The Spain Forums

Lee · 30-06-2008, 10:47 PM

The Valencian regional government has decided to take away free healthcare for Britons who have voluntarily taken early retirement and now reside in the Valencian, most of them on or near the Costa Blanca.

Until now Britons residing in the Valencian region were entitled to a healthcare card which meant they could get free healthcare on the basis of simply being registered as residents in their local town hall despite not having paid any contributions to the national health system (seguridad social, literally translated as social security). This was due to a loop hole in Spanish law which was meant to protect certain categories such as the widows of military personnel. However, this also meant that British expats could get free healthcare and treatment for all sorts of common conditions such as angina and cataracts.

The problem of free healthcare is particular to those Britons who reside in Spain and have taken voluntary early retirement. Pensioners and those who have been forced to take early retirement are covered by European funds. It doesn’t affect tourists either who are entitled to an E-111 which gives them the right to free healthcare in Spain for up to a year.

The new measures which come into effect immediately respect the expiry date on health cards which have already been issued. The best solution for those affected by these changes to the healthcare system in Valencia is for them to take out private health insurance to cover their future healthcare needs until they reach retirement age when they will be entitled to free healthcare once again. Emergency healthcare services will still be provided free of charge.

The British Embassy in Spain commented on the situation saying that Valencia had simply done the same as other regions in Spain and that it had been warning British residents in Spain that the present system of free care without any questions asked would not last forever. In fact the British government had gone as far as publishing advertisements in the British press to warn Britons living in Spain of the impending changes.

Kas in Spain · 30-06-2008, 11:10 PM

So if you are in your 40s and 50s you should get private healthcare at 50€ a month. Is that correct.?

Lee · 30-06-2008, 11:21 PM

By the sounds of it you should. I'm not sure about if your working for a legal company over here where you pay tax etc.

But those who have taken early retirement or have an income from other sources, should consider private health insurance

From what I have heard, should something bad happen, health care can be expensive. And if you try returning to the UK to get the needed medical treatment, your screwed there as well. They only give that treatment to those that meet certain criteria. IE you an immigrant, registered with a local GP (I believe) and also have utility bills in your name (not certain of)

Kas in Spain · 30-06-2008, 11:25 PM

What happens when your 60

Lee · 30-06-2008, 11:55 PM

For expats, who are resident in Spain, to get full free Spanish health then females have to be 60 and males 65- the same as UK and of course you qualify in UK for your state pension

There are various EU rules about getting other UK state benefits in Spain

To be eligible for retirement income benefits, workers must be 65 years old and have worked for at least 15 years. Initial benefits are determined by years of employment and the average of the highest 15 years of earnings, and these earnings are indexed to consumer prices (not average wages).

With a 35-year work history, an average Spanish worker (with annual earnings of around 25,000 Euros) will receive roughly 90 percent of his or her preretirement earnings at 65 (although middle- and high-income workers are limited to a maximum Social Security pension of 32,000 Euros in 2007).

Spanish workers may take early retirement at age 60, in various circumstances, with reduced benefits. Spain also allows phased retirement. Workers who continue working after 65 receive modestly higher benefits (and contributions are no longer required). The average retirement age in Spain is about 63.

Low-wage workers are protected by a minimum retirement benefit, which is partially financed by direct government transfers. There is also a basic noncontributory scheme that is essentially a welfare benefit for very poor elderly and disabled people, financed out of general government revenues.

John · 05-07-2008, 03:34 PM

I don't understand this posting. I know dozens of Brits who receive state medicine without contribution in the Valencia area and who are a long way from official retirement. Can someone explain?

Lee · 05-07-2008, 04:23 PM

Front page story from this weeks Costa Blanca News

Click on the bar at the top of the image to see it full size

From my own understanding of what has happened and I am fully open to being put right.

Free health care has been offered to people to entice them to move over in the property boom. Now thats coming to an end and the money, taxes etc are no longer rolling in, those same people are a burden on resources in the area.

I'm quite happy to be told to shut the f up, pull your trousers up and stop talking out your anal cavity with the above.

Karensun · 05-07-2008, 04:50 PM

Lee, I think there has been a lot of loopholes in the Spanish Health Care system and now all that's happened is that they have been located and closed.
I read that at the local surgery you could contribute monthly to their own health scheme ( which would be considerably cheaper than private health ) and they would also cover existing conditions which private health care will NOT do.

Lee · 05-07-2008, 06:38 PM

I don't blame them for doing it.

Look how many people moan about the infiltrators or immigrants in the UK turning up and getting free health care. The expats are or were doing the same here.

The Spain Forums

Valencia takes away free healthcare from 1600 Britons

Valencia takes away free healthcare from 1600 Britons

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