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 :)