That said, we will all need a doctor or hospital at some point and the Costa Blanca benefits from from an excellent network of modern public hospitals and medical centres. The state healthcare in Spain has a well deserved good reputation and you would be hard pushed to find anyone who has moved from the UK to Spain that would say any different.

Spain like many other countries in Europe has suffered from ‘health tourism’ and the result of this has meant a tightening of the rules for who are and are not entitled to free at source medical care. Since August 2012 foreigners in Spain that do not have residency or work permits will not receive free Spanish healthcare automatically. This excludes pregnant women and children and those in need of emergency services.

Have a look below and see which group you are in.

Retiree with residency in Spain

If you are moving from the UK to Spain and are receiving a state pension or are on long term sickness benefit you will be included in the free healthcare system in Spain. Before you leave the UK obtain an S1 form (previously E121) from the International Pension Centre (0191 218 7777). You should register your S1 with your local INSS office in Spain.

If you are receiving a state pension or are on long term sickness benefit, then you are entitled to health care and should obtain an S1 form (previously E121) from the international Pension Centre on 0044 191 218 7777. Once it has been issued you should register the S1 form with your local INSS office.

Early retirees & residents under 65 years who are not working/paying taxes

You have two options:

Option 1 – take out private health insurance.

Option 2 – join the convenio especial – state-run insurance scheme (convenio especial) which costs €60 per month for under 65 years old

Employed or self employed in Spain

If you have a work contract in Spain or are self employed and paying your taxes in Spain you, your partner and children (providing they live in the same house) will be included in the state healthcare system.