Healthcare Abroad

Healthcare in Spain

Spain is one of the healthiest regions to live (as confirmed by the World Health Organisation) primarily because of weather and diet.

The healthcare in Spain is extremely efficient and the quality of health care and health facilities is considered to be one of the best, if not better than any country in Europe. It is also ranked within the top ten countries in the world.

Spanish medical staffs are highly trained and there are multi-lingual staffs in all medical centers or hospitals, and the latter are equipped with all the latest high-tech equipment.

Spain with its dry climate is particularly beneficial for conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis and asthma. UK clients suffering from any of the above ailments find their condition is greatly improved when they move here.

The Spanish are among the healthiest people in the world, and the incidence of heart disease in Spain is one of the lowest in the world. There's no doubt that this is largely due to the relaxed way of life, combined with the Mediterranean diet which includes plenty of garlic, olive oil, salads, fresh fruit, all year round. Oh yes, - not forgetting the red wine, of course!

Spain has a public health system, providing free or low-cost healthcare for those contributing to the Spanish social security. This service is available to all EU residents (E1-11 form is available from all post offices for full information). Free healthcare is available to all British citizens of retirement age (60 for women, 65 for men) who are permanent residents. For those wishing to retire early, an option of low-cost private health insurance is available.

Your passport to your free healthcare is in your form E121, obtained from DSS prior to leaving Britain.

If you only intend to purchase a holiday home and possibly visit for three or four weeks at a time, you will not need health insurance because you will be covered by the EU emergency arrangements referred to above. You should take your form E111 when you travel. It is also worthwhile taking out an annual travel policy. This will cover you for medical situations such as repatriation and loss of luggage, and usually costs around £80 per year or less.

Chemists (Farmacias)

All chemists display a large green cross outside, and are normally open between 09.00am - 21.00pm, not forgetting closing around 13.30pm and reopening 17.00pm. Chemists in Spain open on Saturday mornings, and there is always an emergency chemist on duty in each town outside these hours.