Healthcare post-Brexit

There are no guarantees at all, which is a big concern.

If there's a no-deal Brexit, which is still possible, then an S1 could immediately become invalid.

If there is a deal, GOV.UK will only commit themselves to saying that S1 cover is valid until the end of this year. 

Anyone, irrespective of origin, is entitled to the Convenio if they've been resident here for a year.

Thanks Jim,

That is what I thought might be the case.

So that is an additional 2000 Euros per year (approx 165 Euros per month) per person for over the age of 66 to be budgeted for.  This will very worrying for many people on fixed pensions.

Thanks Ray,

I was not aware of this, lets hope the UK government will give Spain the same consideration.  Are you aware of any current negotiations between the UK and Spain?

Is Switzerland in the EU ?   

Any idea if this deal with Switzerland includes reciprical health care for long term holiday makers please?

Hi VivienneAnn,

The Spanish government enshrined in law (March 2019) protection for UK citizens' rights (including healthcare) living in Spain, provided it was reciprocated by the UK government for Spanish citizens living in the UK, on a like-for-like basis.  The Spanish law (Ley) included a 2 month deadline for the UK to reciprocate, but the UK hasn't done so.  I'm not aware that Spain has formally suspended their law, but an article published in El País in September 2019 suggests that this continues to be an issue for the Spanish government:

https://elpais.com/elpais/2019/09/23/inenglish/1569214269_989612.html

Kind regards,

Kim

Hi Kimmy,

I would imagine that the UK government have more important issues than worrying about Brits in Spain getting free health care. This could result in hardship for retired people at or above UK pension age having to pay 2000 Euros per person per year into the convenio especiar to receive healthcare that they have not budgeted for.  

What surprises me is that very little attention is being given to this and Brits are still planning to come here and not seeing this as a financial risk. Spain is not a rich country and the older the Brits in Spain get the more healthcare they require.  I don't think Spain can afford to pay for without being repaid from the UK.

Kind regards

Vivienne

I must admit that I'm not as optimistic as Ray. The EU parliament still have to agree to the withdrawal agreement and it's extension until the end of this year, and several MEPs have expressed concern about belligerent big-headed Boris's refusal to confirm that EU citizens currently legally resident in the UK can remain there post-Brexit.

Unfortunately,  VivienneAnn, there are too many people happy to hear what they want to hear, instead of looking at all scenarios - particularly the worst case.  

I absolutely agree that this could be devastating for many UK citizens already living here in Spain; if others are basing their decision-making for a move to Spain by ignoring the worst possibilities, hopefully they have sufficient funds not to be caught out.  

Even RayD's post suggests that Pedro Sanchez can sort this out in 11 months when, in fact, the onus is on the UK to meet Spain's offer on a like-for-like basis.  Unless RayD's crystal ball suggests that Sanchez's government will remove the reciprocal requirement......

There are many groups throughout Europe that have been campaigning on behalf of UK citizens to protect our rights after Brexit - I'm a member of The Local and Another Europe, but it's quite depressing when you hear of so many UK citizens living in Spain who didn't even vote 😔

Kind regards, 

Kim