Your Health in Spain

The Spanish Healthcare system in one of the best in Europe and offers excellent services to both residents and non-residents.

Depending on whether you are planning to become a permanent resident, whether you intend to visit for short periods of time, will be taking up employment or are retired, there are a number of different requirements – and different services will be available to you.

Requirements for Temporary Residents/Visitors

Form E111

If you are planning to visit Spain for up to 6 months a year, you will need this form, obtained annually from main Post Offices in the UK, to entitle you to emergency treatment from the Spanish National Health service. Should you be charged any costs for your treatment then you should keep the receipts and recover these costs once you return to the UK.

Private hospitals and doctors to not accept the E111 form and their services must be paid for. If you require private medical treatment you must pay for this yourself or organise private health insurance.

Requirements for Permanent Residents

Are you younger than State Retirement age?

Form E106

If you are younger than state pensionable age, are planning to say in Spain for up to 2 years, and have paid regular social security contributions in the UK prior to moving to Spain, then you should complete Form E106 and this will entitle you to treatment under the Spanish Health Service. You will however, be responsible for paying your pharmaceutical costs.

Are you of State Retirement age or older?

Form E121

This is for all people of state pensionable age. If only one spouse can qualify for the E121 then no matter how old their partner is, they too can obtain this form as a dependant of the other person. This will entitle you to free treatment under the Spanish Health service. Once you have moved to Spain, this form should be taken to the local INSS office in order to obtain a Spanish Medical Card.

Forms E106 and E121 should be applied for at least 8 weeks in advance of travel and can be obtained from:

Department of Social Security
Pensions and Overseas Benefits Directorate
Tyneview Park
Benton
Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA

Tel: 0191 2187547

Are you planning to get a job in Spain ?

If you are planning to live permanently in Spain and take up Spanish Residency and are working for a Spanish employer, you will have to make contributions through your employer to the Spanish social security system, you will be issued with a social security card and be entitled to treatment under the Spanish Health Service.

Are you planning not to work or are you taking early retirement ?

If you are planning to live permanently in Spain and take up Spanish Residency, are not planning to work and are not of state retirement age, then you will need to take out Private Health Insurance.

Private Health Insurance

There are a few large companies that dominate the Health Insurance market in Spain — Sanitas (owned by BUPA), Previaso, Asisa, and Adesias. Rates do vary so it is advisable to shop around but do always check the level of cover included, as this may not be adequate to cover hospital bills.

If you have existing private health insurance in the UK you should check with your insurer as to whether you can take out an International Policy, but you may find it cheaper to use a Spanish company.