Valencia: Deal Done For Expat Healthcare

 
 
July 8th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

Britons living in the Spanish region of Valencia have forced the local government to drop plans to strip thousands of expatriates of the right to public healthcare. Millions of British retirees have moved to the Spanish coast in recent years, many lured by property developers’ promises of a sunny retirement home overlooking the Mediterranean in resorts like Alicante and Benidorm. However recent arrivals have placed such a strain on Valencia’s health system that the regional government said earlier this year it would scrap cover for foreigners, even if they hold resident status in Spain.

After protests to the British Embassy in Madrid, consular staff and the region have thrashed out a deal whereby an estimated 3,000 early retirees will continue to receive healthcare for a ‘reasonable and affordable’ price. Pensioners are covered by the European Union’s reciprocal health system, which means the UK picks up the bill for treatment, but the arrangement does not cover early retirees. The deal will come into effect in January.

 

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  1. Comment by Sammy on 9 December 2008:

    Thats great but what happened to letting us know what the deal is, how much do we pay? Also what happens to people like mysef who have been paid off on medical grounds due to industrial injury without getting my pension from work. I live on an Injury Benefit, which is similar to a pension, but not from the government. I am on permanent prescriptions which I cannot get without the SIP Card, cannot afford to pay 260 Euros a month for the SIP Card and cannot get private insurance because I already have the medical conditions. Where do I stand? Can you help clear up all the confusion please.

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