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[mexicanita]

Hey all,
It was brought to my attention that health insurance could be an issue in Spain, especially if you are illegal. I am just wondering if anyone has had an issue/bad experience related to health insurance in Spain? Someone brought it to my attention that if you are illegal and get very sick that you will have to pay a large quantity of money because although you bought the insurance you are illegal and it does not cover those who are illegally in the country.
Another quick question, for those that have been able to obtain work permits. How long was the process, while in Spain? If it was worth it and was it costly to get (i.e. lawyer, etc.)?
One more question, it is about opening a bank account. Those that have gone through EBC and they offer the opening of a bank account in Caixa, I was wondering if that was quick and proven to be helpful?
Thanks to all, I really appreciate you sincerity.

[lozwich]

I don't know how accurate this is, but I recently burnt myself quite badly. Although I'm legal in Spain, I haven't yet bothered to go to register at the local ambulatorio (medical centre thingy). Partly because I wasn't registered with the ambulatorio, I didn't go to emergency when I probably should have. Since then, a couple of my Spanish friends have told me that it wouldn't have mattered whether I was registered or not, because they must help everyone, even if they are illegal in cases of emergency.

So, maybe you would be ok if there was an emergency situation, but I guess this doesn't help for other kinds of medical occurences. Again, I don't know if this information is actually true, anyone else heard this??

Have a good day,
Lozwich.

[spiral78]

Right, in EU member countries, there are reciprocal agreements that will get you treatment in emergency rooms. If you break your leg, you can be pretty sure that you'll be treated whether you are in the country legally or not.
Whether you will have to pay for the cost of your care is a different issue.

If you are living illegally in the country and somehow get unlucky and incur medical bills (get hit by a car or suddenly contract some serious illness) your travel insurance may not be liable to pay because you are illegal. This may also apply to your US based insurance that covers you for a stay abroad; if you are illegal, the insurance companies have some loopholes.

The best advice is to be sure that you keep a financial safety net in place. This is a good idea no matter what - you should always be able to move to new housing or buy a plane ticket on short notice. It's still possible to get very unlucky and encounter some expensive health problems that will not be covered, but at least you'll have taken reasonable precautions. After all, the same thing could happen if you live in the States and have no health insurance.

[laflaca]

I've been working in Spain since early October. Although I am an EU citizen and here legally, it took a month and a half to get my working papers and social security card. Make sure that you bring a stack of photocopies of all your papers with you when you go to the offices and always, always, always go first thing in the morning. Waiting in line can take all day, especially if you have to go back and fill out additinal paperwork.

I haven't tried to use my social security card yet, so we'll see how effective it actually is... does one really have to register at a hospital as well?

[CharlesTESOL]

After reading this thread I contacted the Spanish attorney who helped me with my work permit process to ask her about the health care and insurance issue. She said she did not believe a Spanish insurance company (as opposed to an international company) would deny anyone based on their status and had never heard of such a thing happening. I asked her if it would technically be possible for a company to deny coverage based on someone's status. She said if so, it would have to be mentioned in the terms of the policy.

I have known people who purchased health insurance policies from Spanish companies with only a non-EU passport as ID and have never heard of anyone having a problem. However, I think it would be wise to check the terms of any policy before purchasing.

The attorney also mentioned that all foreigners may register for local health care services, even if they are not in Spain in a regular situation. I actually have known a few people who took this last step and, so, did receive a Spanish regional health care card. (By the way, each region in Spain has its own health care system, so if you move from one to another, you must re-register.) She added that even if one does not register, all foreigners in Spain have a right to emergency medical care until discharged by a doctor, regardless of their status.