The Servicio Andaluz de Salud confirmed this week that the Convenio Especial, a monthly pay-in scheme that gives access to state healthcare, is once again active across the region. The reintroduction of the Convenio Especial means that UK Nationals who are resident in Andalusia, but do not work or claim a pension, can access public healthcare by joining this scheme. People who have not yet registered for residency can also use their registration on the Convenio Especial as proof of healthcare for residency applications.
The scheme was put on hold in July 2018 following the introduction of the Royal Decree for Universal Healthcare. For many early-retirees who were in the process of registering for residency, the Convenio Especial was an important access route to healthcare cover in Spain and a vital part of their residency paperwork. Its reintroduction is welcomed by the British Embassy and British Consulate in Malaga.
Consul Charmaine Arbouin said:
“We have worked closely with the Department of Health team based in the Embassy to raise this issue with the Andalusian authorities, and we are delighted to see the Convenio up and running again. We have heard directly from our customers how important this scheme is for them, particularly for those who are in the process of registering for residency.
I would encourage all UK nationals living in Andalusia to stay up to date with the latest news on issues such as healthcare and residency, by signing up for email alerts and visiting the Living in Spain guide on gov.uk and following our Brits in Spainpage on Facebook.”
To apply for the scheme, you must have lived in Spain for at least one year and be registered on the padrón, and you must not be eligible for healthcare cover from the UK or other EU countries.
British residents are advised to contact their nearest district health office (Servicios de Atención a la Ciudadanía de los Distritos Sanitarios) or Healthcare Management centres (Áreas de Gestión Sanitaria)for more information about how to apply for the Convenio Especial.
