An important aspect that weighs heavily in your decision to go to Spain to move is of course healthcare. People often find it a bit scary to leave the familiar Netherlands and its good healthcare. What we can tell you is that these concerns are very misplaced. Spain was in 2019 by the renowned Bloomberg news agency proclaimed to the healthiest country in the world and they score high worldwide for their health care.

Bloomberg Research

This study examined factors such as life expectancy, obesity, clean water, sanitation and mental health. What we forgot to tell you is that our own Netherlands according to Bloomberg since 2017 has even dropped from 13^and place to the 15^and place in 2019. So the concerns people have about health and medical care in Spain are actually completely unfounded.

So don't worry

The fact that there is no need to worry about health care in Spain is because Spain is ranked 6th in the world^and place is. To compare: The Netherlands is in 14th place^and place. Are you a resident of Spain or do you work in the country? Then fortunately you always have access to Spanish healthcare.

If you live in Spain you are obliged to have insurance, also known as Social Security called. With Seguridad Social you are automatically insured provided you have an income or pay premiums. You also notice very little of the costs, because health care is paid for by special social premiums that are automatically deducted from your salary.

Employers are required to register you as an employee. The amount depends on your income. The average of this amount is approximately 4.7% of your annual income.

The Seguridad Social also takes the entire population into account very well. In this way, everyone can use the care, despite their personal situation, due to the low premiums and health care costs. In this way, the care you are entitled to does not depend on your income or insurer.

Self-employed and private health insurance

Are you going to work as a self-employed person? This means that you do not work for a boss and are therefore not employed. Therefore, you must pay your premium yourself and this is not automatically deducted from your income. What you must do then is take out private health insurance.

Private health insurance

Despite the fact that health care in Spain is very well organised With the Spanish Seguridad Social, it is unfortunately the case that the long queues in public hospitals can be very annoying, making it difficult to visit a specialist, for example.

Also, the standards in terms of public health clinics are somewhat lower than we Dutch are used to. Private care in Spain comes closer to care in the Netherlands. If you do choose to take out private insurance, it will also provide you with coverage for care in private clinics. These clinics not only have much shorter waiting times, but are often also more modern.

Private health insurance in Spain is often still cheaper than the premium for basic insurance in the Netherlands.

Insurance for the dentist

Of course, not everything you need in terms of medical care is reimbursed and for some things, such as the dentist, you do have to take out private insurance. Dental insurance in Spain will cost you a maximum of €20 per month. This is of course very little compared to what we pay in the Netherlands in premiums for Dutch health insurance.

Medical costs in Spain are simply lower than in the Netherlands. Even if you only had Dutch basic insurance in the Netherlands.

General Practitioners

Furthermore, fortunately, if you move to Spain you can also bring your own GP may choose. You can quickly visit general practitioners and you can claim care from a specialist through your general practitioner. The general practitioners work from their own practice or are employed in one of the health centres.

Pharmacies

If you have ever walked down the street in a Spanish city, you have probably noticed that there are many pharmacies are. These 'farmacias' are conspicuous and recognizable by the green cross logo. It is also often the case that pharmacies are open 24 hours a day.

Children and health insurance

What is also good to know is that children in Spain are not allowed to travel until they are 18^and automatically be co-insured on their parents' policy. For children, it is even the case that the dentist is not available until they are 15^and year of life is also reimbursed. There is also a national vaccination model for children and children are vaccinated against Polio, Hepatitis B, measles, etc., just like in the Netherlands.

Sanitary ware

In the hospital you also have to sanitary cloth can show. This is actually just your insurance card in Spain from Seguridad Social and with this you can go to all Health Center right. That is why it is advisable to apply for this card as soon as possible. In order to apply for the card, you must first be registered as a resident of Spain.

After registering in Spain you can register with the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social. Don't forget to bring your ID and don't forget your Spanish passport with your NIE. After this you will fill in a form and later you will receive your Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI) by mail. The TSI is valid for 4 years and must always be shown during your visits to public health care. Medicines in Spain are not very expensive, but with this Seguridad Social part of your medicines are also reimbursed. Nice bonus, right!?

COVID-19 vaccination in the Netherlands or Spain?

Did you receive one of the jabs in the Netherlands and the other in Spain? Then you need to contact the Centro de Salud in your region, so they can register your Dutch vaccination in Spain so you can create a DCC.

Finally..

If you have any further questions regarding your emigration to Spain, you can always consult the other articles on our website.