Health Insurance / Pre-existing conditions

I am on the understanding that private health insurance will not cover pre-existing conditions and once you gain Spanish residency you have to de-register with the NHS, as your age and residency will not entitle you to get treated back in the UK, it is only when you reach your UK state pension age that will entitle you to register with the UK through what is known as the S1 to which you register in Spain for free treatment covering pre existing conditions and yes you can also receive treatment back in the UK, another point is after one year of residency in Spain you apply to the Spanish health system through the Convenio Especial costing around 55 Euro a month under the age of 65 and 157 Euro a month over 65, and pre existing conditions are included.

Also bear in mind that you will have to pay for prescriptions, unless actually hospitalised. Some PHIs have a certain allowance for this, but it’s not usually very much.

Most run of the mill drugs aren’t that expensive, but anything specialised will be quite costly. Also, several items which would be covered under uk NHS funding are not covered here and are considered as private prescriptions so have to be paid.

May I just add, If you are unable to work, you may be entitled to certain disability benefit payments, you and your spouse would then be entitled to free health care and proscriptions here in Spain and also in the Uk, also your national insurance contributions will be paid, this contributing to your state pension entitlement. Whether the benefits system has changed since brexit? But it may be beneficial to you, if you qualify and it may be worth looking into this? 

As stated I am not eligible for the S1 as way too young. But useful to know what you said about the Convenio Especial. I've read it's much the same cost as Insurance and not as flexible but if it includes pe-existing conditions that could be useful to me

Not relevant to me as I can work. NLV will of course mean I can't should I reach Spain. The plan is to retire fully nice and early but if I can't easily keep up with my scans that may throw a spanner in the works

Well done and good luck to you, but remember your health comes first and looking into the disability system and speaking to your medical practitioners may solve your questions. Good luck.