Social security -UK/Spain

[Peter Williamson]

I've just moved to Spain from the UK and I'm loving every minute of it (so far). With one exception. I cannot find anyone who can tell me whether I am entitled to health care under the Spanish social security system, and how to go about obtaining it.. My circumstances are slightly unusual in that I have moved to Spain permanently but I have a 3 month contract from a UK company. So I am paying tax and NI in the UK. According to the DWP the EHIC card doesn't cover me because I'm working! I'm not employed or self-employed in Spain so I can't pay in to the social security system here. There's something called an E101 but I'm not sure if that is relevant. I'd prefer not to pay for private medical insurance if I'm entitled to free cover. Can anyone help?

Thanks

Peter

[Culebronchris]

The Spanish Social security system is pretty straight forward - if you are working and making contributions, if you were earning (and made sufficient contributions) or if you are a retired EU National then you are in the system and entitled to whatever they offer (health care, dole, retraining etc).

In your case I think you need to talk to the Social Security people in Newcastle. When I first came here I got a form, called an E206 (I think), that took account of my contributions to the UK system, and gave me cover for 2 years under the Spanish system. Basically the form meant that the Spanish system knew the UK system would cover the costs of my treatment in Spain - it was like an extended (old) E111. I seem to remember there was something similar for people who were "working abroad" (from the UK point of view) but I also remember that I needed to know that I was after an E206 before anyone in Newcastle knew who to put me through to - it didn't seem to be an easy one to track down.

One of those "Moving to and Living in Spain" sort of books will give you the answer or Google E206 and see what you get that's similar.

[greytop]

Peter - the embassy site (http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1144249331947)has all sorts of useful links.
There is a booklet SA29 which has detailed info about social security etc. For a PDF version see this DWP site (http://www.dwp.gov.uk/international/sa29/)
It contains the phone numbers you'll need. I've found them very helpful.

To register in the Spanish social security you need some piece of paper from the UK giving assurance that they will foot the bill. This varies depending on circumstance (whether retired, pension age, working etc.) Also proof of residence probably. See the Seguridad Social (http://www.seg-social.es/inicio/?MIval=cw_usr_view_Folder&LANG=6) web page for some help. The health card they issue may well be for a limited period so you have to renew it every year.

For example I came here under E106 cover for two years. Next I had a letter each year from the Pension Service saying I was not entitled to UK health care. Finally when 65 I had the E121 issued.
All part of life's rich tapestry!!
Good luck - and why not take out a private insurance as well, they are not too expensive here and can be especially useful if you want things to fit in with your work etc.

[Peter Williamson]

Emboldened by the above posts I once again tackled the DWP. After 10 minutes of going round in circles (again) I was eventually told that I needed to speak to the department for 'workers' - the person I was speaking to only did 'non-workers'. The 'workers' person informed me that this was straightforward and all I needed was a 'workers E106'. Needless to say there was a form to fill in. I had to post it to the UK. Goodness knows when (if ever) I will receive a response as there's a postal strike on in the UK at the moment.

The private health insurance looks like a good deal, except that they exclude any previous conditions from the cover - exactly the things which are liable to cause problems. They didn't explain what you do if there problems recur. So I didn't give them any money.

Saludos

Peter