We recently received a similar enquiry to this:-
“Hi, I have lived in Spain for just over 2 years. I have an EHIC card from England which will expire on 6 June 2020. Am I able to get medical assistance just using this card and my passport in medical centres? I have ongoing health problems and am retired. I will be 68 soon. At the moment, I live in Villamartin, Orihuela Costa. Thank you.”
We responded this gentleman in the following manner:-
Thank you for your enquiry.
EHIC card
An EHIC card gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay (6 months max) in another European Economic Country or Switzerland. The EHIC card will only cover medical treatment that is necessary to get you home to the UK, it will not cover ongoing treatment. If you stay in Spain for more than 6 months and 1 day you should become a resident by applying for your Residencia. Can we ask if you receive your state pension please, this will allow me to give you the correct advice and information?
The response was that the gentleman does receive a state pension. So our colleague Nicola responded again with the following:-
Perfect, in that case applying for your Residencia is much easier.
When you apply for your Residencia you have to request an “S1” from the HMRC. This certificate will transfer the NHS healthcare benefits to Spain allowing you to access full healthcare as you would in the UK. After obtaining Residencia you can apply for your SIP card which will provide access to the healthcare system in Spain. You have to be Resident in Spain to obtain your SIP card. We can help you obtain both your SIP and Residencia.
For Residencia we would require the following documents:
-NIE
-Passport
-Padron (no more than 6 months old)
-S1 certificate from HMRC, (this can take many weeks to arrive, would be best to request this first )
-Most recent bank statement from your Spanish or UK bank showing your pension contributions from the DWP being deposited, the statement must have your full name on.
-Recent awards letter from the DWP confirming your pension contributions
Should you have any problems when requesting your Padron at the Padron office, please advise them you need the Padron as part of you Residencia application.
For your SIP card, we would require the following documents
-S1
-Passport
-Padron (no more than 6 months old)
-Residencia
Our fee for Residencia is 130€, this includes preparation of paperwork, taxes, translation on the day of the appointment and collection
of your Residencia, SIP card is 40€
Should you have any queries in regards to this please do not hesitate to contact us.
17 Comments
Julia Helen Bough
Hi, i am an expat residing in San Miguel de salinas 03193 Spain.
Im 65 years old but not recieving pension from uk until January 2020. I came to visit friends in France and was taken ill here. I have been paying as i go for pescriptions and medical care. Where can i apply for a EHIC from Spain to cover me until i can return there.