You have found your dream property in this beautiful region of the Iberian Peninsula and you want to fully understand how your future host country works? How, and by whom, will you be treated? Public healthcare system, private healthcare system… Discover everything you need to know about health insurance in Spain by following these 4 points! Prepare for your holidays or your move abroad with complete peace of mind!
The public healthcare system in Spain
In Spain, there are 2 healthcare systems that are completely independent of one another: the public one and the private one.
The public healthcare system, or SNS for “Sistema Nacional de Salud”, is free for anyone who is registered. You join it directly if you work in Spain, for example. However, for retirees who settle there, you will have to wait a year before you can benefit from it. Solutions exist to remedy this problem through a specific government scheme.
In this type of system, a doctor is assigned to you directly based on your location, and any steps to see a specialist must begin with a consultation with this doctor. You are also covered free of charge for hospital care in a public hospital.
On the other hand, this system also has its limits: very long waiting times, limited cover for dental and optical care, and no option to choose your own doctor. This is why it is worth considering a health insurance policy and taking advantage of the private healthcare system!
The European Health Insurance Card
Before considering taking out a Spanish health insurance policy, you should know that you can benefit from the European Health Insurance Card: the EHIC.
As a Belgian citizen, living in a European Union country, you can apply for this card through your health insurance fund so that you can use it in the other countries of the European Union. This allows you to access the Spanish public healthcare system without having to pay out or advance any money.
If you simply want to enjoy your house or apartment during the summer months or on short stays, this is an option you can turn to. It will save you from having to pay monthly instalments for a health insurance policy!
Be careful, this possibility is worth considering if you do not have any particular treatment to follow. Carefully assessing your personal situation will be essential to making the best choice, and perhaps turning to a health insurance policy.
For any further information regarding the EHIC, you can consult the official Belgian information and services website.
Health insurance in Spain
The private healthcare system in Spain is very well developed, and taking out a health insurance policy allows you to benefit from it.
To do so, you will need your NIE, the tax identification number assigned to foreigners in Spain, or your passport, an address in Spain, a completed medical questionnaire, and a Spanish bank account. Some insurance companies may accept Belgian bank accounts, but this practice is not very common.
Health insurance companies have their own networks of professionals and private facilities. You can freely choose the doctor or specialist you wish to consult within the network of the chosen company, for example, an English-speaking doctor. The big difference from the public system lies in very short waiting times and cover for most dental and optical care.
The rates obviously depend on your level of risk, but health insurance is no more expensive than in the other countries of the European Union. For example, it works out at an average of around forty euros a month for someone in their thirties.
By joining a health insurance policy in Spain, you give yourself access to all types of care in the shortest possible time, with a wide choice of professionals. A recommended option if you wish to settle in Spain for the long term after buying your new property.
International health insurance
Your final option is to take out an international health insurance policy. The latter is much more expensive than a private health insurance policy in Spain, but it also has its advantages.
Indeed, with international health insurance, you can consult the professional or facility of your choice, anywhere in the world. A definite benefit for anyone who wants to settle in Spain but continue to travel or even invest in other countries. It is also the guarantee for you of always being able to consult an English-speaking doctor.
Planning ahead for your care in Spain
Depending on your personal situation and your plans, you can make an informed choice about a health insurance policy in Spain, and thereby access the care that suits you in the best possible time. If you are still searching for your property, Secundo will support you in your project. Contact their team without further delay!