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Follow on Google News |  Healthcare for Marbella Property OwnersHealthcare in Spain is generally free but a small amount of research before making a move to Spain will result in the saving of a great deal of grief later.
By: Michael Liggan The good news is that healthcare in Spain is generally free; in fact it is enshrined in the country’s constitution that it should be so. The Spanish national health system is considered to be one of the best in Europe and indeed, the world. Waiting lists for operations and other serious treatment are shorter than in the UK and dental treatment is about half the cost. There is a mutual service agreement between Spain and the UK so healthcare for UK citizens is free. If you are a temporary visitor, you will need a UK-issued European Health Insurance Card to take advantage of state-run health care. If you should need emergency treatment whilst in Spain, the presentation of this form will ensure that your treatment is free. If on the other hand you are living in Spain, you will need to register with the health authorities.The S1 form (previously E121) is a certificate stating the entitlement to medical care benefits for a pensioner or their dependants who are resident in another state of the European Union. Ideally, each pensioner should have a separate form registered in their name before they leave the UK. The S1 form (previously E106) also provides similar certification for a person who is not a pensioner. For a Brit, this means that they receive treatment on exactly the same basis as they would at home in the UK. The length of time you’ll be covered depends on your contributory record in the UK, but with a full record cover will normally last up to two and a half years. After this time, you may need to consider private healthcare if you are not then eligible for an S1 as a pensioner. If you are moving to Spain on a permanent basis then you will need a social security number. To get one you usually need to be either employed by a Spanish company or become self-employed for a while. This of course means that you will have to pay into the system, just as with National Insurance Contributions in the UK, but once you have your number, you are set. Some other great news is that there is a health centre within 15 minutes of any resident location is Spain. Of course, in Marbella there is plenty of health care. There are doctors who speak perfect English, as do their staff. Other practices have an interpreter on hand to help you if the need arises. If moving to Spain on a permanent basis, you should register with a doctor and when searching for the best practice, you can discover how well they speak English. Many Spaniards contribute to private health schemes and use the national system for emergencies only. However, many Spanish health insurance companies will not cover people over 55 so if you feel that this is appropriate for you, you should use an international company in the UK such as BUPA International. It is advisable to use an independent broker to source this cover as prices and levels of cover can vary tremendously. As for many other things when considering the purchase of a Marbella property, a small amount of research before making the move will result in the saving of a great deal of grief later. Healthcare is of a very high standard in Marbella, at least as good as in the UK, if not better. There is no need to fear a move on these grounds but it is an important point to bear in mind when coming to the final decision as to when and where to buy. # # # Alta Vista Spain is a real estate company in Marbella on the Costa del Sol, Spain. Michael Liggan is a driving force and our chief property bargain hunter. http://www.altavistaspain.com End
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