Healthcare ‘Deficient’ In Expat Regions
November 28, 2007
Spain’s national health service is usually lauded by expats, who praise its speed and efficiency. It may come as a bit of a surprise, therefore, to see that Spain’s Federation of Associations in Defence of Public Health, FADSP, rate the service offered in two of the most popular Autonomous Communities with expats - Murcia and the Canaries - as ‘deficient’.
The regions of Madrid and La Rioja received the same assessment. The Balearic Islands and Valencia, two other areas most popular with British buyers, were rated ‘average’, and Andalucia’s service was classed as ‘acceptable’. The Autonomous Communities that were considered ‘excellent’ were Aragon, Cantabria and Asturias, all in the north of Spain. (Aragon scored a perfect 40 out of 40.)
The ratings were based on FADSP’s assessment of a number of areas of healthcare, including per capita expenditure, the ratio of GPs to adult residents, paediatricians to child residents and hospital workers to all residents. (If you’re wondering about dentists, they aren’t covered by the Spanish national health service.)
British expats relocating to Spain should get form E106 from the Department of Work and Pensions in the UK before they leave. This will entitle them to two years’ treatment within the Spanish system.
People of legal retirement age should fill in form E121 as they’re entitled to free healthcare under EU rulings. Employed workers will be entitled to coverage after their E106 runs out as they have been paying into the Spanish tax system. It’s worth noting that the Spanish health service doesn’t cover everything, and most Spaniards have top-up insurance. People taking early retirement from the UK will not be entitled to free treatment in Spain once their E106 expires and so should purchase full health insurance.
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Story from homesworldwide.co.uk
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