Gecko Towers
Update 09.04.24: An announcement has been made by the leader of the Socialist Government in Spain, that his government plans to amend or repeal the “Golden Visa” legislation. Currently no timetable for these changes has been suggested and there is opposition to any revision. That said, this discourse, that started in May 2023, may result in some material changes. We will endeavour to keep you up to date with these as we are made aware of them and their precise impact.
The one challenge that I suspect confronts many when considering relocating to the Marbella coast, at any age, but particularly later in life, is the access to familiar medical care. With the added specter of a potential language issue, committing to a future life in another country may well require a degree of chutzpah.
Many clients, as they settle into their new homes in the Marbella region, and the unfamiliar becomes increasingly familiar, often tell us of those they left behind. Those for whom the simplest of challenges seem to prove insurmountable. Some bravery is definitely required to question your current life and to prompt yourself to seek to improve it. Few if any points are gained from allowing life to pass you by or be constrained by inertia into inaction. Relocation is not for everybody but for those who can maintain a foot in both camps – perhaps the optimal solution – may be as a result of downsizing in the home market, the commensurate rewards will flow. Mark, my words.
A prerequisite for a Golden Visa, a non-lucrative Visa and, we anticipate, a Digital Nomad residency is that the applicant and their dependents should benefit from suitable private health insurance cover. To be honest, comparing apples and oranges is outside the scope of this blog. So seeking to understand whether one health insurance provider is a better or a more comprehensive service than another is beyond my simplicity.
What I can attest to is that Mrs W and I have a relatively basic private health policy, that seems to provide some cover but I have only used it twice and once was for a hygienist’s deep clean of coffee/red wine stained teeth! It’s there if and when we need it – which should, perhaps, be the tag line for all insurance!
In most medical environments, we’ve experienced in the UK and Europe, it is often suggested that the more severe your condition then you are better off going to the Accident and Emergency Department “Urgencias”) of a state run hospital or clinic. The former, in Marbella is the Costa del Sol Hospital, opposite the renowned Los Monteros Hotel just to the East of Marbella. Currently, getting to the end of a substantial redevelopment program, the CDS Hospital employs a marvelous team of Doctor, Nurses and a particular team of practitioners who prioritize patients in the A&E Triage area.
Without being indiscrete about our health history but a close relative had a particularly nasty fall from a horse a number of years ago that resulted in a broken femur. The ambulance personnel were exceptional and the ER team were equally calming and very professional. Surgery necessitated the insertion of a titanium rod to knit the regrowing bone. All was conducted with great efficiency. The then only slight culture clash with the English systems seemed to stem from the lack of nursing care. Indeed, beside the hospital’s bed was a shortened couch or armchair that was expected to be occupied by a doting family member to deal with many of the non-medical requirements of the patient.
So our experience of the Spanish Public Health Service has been hugely favorable. Of course, such a commentary about something as important, as medical care, must come with a massive caveat. This is all based on my personal experience and that of my immediate family.
About ten years ago I had an umbilical hernia operation in the CDS Hospital and I am, by nature, apprehensive of pretty much any surgical procedures. The staff were amazing explaining to me in both English and Spanish what was happening. So skilled I didn’t feel the epidural being inserted. I was in essence awake during the op but entirely pain free both during and afterwards. No surgery is a fortnight’s holiday by the beach, but my direct experience was hugely favorable.
A friend’s recent experience at the CDS Hospital suggests that the patient care at the Hospital has improved even further with a team of bi-lingual support both staff and volunteers on hand to smooth any linguistic confusions. Aside from this, whilst there seems to be seasonal pressure on bed space the overall experience was excellent and the follow up for the patient continues post discharge.
My gut feeling – back to my hernia op…. – reeling at the horror stories that are doing the rounds post pandemic, are that the NHS in the UK seems largely under funded and perilously close to collapse after years of neglect. Even though at an Andalusian regional level the ruling political party is centre right there appears to be a continued desire to show residents what their tax-Euro’s are being spent on. Indeed, in San Pedro De Alcantara, the recently built replacement for the old Ambulatorio – primary care clinic – will deliver a fresh approach to caring for the local community.
I should give a final tip in the direction of the several experienced – and often UK/Spanish bi-qualified doctors – who provide their services from clinics dotted up and down the coast. One team in San Pedro de Alcantara, Mrs W and her family have known since the 1970’s, with generations of doctors following in family footsteps. We have had some experience with these practitioners which has been substantially more than highly satisfactory. A kind of health “wicket-keeping’ role which has a cost – unless covered by your insurers – but very well worth it.
Embracing the outdoor lifestyle that is available in abundance on the Costa del Sol, recent trips to the ski slopes of Sierra Nevada and up the emblematic La Concha behind Marbella, on each occasion we have been told tales of unfortunate accidents befalling fellow skiers/hikers. The reports always end with an assurance by the teller that the medical care receive by those suffering injury was exceptional.
This is all the more comforting as we start to delve deeper into our Volterol Years, when the power of the branded ibuprofen relief – other brands do exists and its called Voltadol in Spain – has provided topical care for those still young enough to believe they have to exorcise their inner Mountain Goat!
You should know that all legitimate residents in Spain – planning to stay three months or more – should register with the appropriate authority to be able to access healthcare. As a result basic state medicine should be available to you and your dependents but you may need to pay for prescriptions.
The UK government has a particularly good page on their website dealing with the health care issues in Spain – Healthcare for UK nationals livng in Spain
Should you be interested in discussing the legal process involved in buying a property in the Marbella region, we would be delighted to assist you. Our multi-disciplinary team of bi-lingual, highly experienced and wholly independent Abogados and Asesores Fiscales are ready to help you.
Please call me, Mark FR Wilkins, during usual business hours on +34 600 343 917 or, if you prefer, or e-mail me at mark@roslegal.es
Please note that our posts are for general interest. There is no substitute for proper legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances as provided by a qualified Abogado who is experienced in the application of the Spanish Law.
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