Cost cutting measures introduced by the central Spanish Government could mean EU residents who have not applied for residency in Spain and/or have not registered for a “padrón” at the Town Hall could lose their right to free health care.
The economy measures also include the introduction of a charge of 10% of the cost of prescription drugs for pensioners, except those on the lowest non contributory pensions, and 40% for those earning up to 22,000 euros a year. The charges rise gradually depending on income.
Anyone with an artificial aid or limb will be expected to contribute to the cost as will those using special dietary products and non urgent transport.
The changes will require a complete overhaul of the present medical card system to reflect the financial status of the service user. Although, as yet no official announcements have been made it is probable that medical cards will be recalled so they can be modified to comply with the changes.
According to the officials state medical bulletin these changes must be introduced by the end of June 2012.
Some 33,319l immigrants without residency papers will lose their right to free medical care and will only have access to “emergency care”. Before the changes registering as resident by taking out a “pardon” was sufficient to qualify for full medical cover.
Although, there is freedom of movement for EU citizens throughout Europe many of the national and regional newspapers are reporting that the changes will affect EU residents who have not registered as resident in Spain ie. secured a NIE number and/or taken out a “padron” at the Town Hall, who may lose their right to free medical care and will only have a right to emergency care. According to reports pensioners who fall into this category are likely to have their medical cards withdrawn and will have to pay for 100% of the care they receive.
Currently the Spanish Health Service provides full free medical care for 216,918 people from overseas and of those 147,788 are EU citizens who have not taken out residency in Spain in order to avoid paying tax. In order to maintain the right to free medical care through a Spanish medical card EU citizens may need to take out residency and register for a “padron”.
Nexonr digital newspaper will carry more information as it is released and confirmed. Currently this is all the information that is available.
