Healthcare

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. 

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

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.   

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