Talk Quesada forum

Hi
I’m looking for advice on how and where to apply for Convenio Especial. We live in the Guardamar Del Segura area.
I understand all the conditions as to being in the scheme but just asking for anyone with experiences of applying for it, or is it possible to pay for someone to complete all the paperwork and apply for us ?

Cheers
Tel13

This is the official procedure on applying for Convenio Especial. (If you open it in Google it will translate to English).
Convenio Especial

There is a link to the application form and to the direct debit form. Both are in Valenciana and Spanish only but are quite straightforward.
It tells you where to apply and, if you send it by post from a post office, you must leave the envelope open so the post office can stamp and date the forms before posting.

If the Spanish procedures worry you a bit, then there is space to nominate someone to do it for you, perhaps your solicitor or gestor. Not sure if One Way services do this but it may be worth asking. Of course, you would have to pay them to do it for you.

The boxes in order are:
First surname. Second surname. First name. Date of Birth
Nationality. Type of ID document (NIE or passport). Number of ID document.
Full address (street name, number, flat number) Postcode. Town
Province (Alicante for us) Telephone No. Fax. email address

The next two lines are the details of someone you have nominated to apply on your behalf.

Then you tick the photocopied documents you are including with your application.

NIE (in our case)
Passport
Residency Card
Padron Certificate
Direct Debit Form (also on the above link)
Any other applicable documentation (and write what it is).

Then the usual gumpf of giving permission to use your personal data

Best of luck

Have you checked out the private insurers as well? The cost of the limited services available to you with the convenio especial should be similar to those under the basic cover for private health i.e €60p.m under 65 and €157p.m over 65. In fact I would expect a pretty decent private health insurance cover for €720 per annum and one with all the bells and whistles for €1900 per annum over 65.

Bee

Hi
Thanks Marcliff for the information.
I’ve been to One Way Services this morning and they charge €50 per person which includes the form filling & a trip to Alicante to receive the SIP card once/if you are accepted!

Bee, thanks also but due to the fact of having had a coronary bypass I’ve found private health insurance do not cover me if I was to have problems linked to my heart .

Cheers Tel13

If you don't mind can I jump in on this post and ask an additional question about it?
I'm currently paying for private health care but I wondered if there are any advantages of joining this scheme before 31st Dec? Would this give me reserved rights or would I be able to still join the scheme once we leave the EU?

Yes unfortunately any underlying illnesses usually carry a premium for around 2-5 years or an exclusion under private cover. As regards joining after Dec 2020. The President of the Generalitat of Communidad Valenciana has stated UK citizens will carry the same health entitlements as they enjoy now.

Bee

I have Convenio Especial . One Way Services did the paperwork and took me to the office to complete for 50 euros. Much easier than worrying about language or paperwork.
I did have Private Health Insurance in order to get residencia but this is only needed for a year . When the year was up I got Convenio Especial as you are covered for everything and is the equivalent to the UK health service.
I have some major pre existing conditions which the Private Health Insurance would not cover me . Now I have full Health Care if needed. You have to pay for prescriptions though even with Convenio Especial .

You don't have the same level of coverage as if you had a SIP card according to Citizens Advice Bureau.





However, what is not covered, (under convenio especial) because they are separated out and are not part of 8a, is the provision of the TSE (Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea) which is the Spanish EHIC. So you are not covered if you travel to another European country, except for emergencies, so it is essential that you obtain private travel insurance. In addition, out patient prescription costs are not subsidised, so you will have to pay the full costs of any drugs. Fortunately lots of drugs are quite cheap in Spain, but other depending upon your condition may be expensive.

Bee

Many thanks Bee.