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For all Information regarding your Pension Rights, Benefits and Allowances for all British ex-pats living or considering to live in spain, click on the following websites for up to date information.
http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/pensions-benefits/uk-benefits http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/ipc/The Pension Advice Servicehttp://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance
Press Release: 4 July 2008 = WITHDRAWAL OF VALENCIA HEALTH CARE CONCESSION
At a joint press conference with C.L.A.R.O., Bill Bridges made the following statement Press Statement –
Bill Bridges This issue first came to my attention when I read about it in the local English Press. I am one of those affected by the decision of the Valencian Authorities to suspend healthcare for certain classes of people, including early retiree expats. It immediately seemed to me to be fundamentally and morally wrong, not to mention indefensible, to suddenly and without warning, withdraw the medical cards from so many people. Valencia did say at the time that existing SIP cards would be honoured up to their expiry date (which could be anything from days to one year).
My next reaction was to contact some medical insurance companies. I soon found out that as both my wife and I had “Pre-existing Conditions”, and were undergoing long term treatment, none of the companies would accept us except for “new” illnesses, provided that they (the insurers) did not deem any new illness to be related to any previous condition, and provided that any new illness did not occur within the first six months of any policy.
The net effect would have been that, once my SIP card expires, I cannot receive any healthcare for my ongoing complaints unless I pay the full amount of the cost of the treatment personally, and like a lot of others in this situation, there is no way that I can afford to do so, let alone afford any necessary drugs.
My next contact was with the Department of Work and Pensions in England, where I was told “Sorry, we cannot help you, this decision was, and is, nothing to do with us”.
I then contacted Bob Houliston, President of the local, independent political party, C.L.A.R.O., who undertook to find out what he could for me. As a direct result of this contact and C.L.A.R.O´s statement in the press, I and all others affected were advised to e-mail the British Embassy in Madrid outlining our difficulties. The Embassy’s unhelpful first response was that we should all seek private medical insurance! At around this time another of those affected, Mr Gwilym Floyd, started an on-line petition to 10 Downing Street. To date this petition has almost 300 signatures.
I have since been in touch with the UK Minister at the DWP, the shadow Minister for Health, Mr David Cameron MP, Mr David Davis MP, The EU Commission and some MEPs. Sadly, here have been no positive responses as yet. I have also contacted the Conservatives Abroad organisation who co-ordinated when a similar situation arose in France, and which was reversed for those already resident in France, and I am awaiting their advice. Thanks to C.L.A.R.O´s contacts with the British media, there have been two articles on this matter in the Observer and the Daily Telegraph, and I have been interviewed, on air, by the BBC World Service programme, ‘Europe Today’.
This last week, I have written to the local British press here, and as a result have started a database of all those, so far, who have chosen to respond to my published letter. There are currently 114 responses on this database, which I hope to use to further our joint aim of having either this Valencian decision overturned, or, with the help of the British and/or European authorities, obtain some direct positive intervention by the British and/or European Authorities. As a group, we are disgusted that ANYBODY (including our Spanish friends) can enter the UK as a migrant and instantly receive all the benefits of the British Social Security system, without paying a penny. Whereas, in the vast majority of our cases, we have paid into that system all our working lives and after just 2.5 years of leaving the UK, have lost entitlement in the UK and could be about to lose it here.
Earlier this week, we saw a chink of light when I was informed by the Alicante Consulate that the Valencian Authorities had had a re-think. They are apparently now prepared to extend, for those affected, free health care with the SIP Cards until 31st December of this year. After that date, we would all, on paying a contribution into the Spanish system (amount yet to be decided) once again receive state health cover. This decision has now been set out in a press release dated 2nd July 2008 entitled “Clarification on Free Healthcare in Valencia”.
Whilst these moves are welcomed, and we are grateful to all those who have been involved in this positive development, it does not go far enough! Particularly when it is realised that offering free healthcare was obviously also an inducement, on the part of the Valencian Government, to attract immigrants just such as us to this Region where we spent, and continue to spend, millions of Euros on buying properties and living here, contributing enormously to all parts of the economy.
It is my own view that the provision of free healthcare by the Valencian Authorities, to people such as us should be restored completely, and that the whole matter should be thrashed out between the Spanish, UK and European authorities to ensure that this unjust situation is urgently remedied, and that nothing similar can happen again.
I should add, that I, along with almost everyone else who has had, or is having, healthcare here in the Valencian Region, have nothing but praise for the standards of care and treatment that we have received.
 A SIP Card
Axe Falls On Free Health Cover in Costa Blanca
Thousands of expats resident in Valencia will lose access to the state national health system in regional government cutbacks. An announcement detailing changes in the social security laws from the community’s health minister Manuel Cervera was made yesterday afternoon. And the most affected are British residents who do not make contributions to the health system in Spain – often people who have taken early retirement. It is understood the changes will NOT affect pensioners – men aged 65 and women aged 60 – who are covered by an E121, or people migrating to Spain and covered by an E106, who have been working in the UK and have two year’s ‘grace’. However, there could be changes to the EHIC system, the European Union system of guaranteeing health cover for tourists...
Consulate staff in Alicante and Madrid confirmed the changes were officially announced on Thursday afternoon. An insider told Round Town News: “This is no rumour. We are aware that the changes to free healthcare cover will be published in the region’s official bulletin. “The people that will be most affected by this measure are those who do not have access to the state health system through an E121 or an E106, or who do not pay Spanish Social Security contributions.”
Currently, diplomats are busy gathering information on the changes to enable them to give “accurate advice” to British citizens living in the Generalitat Valenciana. Until now, expats taking early retirement have been issued with a ‘SIP’ card by the health service on production of what has become known as the ‘Newcastle Letter’.
BENEFITS
This involved getting a legislative letter, in Spanish, from the Overseas Benefits Office at the Department of Works and Pension, Newcastle. It allowed people not entitled to either of the ‘E’ forms to get free healthcare. However, the SIP card needed to be renewed annually with a fresh letter from the UK. The letter underlined how the bearer was not entitled to health cover in Britain under the NHS and enabled them to get the full cover. However, it is believed people holding these cards will still be covered until the expiry date of the individual SIP. Contacts close to the health service say this announcement will come as a “shock” to many expats and had come “out of the blue.” It is understood Valencia’s health budget is severely over-stretched at present – especially with EU citizens, including a majority of Brits – flooding to start a new life in the sun. RTN was told that it appeared the British Government was being slow in settling health bills run up by citizens in a Europe-wide reciprocal agreement.
Geoff Ogle, the DHSS Director for Pensions based in Newcastle, paid a fact finding visit to Torrevieja.
He and his aides met Graham Knight and Pedro Valero at the Foreigners’ Office for a discussion about how the many ex-pats living in the area are affected by DHSS regulations relating to pensions, allowances, etc. and how the Spanish equivalent, the INSS, worked in practice as far as foreigners are concerned. Although Mr Ogle has visited Spain previously, this was the first time he had visited Torrevieja, which was chosen because of the high number of ex-pats who have settled here.
There are too many sources of information regarding allowances and pensions to mention them all, but the main website in the UK for pensions and non-pension related allowances such as incapacity benefit, fuel allowances, etc., is www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
For healthcare abroad, visit www.dh.gov.uk/travellers There is a website in English here in Spain for information about Spanish benefits and pensions, for those who are entitled to them, at www.seg-social.es.
Incidentally, anyone who is eligible, but is not planning to travel outside of Spain this summer, need not rush if they are thinking of applying for a Spanish European health card (EHIS), which gives the holder medical cover outside of Spain. The INSS office in Orihuela is currently issuing just a paper certificate which gives temporary cover for 3 months. Staff there told our reporter, when he went to apply for his own card, that the reason is that they have none of the actual plastic cards to issue and are awaiting delivery of them from Madrid!
MEDICAL: Health Pages
The World Health Organisation has declared this area as one of the healthiest places to live. Bathing in the salt lakes is said to heal skin complaints, anyone with arthritis and rheumatism will definitely feel the benefits of living in this healthy climate. Medical Treatment is superior in Spain and is one of the top countries in the world for health facilities.
Form E111:
When visiting Spain it is advisable for everyone to obtain a Form E111, which can be obtained from any Post Office or the DHSS. It is also necessary to carry a photocopy of the E111, as well as the original, for presentation in case of emergency medical treatment or prescription medicines.
Form E121:
Pensioners and recipients of Invalidity Benefit retiring to Spain permanently, must obtain a Form E121 from the DHSS to cover health care services and regular medical assistance.
Once in Spain, and residency has been applied for, the E121 should be taken to the ‘Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social’ (INSS), the Social Security office in Orihuela, and exchanged for a health service card. It is then possible to register with a local General Practitioner at a ‘Centro de Salud’ (Health Centre).
Form E106
This form is for those under retirement age and can last for up to 2 years cover for health care from a designated tourist clinic If you are coming to live permanently in Spain you will need form E12.1. If you are not retired, you need to be working and paying social security contributions in Spain to enjoy medical cover.
If you are self employed, then you will be covered by the Spanish Health System, due to you paying your national insurance, this at the time or writing is €250 per month. If you are employed in Spain, you are also covered.
Private Health Care in Spain is very good, and of course much quicker to get seen too than Spain’s National Health Service. You are covered the day you take out the policy.
Pharmacies or farmadas are easily identified by an illuminated green cross and are generally nearby the properties we rent. As in the UK, opticians and dentists or dentistas are easily found.
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