Tell us a little about your plans...
Healthcare probably isn't the first thing you imagine when you're thinking about moving to Spain.
The beach might make the list.
The sunshine probably does.
Lunch outside in February definitely should.
But somewhere between finding the perfect property and packing the removal van comes a considerably less glamorous question:
What happens when I need a doctor?
And it's one you should answer before you move.
Does Spain have public healthcare?
Yes.
Spain has a public healthcare system, but moving to Spain doesn't automatically mean every British citizen can simply arrive and immediately use it on exactly the same basis.
Your access will depend upon your individual circumstances and the route through which you're entitled to healthcare.
That might be connected to working and contributing in Spain, pension arrangements, residency circumstances or another entitlement.
The important thing is not to assume.
Find out which route applies to you.
What changed after Brexit?
Brexit changed the framework under which British citizens move to and live in Spain.
For anyone relocating now, healthcare should therefore be considered alongside residency rather than treated as something to sort out afterwards.
Depending on the visa or residency route you're using, you may need to demonstrate that you have appropriate healthcare cover.
For some people that can mean arranging private medical insurance.
For others, there may be a route into the Spanish public system.
The answer depends on your circumstances.
What is an S1?
If you're moving to Spain from the UK, particularly if you're receiving a UK State Pension or certain qualifying benefits, you may hear people talking about an S1.
The S1 is a healthcare entitlement document that, for eligible people, can allow healthcare costs in Spain to be covered by the UK.
Not every British person moving to Spain qualifies for one.
But if you do, it can be an important part of arranging your healthcare after becoming resident.
If you're approaching or already receiving your UK State Pension, it's worth establishing whether the S1 applies to you as part of your relocation planning.
Do I need private health insurance to move to Spain?
Possibly.
Some Spanish visa or residency routes require applicants to demonstrate appropriate healthcare coverage.
Depending upon the route you're using, that may mean private medical insurance meeting particular requirements.
And this is where we'd avoid simply buying the cheapest policy you find online.
If the insurance is being obtained to satisfy an immigration requirement, make sure the policy actually meets the current requirements for your application.
A cheap insurance policy that doesn't do the job isn't cheap at all.
What if I'm going to work in Spain?
If you're legally employed or self-employed in Spain and paying into the Spanish Social Security system, your healthcare position may be different from someone moving here without working.
Employment, residency and healthcare can therefore become interconnected.
Again, don't rely on somebody else's experience.
The retired couple next door may have an entirely different healthcare entitlement from the 42-year-old remote worker across the road.
Same town.
Same health centre.
Different circumstances.
What about children?
If you're moving to Spain with children, healthcare naturally becomes an even bigger part of the planning.
Their entitlement will depend upon the family's circumstances, so establish how everyone in the household will be covered rather than assuming one person's arrangement automatically answers the question for everybody.
And once you've decided where you're likely to live, it is worth understanding what local healthcare facilities are available and how you will access them.
It's another reason why choosing a location isn't simply about finding a beautiful house.
Can I use my GHIC when I live in Spain?
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is designed for necessary state healthcare during temporary stays in participating countries.
It isn't intended as a replacement for proper healthcare arrangements when you move permanently to Spain.
That's an important distinction.
Holidaying in Spain and living in Spain are not the same thing.
If you're relocating, establish the healthcare arrangement appropriate to your residency circumstances rather than assuming your travel healthcare card will cover your new life.
What is healthcare like on the Costa Blanca?
One of the advantages of choosing an established year-round area rather than somewhere that exists primarily for tourism is having everyday infrastructure around you.
And healthcare is part of that.
When we're talking to buyers about where to live, particularly those retiring or moving with children, access to services can matter just as much as proximity to the beach.
How far are you from the facilities you'll regularly need?
Will you be comfortable driving there?
Do you want to live somewhere you can walk to everyday services?
Would living halfway up a mountain still seem quite as romantic if you needed regular appointments?
These aren't reasons not to buy the mountain house.
They're reasons to think about how you'll actually live in it.
What about prescriptions and regular medication?
If you take regular medication, don't leave this until moving week.
Talk to the appropriate healthcare professionals about continuity of medication and what you may need during the transition.
Medication names, availability and prescribing arrangements can differ between countries.
Bring the information you need about your existing prescriptions and medical history and understand how ongoing treatment will be managed once you're living in Spain.
This is particularly important if your move involves regular treatment or specialist care.
Should healthcare affect where I buy?
For some buyers, not particularly.
For others, absolutely.
A healthy couple in their forties working remotely may have completely different priorities from somebody retiring in their seventies who expects regular medical appointments.
Neither is right or wrong.
But we want to know what matters to you before recommending locations.
That's part of relocation.
The prettiest house isn't necessarily the best house if its location makes everyday life unnecessarily difficult.
Sort out healthcare before you need healthcare
This is really the point of the entire page.
Don't wait until you're ill to discover how your healthcare works.
Before moving, establish:
- What healthcare entitlement applies to you
- Whether you're eligible for an S1
- Whether your visa requires private medical insurance
- How your partner and children will be covered
- What happens with regular prescriptions
- What local facilities are available where you're planning to live
And obtain current professional or official advice where necessary.
Then file it away and hopefully spend considerably more time thinking about where you're going for lunch. 😂
Healthcare is one piece of the relocation puzzle
Moving from the UK to Spain involves dozens of decisions.
Residency.
Property.
Tax.
Healthcare.
Schools.
Cars.
Removals.
Banking.
And an alarming number of pieces of paper.
RENVIDA doesn't pretend to be your doctor, immigration lawyer, accountant and estate agent rolled into one.
Our job is to help you navigate the relocation, understand when specialist advice is needed and make sure the property and location you choose actually work with the life you're planning.
Because buying the house is only part of moving to Spain.
Living here is the important bit.
Property. Lifestyle. Real Conversations.
Welcome to The Renvida Way.