Medical

How will you get health cover in Spain. Will you work? If so I believe that meds are payable when collecting at the pharmacy. How much depends on the health area and your situation.
If you are getting private insurance health care then you will have to discuss with them what cover you will need and can afford.

I would suggest you call DWP, Overseas Office, and ask them.  It is they who pay the 4,700 € p.a. when they issue an S1 which provides 'free cover' in Spain  for qualified Brits

Note the S1 coverage is for all of those who are in receipt of a UK state retirement pension and wish to live in in Spain. You do not sound as if you are from the age of you both.
UK Healthcare Team on 191 218 1999

RibeiraSacra wrote:

Note the S1 coverage is for all of those who are in receipt of a UK state retirement pension and wish to live in in Spain. You do not sound as if you are from the age of you both.
UK Healthcare Team on 191 218 1999

The S! also  covers some at least who have incapacity / dsablement benefit allowances etc. (As I said they will know as they will be the ones who would pay for the 'free cover.')

So ask DWP then you will know of that applies to youi.

Thanks for the replies, I’ll call the UK healthcare team and see what they say, thanks a lot ,

Good luck, hope they give you the news you want.

Hi,
No luck with that number because I imagine it’s a Spanish Healthcare team that deals with ex pats , so need to over there ! There is very little info available here in the UK  in preparation for moving to GC , Typical !

martincave wrote:

Hi,
No luck with that number because I imagine it’s a Spanish Healthcare team that deals with ex pats , so need to over there ! There is very little info available here in the UK  in preparation for moving to GC , Typical !

There is information, its getting hold of the right person in the office. It doesn't matter if you come over you will still need to sort it out with people in the UK.

martincave wrote:

Hi,
No luck with that number because I imagine it’s a Spanish Healthcare team that deals with ex pats , so need to over there ! There is very little info available here in the UK  in preparation for moving to GC , Typical !

The number is correct, but you need to put a 0 in front of it if dialling from the UK; if calling from abroad, then 0044 for the UK country code then the 191 etc.

Martin.

I just called that number in UK from Spain for you,  and they explained in very simple terms what you are required to do.

If either of you are in receipt of a benefit then call your benefit office (number on their letters to you) and if you are elegible they will arange an S1 for you with DWP Newcastle.   

  If you are not in receipt of a benefit then free cover is not available in Spain for you, that include prescription costs.

Hope that resolves your questions.

Hi John,
Thanks for doing that , my partner has just applied for benefits for a medical condition which is just going through the system, so I will call this team to see what is the next move,
Many thanks Martin

Hi everyone , it’s been a long time organising my own medical cover , finally have cover with DKV from September, so I can now proceed to obtain Residencia! Hopefully !,,,
But the problem remains for my partner who is diabetic, not any medical insurance company will accept him as a client , he has his NIE etc etc ,owns a property here but if he doesn’t soon obtain Residencia he will be forced to leave GC for a period of time , ridiculous system here, because he had private cover in the UK for many years !
Any help would be appreciated.

Hi everyone, still no cover for my partner who has type2 Diabetes ( tablet only) ideal weight, gym regularly, doesn’t smoke/drink , and has never been ill due to it ! but still no company including through banks will cover him ,, !, Cannot believe no expats have diabetes over here that are living here legally with Certificates of Residency,, Totally exasperated by this situation and looks like he will have to leave here for six months a year , any suggestions would be welcomed.

Martin.

  Last year the new government in Spain said everyone who is living in spain is entitled to free cover


This extract from the internet may be of use to you.   

...........   in Spain there has been a legislative change with the publication of Royal Decree-law 7/2018, of July 27, on universal access to the National Health System, which brings new considerations on public health coverage. Specifically, it modifies the access criteria to the National Health System charged to public funds, linking it to the residence in Spain. In your case, you could meet the stipulated requirements so that your right to health protection and the right to health care are recognised with charges to public funds. So we recommend you go to a Care and Information Centre of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) to assess your request for health care, according to current legislation........

Thanks John
I will be looking into this,
Regards Martin

I understand that the free cover applies even to those who are not legally here.

Incidentally. Having an NIE only means a person can make financial transactions.  Open a bank account, buy a property etc.  It confers no rights regarding residence whatsoever.  Even a person who requires a visa to visit spain may have an NIE

Hi John and others,
I have looked into the possibility of making use of this new rule, and I have found out that this rule will not apply anywhere in Gran Canaria, apparently it is up to the individual principalities whether they adhere to these new rules , unfortunately for us GC is not embracing it !

I do not who you have spoken to Martin but the free health  provision I understand is a national law not regional.     I think you should press it with the authorities. 

Another possibility you might look at is if one of you becomes self employed.   That way for the first year one pays 50€ a month social security.    I think for a further period there is also a reduced rate

Hi John,
With all due respect ,I have pursued this exhaustively and it is not available to expatriate Uk citizens , the Police here would only accept Private Medical. Cover that is paid annually,only from January till December and paid in full with excess payments ,so the most expensive premium is the only policy excepted !, Also not only does an invoice from the Medical company is required but also a bank statement proving that it has been paid out with a validated stamped letter from the Bank !
Also regarding “ pressing “ the authorities as you put it , if you attempted that here ,they just shut down and ignore the fact you’re even standing there in front of them !

Ok  Martin.
Quote.  ‘Aparently it is up to the individual principalities whether they adhere to these new rules ‘


Sorry but I was telling you about a law passed by the national government, applying throughout spain, so

all regions

If you were to get that cover, I know you said you cannot, but I know some others elsewhere who have, I know it is accepted by the police as the medical cover required for EU Citizen Registration

Moving on.   

Did you look at the possibility of Autónomo ?    That would appear to be a much cheaper alternative at 50€ a month, to the policy you mention: