Medical Care in Spain
In Spain both state and private health care are available.
For people who are in Spain for less than 3 months they can use reciprocal health care services from the Spanish state medical facilities as long as they have completed an E111 form before they leave the UK.
For people who are here for longer than 3 months - generally those people who buy or rent long term here - there are 2 options:
1. State Health Care - you can gain use of this "free" system if you are self employed or officially employed here in Spain and therefore have a social security number. Of course, if you are self employed or employed, you make contributions to the system within yoiur taxation, so it is not free as such.
2. Private Health Care - there are many different companies that can provide you with private health care, either by taking travel insurance before you leave the UK, or by purchasing private medical cover once in Spain. You will then need to check the medical facilities that are usable as part of the policy
Also, you are able to pay directly to private doctors and private hospitals for treatment.
For the over 60's and some people who qualify for invalidity benefit, you should be able to claim state health care in Spain. For this you will need to ensure that you have completed the appropriate forms in the UK (E121 or E106)
And if you have a Certificate of Empadronamiento (a document confirming that you are residing in a owned or rented proeprty, available from ther town hall) you are entitled to emergency car in any state hospital
