Hi, My OH is 63 and gets their UK state pension. They are moving here full time.  I understand the local retirement age is 65, so will they be entitled to free healthcare if they get the right forms from the UK, or will they have to wait another year?

Thanks…

I think, Susan, that the only person who can give the correct and up-to-date advice on this issue would be a gestor?a. 

All the best
Patricia (Campana)

Susan hi

Talk to Pension centre in Newcastle about Form S1 (Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle)    +44 191 218 1999)

Also see this link

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/movingabroad/Pages/Livingabroad.aspx and follow the links to health care in Spain.

fb

Thanks FB - just called them, Said person needs to apply for an S1 (meaning they are permanantly going to be living outside of UK), and they will get FULL SS ENTITLEMENT/HEALTH CARE - even though they are under Spanish retirement age (65), as they are already in receipt of full UK State pension.

Automatically once all applied for (need to go to SS office here and register of course, where they will give you other forms/contact Newcastle), one will be issued with a UK ECIC - the card that covers one for EMERGENCY medical treatment withing the EC. So it seems one does not have to go through the hoops of doing in here (and the long ques in the SS office and having to renew every year or so, although I have been told one can do this on-line now - But not sure if that was for the Spanish version or the UK one).

Sort of got my answer, but even Newcastel don’t have all the Q’s within one dept and you have to phone 2 or 3 no’s to get the full picture 😉

Getting there 😊

Uk persons on full state pension are entitled to full Spanish health care, those approaching retirement age will also be covered by the UK for a period depending on their years of UK NI contributions:
“Retired and living in Spain
We know that many British residents are here enjoying their retirement. Due to an EEA-wide agreement, if you?re in receipt of a UK State Pension, long-term Incapacity Benefit or Bereavement Benefit, you?re covered for state-run health care in Spain. You need to register for this by applying for an S1 form (previously E121) from the International Pension Centre (IPC). Dependents can also obtain their own S1 directly from the International Pension Centre to then validate with the Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS).”

that from here
http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-spain/pensions-benefits/healthcare/
It is all very straight forward and 10,000s have done it.

Thanks all.
I knew there were some difficulties on Costa Blanca at one point, but we are Costa del Sol and I think we have the answer to our Q.
Thanks again for all the info.