Healthcare - General La Mata discussion - La Mata forum - Costa Blanca forum in the Alicante province of Spain
Thy Will Be Done
Car Key Solutions
Gran Alacant Insurances
Gentlevan Removals
Expat Services
ASSSA Insurance
interior building work
AA Free English TV
Blacktower Financial Management
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
James Spanish School
Espana Dream Properties
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL

Join the La Mata forum

Join the La Mata forumMy name's Alex and this is my website all about La Mata in Spain. Register now for free to talk about General La Mata discussion and much more!

Healthcare

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:26pm
7 replies136 views3 members subscribed
Martin 59

Posts: 23

7 helpful points

Location: La Mata

Joined: 8 Jul 2021

Hi I'm I plan to move permanently to the Costa Blanca in 2022. I'm Irish so I don't have to negotiate Brexit. What's the healthcare like in Spain? Will I be entitled to use the public system or do I need private healthcare. Do you pay to see a GP? Do you pay for meds? What is are the options for end of life care?

Many thanks Martin

Kelvin1960

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:39pm

Kelvin1960

Super helpful member

Posts: 1488

1767 helpful points

Joined: 5 Mar 2017

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:39pm

We're British, but based on our pre-Brexit experience ...

If you are at/above retirement age in your EU country, you will qualify for the Spanish NHS.

If you have not yet met that age requirement, you will need private health insurance to gain Residency.

We have private health insurance. We have found it to be excellent (my wife became seriously ill). Our insurer pays for our private GP appointments, but we pay full price for our medications. 

I have neighbours who qualify to access the Spsnish NHS. They speak highly of it, and they pay towards prescriptions.

Sorry ... no info on EoL care.

Martin 59

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:48pm

Martin 59

Original Poster

Posts: 23

7 helpful points

Location: La Mata

Joined: 8 Jul 2021

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:48pm

Kelvin1960 wrote on Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:39pm:

We're British, but based on our pre-Brexit experience ...

If you are at/above retirement age in your EU country, you will qualify for the Spanish NHS.

If you have not yet met that age requirement, you will need private health insurance to gain Residency.

We have private health insurance. We have found it to be excellent (my wife became seriously ill). Our insurer pays for our private GP appointments, but we pay full price for our medications. 

I have neighbours who qualify to access the Spsnish NHS. They speak highly of it, and they pay towards prescriptions.

Sorry ... no info on EoL care.

Thanks for the advice. Is private health insurance expensive. 

tebo53

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:02am

tebo53

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 4776

4960 helpful points

Location: Benidorm

Joined: 29 May 2018

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:02am

Martin 59 wrote on Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:48pm:

Thanks for the advice. Is private health insurance expensive. 

After you have lived in Spain legally for a full year you can apply for the Convenio Especial health cover. That gives you access to full Spanish Healthcare.

You have to make your own arrangements for end of life care. The Healthcare system in Spain is excellent and second to none but you will need to make private arrangements for any nursing care in your own home or private nursing home. 

Steve 

Advertisement - posts continue below

Martin 59

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 2:00am

Martin 59

Original Poster

Posts: 23

7 helpful points

Location: La Mata

Joined: 8 Jul 2021

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 2:00am

tebo53 wrote on Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:02am:

After you have lived in Spain legally for a full year you can apply for the Convenio Especial health cover. That gives you access to full Spanish Healthcare.

You have to make your own arrangements for end of life care. The Healthcare system in Spain is excellent and second to none but you will need to make private arrangements for any nursing care in your own home or private nursing home. ...

...

Steve 

Thanks Steve

Kelvin1960

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 8:36am

Kelvin1960

Super helpful member

Posts: 1488

1767 helpful points

Joined: 5 Mar 2017

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 8:36am

On healthcare costs .... there are several insurance companies. Costs don't seem to vary by much.

For a couple at/around 60 years old, allow 2000 Euros/year (assuming no pre-existing conditions). To gain Residency, you will need to pay the first year upfront. Thereafter, you can move to monthly payments if you prefer.

The Convenio Especial is a little cheaper at age 60.   

Stephanie86

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:44pm

Stephanie86

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 2748

2065 helpful points

Location: Lliber

Joined: 4 May 2017

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:44pm

Re EoL care, there are excellent  Residencias, (my mother is currently in one) but they are all privately funded. She has recently sold her house to cover the costs. The system is still geared towards large Spanish families looking after elderly relatives and this is what is expected.

When I was informed on a Friday afternoon that my mother was to leave hospital, regardless, on the Tuesday morning, I had effectively two days over a weekend to find somewhere for her. She could not return home and our own house is completely unsuitable, too many stairs etc.

There are of course. Spanish residents within the homes, some of them will receive govt financial help, but it’s unlikely to be sufficient to cover costs. The alternatives are home private nursing or live in help.

Martin 59

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 6:15pm

Martin 59

Original Poster

Posts: 23

7 helpful points

Location: La Mata

Joined: 8 Jul 2021

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 6:15pm

Stephanie86 wrote on Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:44pm:

Re EoL care, there are excellent  Residencias, (my mother is currently in one) but they are all privately funded. She has recently sold her house to cover the costs. The system is still geared towards large Spanish families looking after elderly relatives and this is what is expected.

When I was informed on a Friday afternoon that my mother was to leave hospital, regardless, on the Tuesday morning, I had effectively two days over a weekend to find somewhere for her. She could not return home and our own house is completely unsuitable, too many stairs etc....

...

There are of course. Spanish residents within the homes, some of them will receive govt financial help, but it’s unlikely to be sufficient to cover costs. The alternatives are home private nursing or live in help.

Thanks for the advice

Sign up for free or login to reply to this topic

Want to reply to this topic? Login or register for free to post your message:

Find more General discussion topics from a particular area:


Register for free!

Login to your account

Thy Will Be Done
Car Key Solutions
Gran Alacant Insurances
Gentlevan Removals
Expat Services
ASSSA Insurance
interior building work
AA Free English TV
Blacktower Financial Management
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
James Spanish School
Espana Dream Properties
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
Advertise your business here
Advertise your property
Help with my computer