron (voting list) and apply for residency.  Rules on residency have changed recently and are a bit confused so the padron is the important part.

Get your E121 from Newcastle, take it and your padron to a GP surgery where you live and you will be given a temporary SIP card for 3 months.  You should get a permanent one within 6 months but this must be updated along with the rules for empadronamiento.  Basically, every time you update the padron (to prove you are still living there) you also update the SIP.

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