SIP card

Yes, I think renewing would be a very good idea. I presume current up to date SIP cards are the way they know someone is in the system. I certainly wouldn't risk being passed over because they think you're no longer accessing the health system.

I have residency and will.be collecting my TIE in a few weeks. At the medical centre I go to 1 of the admin staff who my partner saw indicated it didn't need to be renewed but I'm a bit sceptical about that so yes, I will go back with all the paperwork and old SIP card and ask for it to.be renewed. Many thanks for your advice

Hi, how do you go about registering for a temporary SIP card, are there any conditions such as age attached to applying.

From what you have written it seems the only purpose for you is to be included in the vaccination process but are there any other advantages to be had if you don't yet have your permanent SIP.

regards

Thank you. I will go back to the medical centre to renew it

I find it confusing but I think it was only for a few months because even though I'd bought a property here and was on the Padron and had my NIE I didn't have my residencia. Once I get my TIE card (residencia) then the SIP card lasts for 4 years.

There are - or were - 2 reasons for having a temporary SIP.

The first reason is that some Medical Centres gave them out to people who shouldn't have had one. Some of these have run out and now being rejected. I'm not suggesting in any way that's what's happened here!

The second reason is that when your S1 is registered at INSS, you take the paperwork to your Centro Medico and are issued with a temporary SIP. You then return approximately 4 weeks later to collect your permanent one.

When you take your SIP back to renew it they might reject it until you have your TIE, hopefully not. Worst case scenario is you would pay full price for medication meantime.

Fingers crossed you get sorted, would you update us when you've been in?

Steve

Hi Lancelot, 

being pedantic, forgive me, but technically no one applies for a temporary SIP card. 

A SIP card is issued to anyone in receipt of a UK state pension, holding Residency in Spain, who has been issued with the qualifying UK document S1

You take the S1 to INSS (I believe it can be done online currently) and the INSS certificate the S1 and issue the correct paperwork for your local Centro Medico.

The CM then issues a temporary SIP and you return approximately 4 weeks later to collect your permanent SIP which has the name and number of your allocated Doctor on the reverse.

A SIP card is confirmation that you are "jubilado" and in the qualifying Spanish state healthcare system. When you go to a Farmacia they swipe your card to view your prescriptions.

A few lucky people hold a SIP but hang onto their private health care insurance too.

Steve

Thank you Steve. I'm not at retirement age but luckily don't need to work so as understand it I don't have an S1. I pay for any medication I need but my query is about getting the covid vaccine (Which I obviously don't mind paying for) and whether I am still in the medical system and on the waiting list for the vaccine. I will go in tomorrow to find out for sure and will let you know the outcome 

There is a website for those with Private Health Insurance to register on to make sure they get the vaccine. If you don't have PHI I would definitely speak to your Doc if at all possible and see if you're on their list or if they can add you. 

They'll want to make sure that everyone who wants a vaccination gets one so I'm sure you'll be sorted somehow.