Each country within the EU has its own national system for provision of health and social services (such as benefits, care for the elderly and disabled etc). These systems are usually provided via social security insurance schemes (Seguridad Social in Spain and National Insurance contributions in the UK). All countries are free to decide who is to be insured under their legislation, which benefits are granted and under what conditions. The EU provides common rules to protect your social security rights when moving within Europe.
DISCLAIMER: Information provided by or sponsored by other organisations is done so for the convenience of the enquirers. No member of the Federación of Age Concern España takes any responsibility for the competence or probity of any of the organisations below or for the consequence of any advice given to or action taken by the enquirer.
EU Guidelines on Social Security Rights in Europe
EU Guide to Social Security Co-ordination
Provided by the European Union
EU Guide to your social security rights when moving within Europe.
EU Guide to Social Security Rights in Spain
Provided by the European Union
EU document giving an overview of health and social services provided by the Spanish Social Security scheme and guidelines on who is insured under this scheme when moving to Spain from another country. Click on the Spanish flag and under the section entitled ‘Your social security rights in Spain’ select the box ‘EN’, for English, to open the PDF document.
Access to Healthcare in Spain
Access to Healthcare in Spain
Provided by GOV.UK
Information from The British Embassy in Madrid on access to healthcare for British nationals living in Spain.
Access to Healthcare in Spain
Provided by The UK Department of Health
Information from The Department of Health in the UK on access to healthcare for British nationals visiting and living in Spain.
Access to UK Pension and Benefits in Spain
Claiming you UK State Pension in Spain
Provided by GOV.UK
Information on how to access your UK state pension whilst living in Spain from the International Pensions Centre.
Entitlement to State Pensions in Spain
Provided by GOV.UK
Information from The Madrid Embassy on UK residents in Spain entitlement to either a UK or Spanish State Pension.
Claiming Benefits if You Live Abroad
Provided by GOV.UK
General information from the UK government on who and where you can claim UK benefits whilst living abroad. Also who to inform if you are on UK benefits and move abroad.
Tax Credits If Moving Country or Travelling
Provided by GOV.UK
General information from the UK government on the effects to working and child tax credits if you or your family members move abroad.
Entitlement to UK Benefits When Living in Spain
Provided by GOV.UK
As a resident in Spain you are not entitled to many UK benefits. Only a few are transferable. You should inform the relevant authorities in the UK that you live in Spain or you may be guilty of benefit fraud. This page lists which UK benefits you can claim as a resident in Spain and which ones you cannot.
Access to Spanish Pension and Benefits
Spanish Benefits
Provided by GOV.UK
General Guidelines from The Madrid Embassy on Spanish Contributions Based Benefits and how to get a statement of your National Insurance contribrutions in the UK should you need it to claim these benefits. Also some information on Means Tested Benefits in Spain.
Spanish Contribution Based Benefits
Provided by El Ministerio de Empleo y Seguridad Social
Details of contributions based benefits in Spain. You must have paid sufficient social security contributions as an employee (not self employed) to be eligible for these benefits. Not all areas of this website are available in English. For further information or to apply please contact your nearest Seguridad Social (INSS) Office.
Spanish Unemployment Benefits
Provided by El Ministerio de Empleo y Seguridad Social
A leaflet in English on what unemployment benefits are available in Spain and entitlement to them.
Spanish Non Contributory/Means Tested Benefits
Provided by El Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales y Igualidad
Link to the IMSERSO website, the Spanish Government portal for social services for the elderly. Not all areas of this website are available in English. Please note for many of these benefits you must have been legally resident (with a valid residency certificate, NIE, and registered on the local padrón) for up to 10 years. For further information or to apply please contact your nearest Servicios Sociales Office (Social Services).
Finding Services in Your Area
Provided by El Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales y Igualidad
Link to a map of Spain showing the locations of state and private facilities. Choose between satellite view (Satélite) or street view (Callejero), double click on the map to expand to your area of Spain, and select the box for the service you require from the following options:
Recursos Sociales: Residencias - Residential Homes for the Elderly
Recursos Sociales: Centros del Dia - Day centres for the Elderly
Recursos Sociales: Centros de Serv. Sociales - Social Services
Recursos Sociales: Centros de Informacion de S.S. - Seguridad Social (INSS) Offices
Recursos Sanitarios: Hospitales - Hospitals
Recursos Sanitarios: Centros de Salud - Healthcare Centres
Recursos Sanitarios: Consultarios - Doctors’ Surgeries
