There was a letter on the ‘Letters to the Editor’ page of the CdS news last week,
quote; “The British Embassy site states that there should soon be in place (Jan 2009) a scheeme where early retirees may pay into the Spanish System to receive care.  The cost has yet to be decided but is to be ‘reasonable and affordable’.”
I have looked on the site and can’t find anything although nothing is easy to find on there! Anyone know any more about this???
Lizzielogs

No thats it at the moment - nothing happens in Spain in August! and the government have bigger problems than worrying about us - but it will happen.

ROBI - 17 August 2008 09:25 PM

No thats it at the moment - nothing happens in Spain in August! and the government have bigger problems than worrying about us - but it will happen.

Hi Rob,
So it is actually true then… is there any way you could find me a link to wherever it is on the Embassy site please?
Lizzielogs

Hi Lizzie,

No I dont have one - it was widely reported in the papers and posted on other sites - it will be big news when it is sorted out hopefully by EOY.

I have further info from the British Embassy as follows
“Thank you for your email. We haven’t been able to find the information either. We are contacting the Costa del Sol News directly to make sure they express clearly and soon this is only applicable in Valencia and Catalu?a Autonomous Communities.”
So not here on the CdS then!!!

No I have heard nothing about the CdS - it is regional initiatives (Valencia had a free for everybody system until recently - so they really now need to do something to replace it)

Hi Lizzie/All,
The inforamation originally came from (I belive) an article in The Telegraph. Try this webadd:

http://www.telegraphy.co.uk_global_main

It tells us about the changes that are going to take place in the Valencia Region.
My guess is that at some point - Malaga will also decide it has too many ‘mid age/not yet retired’ expats and will look
at imposing a similar PAYING scheme.
Please forgive me if it is not pukka to mention another Expat website here - but GovtAbuseSpain? - (perhaps there is a link/info on it from here - I am sure this is where I heard about it)... is a specialist/Action group - to try and bring Spain into line (and the UK Govt) on reciprocal health care/rights.

For those not in the know - Even if in the UK the retirement age (for women) is/was 60 - A retiree in spain is not till 65.  Therefore, you will not be covered for free health care in the state system here if you are under 65. 

PS - I am ‘just’ 44 and have to pay as I go (as I cannot afford private health care) - as I lost my job and this is the only option.
(I did enquire about paying ‘voluntary payments’ - but this is a whopping Eu 230 a month - just a tad less than a self-employed person!).

Regards to all,
SJ

See this from No.10:

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page17523