I am a new member of this forum, and this is my first post.
Hello to all other members and expats.
I’m afraid I have to start with what may be a stupid question, but my ignorance of the topic is great.
I’m a male UK national, born 1953.
In 2007 I left the UK and went to live in Thailand, where I still live.
In mid 2012 I detected lumps in my body where there should have been none, and was diagnosed, in Thailand, as having Lymphoma. In September2012 I visited UK to investigate treatment there, and was told by the Health service I would need to return to the UK permanently; and after over 6 months of continuous residence would, once again, qualify for UK State funded health care.
I considered a 6 month delay in treatment to be unwise, so decided to pay for treatment in Thailand. I have since had chemo, surgery, scans etc. This treatment reduced the symptoms, but I still have lymphoma; and my available funds do not allow any further such treatment here.
I have no health care insurance, but as I have been diagnosed as having had lymphoma for at least 5 years; the “existing condition” clauses would have probably excluded me anyway.
So, my question is;
Can I move to Spain and get free/cheap medical care/cancer treatment?
Would I have to reside there for 6 months, like the UK, prior to registration?
I do not intend working, and am able to support myself up to and beyond receiving my UK state pension.
I am considering buying a property in Galicia, if I can obtain satisfactory health care there within a reasonable time frame.
I will be very grateful for any info regarding this, and any lists of hoops I would need to jump through.
Hopefully less than the ever increasing number of hoops required in Thailand.
Hello to all other members and expats.
I’m afraid I have to start with what may be a stupid question, but my ignorance of the topic is great.
I’m a male UK national, born 1953.
In 2007 I left the UK and went to live in Thailand, where I still live.
In mid 2012 I detected lumps in my body where there should have been none, and was diagnosed, in Thailand, as having Lymphoma. In September2012 I visited UK to investigate treatment there, and was told by the Health service I would need to return to the UK permanently; and after over 6 months of continuous residence would, once again, qualify for UK State funded health care.
I considered a 6 month delay in treatment to be unwise, so decided to pay for treatment in Thailand. I have since had chemo, surgery, scans etc. This treatment reduced the symptoms, but I still have lymphoma; and my available funds do not allow any further such treatment here.
I have no health care insurance, but as I have been diagnosed as having had lymphoma for at least 5 years; the “existing condition” clauses would have probably excluded me anyway.
So, my question is;
Can I move to Spain and get free/cheap medical care/cancer treatment?
Would I have to reside there for 6 months, like the UK, prior to registration?
I do not intend working, and am able to support myself up to and beyond receiving my UK state pension.
I am considering buying a property in Galicia, if I can obtain satisfactory health care there within a reasonable time frame.
I will be very grateful for any info regarding this, and any lists of hoops I would need to jump through.
Hopefully less than the ever increasing number of hoops required in Thailand.