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About Spain - Useful Information

Education

Education standards are high in Spain. EU citizens have no problems finding their place in the system. If you would like your child to attend a Spanish school, the earlier the better. State education is free and your child will usually become fluent in Spanish in less than a year.

There are many international and English schools as well. And if you wish to learn Spanish, there are low cost (or free) town hall courses and many private language schools to turn to for all levels, short or long term.

Pets

Following the harmonising of national and E.U. laws it is normally no problem to transfer your furry friends to Spain.

Some planning is needed though as procedures such as vaccinations and certificates make take several months.

Contact: MAFF on 020 7904 6345.

Health Care

The Spanish are among the world's healthiest people and have an average life expectancy of 80 for women and 74 for men, the highest in the E.U. A diet of lots of garlic, olive oil and red wine contributes to the fact that heart disease in Spain is amongst the lowest in the world.

Healthcare in Spain is efficient and, depending on individual circumstances, can be freely available because of reciprocal arrangements offered within the E.U.

The medical care in this area is excellent. There are numerous clinics and medical centres.

The World Health Organisation rank Spain sixth in the world and second in Europe. The U.K. is ranked 24th in the world.

Healthcare is free to women of 60 and men of 65 years of age or if you are working.

If you retire early or do not work then you can either make voluntary contributions or take out private medical care until you are 60-65. Private medical care is cheaper than the U.K. and medicines are approximately half price.

Annual Multi-Trip Insurance is a good alternative if you want to go several times a year up to 62 days at a time.

E Form Information

For home owners living or visiting Spain part of full time.

E121 - Reciprocal free healthcare for UK citizens of pension age and people with long-term disability pensions
E111 - Free or reduced emergency healthcare if you stay up to 90 days at a time, over 183 days you count as a resident
E106 - Depends on your most recent National Insurance Contributions, but if you are under pension age you can claim up to approximately 2 years free or reduced medical care - handy if you retire early.

Forms are available from the Post Office and Overseas Benefit Office in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Telephone 0191 218 7547.