Spanish healthcare system.

It's great that you're seeking guidance to ensure your mum receives the healthcare she needs. Since your mum is a resident of Spain, she should be eligible for healthcare coverage through the Spanish public healthcare system. Here are some steps she can take to apply for free healthcare in Spain:

1. Apply for a Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI): This is the individual healthcare card issued by the Spanish public healthcare system. Your mum can apply for this card at her local healthcare center (Centro de Salud). She may need to provide proof of residency and other documentation.

2. Visit the local healthcare centre: Once she has her TSI, she can visit her local healthcare centre to choose a doctor (médico de cabecera) who will be her primary care physician. The doctor will then refer her to specialists or hospitals if necessary.

3 Complete necessary paperwork: Your mum may need to fill out additional forms or provide documentation to complete her enrolment in the public healthcare system. The staff at the healthcare centre should be able to assist her with this process.

4 Activate her healthcare coverage: Once her enrolment is complete, your mum should be able to access healthcare services covered by the Spanish public healthcare system.

It's worth noting that healthcare systems can vary by region in Spain, so the specific process may vary slightly depending on where your mum is living. If she encounters any difficulties or has questions about the process, she can also reach out to the local healthcare authorities.

Additionally, if your mum has any specific medical needs or concerns, it may be helpful to consult with a healthcare professional for personalised advice and guidance.

@relentless4

@dion.angove has provided a very helpful post about the steps involved in accessing state healthcare, but I'm not convinced your mum qualifies currently. Although I hope I'm wrong!

In truth, I'm a bit shocked your mum has lived in Spain for 14 years already without sorting this out already. I suppose that means she's as strong as an ox, and has never had a sick day for nearly 20 years! Which is a big plus, of course. :-)

I suspect that a residencia is not enough on its own. The NIE is the first number you need, and it's a fiscal ID. You also need a social security number (NUSS, I think) which is needed to register for healthcare and get her Tarjeta Sanitaria.

In most situations, you also need to be making social security contributions (by virtue of being employed or self-employed). I'm not sure how extensive the cover will be for someone who has not made any contributions. You'd need to check this.

My guess is that she might be able to register as unemployed and pay the minium contribution.

In any case, in 2 years, if she qualifies for an Irish state pension, she will also qualify for an S1. This form entitles you to free state healthcare in the EU, so whatever option she figures out for now is only needed for 2 years.