Am I entitled to receive Public Healthcare in Spain?

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Resolve your doubts about the Spanish Public Healthcare system.

Were you a legal resident in Spain prior to the 24th of Abril 2012? Do you earn less than 100.000 euros per year?

If so, did you know that you and your family may legally be entitled to healthcare cover in Spain?

According to Act Real Decreto-Ley 16/2012, reforming the Spanish healthcare system, you will need the following documents in order to apply for Public Healthcare in Spain:

Valid passport.
Residency certificate dated before 24th of April 2012.
A letter from the department of work and pensions if you are British (or your home country’s equivalent).
A copy of your “padrón” certificate from your town hall (issued less than 3 months ago).
Proof of income, such as your wage slip, pension or a copy of last year’s tax return.
A copy of the Social Security form duly completed.
A legalized and translated copy of your children’s birth certificate.

Don’t worry if you don’t meet the above requirements, as there are other ways to qualify:

If you are entitled but your family is not, they can apply to be beneficiaries by submitting translated and legalized copies of your marriage certificate and your children’s birth certificates, and a copy of your family book (Libro de Familia) if you have one. This way, they may receive free healthcare cover too.
If you or your spouse reside and legally work in Spain (with a Spanish work contract) and you present the correct paperwork at your local INSS office, you and your family may also be entitled to healthcare.
If you or your spouse receives a state pension from a European country, by submitting the correct paperwork you will both be entitled to enjoy free Spanish healthcare.
If you have lived in Spain for over a year and do not meet any of the above requirements, you can apply to access the healthcare system by paying a small monthly fee. If you are under 60 years of age the cost will be 65 euros a month; if you are over 65 years of age the price is 157 euros a month.