WHY do people move to Spain to retire? The prime reason used to be the weather but now, says Justin Medd, of European Villa Solutions, it is the medical care. And the Costa Blanca is the World Health Organisation’s top health spot.
Many countries have reciprocal arrangements with the UK, so provided the forms have been filled in properly, basic healthcare should be available and private health insurance an unnecessary expense. These include the 15 member states of the European Economic Area (EEA), as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
For the casual visitor, a simple form (E111) available from main post offices must be completed and stamped. It costs nothing and remains valid indefinitely, giving basic health cover in the event of accident or illness. It covers the holder for 90 days — a couple of months at the holiday home.
Different arrangements exist for longer, or permanent stays. If the rules are observed, free medical treatment will be provided, as long as the patient is paying regular National Insurance contributions or is above official retirement age. In the latter case, form E121 should be completed.
In addition to EEA members there are other countries with which the Department of Health has negotiated reciprocal healthcare agreements. The quality and diversity of treatment varies, but generally accidents and emergencies are covered. Often excluded are dentistry, outpatient treatment and prescribed medicine; and some of the countries listed charge for ambulance travel. Proof of UK residency and that vital E111 form is usually all that is required.
Advertisement
Among those countries offering a degree of free medical care are Anguilla, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, the Channel Islands, Czech Republic, Falkland Islands, Hungary, Malta, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic, St Helena, Turks and Caicos and Yugoslavia.
In countries in which no such reciprocal arrangement exists (Switzerland and the US, for example), even basic treatment is expensive and health insurance is a must.
In countries such as Spain, where there are a lot of English-speaking doctors, it is sometimes possible to join a local scheme where an annual premium of about £100 gives a number of free consultations each year. It may be cheaper, however, to choose an area noted for its healthy climate and diet.
However, the main route to longevity remains genetic — it pays to choose the right parents and grandparents.
Profitable pueblo