Having been issued with the European Health card, in Tortosa,  last year, we were told that it would only be valid until end of February 2010.
We were told that after that date we would have to apply to the U.K. and not Spain, for new ones.   New rules and Regulations!
We have looked on the web site to try and find information regarding this but can't.
This morning we phoned U.K. (00441912127500), a Government office,  and spoke to someone there.  They told us that nothing has been finalised yet with E.U, so we need to go back to Tortosa office at the end of February to be issued with TEMPORARY cards, maybe for 2 months?
Hope this helps anyone who needs info.

I have a spare Monopoly  Community Chest Card which says I can get free medical care collect  500 quid do you think they will accept it at the hospitals?

Ritaratbag wrote on Jan 19^th, 2010 at 4:19pm:

Having been issued with the European Health card, in Tortosa,  last year, we were told that it would only be valid until end of February 2010. We were told that after that date we would have to apply to the U.K. and not Spain, for new ones.   New rules and Regulations! We have looked on the web site to try and find information regarding this but can't. This morning we phoned U.K. (00441912127500), a Government office,  and spoke to someone there.  They told us that nothing has been finalised yet with E.U, so we need to go back to Tortosa office at the end of February to be issued with TEMPORARY cards, maybe for 2 months? Hope this helps anyone who needs info.

if you live in spain then that card is no good .my son as to have private health insurace with sanitas costs him 40.27e  pr month he had a card like yours had to go to the hostpital 3 years ago showed them the card they said it was no good if he lived in spain only if he was on holiday so he was sent the bill for the hostpital visit .after that he got private insurance we were told that is what you should be unless you are retired and getting a pension then thats different matter

As a resident here in Spain, I used to pay to Catsalut, which cost around 87 euros a month, but now I am a pensioner I get free health care here.
I was issued with the European Health card, (E.H.I.C.) , in Tortosa,  in case I need any health care,  if, or while,  travelling outside Spain.

Ritaratbag wrote on Jan 20^th, 2010 at 3:39pm:

As a resident here in Spain, I used to pay to Catsalut, which cost around 87 euros a month, but now I am a pensioner I get free health care here. I was issued with the European Health card, (E.H.I.C.) , in Tortosa,  in case I need any health care,  if, or while,  travelling outside Spain.

i see then if you are a resident in spain then surely you should get it again from tortosa ?(i dont know as i have never had one)and i am sorry i got it wronge regards nen

hi rita we have recived today a letter from the pension service with a form saying from MAY 1ST 2010 they (the uk) be responsible for the issue of the EHIC instead of the state were we are liveing.we have never had an EHIC but they have sent us a form each to fill in so we are going to send it off for one .hope this helps regards nen

There seems to be some confusion about which cards apply to which circumstances.  As I understand it, the E111 was replaced by the EH1C.  This was issued by the UK and was to cover emergencies whilst travelling abroad.  It provides reduced cost and possibly free treatment including that for pre-existing conditions.  It does not cover travelling abroad for specific treatment or for repatriation.  It is valid for five years and can be applied for or renewed on line.  THis is obviously appropriate for holiday makers and probably is adequate for people with property in Spain but who do not live here full time.
For those who live here full time, there are two appropriate documents depending on age.  For those under 65 (i.e. not in receipt of a UK state pension), the document is the E106 which provides the same benefits as those enjoyed by Spanish residents.  It is however only valid for two and a half years and if that expires before you retire, you're on your own for the remaining time.
If you are in receipt of a pension the the E121 comes into play and again gives you entitlement to the same treatment as the Spanish.
Applying for it is no mean feat.  I went through the rigrmarole after obtaining my green Certificate of Residency.  I eventually got a letter from Tarragona which seemed to translate (via Google) that I merely had to take it to my local health centre to be issued with a Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI).  Apprently not so.  The local health centre told me that the letter merely confirmed that I was now registered with the Spainish (or Catalan) Social Security system and that I would have to apply for the card with all the usual bumph (NIE/passport, letter, Padron (flippin pain as they only last three months)) etc. etc.  That's where I'm at at the moment.  This is only my own understanding and I stand to be corrected if I'm wrong.

Bigyin wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2010 at 4:41pm:

There seems to be some confusion about which cards apply to which circumstances.  As I understand it, the E111 was replaced by the EH1C.  This was issued by the UK and was to cover emergencies whilst travelling abroad.  It provides reduced cost and possibly free treatment including that for pre-existing conditions.  It does not cover travelling abroad for specific treatment or for repatriation.  It is valid for five years and can be applied for or renewed on line.  THis is obviously appropriate for holiday makers and probably is adequate for people with property in Spain but who do not live here full time. For those who live here full time, there are two appropriate documents depending on age.  For those under 65 (i.e. not in receipt of a UK state pension), the document is the E106 which provides the same benefits as those enjoyed by Spanish residents.  It is however only valid for two and a half years and if that expires before you retire, you're on your own for the remaining time. If you are in receipt of a pension the the E121 comes into play and again gives you entitlement to the same treatment as the Spanish. Applying for it is no mean feat.  I went through the rigrmarole after obtaining my green Certificate of Residency.  I eventually got a letter from Tarragona which seemed to translate (via Google) that I merely had to take it to my local health centre to be issued with a Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI).  Apprently not so.  The local health centre told me that the letter merely confirmed that I was now registered with the Spainish (or Catalan) Social Security system and that I would have to apply for the card with all the usual bumph (NIE/passport, letter, Padron (flippin pain as they only last three months)) etc. etc.  That's where I'm at at the moment.  This is only my own understanding and I stand to be corrected if I'm wrong.

hi bigyin :)we are resident in spain and the people who sent us the forms know that.we didnt ask for the forms but they were sent to us by  them lol.ok we have filled the forms in will send them back and see what happends will keep you posted thay say they send them out in march /april  :-/also if you are getting your pension then you get your health free we have our cards (no problem getting them )lets see what happens we were not going to bother getting a EHIC but if we can have a card then why not  :)

I wasn't suggesting that you were confused just that confusion in general seems to abound.  I'm still not certain about who is issuing replacement EH1C's but I think you need one if you're resident here to cover visits to UK.  Crazy if you ask me (although you didn't  ;D.
If you're saying that you have your TSI and had no probs getting it, I'd be interested to hear how you went about it.
Cheers,
Bigyin

ok we had letters sent to us from the uk telling us to take the letter to tortosa (we had to go over the other side off the bridge the side sabeco is on
)there is a hostpital just over the bridge by the trafic lights and on the corner just before the hostpital is the building we went to.we had to take the letters from the uk together with lots of forms one was DATOS DEL TITULAR DE LA PENSION (date pension payed from)

form e 121 tarjeta de residencia (nie)

certificado expedido por el ayuntamiento (form from your town hall were u live)

we were then given a tempory paper to be covered untill the card arived ,this was 4 years ago


i have an address on the CATSALUT  letter  its .....institut catala de la salut,subdivisio d atencio primaria,costa de ponent,tarragona i tortosa,DAP tortosa

HI. My wife received a letter this morning 2nd Feb from the pensions office in Newcastle saying that from the 1st May the UK will issue EHIC cards instead of the member state which you live also enclosing an application form.
Cards will be issued in April 2010 to be used from May 2010.
                      Terry.

Hi Peeps,
I got my letter and application form today.  I was confused as I applied for the EH1C that I already have after moving here and was under the impression that it was meant to cover me for emergencies etc prior to obtaing my TSI.
I've just phoned Newcastle for clarification and it seems that I should not have been issued with the one I have from UK (what's that all about then ?).
Anyway, although I reside here, it seems the new EH1C will cover me for trips to other EU countries e.g. Italy or indeed UK itself.
Good 'ere 'innit ?

I run an international project here in Institut Roquetes and we take the students abroad twice a year.  I was surprised to discover on the last trip that the EU health card the students were issued with only had a life of two months.  It would appear that this is now the norm for these cards, though God knows why, and is not something cooked up just for EU residents.

The next time I go for one, my yearly one just ran out, I will ask for reasons and so on and post them here.

wrote on Jan 20^th, 2010 at 1:18pm:

Ritaratbag wrote on Jan 19th, 2010 at 4:19pm: Having been issued with the European Health card, in Tortosa,  last year, we were told that it would only be valid until end of February 2010. We were told that after that date we would have to apply to the U.K. and not Spain, for new ones.   New rules and Regulations! We have looked on the web site to try and find information regarding this but can't. This morning we phoned U.K. (00441912127500), a Government office,  and spoke to someone there.  They told us that nothing has been finalised yet with E.U, so we need to go back to Tortosa office at the end of February to be issued with TEMPORARY cards, maybe for 2 months? Hope this helps anyone who needs info. if you live in spain then that card is no good .my son as to have private health insurace with sanitas costs him 40.27e  pr month he had a card like yours had to go to the hostpital 3 years ago showed them the card they said it was no good if he lived in spain only if he was on holiday so he was sent the bill for the hostpital visit .after that he got private insurance we were told that is what you should be unless you are retired and getting a pension then thats different matter

If you LIVE in Spain then surely you have spanish residency and access to a normal SS card right?

Hi Huw,
As you can see, I haven't visited this thread for a year and had forgotten all about it.  To be honest, I haven't a clue what the current situation is.  I think it's time I got in touch with Newcastle again to see what they have to say.
By the way, because you LIVE in Spain (your comment) does not imply that you have residency.  You have to apply for that.

If you follow this link it explains all about EHIC

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/Introduction.aspx

So what if you are resident here and have a  Cat Salud card what do you need to cover  you for trips back to UK ?



cactus jack wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 12:43pm:

If you follow this link it explains all about EHIC http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/Introduction.aspx

cactus jack wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 12:43pm:

If you follow this link it explains all about EHIC http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/Introduction.aspx

I've just read this and essentially it's saying you need an EHIC if you go on holiday from UK which is fine for people who spend most of their time in UK and visit here occasionally.  It doesn't address the situation for people who live here full time.  Not knocking your post.  Just adding for clarity.

wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 2:30pm:

So what if you are resident here and have a  Cat Salud card what do you need to cover  you for trips back to UK ? cactus jack wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 12:43pm: If you follow this link it explains all about EHIC http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/Introduction.aspx

I assume that by "resident here" you mean that you have a residency certificate ?
As far as I understand it, if you have a "Cat Salud" card (or TSI), you still need an EHIC to cover you for visits back to UK.

Bigyin wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 2:38pm:

cactus jack wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 12:43pm: If you follow this link it explains all about EHIC http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/Introduction.aspx I've just read this and essentially it's saying you need an EHIC if you go on holiday from UK which is fine for people who spend most of their time in UK and visit here occasionally.  It doesn't address the situation for people who live here full time.  Not knocking your post.  Just adding for clarity.

I live between the UK  and Spain that is to say that I have permanent addresses in both countries, (which are not let out!) I am not resident in Spain neither do I work in Spain. I do work in the UK & USA (via the internet) and pay my taxes in both of those counties. So therefore when I am in  Spain, I am there for a holiday, be it 3 months, 6 months, or even a year. Nobody can determine how long a holiday is or should be, can they?
If you live permanently in Spain and have no address in UK then I would have thought it would make sense to become a resident of Spain following the rules and costs of Spain regarding health care and 'possibly' get a spanish equivalent of the EHIC for your holidays in the rest of europe.
Of course you will be treated with an EHIC card in Spain in an emergency and also it is always possible to fly back to the Uk for treatment for free for more long term or chronic illnesses (which would work out cheaper than paying for private health care insurance)
Just my opinion :)

Right....As a result if all the confusion on here (and because I couldn't remember all the details), I've just rung the number on the web page referenced above.
The very helpful guy on the other end did his best to explain what the current situation is.  I'm going to do a bit more browsing around and see if I can't come up with a definitive post on all this for later.  I'll then ask Nigel if he'll make it a sticky because I think that having the correct information on our health cover is very important to us all.

Hi Jack,
You nipped in between my two posts  ::)
With respect, your post covers a lot of situations (including whether you should apply for residency here).
I think the health cover issue can be split into two main sets of circumstances i.e.
1.  Your main residence is UK and you come here for varying length visits.
2.  Your main residence is here and you may well visit other European countries (including UK).
I'll try and pin down the sp for both.

I applied for new European health cards for my Son and myself to cover our holiday in the UK. They were issued in December 2010, and the expiry date is December 2012.

This was in Mora d'Ebre and I only had to show my social security number and that I pay autonomo (self employment contributions)

Jools

Just to make things more clear.... We are resident here ( retired ) and do not own any property in any other country other than Spain...What is the procedure for getting  an EHIC or Spanish version of it ?

wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 2:30pm:

So what if you are resident here and have a  Cat Salud card what do you need to cover  you for trips back to UK ? cactus jack wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 12:43pm: If you follow this link it explains all about EHIC http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Your best bet is probably to ring this number and ask.  They're very helpful.

0044 (0)191 218 1999

Well Geandi, the way it used to be (and I somehow have the feeling that since I last went it might have changed) was that you just go into the offices of the Social Security with your residency papers and your social security card and ask for it, they normally used to take about five minutes.

In the end probably best to ring and check and Bigyin says.

EHIC ENQUIRIES
po box 1114,newcastle upon tyne,ne99 2tl.
phone 0044 845 6050707
web site www.nhsbsa@nhs.uk
email ehicenquiries@ppa.nhs.uk

hope this helps  :)

Hi Guys and Gals, Hopeing to move out later this year, permantally. We both need medication, take tables every day, Ugly pills for her in doors and Viagra for me. and as we dont pay for our medication in the UK, what is the best way to continue getting the said tablets, and blood tests, she's a vampire. :)

Presume you've read through all the above ?  Best bet is to ring Newcastle first as they should be able to give you chapter and verse.  I think there may have been some changes since some of the earlier posts on here.  Perhaps you'd be good enough to bring us all up to speed when you've contacted them.