Health Care in Spain - Your Options When Emigrating

If you are looking to move to Spain permanently, then a sound knowledge of your health care options is a must, especially when you have a family with young children or pensioners. Many people over look this aspect of moving to another country, but it is essential that you have some kind of insurance or protection in place to cover you at least until you obtain your Spanish medical card.

You will find that Spain has excellent health care and hospital facilities and is pretty much on a par to the UK. You will also find that most major hospitals have translators available, or have a number of staff that are able to speak English even if it is at a very basic level, so don’t be too concerned in this respect.

Reciprocal Agreement and Residents Health Care

If you are an EU national you are automatically covered by the Spanish health care system. In the event that you have recently moved to Spain full time, you will need to make sure that before you arrive in Spain, that you have the new version of the E111 form which is called the European Health Insurance Card. You will then be covered for any general hospital visits and treatments while in Spain.

Once you have got over the formalities of settling into your new home, it is advisable to go to your local social security office and register for your medical card. You will need to take some ID with you including your passport and proof of residence in Spain. Further information on your local security offices can be found at www.seg-social.es

One important thing to note is that the EHIC card does not replace any travel insurance will in Spain and does not entitle the holder to obtain any non-urgent medical treatment. This is why it is so important to get your Spanish medical card as soon as possible. You will also find that If you do not have an EHIC card or private medical insurance, you may be liable to pay up front if you are in need of any medical treatment.

Private Health Care in Spain

There are a number of other options and services available if you feel you do not want to wait too long for treatment in a public hospital or local doctors.

Helicopteros Sanitarios is a private 24 hours doctor call out service on the Costa del Sol. They cover you for any generally callouts or emergency treatment and transportation to the nearest hospital. Their ambulances are quite a common site on the Costa del Sol and they can visit you either at home, at the beach or at work. All of the medics are able to speak English as well, so if your Spanish is limited, you can feel safe in the knowledge that you will be able to converse freely.

One thing worth noting is that the Helicopteros Service does not provide you with medical treatment, but can give you a prescription for any medication that may be required. It’s then a case of visiting a local Pharmacia in order to collect your medication.

You will find that there are normally a number farmacias in most Spanish towns and the knowledge of the staff is normally excellent. The farmacias in each town normally take it in turns in staying open 24 hours so that there is always one available out of hours if required urgently.

Another option that you have is with private medical insurance cover such as those provided by companies such as Sanitas and Bupa. Sanitas policies start at around 12 euros per month and can cover the whole family or an individual. You also have the option to include dental cover.

Robert Griggs Writes for PGM Property World who are an established real estate agent based on the Costa del Sol Spain and specialize in off plan and resale Spanish Property. For further information on other aspects to living in Spain or to search for property, please visit the PGM Property World site.

www.pgmpropertyworld.com