THE CONVENIO ESPECIAL

‘Buy in’ to state healthcare in Spain.

This was introduced a few years ago, although as yet it isn’t available nationally. I live in the Valencia region, so this is how to apply here. The method of application in other regions might be different, so you’ll need to check with the local health authority as to how to apply.

This is intended for residents who can’t access the state health system in any other way. Once you have been a registered resident & on the padrón for a minimum of 12 months, if you have no other way to access state healthcare, you can apply to ‘buy in’. This gives you total access to all healthcare provision in Spain. There are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions, although you will have to pay the full cost of medication.

Current costs are 60€ per month up to the age of 65 & 157€ per month thereafter.

HOW TO APPLY

As a foreigner living in Spain, in order to apply you need to gather the following together – & photocopies!

• Application Form for the Convenio Especial. You can download that here: http://www.gva.es/downloads/publicados/IN/19162_BI.pdf
• Current Passport
• Proof of residency & NIE. This, for an EU citizen will be the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión (Green certificate/card). For a non-EU citizen it will be the Tarjeta de Residencia.
• Current Certificado de Empadronamiento  (padrón)
• Direct Debit form. You can download that here: http://www.gva.es/downloads/publicados/IN/19163_BI.pdf

Once you have completed the application form, you simply take it all to the post office / correos in an open envelope. They will check everything & send it off for you. Once you hear that it has been processed you go to the centro de salud & register. It’s that simple.

The other regions where it is currently (May 2016) available are as follows:

• Andalucía
• Islas Baleares
• Islas Canarias
• Castilla y León
• Galicia
• Madrid
• Murcia