Healthcare is always an important and worrying issue, whether it is solely when going on holiday or more so if moving permanently to another country. For those coming to Spain, or any other European country - all of which offer reciprocal care in an emergency situation only, DO NOT assume that this is adequate. It is absolutely essential that, in addition to your blue European Health Insurance Card (often referred to as the EHIC) you also take out travel insurance.

Those on holiday who find themselves in need of emergency treatment, you must present yourself, EHIC card AND passport.... the last item is compulsory, to a Social Security run health centre or hospital. There are 3 "Centro de Salud" centres in Benidorm and only one hospital, the Hospital Marina Baixa in Villa Joyosa, which serves the Benidorm area. The two hospitals in the centre - IMED Levante and Hospital Clinica Benidorm are both private hospitals and will not accept the EHIC.

The EHIC will only cover you for necessary emergency treatment - if you require ongoing treatment or worse still, repatriation, which can cost several thousand pounds, you will have to pay for it yourself. Many cases have been highlighted recently of holiday makers taking a chance then coming unstuck, then relying on family and friends back in the UK to bail them out. The British Consulate in Alicante deal with numerous situations every year despite repeated campaigns advising everyone to take out travel insurance - you do not plan an accident, but that is exactly what it is, an unexpected and unintentional incidence!

Those that decide to move and make Spain their home also have to give great thought to healthcare. If you are a pensioner and entitled to UK healthcare then you will automatically be covered here. Those that come and work here "legally" will be covered through their social security contributions - be that via your employer or as autonomo, self employed. Up until now there has been a grey area - those not yet of retirement age and not working either.... they have technically not been covered by the Social Security system as they are not paying any contributions and have had to take out private insurance.

Social Security Hospital

British residents living within the Valencian Communidad, without access to state healthcare in Spain now have the opportunity to join the Spanish health insurance scheme. The Valencian Government has introduced the "Convenio Especial", a scheme that is part of wide ranging reforms to the health system. In a statement, Martyn Standing, from the heathcare team at the British Consulate in Alicante said "This is great news - it means almost everyone who currently lacks the right to state healthcare can now get themselves covered".

To be eligible you must have been living in Spain for at least one year prior to applying - this is normally proven through being registered on the padron. All applications must be made in writing to the Regional Health Authority and NOT through their local health centres. It costs 60 euros a month for working age people - children must also be paid for in their own right as they are not included as dependants. Unlike travel insurance, people with pre-existing conditions CAN join - this insurance gives full access to the state healthcare system. However, the cost of any medication prescribed by the doctor will not be subsidised and 100% of the cost will have to be paid. The only exception is any medication given whilst someone is in hospital - that will be free.

More information can be found on the Valencian Government website: http://www.gva.es/es/inicio/procedimientos?id_proc=17044&id_page=&id_site