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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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  .
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

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.

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.

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.