NHS Medical Card

Apr 27, 2008 · adrianmark · 4 replies · 2350 views

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I will soon be moving to Spain and on arrival will apply for all the necessary paperwork, NIE etc....

As a British national am I entitled to free medical care in Spain? What happens if I get to Spain and lose my NHS medical card, can I still receive free treatment or is it absolutely necessary to produce that card?

Thanks so much for any advice that you can give.

Adrian

Apr 27, 2008 · ROBI

Depends upon your status:

1. At full retirement age and fully paid into UK system = Free cover

2. Working in the Spanish system = Free cover

3. Paid into the UK system for x years = y amount of Spanish cover

4. Living in Valencia region and prepared to fight a bit for your rights = Free cover (maybe)

Suggest you reserach the UK government sites - regarding the EHIC card.

Private medical insurance available from lots of companies.

Apr 27, 2008 · adrianmark

Guess I qualify as per number 2. Can my non-EU wife also get free medical on my ticket?

Apr 27, 2008 · ROBI

Probably depends maybe upon her Visa ? (When I said free cover of course you will be paying into the system) see also:

DOWNLOADED FROM www.ukgovabusesexpats.co.uk 16-11-07

According to Circular 1/2002 of the Comunidad Aut?noma Valenciana, EU citizens resident in the provinces of Alicante, Castell?n and Valencia, who are neither pensioners nor employed persons, are entitled to full health care under the Spanish State Social Security system.

They should apply, referring to ?la extensi?n de asistencia sanitaria a demanda seg?n la Circular 1/2002?, for a ?tarjeta sanitaria? at their local medical centre, where they will be required to produce your passport and a recently-issued ?padr?n? certificate, and to complete an application form.

If the medical centre staff are unaware of this entitlement, they should be asked to contact the following department, whose head will be happy to confirm the facts. However many Health Centers are even refusing to do this - in addition to which, we have received many complaints of rudeness.

Secci?n de Afiliaci?n y Validaci?n : - Now a waste of time. A more reliable address follows below: -
Conseller?a de Sanidad
Calle Gerona, 26
03001 Alicante
Tels: 965 938022 y 965 938099