Expat Valencia – Living and Working in Valencia

European expatriates in Spain’s Valencia region who were under threat of losing free access to healthcare have won a partial reprieve.

Restrictions announced last month on the right to state healthcare provision were aimed primarily at non-working expats below pension age.

From June 5, foreign nationals not contributing to the Spanish social security system lost their right to healthcare in the region unless they had one of two forms:

• the E121, issued to British men at 65 and women at 60; or

• the E106, extending access to state health services for up to 2½ years after an individual ceases working. So if you go to spain make sure you take out travel insurance over 60 or you may pay dearly.

The British Embassy in Madrid advised individuals affected to buy private medical insurance.