Where should I buy? Schools in Spain? Healthcare? Legal fees? Please browse through this section for helpful
hints and answers to all your questions on buying property in Spain.
Healthcare in Spain
The Spanish health-care system is very comparable to that of the UK and Ireland. Most hospitals
are modern, well-equipped and clean and the doctors are excellent and very thorough. There are a
few differences in policy between the British and Spanish health systems, but overall they are
very similar.
If you are planning to live in Spain then do remember that many medical staff do not speak
English, even in resort areas. In some tourist towns a voluntary translation service is available
for doctor's appointments, but that will not be available at all times. It is a good idea to
find out whether or not such a service exists in your local medical centre when you first arrive
in Spain, and if so, at what times it operates.
The Spanish are among the world's healthiest people and have an average life expectancy of 80
for women and 74 for men, the highest in the EU. The incidence of heart disease in Spain is
among the lowest in the world, a fact attributed to the Spanish diet which includes considerable
quantities of garlic, olive oil and red wine. Recently, this figure has started to rise and is
believed to be as a result of the increasing popularity of "foods to go" such as hamburgers and
other foods with high fat content.
Contributions & Benefits
There are several ways in which you may be entitled to benefits from Spain's Social Security Service. The
first, is if you contribute to the country's system of social security. To be able to do this you need to
be working either as an employee or on a self-employed basis.
If you are an EU national, retired and in receipt of a state pension you are fully covered for all aspects
of health care in Spain including totally free drugs and medications.
All tourists and non-residents should make sure you apply for the new European Health Insurance card (EHIC)
, as the Form E111 is no longer valid. Application forms are available either at the Post Office, or at the
UK Department of Health website.
If you have made regular payments by way of social security contributions in your own country for the two
years prior to moving to Spain, then you will be entitled to public health cover for a limited period from
the date of your last contribution. In the UK, full information can be obtained from the DHSS in Newcastle,
who have always proved most helpful in regard to this matter.
Public health benefits include general and specialist medical care, hospitalisation, subsidised drugs,
dressings and medicines, basic dental care but excluding cosmetic dentistry, maternity care, appliances and
transportation. Whilst both general and specialist medical treatment is free, patients must pay a percentage
of the cost of certain items such as drugs and medicines although these are without charge if you are retired.
Contributions are considerably less than those required in the UK .
Private Medical Insurance
If you are not eligible for Spanish state health care you will need to review your options for private health
insurance
Private health insurance is widely available and on the coasts at least there are many schemes specifically
aimed at British ex-pats. Do read your policy carefully though as you may find some things you will need are
excluded. Some policies only cover you for emergency treatment in the home and/or an ambulance to the local
hospital for example and you may find that you have to pay for the hospital treatment after you have received
it. BUPA and some of the other UK companies offer policies in Spain, but although these do offer good cover,
they are 100% more expensive than some of the other companies.
No Worries!
Regardless of whether your medical cover is from the Spanish State or Private, the medical standards in Spain
are generally quite high and in most cities the waiting times relatively short.
Making the right investment is key and if you pick the right investment,
you could be in for a handsome return.
Where should I buy? Schools in Spain? Healthcare? Legal fees? Please browse through this section for helpful
hints and answers to all your questions on buying property in Spain.