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European Health Insurance Card / EHIC discussions

46K views 212 replies 39 participants last post by  gus-lopez 
#1 ·
There are changes to the issuing of European Health Insurance Cards for UK State Pensioners living in Spain. Note that people's healthcare in Spain is not affected. The only change is for when UK state Pensioners registered on an E121 form need to travel from Spain to another EU Country. The changes are due to take effect from 1st May 2010.

Access to healthcare: UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
 
#2 ·
#3 ·
In brief, the EHIC entitles a person to reduced-cost (sometimes free), medical treatment that becomes necessary while in a European Economic Area (EEA) country (or Switzerland).

So...if you are insured under the Spanish state/regional system you use your EHIC if needing 'necessary' medical treatment when in the UK or elsewhere in the EU or EEA.
The only change is that your 'original' country of birth/citizenship now issues it.

That's how I see it....
 
#144 ·
Yes, I understand you have to get your EHIC from your original country of birth (UK), but what if you don´t now have a UK address? I moved to Spain after living in US for 2 years. I´ve not had a UK address for 3 years. Any ideas how I can get health care here in Spain? I don´t at moment pay Social Security (just lost my job in Spain after 6 months working)
 
#4 ·
you are quite right, my partner who has severe disabilities receives healthcare in spain but has now been told he has to get his next EHIC from the UK. Called the UK and they said this is correct however they are waiting for paperwork from Spain before they can issue it and we could be waiting 3-4 months! Great!
 
#5 ·
No need to worry, tho'. He'll get treatment if needed, probably have to fill in a few extra forms.
I was in Germany with a friend who broke her leg in three places (on her leg, I mean, not in different locations:)) and obviously needed hospitalisation. She hadn't bothered with an EHIC but everything went smoothly, no bureaucratic problems.
 
#9 ·
I'm pretty sure you can only do it online if you are a UK resident (or claim to be). The online application specifically asks if you are UK resident.

If you are non UK resident you can only get them from Newcastle as they hold the records of who has been issued with an E121 and only those holders can get a UK EHIC if not UK resident.

Incidentally, the E121 no longer exists - it is now called an S1. All previously issued E121s are still valid.
 
#18 ·
I don't see why there should be cards with different codes. As far as I am aware there is only one EHIC for UK nationals resident in Spain which is now issued by the UK DWP and not the Spanish authorities as before.
The only reason for different codes that I can think of is that they indicate which EU state the UK national holds residency and has the right to health care in.
 
#30 ·
To have access to the Spanish healthcare system you need, either:
1. To be a pensioner with an E121 (or be a dependant of one), be a resident and accepted/registered by the Spanish health system and accepted by a Medical Centre. or
2. Actively contribute to the Spanish Social Security System and be accepted by a Medical Centre. or
3. If non-resident, have an EHIC issued by your country of origin, although not all medical centres will accept this for non-urgent cases.
 
#31 ·
EHIC cards for Resident Brits who aren´t pensioners?

There have been various announcements about the recent change in arrangements for getting a new EHIC (European Health Insurance Card).

I understand that if you are a British National on a state pension, resident in another EU country, you now have to apply to the DWP in Newcastle to get an EHIC card, which gives free healthcare while travelling in other EU countries (including Britain).

Does anyone know how to get one of these if you are NOT on a state pension? Mine runs out next month.
 
#32 ·
There have been various announcements about the recent change in arrangements for getting a new EHIC (European Health Insurance Card).

I understand that if you are a British National on a state pension, resident in another EU country, you now have to apply to the DWP in Newcastle to get an EHIC card, which gives free healthcare while travelling in other EU countries (including Britain).

Does anyone know how to get one of these if you are NOT on a state pension? Mine runs out next month.
You cannot renew the card if you live in Spain, or even apply for a UK card.
If though you are resident in the UK ? and only pop over here now & then ?
 
#34 ·
Yes we have Spanish EHIC's. You are correct that if you are a pensioner you have to get a British EHIC. We went to the hospital in La Linea - it has a special admin office for foreigners. We spoke to a nice lady who initially said we had to get British EHIC's as she thought we were pensioners, bloody cheek., I'm only 54!!
 
#40 ·
Health Insurance? Yes No? What's the extent of the EHIC?

Hola, 'tás bien?

In just over a week I'll be driving down to Ramsgate - ferry to Belgium, and then we'll be driving through 8 different countries ((yeah, pretty much only hitting Luxembourg and Andorra to make it sound better ;) But still looking forward to the varied experience) and finally down to Valencia.

Was wondering, what's the extent of the EHIC? How long does it cover me for? I've been paying Nat Insurance in the UK for about six years, so how long would I be entitled to recipricle health care in Spain? If at all...

Bearing in mind, of course, that Ill be declaring residency within the first month and expect to be working, above-board, by the end of October (yeah I'm a hard-core optimist ;) )

Cheers,

Rich
 
#41 ·
Hola, 'tás bien?

In just over a week I'll be driving down to Ramsgate - ferry to Belgium, and then we'll be driving through 8 different countries ((yeah, pretty much only hitting Luxembourg and Andorra to make it sound better ;) But still looking forward to the varied experience) and finally down to Valencia.

Was wondering, what's the extent of the EHIC? How long does it cover me for? I've been paying Nat Insurance in the UK for about six years, so how long would I be entitled to recipricle health care in Spain? If at all...

Bearing in mind, of course, that Ill be declaring residency within the first month and expect to be working, above-board, by the end of October (yeah I'm a hard-core optimist ;) )

Cheers,

Rich
Your EHIC health card is for emergency health cover only, in in theory doesn't cover you when you are no longer a UK resident.

You need to apply to the Overseas Medical department, DHS Newcastle for health cover that can cover you up to two years in Spain depending on your previous payments into the system. I think it may have changed recently though as regards what the forms are

I suppose you could always say you are on holiday if you have to use the EHIC card
 
#50 ·
Is this relevent to my situation or are you talking in general? If in general, sure I agree. If you're talking to me personally, you're way off and it's an off-topic comment for this thread. But if you really want to question my employability in Spain then I'd prefer productive advice rather than more unhelpful warnings.

I'll find work within 2-3 weeks, and at the risk of sounding arrogant, you'd be mad to bet against that. In-fact if someone wants to lay a tenner on it, I'll do it. We'll settle with Paypal.

As always, it's not a question of job scarcity. The job vanacies are there, thousands of them in every city in fact, the question is only if you are the right person for it.
 
#51 ·
Im not sure who this is aimed at

Where do you get the impression there are thousands of jobs available in the cities. Do you know what unemployment is here.

I dont remember the details but it wasnt long ago that 50,000 people applied for something like 300 jobs in Ikea

You seem very sure of yourself, and I'm not knocking that, but what makes you so sure you will get a job in such a short period? :)
 
#52 ·
Healthcare coverage for non EU residents

Hi:
We are planning to retire in spain, We're USA citizens, does anyone knows:
after we obtain our resident permit, will we have healthcare coverage?

I also know the requirements to obtain the resident permit. However, my Husband is Italian born & a naturalized citizen of the USA, he has dual citizenship, so that entitles him to the healthcare coverage in Spain? with out obtaining a resident permit, or does he still needs the residency?

I know that we will need to purchase a medical coverage supplement to be cover with the state run and many private Drs. & hospitals.

Thanks.
 
#53 ·
Hi:
We are planning to retire in spain, We're USA citizens, does anyone knows:
after we obtain our resident permit, will we have healthcare coverage?

I also know the requirements to obtain the resident permit. However, my Husband is Italian born & a naturalized citizen of the USA, he has dual citizenship, so that entitles him to the healthcare coverage in Spain? with out obtaining a resident permit, or does he still needs the residency?

I know that we will need to purchase a medical coverage supplement to be cover with the state run and many private Drs. & hospitals.

Thanks.
Sorry but unless you have EU citizenship AND your EU country of origin (in this case Italy) is prepared to pay for your healthcare, the answer is NO to access to State run healthcare, even if you have residency. It is possible that even with EU citizenship, if the relevant person (your husband) is not considered as a pensioner by the Italian authorities and they consider they have no obligation towards him, even he may get nothing. If however, they do accept responsibility for him, they may also give you cover as a dependant.

The alternative is to contribute to the Spanish Social Security which will then give you the same access as the Spanish get. Whether this is a viable alternative to taking out Medical insurance i don't know.
 
#55 ·
Thank you so much for the information, I was under the impresion that if one is a permanent resident of Spain, you've access to the healthcare.
no, not exactly

it is essentially a contribution based system - so if you (or your 'home' govt) don't pay in, you don't get anything out


there is free care for those with very low incomes, but again - you would normally have had to pay in first - & it's not easy to access it even for Spaniards



there is talk that there will be 'Free Universal Health-care for Residents' as of November, but while many of us have our fingers crossed, we're not holding our breath!
 
#57 ·
Healthcare

Hi back:

I just called the Spanish Consulate in NYC, you're correct, do you have any idea how much does a private medical coverage costs roughly in Spain? no mayor health issues, 64 & 65 year olds in good health, I do know that prescription medicines are relatively inexpensive.
 
#58 ·
Hi back:

I just called the Spanish Consulate in NYC, you're correct, do you have any idea how much does a private medical coverage costs roughly in Spain? no mayor health issues, 64 & 65 year olds in good health, I do know that prescription medicines are relatively inexpensive.
For us when we came here, roughly 10 years younger than yourselves, it was about €1100 a year with Sanitas.
 
G
#59 ·
please don't ever rely soley on a EHIC, my husband is at this moment at the local hospital with a young lady who came on holiday with her boyfriend, he felt unwell yesterday and saw a doctor who diagnosed a virus, at 6.00am this morning she was screaming for us to get an ambulance, by dinner time he was on a life support machine until his family get here tonight but sadly even that didn't work and now apart from the family not getting to see him they also have to arrange to get him back to the UK. Fortunately they had Gold Star Insurance but 48 hours ago all she was worried about was getting a tan, so it can happen to anyone without warning.
 
#62 ·
Free cover after your EHIC/E106 cover has expired

EU residents of Andalucia can now get free state healthcare if the following conditions apply:

  • You are registered at your local clinic but your EHIC/E106 cover period has expired
  • You don't get qualify for free healthcare cover as a State Pensioner
  • Your income is less than a certain amount (currently 12,000 euros a year for a couple)
  • You are registered on the Empadronamiento (remember this needs renewing every two years)

Make an appointment at your health clinic to see the Trabajador Social. Take your passport, residencia, social security number printout or tarjeta, EHIC card, padron certificate, and proof of income (employers pension statements in our case).

We saw our Trabajadora Social this morning. She was extremely helpful and even filled in the application form for us. If your Spanish is not good you will need to take an interpreter as you will be asked a number of questions.
 
#63 · (Edited)
I suspected that the web address appended to the o.p.'s posts suggested the answer to Stravinsky's final question. On investigation, I found that I was right.

Back in 1968, I recall, word went out that if enough people gathered around the bottom of Primrose Hill [London NW] and willed it with all their collective might, Primrose Hill would rise into the sky.

I always wanted to form a band called Will Power & The Good Intentions.

Never got round to it.
 
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