Moving to Spain

If you are over retirement age in your own country you can apply for an S1 which transfers your healthcare to Spain. This covers you for the health requirements when applying for a visa.

Be aware that the S1 is issued free. Do not do it from a company that advertises it as they will charge you.

Contact the overseas health authorities at Newcastle on 0191 218 1999 Mon to Fri 8 to 6 and Sat 9 to 3.

You will need your NI number and they will ask you some details over the phone and then post it to you. This is attached to your application for a visa. Once you move to Spain, you register the S1 with the Spanish Social Security office (INSS) on your area and you will be issued with a SIP card which entitles you to full healthcare in Spain. It will also allocate a GP to you in the area you are going to live.

Best of luck

Hi,

As an OAP and receiving UK government pension you will be entitled to apply for your healthcare through the S1 healthcare scheme which is paid for by the UK government. You will need to pre-register your S1 with the local Spanish healthcare office (INSS) in the area of Spain that you intend to retire to. You can then use it for your non-lucrative visa application from the Spanish consulate in London, Manchester or Edinburgh. 

You will also need to meet the income requirements which for a single person is around €28,000 per annum. 

There will be a couple of other documents to submit but easily done. 

Steve 

Thank you very much for your extremely helpful reply

If you are a non EU/EEA Passport holder you will need to apply for a Non Lucerative Visa at the either of the Conulates mentioned in tebo53's post above. Full details available from clicking this link:

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/Manchester/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-residencia-no-lucrativa.aspx

You might also find the information helpful by clicking on this link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-spain