Healthcare in Spain.
For those of us resident in Spain there are two possibilities when it come to health provision, Public & Private Healthcare.
Accessing the excellent public healthcare system in Spain can be achieved in one of a number of ways;
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As a permanent resident.
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By virtue of your employment or self employment (autónomo) in Spain.
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Voluntary payments into the "convenio especiale" scheme, this isn't available to everyone and there are some conditions. The monthly cost is 60€ for those aged under 65 and 157€ for those 65 and above.
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Registering an S1 form with the social security office in Spain. S1 is available to individuals in receipt of the state pension, other exportable benefits and frontier (or cross border) workers.
If you are unable to access the public healthcare system, then private healthcare is a surprisingly affordable option. It is also very often the case that private insurance is cheaper than paying into the Convenio Especiale scheme.
13.5% of Spanish residents opt to have private insurance even though they have access to the public system.
Public Healthcare
Shortly after my arrival in Spain I had reason to visit my doctor (it was a same day appointment as all visits generally were), it was immediately apparent I had a hernia (umbilical), I was seen by a consultant the next day and within 3 days I'd been operated on.
So there are significant benefits to having private health care, even if you have access to public healthcare.
However there are many people that don't have access to public healthcare, one group that immediately springs to mind are those people from 3rd countries looking to obtain a VISA and residency in Spain.
Since Brexit the vast majority of UK passport holders wanting to move to Spain require a VISA of one description or another. One of the conditions laid out when applying for a VISA is that the applicant is required to have private medical insurance for 1 year AND that the insurance should be on the same terms (or better) as public healthcare.
In summary the insurance needs to cover all eventualities, no exclusions, no waiting times (for certain treatments), no co-payments and it must be paid in full for the whole year.
Who Do GOSPAIN Recommend?
We have over the the last two years recommended various providers amongst them ASSSA, DKV and MAPRFE. All that their good points and and dare I say it even their bad points.
However post 31 December 2021 we need to be more careful, because in order to comply residency rules policies must not have co-payments, they must not have waiting periods and they must cover you for one year (or have auto renewal).
It is difficult to select any one individual company, however one company that we believe ticks all boxes is ASSSA.
ASSSA, are an excellent choice and unlike many they guarantee not to increase premiums due to age, cost and they are contractually obligated not to cancel a policy for example if you are diagnosed with a serious illness or your treatment becomes costly.
If you need a quote or more advice please do not hesitate to contact me, you can do so by completing the enquiry form or by emailing us info@gospain.services.
Health Insurance And VISAS
Private Healthcare
Private healthcare in Spain is very affordable, in my case I pay 55€ a month, that gives me access to a doctor of my choice, I can get any number of second opinions and reduced waiting times.
Linden